Articles
Fragrance as art: why you need scents for candles
Creating candles at home has become a popular activity not only among handmade craftsmen, but also among those who are looking for coziness and atmosphere in everyday life. One of the key elements that influence the perception of the finished product are the following candle fragrances. They turn an ordinary candle into a complete tool for relaxation, romance or aromatherapy. Scents can set the mood of a space, evoke associations, evoke memories or create a sense of comfort in the home.
Scents for candles add wax, gel or soy base with a special property - to give emotions through smell. Most often, either natural essential oils or special fragrances designed to interact with high temperatures are used. Essential oils are renowned for their natural and therapeutic properties, but require careful handling. They are prone to burnout, not all combine with paraffin or soy wax, and their fragrance may be less persistent. Synthetic fragrances, on the other hand, are specially adapted for candles, retain their richness when burning and can convey complex perfume compositions, from the smell of fresh linen to the scent of expensive perfume.
The right fragrance makes a candle not just a decorative element, but a real aromatic accent in the interior. It can create a spa-like effect, fill your home with a festive mood or relax after a hard day. For each time of day, season or event you can choose your own fragrance. In the morning - invigorating citrus, in the afternoon - neutral freshness, in the evening - woody, vanilla or lavender notes that create coziness and peace.
Selection, dosage and peculiarities of flavorings application
To obtain a quality scented candle, it is important to choose the right type of fragrance, its concentration and the moment of introduction into the wax. As a rule, fragrances are added to the melted wax at a temperature of about 60-70°C, mixed well and only then poured into the mold. Essential oils are less resistant to high temperatures and it is recommended to add them at lower temperatures to preserve their properties. The optimal concentration of flavoring agent - from 6 to 10% of the total volume of wax, depending on the intensity of the desired flavor and the type of base. It is important not to overdo it: too high a dosage can cause the candle to smoke, burn poorly, or give off too pungent an odor.
Candle fragrances are classified by type of fragrance: floral, fruity, woody, fresh, spicy, oriental, gourmet. Floral (rose, jasmine, lavender) are ideal for romantic and relaxing compositions. Fruity (orange, apple, mango) give candles lightness and vivacity. Woody and spicy (sandalwood, cinnamon, cloves) create a sense of warmth, especially relevant in the fall and winter period. Oriental and gourmand (musk, vanilla, caramel) give candles depth and sensuality. By combining flavors, you can achieve original multi-layered compositions that unfold in stages during burning.
In addition to choosing the flavoring itself, it is important to consider compatibility with the wax. For example, soy wax is better at transferring scent than paraffin wax, but may require a higher concentration. Gel candles have their own peculiarities - they require special, fully transparent fragrances, so as not to spoil the appearance. It is important to choose products designed specifically for candles, as cosmetic or food fragrances may not withstand high temperatures and may release harmful substances when heated.
Fragrance manufacturers often offer samples, thanks to which you can test the fragrance in advance before buying a large volume. This is especially useful for those who make candles for sale: it is important to understand how the scent behaves in the wax, whether it changes as it burns, and how persistent it is. Some scents can be very pleasant on the blotter, but disappear when heated. Therefore, experience and testing are important steps in selecting quality raw materials.
Proper storage of flavorings also plays a role. They should be stored in tightly closed dark bottles, in a cool place, away from direct light and heat sources. This way they retain their properties longer and do not lose saturation. It is also worth signing bottles and keeping a small journal to keep track of how this or that fragrance has shown itself in the work, with which wax it is better combined and what percentage gives the best result.
Creating scented candles is not just a craft, but a form of art. And it is scented candles that allow each craftsman to express his style, mood and convey the atmosphere through smell. They make the products unique, memorable and emotionally rich. Whether it is a lonely evening with a book, a festive dinner or a gift to a loved one - the right scent in a candle will make the moment special and warm.
