In basic terms – from the way it looks, smells and burns.
OVERALL:
A good quality candle will be smooth on top with an even colour (whether dyed or natural). There won’t be any “sweating” of fragrance on top, or pigmentation/discolouration. It will burn cleanly and evenly, with a good scent throw. You can usually tell the difference between luxury brands and cheaper ones due to their scents – the more sophisticated a scent is, the more expensive it usually is. Cheap fragrances can sometimes smell very synthetic and one dimensional.
A good quality candle will be smooth on top with an even colour (whether dyed or natural). There won’t be any “sweating” of fragrance on top, or pigmentation/discolouration. It will burn cleanly and evenly, with a good scent throw. You can usually tell the difference between luxury brands and cheaper ones due to their scents – the more sophisticated a scent is, the more expensive it usually is. Cheap fragrances can sometimes smell very synthetic and one dimensional.
That being said, here are some vital tips when burning
candles that are imperative to follow, in order to make sure you really are
getting the best out of them, no matter the price.
TIP 1 - TRIM THE WICK
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long the flame will enlarge, creating smoke/soot and the wax will start to burn quicker and unevenly. Therefore before lighting, ensure the wick is always trimmed down to about 5mm. Your candles will burn for up to 25% longer if you make sure you trim the wick each time it is lit.
TIP 2 - LET IT
MELT
When burning candles, I cannot stress how important it is (especially the first time it is lit), to leave it burning for at least two hours. The length of time will vary a bit according to the size of the candle, but what you want is for the pool of wax to melt right the way across the top before you even think about blowing it out.
When burning candles, I cannot stress how important it is (especially the first time it is lit), to leave it burning for at least two hours. The length of time will vary a bit according to the size of the candle, but what you want is for the pool of wax to melt right the way across the top before you even think about blowing it out.
Why? Wax has a “memory”
– so if you blow the candle out before it has melted across to the edges, it
won’t melt properly the next time you light it. This results in ‘tunnel’
burning, where the wax pool extends only as far as it did before, so residual
wax gets left behind around the edges. What a waste!
I came across this link in frustration once and found it
quite a handy little trick if you are really sad like me and cannot bare having
unmelted wax left behind! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVFRziacuDM
TIP 3 - BIGGER IS
BETTER
When wax melts, the liquid releases scent into the air – therefore the larger the surface area of the melted wax, the more fragrance is released. So generally candles with a wider diameter will smell stronger when burning. It is worth considering this when burning candles in larger rooms – you can either use larger candles (multiwicks) or burn several smaller ones together at one time.
TIP 4 - DRAFTS
Drafts can cause a candle to burn excessively fast or unevenly. If you see the flame of your candle flickering a lot, move your candle to a different location to maximise its burn. If drafts are unavoidable, try turning the candle each time it is lit to even out the burn.
When wax melts, the liquid releases scent into the air – therefore the larger the surface area of the melted wax, the more fragrance is released. So generally candles with a wider diameter will smell stronger when burning. It is worth considering this when burning candles in larger rooms – you can either use larger candles (multiwicks) or burn several smaller ones together at one time.
TIP 4 - DRAFTS
Drafts can cause a candle to burn excessively fast or unevenly. If you see the flame of your candle flickering a lot, move your candle to a different location to maximise its burn. If drafts are unavoidable, try turning the candle each time it is lit to even out the burn.
TIP 5 - GLASS VESSEL
If the glass of your scented candle is particularly pretty and it seems a shame to throw away – don’t! To ensure its preservation, stop burning when there is approximately 5mm of wax left at the bottom. Once the wax has cooled, putting the almost empty vessel in the freezer overnight will cause the wax to shrink a little, and it should pop out easily. Now you can use it for whatever you like! (Eg. Decorative storage, tealight holder, or even as a vessel for making your own candles).
If the glass of your scented candle is particularly pretty and it seems a shame to throw away – don’t! To ensure its preservation, stop burning when there is approximately 5mm of wax left at the bottom. Once the wax has cooled, putting the almost empty vessel in the freezer overnight will cause the wax to shrink a little, and it should pop out easily. Now you can use it for whatever you like! (Eg. Decorative storage, tealight holder, or even as a vessel for making your own candles).
THE BIG QUESTION
So, what everyone wants to know is… is it really worth
paying for the ‘luxury brands’ as opposed to cheaper ones?
As is the same with everything, you get what you pay for. The top end candle brands will typically be using the best quality ingredients (wax, wick, fragrance, vessel). To preserve their brand reputation, they are committed to ensuring their candles are of excellent quality, so that they burn evenly and that their scents are expensive.
As is the same with everything, you get what you pay for. The top end candle brands will typically be using the best quality ingredients (wax, wick, fragrance, vessel). To preserve their brand reputation, they are committed to ensuring their candles are of excellent quality, so that they burn evenly and that their scents are expensive.
I like to use cheaper candles for every day use and save the
expensive ones for “best”, or if I am simply in the mood for something a little
more luxurious.
Anyway I hope those tips were useful – probably a little
in-depth for the general reader but if you are a candle junkie like me
then I think it really is vital to know
exactly what you are paying for when you buy a candle and how you know whether
you are getting your money’s worth. As
usual please feel free to subscribe/comment, as I would love to hear from you. Let
me know all about candles that you love, or ones that you don’t. Or just say
hello! J
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