Fragrances are an important reason why people, including myself, make their own candles.
Personally, I prefer natural scents as opposed to synthetic scents. Therefore, I personally prefer to use essential oils used for aromatherapy. However, if you are not as particular as me about what scents are used, then there many fragrances you can buy to add to your candles.
Paraffin wax, by its own nature, is odorless. Therefore, unless you add a scent to it, you will smell nothing. On the other hand, beeswax has a natural honey scent already in it but you can add essential oils to beeswax if you want.
Generally speaking, you only need a few drops of a fragrance or an essential oil to add a nice aroma. Most people tend to think they need to add a lot, but a little does go a long way.
You can also make candles that have cinnamon sticks connected to the candle to create an aroma!
In other situations, you can actually scent the wick itself. This is generally done if you are making candles using plastic or rubber moulds as both plastic and rubber can taint the added scent.
Here is some more specific information about fragrances:
Fragrance Oils:
Fragrance oils refers to the synthetic or man made scents. These sorts of scents have been artificially created in a laboratory.
Many people will use fragrance oils because they are cheaper and there is a greater selection. But on the down side, many people have allergic reactions to synthetics fragrances. As mentioned previously, synthetics fragrances have been detected at the north pole as they do not break down that easily.
Review:
- Inexpensive
- A large variety
- Can cause allergies
- Made in a laboratory
Essential Oils:
Essential oils are my personal favourite. Yes, essential oils are more expensive but anyone who enjoys aromatherapy will definitely find essential oils simply superior.
You can harness the healing power of aromatherapy when you add essential oils to your candles. Personally, I just like a good vanilla or cinnamon aroma, but you can buy blends of essential oils for many different purposes. For example, peppermint oil helps create alertness.
There is a definite difference between good quality and poor quality essential oils. Many of the best essential oils come from England.
Most people who add essential oils to their candles will also use beeswax candles. This is because both essential oils and beeswax are natural materials.
If you are planning on using essential oils in your candles for specific reasons, then it is best to consult an aromatherapy book to find the blend of essential oils that is best for you.
Do remember that you don’t need to add many drops to your candles. You can always add more drops if you find the aroma is too weak. You will need to make a few candles until you find the amount of essential oils that is right for you.
Review:
- Essential oils are natural
- Primarily used with beeswax candles
- More expensive than synthetic fragrances
Powdered Herbal Fragrance:
You can add finely ground herbal powders to your candles to help emit a herbal fragrance. I personally like to use cinnamon. I can’t help it! I love cinnamon!
I buy my cinnamon from my local health food store as I like to use high quality cinnamon. In fact, I like to buy most of my powdered herbs from my local health food store.
There is a definite difference in quality when you buy your powdered herbs from your local health food store. If you don’t believe me then what you do is a taste test. Simply buy some cinnamon from your grocery store and then some from your local health food store. Sample both and you will taste the difference. This difference in quality can also be found in other powdered herbs.
Some of the other powdered herbs that others use include nutmeg, frankincense and myrrh. You can get creative though and use other herbs that you like such as ginger, rosehips and so on.
The amount of powdered herbs you use in your candles will depend on the quality of the herb and the size of your candle. You may need to make a few candles before finding the best amount for you. Adding a lot of powdered herbs is not a good idea as not only can the aroma be too heavy, but also the flame will not be able to burn effectively.
Powdered herbs will usually affect the color and texture of your candles.
When using powdered herbs make sure the herb is finely ground as large pieces of the herb can cause the flame to go out. It is best to add the powdered herb to the wax just before pouring the wax into the mould. You will also want to stir the powdered herb into the wax so it is evenly distributed. It is common to find that some of the powdered herb added has settled to the bottom of the candle.
Review:
- Too much will cause the flame to go out
- Stir the powdered herb evenly into the wax
- The color and texture of the candle will change
- Add just before pouring the wax into the mould
- Some of the powdered herb will settle at the bottom
