How to choose your scented candles

Spending much more time at home has made us realize even more that we love to stay in warm and comfortable places, especially while we work or study. Nothing makes us feel more welcoming than the glow of a candle accompanied by an exquisite aroma. 

All these things sound wonderful, right? However, we understand very well that if you are new in this world and you want to start buying candles, for you or a friend, it can be complicated to choose the right one. There is a wide variation of waxes, shapes, fragrances, and sizes. Besides, the quality of its ingredients will also define the price. 

That's why we want to show you everything you need to know to choose the best-scented candle for you. Let's continue reading:

What Makes a Good Quality Scented Candle?

Before making any purchase, you must ensure that the ingredients of the candle are of the best quality. This will mean a better scent, greater durability, and of course a better experience. 

Usually, you can check the ingredients in the candle packaging. However, if they do not appear it probably indicates that they are not of the best quality. Companies that work with cheap ingredients often omit them on the label. You can also check the companies' websites for any extra information. 

You should look for natural, botanical, and organic ingredients because they indicate a good quality product.

Wax

This is the main ingredient of all scented candles, representing 95% of its volume. This indicates that the better the wax, the better the fragrance, lifespan, and eco-friendliness. The most common kind of wax used to make candles is paraffin because it is affordable and easily accessible. 

The main problem with paraffin wax is that it is made using the by-products of petroleum. Although there is no clear evidence that indicates that this kind of wax can be harmful to the human body, it feels safer to stay away from it. 

Other kinds of waxes are palm, gel, soy, bayberry wax, and beeswax. The last one mentioned is known as the queen of the waxes. It has health benefits and requires the hard work of thousands of bees, which makes this wax the most expensive and the best for scented candles.

Beeswax benefits

• It is a natural air cleaner. It is capable of removing pollutants from the environment. 
• Its natural scent is sweet and aids stress and anxiety.
• Even the smallest beeswax candle can last for a long time.

Although as we said before, the most expensive scented candles are usually made of beeswax, it is definitely worth it because you will get an organic and safe candle, which is also very durable. 

Perfume Concentrations

Surely you must be thinking of going directly to the nearest store and buying a scented candle, taking into account the tips mentioned above. However, would you imagine that you can also purchase one online? 

Yes, you may be thinking that it is a little tricky to buy a scented candle online when, of course, you cannot smell it! Well, once you enter the world of fragrance you will notice it can be easier than you expected. It all comes down to fragrance families.

Fragrance families are categories in which different scent notes are placed, the notes being floral (e.g., lavender), fruit (e.g., lemon), or wood (e.g., cedar). A single fragrance can be made up of several layered notes from different fragrance families to create a unique scent. To be able to decode a fragrance we use something called the scent note classifications. 

The classes of scent notes are three:

• Top or head note,
• Middle or heart note.
• Base note.

They represent something called volatility, which is basically the time it takes for the scent to be noticed or sensed. Scents are usually combined in such a way that they complement each other. For example, a top note of lemon can be combined with a base note of vanilla. 

Each note has its function, and together they can create the warmest and coziest environments. Let’s learn about each one:

Top notes

Think of them as a business card, as it is the first thing you will notice once the candle is lit. That is why candle manufacturers are dedicated to making this first impression the best. Although top notes are the strongest, they are also the most volatile. They are usually considered fresh or sharp. 

Examples of top notes are lemon, bergamot, blackcurrant, pear, mandarin, and lavender. 

Middle Notes

Their job is to make the smell of the top notes much more pleasant. Also called heart notes, they are considered the center of attention of a fragrance. These aromas emerge once the essence of the top notes has dissipated. The scents of this note class are often described as mellow and well-rounded.

Examples of middle notes are rose, lilac, violet, apple, jasmine, accord brandy, clove, raspberry, and cinnamon.

Base Notes

Despite being the ones that appear last, they are also the ones that last the longest. They appear just after the heart notes to enrich and complete the fragrance. These notes are considered deep, and when evaporating slowly they can appear after up to 30 minutes. 

Examples of base notes are musk, cedar, blond tobacco, sandalwood, vanilla, and patchouli. 

Now the next time you want to buy scented candles online, do not forget to look for the pyramid fragrance. It will show you the three scent notes and the corresponding scent. Each candle can have more than one head note, heart note, and base note, and the combination of all of them will create the perfect fragrance. Try looking for the scents that you like best, to enjoy the most of your candle.

Do not forget to also look for organic and natural ingredients. They will make your candle last longer and will also help your health and maintain a much healthier environment. The most recommended ingredient is beeswax, considered the queen of the waxes, so we highly recommend you choose it for your next scented candle.