When the warmer days arrive, evenings on the terrace or in the garden become true moments of relaxation. To make them even more special, a scented outdoor candle is a must. Decorative, warm and easy to make, it sets a friendly, sociable mood while giving off fresh, pleasant scents.
Find out which fragrances to choose, why you should favour fragrances specially designed for candles and how to make your own scented outdoor candle with ease.
Which fragrances should you choose for an outdoor candle?
Fresh, herbaceous and lemony notes remain the most popular for summer evenings. Here are the fragrances in our range that come closest:
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Summer shield
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Relaxing lavender and chamomile
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Lavandin eucalyptus
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Cedar of Lebanon
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Lemon balm
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Lavender
- Eucalyptus
These fragrances blend perfectly into the atmosphere of a terrace, balcony or garden, and make a lovely companion to your summer evenings.
Why avoid essential oils in candles?
You might be tempted to use essential oils in your outdoor candles, thinking they will keep mosquitoes away and turn your creation into a genuine mosquito-repellent candle. However, this is a common misconception.
Although essential oils are natural, natural does not automatically mean safe. When heated to high temperatures, some essential oils can release substances that are sensitive or unsuitable for burning.
Essential oils such as cinnamon, clove or even certain lavenders can contain compounds that may become irritants when diffused by a candle flame.
What's more, essential oils are not specifically designed for burning. Their heat stability varies and they can disperse unevenly in the wax. The result: a candle with a weak scent, a poor burn, or one that is risky to use.
Scented outdoor candle recipe
Here is a simple recipe for making a scented outdoor candle.
What you will need
- Olive wax for container candles, or beeswax
- 7 to 10% fragrance
- A wick suited to the diameter of the container.
- A heat-resistant container
- A thermometer
- A wick centring tool
- A beaker
Method
- Secure your wick in the container and fit your wick centring tool.
- Melt your wax in a bain-marie at the recommended temperature (shown on the product page of each wax).
- Add your dye chips or liquid dye to the melted wax and stir gently until the colour is even.
- Then add your candle fragrance oil and stir gently in a circular motion so that it is evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into the container, then leave it to cool for several hours.
- Ideally, wait 48 hours before lighting your candle for the best possible scent throw.
Our recommendations for use on the terrace or in the garden
A few good habits will help your creation perform at its best:
Place your candles strategically
Arrange your candles around walkways or near dining areas for better scent diffusion.
Shield the flame from the wind
Too much wind greatly reduces scent throw and makes the candle burn faster.
Choose a quality wax
Vegetable waxes such as olive or rapeseed wax burn more slowly and diffuse the fragrance more evenly. You can also opt for beeswax, an animal-derived wax with a high melting point of between 60°C and 65°C.
Create a pleasant, fragrant summer atmosphere
Making a scented outdoor candle is a great way to personalise your garden decor while enjoying a pleasant atmosphere on summer evenings.
By choosing fragrances specially designed for candle making, you get more even diffusion, better burn stability and a scent experience perfectly suited to relaxing outdoors.
