Collectie: Benodigdheden voor het maken van kaarsen

Candle wax hardening times depend on a few factors, including the type of wax used, size and shape of the candle, and temperature and humidity of the environment it’s stored in. For this reason, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days for candle wax to harden completely.

If hardening/setting times are high on your priority list, we recommend exploring every wax base option before jumping into candle making. Soy wax, for example, tends to take longer to harden, often taking several days to fully set, whilst beeswax tends to harden more quickly.

It's important to allow your wax to fully harden before attempting to use or handle your candle, as it will be more prone to damage if it is not fully set.

The amount of wax you’ll need to make a candle depends on a few factors, including your chosen wax type, and of course, your final vision for size, shape, and overall design.

To determine how much wax you'll need, our experts recommend using the average density candle-making formula. First, measure the volume of your container. This could be, for example, 300ml. Multiply this by your chosen wax's average density (typically around 0.85 for many waxes) to estimate the amount of wax required. In this example, you'd need approximately 300ml × 0.85 = 255 grams of wax.

If you're adding fragrances, remember that they can account for about 6-10% of your candle's total weight. This will reduce the wax amount you'll need proportionally.

With this being said, it's always a good idea to have a little extra wax on hand in case you need to make adjustments or make a mistake while pouring the wax.

There’s a long list of candle waxes available online, from paraffin to beeswax. Whilst each and every option has its own pros and cons, our candle-making enthusiasts recommend natural options above all else. Here are just a few of their favourites: 

Soy wax: This is a natural wax made from soybeans. It’s biodegradable and burns cleanly, making it a popular choice for environmentally conscious candle makers and buyers alike. 

Beeswax: This natural option is used by bees to build their honeycomb. Its high melting point, clean burn, and natural, honey-like scent make it a brilliant choice for candle making. 

Candelilla wax: Candellia wax is a classic natural candle making option derived from the leaves of the Candelilla shrub, native to Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Its high melting point and creamy, opaque appearance make it an ideal choice for decorative pieces, absorbing colour with ease.

Beeswax has been a valuable ingredient in candles and cosmetics for hundreds of years thanks to its unique properties, including its ability to form a water-resistant barrier and pleasant, honey-like scent. Our makers love using this ingredient in:

Candles: Beeswax candles are long-lasting, burn cleanly, and produce a pleasant, natural scent. They can be made by melting beeswax and pouring it into moulds or by rolling beeswax sheets around a wick.

Lip balm: Beeswax is a natural humectant, meaning it can be used in products like lip balm to lock in moisture.

Skincare products: Beeswax can be used to make lotions, creams, and other skin care products requiring a moisturising formula, providing both hydration and protection.

Soy wax is one of the most popular options for candles and wax melt making at the moment! In short, it’s a natural alternative to traditional paraffin wax, derived directly from soybeans. This makes it sustainable - but the benefits don’t end there. 

Soy wax is widely known for its eco-friendly nature - being fully biodegradable - but it’s also an excellent choice in terms of safety and general performance. Its lower melting point helps it burn more cleanly than other waxes, and last longer. Not to mention, it’s easier to clean up once your candle is finished or in the event of any spills!

When it comes to choosing a base for your wax melts, it’s important to consider two main factors - meltability, and fragrance throw. After all, it’s important to ensure your final products perform as well as possible!

Our makers tend to prefer using soy max for wax melts in particular – though beeswax and other blend waxes can be used. This sustainable, safe option is a general favourite for many reasons - primarily its low melting point (meaning longer-lasting melts) and easy clean-up (perfect for both making and use). 

With this being said, the benefits don’t end there. Wax melts are all about the scent - aiming to envelop rooms and whole homes in beautifully balanced fragrance blends. Soy wax allows wax melt creators to create this very effect - as it’s able to hold and distribute scent, particularly essential oils, very well. So, go ahead, give soy wax a try and discover the melt-making magic it can bring to your creations.

Scent is one of, if not the most important element of wax melts. Beyond unique shapes and gorgeous colours, you’ll need to ensure you choose just the right fragrance, and distribute it well enough for the optimum level of scent throw once your final creation is melted. But how?

Most wax melt recipes will require you to melt down your chosen wax on a low heat before adding additional ingredients, including colour, botanicals, and, of course, fragrance. Our experts highly recommend using essential oils for this part of the process - not only are they all-natural, but brilliantly potent, meaning you’ll only need to add a drop or two! Whether you choose lavender for a serene scent experience or peppermint for refreshing invigoration, the possibilities are endless.

From there, simply mix, pour into your mould, and set!

Whilst your candle fragrance and container are huge parts of the final product, colour provides an extra customisation option!

Want to take your candles to the next level? Once you’ve selected your wax (ensure it holds colour well and will burn evenly), you’ll be able to select a colourant option. Be careful here - many pigments and colouring options perfect for other cosmetic and home creations will negatively impact candle burn, safety, and stability - meaning mica and regular food colouring are off the cards in most contexts. Why not try a liquid dye approved and specifically made for candle-making?

Remember - a little goes a long way, so be sure to start with a small amount of dye, slowly building up until you reach your desired shade

Candelilla wax is a natural, hard wax derived from a small shrub native to parts of Mexico and the US. It's used in all sorts of things, including cosmetics and candles.

In cosmetics, candelilla wax is used as a thickening agent and emollient - or to create a protective, moisture-locking barrier on the skin. 

In candles, it makes an excellent base thanks to its high melting point, opaque, creamy colour, and long burn time.