Candle Wax: Soy vs Paraffin

There has been much debate over the “best” wax for candles. 

Generally speaking, the more luxury candle brands tend to use soy wax, or blends of it in their candle making. This could be due to the perception that soy wax is somehow superior, (being “natural”) but also due to its appearance: soy wax has a creamy opaque texture, whereas paraffin is whiter and slightly translucent. Soy candles tend to burn slower than paraffin ones and require a higher percentage of fragrance to create a good scent – therefore are usually more expensive to produce.

However, to put arguments to rest The National Candle Association has provided the following statements:

• All waxes are primarily hydrocarbons, whether of animal, vegetable, or petroleum origin. The chemical composition of all candle making waxes is similar, and all candle waxes burn in the same manner.
• No specific type of wax or wax blend is considered 'best' for candle making. All waxes - when provided in high-quality format - have been shown to burn cleanly, safely and in the same manner.
• No candle wax has ever been shown to be toxic or harmful to human health.
• There is no such thing as a soot-free wax.

It is often claimed that soy wax is better because it is 'more natural' and 'less harmful to the environment' than paraffin. However this is a misnomer!

Paraffin is a by-product of the petroleum industry, therefore something that already exists and is made use of - so no additional harm to the environment there.

Also the processes to harvest soy and convert into wax uses petroleum in various capacities (vehicles used to harvest, transport, etc.) so really the so-called 'eco-friendly' nature of soy is questionable. 

Some people claim allergies to paraffin-based candles and this may be true, however it is more likely the allergy is caused by a particular fragrance composition rather than the wax.

Really, it is down to personal preference.  That is not to say that all candles are of equal quality. You can get poor quality of either waxes, so you want to still ensure whether you are buying candles with soy or paraffin that they are still of a good value.

Have you had good or bad experiences with either paraffin or soy candles? Please leave a comment - I would love to hear your thoughts :-)

Fragrance Profile - 'Marilyn'

Well, the inspiration for this fragrance speaks for itself.

I created this artwork especially for my mum, turning the epitome of Hollywood icons into a Bollywood empress. When transforming her initially I had her with a brown hair but it just didn’t sit right! So, she remains the blonde bombshell but with a decidedly ethnic persona.

“I am involved in a freedom ride protesting the loss of the minority rights belonging to the few remaining earthbound stars. All we demanded was our right to twinkle.” - Marilyn Monroe

TOP: Bergamot, Orange Flower, Star Anise
MID: White Jasmine, Peach, Pink Pepper, Nutmeg
BASE: Musk, Coffee, Vanilla, Cedarwood

An enchanting combination of white jasmine, sweet orange flower and pink pepper creates an aroma of soft, honeyed nectar.

This is an intoxicatingly feminine fragrance. You can almost envision a flirty, powdery pink mist in the air as it is burning. Like walking into a room wearing rose-tinted glasses, it will instantly indulge and set an aura of romance and delight before you.

Fragrance Profile - 'Lulu'

When going through the fragrance selection and development process, this one actually surprised me. Usually a huge fan of sweet, heady, oriental fragrances I was taken aback by how much I loved this scent even though it was incredibly fresh and floral. It has a real verdant quality and the Moroccan mint overtones add a hint of sophistication as well as a suggestion of the exotic.

My ‘Lulu’ artwork is based on an old hollywood image of the silent movie star Louise Brooks - the instigator of the ‘bob’ haircut and arguably the original “flapper girl”.

The fragrance inspired from this artwork reflects the luxuriant rose background and cool tone, together with the wonderful air of sophistication exuding from that 1920s/30s glamour. 

