Candles do more than just provide light; they create a warm and inviting atmosphere, offering a soothing and relaxing effect. While many popular fragrance brands offer a variety of scented candles, making your own can also be a great option, especially as a personalized gift.

Materials

Wax

There are several options for making scented candles, with soy wax, coconut wax, and beeswax being popular choices. Soy wax and coconut wax are plant-based, derived from soybean oil and coconut oil respectively, and are both safe and environmentally friendly. Mixing these with beeswax can enhance the candle's hardness and smoothness.

Wicks

Cotton wicks work well for candles made in molds and don’t require additional waxing, allowing them to be used right away.

Wooden wicks, on the other hand, have a larger burning diameter and are ideal for container candles. They also create a pleasant crackling sound as they burn, adding a cozy atmosphere to the room.

Fragrance oils

Fragrances are used to infuse candles with pleasant aromas. When the candle burns, the heat from the melted wax volatilizes the fragrance compounds, releasing the scent into the air. You can choose to add fragrance oils or essential oils, but it's important to use oil-soluble candle essential oils. Depending on the characteristics of the essential oils and the desired effect, different products can be selected. You can select your favorite scents, such as lavender, lemon, or orange blossom.

Dye

Handmade candles can be dyed with either solid or liquid pigments. Both types of pigments are highly concentrated, so it's important to use them sparingly. Adding small amounts gradually allows you to control the depth of the color effectively.

- Solid dyes, which have a crayon-like texture, can be scraped directly with a blade. They offer high saturation, vivid colors, and excellent color fixation. To ensure the pigment is fully dissolved and avoid particles on the candle's surface, stir the mixture at a high temperature. When making essential oil candles, it's best to add the solid pigments before incorporating the essential oils.

- Liquid dyes are concentrated, fat-soluble pigments that are easy to use and require only a small amount to achieve vibrant colors. They are particularly useful for creating gradient effects and imitation colors. However, liquid dyes can be prone to fading and may stain tools or molds, especially silicone ones.

Double boiler

You can use a special double boiler designed for melting candles, or alternatively, use a heat-resistant container placed in boiling water to melt the wax.

How to make it?

- Place the prepared raw wax in a heat-resistant container, then set this container in a small pot filled with water. Heat the water to melt the wax completely into a liquid, and then remove the container from the pot.

- Allow the melted wax to cool slightly for about 5 minutes, then add a few drops of essential oil and stir well. Typically, you should add 3 to 4 grams of essential oil for every 100 grams of wax.

- Wrap one end of the wick around a stick, then place the stick across the top of the container where you'll be pouring the candle wax. Slowly pour the melted wax into the container, ensuring the wick stays centered.

- Before the surface of the wax has fully solidified, add your favorite dried flowers for decoration. Make sure the flowers are positioned away from the wick to prevent them from burning.

- Wait until the candle is completely cool and solidified, then use scissors to trim the wick to the desired length. For a stronger candle that burns more slowly, you can place it in the refrigerator for a short period before lighting it.

- If you’re not using the candle for a while, make sure to close the lid of the candle container or store it in a box. This will help keep out dust and prevent the scent from dissipating.