Master the art of homemade candles
With the rise of homemade, Do It Yourself (DIY) projects and interior decoration, the candle market has seen a real boom. Making your own scented container and moulded candles has become a hugely popular activity, whether for the sheer joy of creating or with a view to launching a business. In recent years the trend has gathered pace all over the world, especially during the various COVID-19 lockdowns, which fuelled this enthusiasm even further.
Today, candles are used for all sorts of occasions: lighting, decoration, meditation, relaxation and more. They create a cosy atmosphere at home and come in a huge variety of sizes and shapes. The best known of all, scented candles, deliver fragrance experiences that awaken your senses.
For us, candle making is a lot like cooking: ingredients, recipes and meticulous, intricate skills that you build up over time. Little by little, you will find that your only limit is your creativity!
That said, it can feel very daunting at first, and we completely understand! That is why we have put together a huge guide to candle making, with every technique you need!
Comprehensive beginner guides to help you make your own candles
We have deliberately left fragrances out. Why? Because fragrances can be used in candles, soaps and home fragrance creations alike. Our dedicated guide is now available. In it, you will discover all the secrets of our fragrances.
The history of the candle through the ages
Candles have been used since Antiquity to provide light and warmth, as well as in religious rituals. The first candles were made from raw materials such as animal fat (tallow).
The French word for candle, "bougie", comes from the name of a town in Algeria, Bugāya (now Béjaïa).
In the Middle Ages this town was renowned for its beeswax production, which was exported to Europe and used to make high-quality candles.
At first, the word referred to the wax that came from this town, before it was applied to the objects made from that wax. The term "bougie" has been recorded in French since the 14th century.
So in the Middle Ages, candles were made from beeswax and were a luxury reserved for the nobility and the clergy. Ordinary people used oil lamps or torches for light. Over time, candle-making methods evolved, bringing candles within reach of a much wider public.
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution introduced new candle-making methods, including mass production and the use of raw materials such as paraffin wax. These innovations made candles even more affordable and helped them become ever more popular.
The different types of candles
Naturally, handmade scented candles are the most popular. Every type of candle can be given as a gift.
They are ideal as presents or to brighten up your home at an affordable price. But do you know all the different types of candles? Here they are!
Container candles
Your candle mixture is poured into heat-resistant glasses or containers, and it burns in that very same container.
Most scented candles are container candles. This family also includes:
- The tealight: it can be considered a container candle when used in an aluminium cup. It is used for decoration or in fragrance burners.
- The gourmand candle: often scented, these candles evoke sweet, comforting scents inspired by culinary treats, and are often designed to look as tempting as a dessert.
- The massage candle: made this way with a low-melting-point wax. Once blown out, it can be used to scoop out the melted wax as massage oil with no risk of burns. Perfect for tender moments for two!
- The gel candle: a candle made from paraffin gel.
Moulded candles
Moulded candles are made by turning a set mixture out of a mould made of silicone, latex or polycarbonate.
If you want to add an original touch to your creation, there is a whole world of shapes and creative options to explore! You can even scent them, although the results may be limited, as the cold throw tends to fade quickly. Either way, they are mainly used to decorate your home.
There are several types of moulded candles:
- The classic moulded candle, known as the pillar candle: it has a little sister, the votive candle, which is identical but much smaller, making it perfect for table decorations.
- The tealight: these are small round candles. A wax tealight creates a cosy atmosphere and can be used as a decorative touch on a table. It has a longer burn time.
- The floating candle: a small moulded candle that looks like a wax melt floating on water.
- The wax lantern: it softens a light source. Today these are more commonly found in LED versions.
- Votive candles: small moulded candles, around 5.5 cm high and slightly flared, designed to be burned in special holders so that they burn steadily for a long time. They are often used in religious or spiritual settings as offerings to accompany prayers or devotions.
- The taper or church candle: it is long and slender, and often found in places of worship. Tapers can also be made by dipping.
Dipped candles
Dipped candles are made by immersing them in vats of wax. They can be dipped several times to build up multiple layers for different effects.
This is the principle behind the carved candle. Made from paraffin, this technique involves preparing your dipping vats in one or more colours. Carving through the layered colours produces strikingly artistic results. Carved candles are, however, less in vogue today.
As mentioned above, tapers can also be made by dipping.
Essential safety measures before you start making candles
Before you begin, it is vital to take precautions to minimise the risks involved in handling chemicals and hot wax. We recommend that all our customers, particularly pregnant women and people with pre-existing medical conditions, take appropriate protective measures.
Protect yourself properly
- Safety glasses to protect your eyes from splashes.
- Gloves to prevent skin irritation.
- Clothing that covers your skin to prevent burns.
Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in harmful fumes.
Follow the instructions
Follow the making instructions carefully and avoid any risky improvisation. Handle all products with care.
Check the safety data sheets
Refer to each product's safety data sheet (SDS) to find out the specific precautions to take.
Conclusion
We have now introduced you to the world of candles and all the main types of candle. Explore our guides and master the art of candle making. To get started, you need to know which wax to use for which type of candle: to find out, take a look at our wax guide.
