What to Look for When Buying Scented Candles
Whether it’s the warm mystic glow or the rich, relaxing scent of vanilla, a lovely scented candle can always help create the right mood and even elevate your home décor.
Picture this: You're strolling through your favourite mall or scrolling for candles online, and you're hit by the urge to add a new, fragrant member to your candle family.
It's not just about the scent – it's about setting the mood, creating an ambience, and perhaps even a bit of self-care. But with a galaxy of options twinkling before you – from woodsy to floral, from soy to beeswax – how do you choose the one that's right for you?
And you know it, choosing the perfect candle is no easy task —there is a lot more to consider than just the scent or the brand. With the range of options available, the quest for choosing among all these scented candles becomes even more difficult. So, here are some tips and ideas to help you buy the best-scented candles.
Fragrance and Scent
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Scent can be a very personal choice. Studies have shown that different scents evoke different emotions and memories in different people.
While some might love subtle and light scents like citrus and herbs, others might prefer something stronger like sandalwood.
Let’s just say that when it comes to the scent of a candle, it’s to each his own!
The choice of scent may vary depending on your mood, the room you are buying the candle for, or the kind of ambience you wish to create. And there are way too many options available out there, so go ahead and experiment!
In case you'd want more guidance, here's how to choose based on the 4 Fragrances.
Michael Edwards’ perfume fragrance wheel uploaded by Kimberly A. Pollard
That said, we can still agree on one thing - the fragrance is the most important characteristic of a scented candle. But sometimes what happens is, mass-produced scented candles lose fragrance very quickly and this can be especially disappointing if the candle is an expensive one.
Candles, when poured, sometimes shrink or create holes when they set, and to fix this often a second layer of wax is poured on top, which ensures a smooth finish.
What some manufacturers do is scent only this top layer of the candle or even worse, just the wick. These cost-saving techniques are exactly why you no longer smell the scent in your room, even though the candle is still burning.
You might also come across claims like “infused with high levels of scent”, which is actually more problematic. Because candle waxes have a saturation point, a manufacturer who knows and understands candles would not make such claims.
A candle can only hold so much fragrance oil. When a candle is oversaturated, you might notice a layer of oil on top of it, which not just makes it look unattractive, but also causes the candle to burn unevenly when lit.
What you also need to look out for is the kind of fragrance added - whether it is synthetic fragrance or essential oils. Synthetic fragrance oils have absolutely zero aromatherapeutic benefits.
In fact, all they do is make your home smell nice and the ones that are made using chemicals, even release harmful toxins in the air when lit. Always look for candles scented using essential oils. They are not only natural but also therapeutic and have health benefits.
At Innerfyre Co, we make sure that all our collections of scented candles are made just perfectly using 100% natural essential oils and smell wonderful from the first burn till the end.
Scent Throw
Scent throw basically means how far a candle can disperse its smell or whether a scented candle can fill a room with fragrance.
We recommend that you always buy candles that have sufficient scent throw and make sure you buy larger scented candles for large rooms and smaller ones for small rooms.
It’s really that simple!
You can even opt for large candles with multiple wicks, because not only do they look attractive, but they also fill large rooms with fragrance easily, and for a longer time.
Type of Wax in the Scented Candles
The kind of wax used in a candle makes a huge difference in its quality. Choosing the right candle wax is extremely important since that’s what determines the scent throw and burn time. So, let’s have a look at the different types of wax available.
Paraffin Wax
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The most widely and commonly used wax in candles is paraffin wax. It can be easily dyed and is the cheapest option available, which makes it ideal for manufacturers.
However, paraffin creates more soot and releases harmful toxins as compared to other waxes. A 2009 study even revealed that paraffin wax releases potentially dangerous chemicals, such as toluene.
On the other hand, another study revealed that the levels of chemicals released by each type of candle was well below the amount that would cause human health problems.
That said, if you'd like to be on the safe side while more research is being done, it would be best to try out the other types of wax out there.
Beeswax
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With a mild and natural honey-like scent, beeswax candles reduce the need for artificial dyes and scents and are a good option for people with allergies. Beeswax also creates a beautiful golden glow when lit.
They produce less soot as compared to paraffin wax and release negative ions that help clean the air. Beeswax has a high melting point and is less prone to dripping.
Soy Wax
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Made from soybean oil, soy wax scented candles are the latest trend. These are sustainable and natural, making them a safe choice.
Soy wax candles also have a longer and cleaner burn time as compared to paraffin wax candles.
Coconut Wax
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Coconut wax is a sustainable option, unlike paraffin, and does not require pesticides or fertilizers to grow, unlike soybean oil.
So, it’s a completely natural and environmentally friendly option. A renewable and natural resource, coconut wax has an excellent scent throw and ensures a clean burn – no harmful chemicals are released when lit.
It is also the slowest burning wax as compared to the rest so what you get is value for money. At Innerfyre, all our scented candles are made using coconut wax, which ensures quality and the best burn time.
Read more about Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax.
The Wick
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The material of the wick makes a whole lot of difference to the candle’s burn time and quality.
Some of them can have toxic ingredients in them. As such, always look for candle wicks made using quality materials like cotton or linen.
Also, if a wick is not placed in the centre of the candle, it will deliver an uneven burn and leave behind thick black soot.
High-quality scented candles always use a thinly braided wick, which ensures a slow and easy burn than a wiry wick.
Scented Candles' Burn Time
There’s no point buying beautifully scented candles if they’re just going to burn out quickly — you need to know how to make scented candles last.
If you are investing in an expensive candle, you would want more value for your money. Always check the labels for candles with a longer burn time.
Burn time is affected by a number of factors like the type of wax, wick, and the quantity/quality of fragrance.
So, make sure you lookout for the best quality wax, wick, and fragrance because all of these will eventually determine the burn time of the candle.
Candle Style
There are different styles of scented candles available and you can choose any of them depending on your décor or need. Here are some of the most commonly used styles.
Pillar Candles
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These are cylindrical candles that are made using solid wax that can burn free-standing. Pillar candles are perfect for displaying alone or simply on a vibrant/decorative heat-resistant plate.
Taper Candles
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These are taller and thinner than pillar candles and hence need a holder – either a candlestick or a candelabra. Taper candles are ideal for adding a sophisticated look to dining tables or as an elegant living room mantelpiece.
Votive Candles
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These small cylindrical or square candles come in small jars or cups and throw a small warm light. Perfect for bedside tables, shelves, or bathroom units. Votive candles are also known as prayer candles.
Tealight Candles
These are small round candles that are perfect for any occasion. Owing to their petite size, tealight candles look best when displayed in clusters.
Find the Best Scented Candles Singapore
Our advice would be to try different candles and experiment with different scents until you find the one you like. Finding a scented candle with a good burn time and your favourite scent is a matter of trial and error.
So, go ahead and begin your quest for scented candles that actually work for you! Also, don’t forget to check out all our collection of scented candles online.
Shop for Scented Candles in Singapore today.
References:
- Harvard Gazette. (2020, February). How scent, emotion, and memory are intertwined and exploited. Retrieved from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/02/how-scent-emotion-and-memory-are-intertwined-and-exploited/
- Healthline. (n.d.). Are Candles Bad for You? What the Science Says. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you#what-the-science-says
- Healthline. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About Non-Toxic Candles. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/nontoxic-candles
- Schmeisser, Elmar & Pollard, Kimberly & Letowski, Tomasz. (2013). Olfaction warfare: odor as sword and shield.