TOP NOTES: Orange, Freesia, Green Leaf, Mint

MIDDLE NOTES: Tuberose, Peony, Lily, Spices

BASE NOTES: Musk, Vanilla, Vetiver, Amber, Wood

"I never gave anything away without wishing I had kept it; nor kept it without wishing I had given it away." - Louise Brooks

It is a beautiful bouquet of blossoming freesia and tuberose, with a wonderfully airy accent of leafy mint. I can think of no better way to describe it other than how I imagine Nick Caraway’s flower-filled cottage to smell in that scene from Baz Luhrman’s Great Gatsby…

Honestly the scent will have you sitting right in the middle of that room - together with the mysterious millionaire amongst a plethora of lavish floral adornments, listening to the misty backdrop of pouring rain outside the window.

Fragrance Profile - Mata Hari

For today’s fragrance profile I feel it is important to detail a bit about the history of the character who inspired the fragrance.

‘Mata Hari’ is Malay for ‘sun’ or literally “eye of the day”.

It was the stage name taken by Margreet Zelle Macleod, an exotic dancer and courtesan who was executed under charges of espionage for Germany during World War I.

Born in the Netherlands, she moved to Indonesia to start a family but with the dissolution of her marriage then moved to Paris and remained in Europe for the rest of her life.

She began to earn fame as an exotic dancer, posing as an Indonesian princess of priestly Hindu birth, professing a background in the art of sacred Indian dance since childhood. This story of cultural ambiguity fascinated me, and I was inspired to create an artwork based on an iconic image of her as part of ‘The Empress Collection’.

She was known for elaborately exotic, asian-inspired, heavily bejewelled costumes - all photos of which were in black and white. So, it was incredibly exciting for me to bring them to life through colour, pattern and embellishments.

Her career went into decline after 1912 and she subsequently became a successful courtesan. She had relationships with many high-ranking officials in influential positions, and it was the movements related to this part of her life that caused her to come under scrutiny as an alleged spy and double agent.

In 1917 she was convicted and executed, accused of spying for Germany and consequently causing the deaths of at least 50,000 soldiers. Supposedly secret ink (incriminating evidence at the time) was found in her room, which she contended was part of her make-up. 

To many, although by no means considered an ‘innocent’ woman, she remains an unfortunate scapegoat, sentenced as much for her curious profession as for her apparent crimes. 

If anyone is interested in learning more about her history, there is a detailed account here. Her extremely colourful life story is fascinating, brimming with intrigue and an almost incredulous account of a woman who is now synonymous with the idea of a femme fatale. 

“My dance is a sacred poem in which each movement is a word and whose every word is underlined by music”

In keeping with Mata Hari’s mysterious background, the corresponding scent in our candle collection is wonderfully complicated and almost impossible to decipher.

TOP NOTES: Crisp Green, Citrus, Fruity

MIDDLE NOTES: Fig, Aquatic, Caviar, Salty

BASE NOTES: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Musk

A combination of surprising notes, the result is an unpredictable fragrance that seems to smell different each time you light it. Breezy aquatic notes balance a combination of fruity berries and musk with woody undertones. It smells freshly modern and stately timeless all at the same time, while maintaining an unmistakably alluring quality.

Congratulations to the winner of this fragrance who entered our giveaway via instagram - Rosie Whetstone!

Our fourth and final giveaway is taking place this week and Friday (18th July) is the deadline, so make sure you enter! Entries via twitter or instagram @tara_sofia - it's a great and exclusive chance to experience one of our signature luxury fragrances. 

'Sofia' - Fragrance Profile

Hello fellow fragrance-obsessed friends ☺

So much time has gone into developing my fragrances that I wanted to explain a bit about each one and what it means to me.

As I have mentioned before, my debut collection of scents are completely unique to the world of home fragrance - each being directly inspired by an original Tara Sofia artwork of the same name. 

Being named “ Tara” (meaning “star” in Hindu) serves as an homage to my Indian heritage, and perhaps an indicator of my love of all things resplendent. This coupled with a middle name taken after one of Italy’s most iconic superstars, was the inspiration for the first piece in the collection...

