While fragrance is definitely a critical component of the candle-making process, the creation of the most enjoyable candle is not necessarily the one with the most ‘fragrance thrown in’. The beauty of a fine candle is all about the blending, which is, when individual notes, harmoniously woven together, creates an intriguing scent that evolves with burning. Many oil companies offer essential oils and fragrance oils, as well as top notes, middle notes and base notes. Generally speaking, top notes are fresh and fleeting, middle notes are the body of the fragrance and base notes are rich and last longer. While it is important to consider the strength of a top note (since woody, musk, or vanilla base notes are likely to ‘stick’ in your candle wax much longer than citrus or herbal top notes), you need to experiment to learn what strength to use in your candle.
One more thing to consider is that fragrance plays off wax type, as well. Soy and coconut have relatively low melting points and a smaller crystalline structure that contributes to their ability to throw scent. That, combined with a strong cold throw (the scent that you smell before you light the candle), is why I prefer them for soy and coconut candles, especially. Beeswax, on the other hand, has a honey-like undertone to it that can temper overpowering fragrances, but that same quality makes some of the more delicate florals get a bit lost. You may have to use a higher amount of those or blend them with other things in order to have them come out in a nice way. If you’re new to candle-making, fragrance oils are also more stable in terms of throw across different types of wax, and they can stand higher temperatures, so if you like doing really rich, or heavy “food”-type fragrances, an oil might be the way to go.
When to add the fragrance is a critical part of the blending process. If you add your fragrance when the wax is too hot, it may chemically change the top notes, separate, etc. The general consensus among experienced chandlers is that you should add your fragrance once the melted wax has reached 185 F to 135 F (depending on wax type and fragrance oils). This allows you to keep the top notes of your fragrance and blend well. I stir the fragrance in for about two to three minutes to minimize air bubbles. Once you have poured your candle, you must allow it to cure before burning. The general consensus is one to four weeks in a cool, dark place. This will enable the fragrance and the wax to bind. This will provide a much better hot throw as well as cold throw (when the candle is not lit).
Some waxers combine different seasonal or holiday themes to create a unique candle. In the spring a light, green candle with fresh cut grass, lily of the valley, and apple could be nice. In the fall try a pumpkin, smoked wood, clove candle. Blending top notes like citrus with base notes like amber creates a new and interesting scent that changes as the candle burns for more hours. Some waxers use a “fragrance log” to record the amount of each oil used, the type of wax used, and the length of time the candle was allowed to cure. They record the results of each fragrance experiment and use them to develop new fragrances over time. This makes each new fragrance blend an informed decision, and reduces the hit or miss process of blending new fragrances.
Ultimately, the key to successful candle fragrance lies in attention to what the senses and the wax tell us. A skillfully fragranced candle not only adds an inviting aroma to a room, but will also evoke memories, alter moods, and provide a moment of peace. With careful fragrance selection, measured pouring techniques and plenty of time to cure, a candle maker can design an experience that lives on long after the wax is gone — all in the wake of a fragrant candle that’s left behind.