‘Sofia’ sees the epitome of Italian glitterati turned into an extravagantly-jewelled cultural hybrid. It is this wonderfully indulgent theme of opulence and exotic mixology that inspired me to create a home fragrance collection in the first place. Why should the artwork be confined to the canvas? With a fragranced candle the artwork can leap off the walls and be ‘alive’ within air around us. We can actually smell art!

The ‘Sofia’ scent is warm, spicy and intoxicating. The majestic aroma of wild fig is richly enhanced with seductive hints of luxurious amber and warm cinnamon. I love how unusual this fragrance is, and how all the notes mysteriously unfold as it burns. 

TOP NOTES: Green Leaf, Wild Fig, Raspberry

MIDDLE NOTES: Cinnamon, Aniseed, Clove, Ginger

BASE NOTES: Cedarwood, Amber, Vanilla, Caramel, Patchouli

As the scent saturates the air, feel yourself immediately transported to a sumptuous Indian palace; Vibrantly coloured fabrics bathed in gorgeously hazy sunshine, accented by wonderfully peppery aromas.

Experience it for yourself: The Empress Collection - 'Sofia'

Don't forget...

Next week is your last chance to enter our exclusive giveaway to celebrate the launch of the collection. Make sure you follow us on twitter (@tara_sofia) and instagram (@tara_sofia) to enter.

Tara Sofia Scented Candles - progress update

Hello friends & readers!

First of all – apologies for not posting for a few weeks. There has been a lot going on and unfortunately the blog has suffered temporarily. However I promise, we are now back on track!

Over the past few weeks I have taken a “break” from creating artwork as I wanted to concentrate on getting my candles into production. I was coming to the realisation that simultaneously working to establish myself as an artist, as well as manufacturing candles from scratch was spreading myself a little too thin so I needed to really concentrate on one thing at a time.

Regarding the candles, I am thrilled to say that I am getting there!!!  It has taken several months to research potential suppliers and weigh them up – making the final decisions of who to proceed with feels like a huge leap into the unknown but hopefully I have made good choices. I have been speaking to some really great suppliers who have been wonderful at offering advice and suggestions to a ‘newbie’ like myself, as well as suppliers who have shown a real willingness to deal with small, new businesses which is great. As this is my first production run I wanted to keep numbers as small as possible – both from logistical point of view and also so that I can really focus on optimum quality. This has meant I lack some of the 'clout' to really negotiate prices, but hopefully in time the candles will be amazingly successful and I will be able to improve my buying costs in the future. 

As a true designer at heart I am determined to avoid having to compromise any of the design elements as much as possible. I want my products to reflect the same passion that I put into my artwork - created with attention to every last little detail. So as a quick (or maybe not so quick) overview, here is where we are up to on the various components:

 

CANDLE GLASS

My glass vessels are now on order from the factory. I knew exactly the kind of glass finish I wanted, but really struggled to find a UK based manufacturer. Most scented candle brands use a very standard type of glass and I knew I needed something that would stand out from the crowd. After weeks and weeks of searching, I found a glass supplier who has offices and factories in both the UK and Far East, who have been brilliant at achieving exactly what I was after. If you follow me on instagram (@tara_sofia) there is a sneaky preview of what the candle glass looks like and I really am so happy with them. The pale gold metallic effect is perfect, and will look so elegant and beautiful when the candles are lit.

 

BRANDING

The branding of a product has huge importance, so again I knew I wanted something different. A lot of luxury scented candle brands just use a pretty standard paper sticker on their candles. What is exciting about a plain paper sticker? When you are paying £40+ for a scented candle, you aren’t just paying for a scent. You want the whole thing to be an ornament in itself, to accent your home. I wanted the branding to be part of the candle’s aesthetic, so again followed many weeks of searching and many weeks of getting absolutely nowhere! Eventually I came across a wonderful supplier who can produce amazingly intricate name plates made of embossed copper which look stunning against the gold metallic glass. They are pretty pricey but I think they are totally worth it, and add a real element of majesty to the candles.

I have designed 2 options for an updated logo, to really make the most of the name plate and these are currently being sampled. No advance pictures of this unfortunately – have to save something for the big reveal!

 
FRAGRANCES

The fragrances for this collection were massively important for me to get right. Many candle fillers had a selection of stock fragrances that they were offering. Typical ‘people pleasers’ of lavender, vanilla, gardenia, etc – all lovely scents and very popular but nothing really different about them.  What I am trying to create with this collection is something new and exciting – scents that you smell and love but not because you can immediately identify them. I wanted complicated scents that hypnotise and excite you into trying to solve the mystery of what notes they include. I wanted fragrances that would trigger memories and nostalgia, as well as a feeling of magical fantasy. So, not asking for much really J
My candle range is inspired by a limted edition collection of artworks I created, which were my own personal indulgence.  So, I liaised with one of the world’s leading fragrance houses to develop 4 wonderfully unique and indulgent scents, each one based on a different one of my artworks.

The scents are currently undergoing tests with the wax – an extremely crucial part of the process. I want to include the highest possible percentage of fragrance in each candle, to create a wonderfully intoxicating aroma as they burn. However, adding too much fragrance can cause candles to burn inefficiently so I am working hard to get this balance perfectly right.

 

PACKAGING

Ahhh the packaging!! The thorn in my side since this project began. Originally I assumed this would be the simplest component… how wrong I was! My biggest problem has been the quantities I was looking at. I wanted 4 different box designs (one for each fragrance), rather than a generic box for all as so many other candle brands do. I wanted the packaging to be an extension of the appeal of the product, rather than an afterthought. This of course caused the price of them to skyrocket, making them almost as expensive as the candle itself to produce. Not ideal!

After numerous tweaks and endless contacts, I have finally found a supplier in the UK who can produce the quantities I need at a competitive price – woohoo! I am going to use my exclusive embossed copper name plate on the box as well as the glass, which I think will make a great visual impact.

 

So that was my candle update! If you are interested in more information on any of the elements I have mentioned above, please feel free to comment, email (tara@tarasofia.com) or send me a tweet (@Tara_Sofia). Once the candles are ready I will be doing some serious giveaways so make sure you are signed up to receive information about them! 
Thanks for reading and please don't forget to share and subscribe :-)

The Low Down. Tips and Tricks for getting the most out of your Scented Candles.

So… have you been burning your scented candles? Hopefully you have, and are starting to come around to my way of thinking. Scented candles are A-MA-ZING. However, once you’ve decided that you love them and want to start burning them every day for the rest of your life – how do you decide which ones to buy? And once you’ve bought one, how do you know if it is good quality?

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

Scented Candles - A Fragrance Revolution

I am obsessed with fragrance and the way it has the ability to instantly transform your mood. It can invoke memories or nostalgia, filling you with warmth and comfort. It can create effortless romance and enchantment. It can energise, invigorate or establish a perfect aura of serenity. It can make you feel right at home, or transport you a million miles away. The possibilities with fragrance are endless.

So why don’t people seem to have as much interest in scenting their homes as they do their bodies?  The perfumes we choose for ourselves are immensely personal - a general reflection of how we like to feel and how we like to be perceived. Surely this should extend to our homes as well? 

 

With that in mind, I am pioneering a home fragrance revolution! I am championing the crossover between interior design and fragrance.

I want us to change the way we view home fragrance – not as an occasional impulse, but as an integral part of our home décor. Who says you can’t decorate your home with fragrance just as effectively as with a canvas on a wall?

Scent is the ultimate “fifth dimension” when it comes to decorating a space, enabling you to encompass more than just aesthetics. Creating an ambience is a multi-sensory experience, and it is this idea that has the potential to completely transform the feel of our homes. It isn’t just about what Dulux colour we pick, or which wallpaper we choose – fragrance can be far more powerful, not to mention far easier to change as your mood suits.

There are various ways to scent the home of course: air fresheners, plug-ins, diffusers, fragrance lamps, room sprays… the list goes on. My preference of course is for candles, as they are so much more than a room freshener. They have a magic sort of quality, the way their delicate warm glow dances and flickers, emanating a unique sense of comfort and luxury. A burning candle seems to radiate a calming, hypnotic silence that you can’t replicate with anything else.

So I would like all of you reading to please, put my theory to the test. Light a scented candle (or two) at home and leave it burning for the evening; nothing expensive, just any scent that you like. Try it several days in a row. How does it make you feel? Doesn’t it make your home feel warmer, cosier, more lavish? Do alternative scents make a difference?

Join me in my fragrance revolution, and let me know what you think!

I would love to read your comments about which scents you like, and which ones make your home feel special.  If you like the blog so far (at its early stages!) please please subscribe, all you have to do is enter your email at the top left of the page. Easy, right? J

Posts coming soon…

Very important tips about scented candles that people don't know! | DIY lampshade project | First peek into the journey of the Tara Sofia candle collection

Interior Inspirations and Creative Aspirations

For my very first blog post I am reliably informed that I need to cover the basics, so here goes… 

WHO am I?

My name is Tara, I am 28 years old and I live in Surrey (UK).

I am a designer-slash-artist, and the creator of “Tara Sofia” – a name that I hope will become synonymous with my specific style of creative design… full of exciting ethnicity, exotic vibrancy and indulgent opulence. Am I dreaming too big? I hope not.

I have recently launched a collection of luxury canvas art including paintings, photography and limited edition hand-finished art prints. Most of the canvases are embellished using Swarovski crystals, and uniquely feature a signature edging of 24-ct gold leaf. As much as I try to convince myself otherwise… I love things that are over the top. Oh, and I especially love 'bling'.

I am also in the process of creating a range of scented candles. Having worked as a designer for a decade and doing that within the home fragrance industry for almost 6 years, I have developed a complete obsession with scents which I can’t seem to shake. So, I have decided to embrace it and see where it takes me.
 

WHY am I blogging?

When I was 12 years old I read ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole’ by Sue Townsend. For some reason the book about a pubescent 13 ¾ yr old boy really resonated with me, and I found myself keeping a diary (pretty regularly) until about the age of 22.

What I learnt from those 11 years of keeping a diary was that I have always been much better at expressing myself in writing! If I had something to say and I lacked the confidence or articulation to express it… once I had written it down, it was as good as said. In the same way I hope this blog will enable me to explore all my inspirational findings and décor ideas. As I lack the time, resources (and if I'm honest, sometimes the inclination) to fully explore each and every idea that I find exciting, once written down they will be as good as accomplished - in that maybe someone else will see an idea and try it for themselves.
 

WHAT will I blog about?

In a nutshell, I plan to do two things…

1)      Document the journey of my attempt at world domination. Or in other words, taking my art designs and translating them into home and gift products – starting with scented candles.

2)      Pander to all my interior design fantasies by exploring décor trends, sharing ideas and exciting finds, with specific importance given to fragrance in the home (my personal fascination).

Therefore I hope to keep this blog as both a record of my creative entrepreneurial journey, as well as a place to indulge my obsession with interior design and art.



HOW can you connect with me? (pretty please)

If you can even remotely affiliate yourself with any of the categories below, I encourage you to please please comment, subscribe and share your opinions (design related or otherwise) with me!

• Scented candle addicts
• Home Fragrance Aficionados
• Interior Design Junkies
• Creative Enthusiasts
• Design Devotees

Intsa me: @tara_sofia
Tweet me: @tara_sofia
Email me: tara@tarasofia.com
Website: www.tarasofia.com

I really look forward to hearing from you, and welcome to my journey! I can’t promise I will necessarily reach the destination I was aiming for, but at least things will look pretty and smell nice on the way.