We’ve recently fallen in love with the idea of making our own scented candles. Instead of buying a store-bought gift, we decided to create a floral-citrus candle ourselves, mixing the calming scent of lavender with the fresh, uplifting aroma of sweet orange.
Making it at home gave us full control over the ingredients and design, ensuring it’s both safe and uniquely personal. Let’s show you exactly how we did it, step by step.
What You’ll Need
For a single 200g candle, gather the following:
Wax:
- Soy wax: 100g
- Coconut wax: 50g
- White beeswax: 50g
Essential oils:
- Lavender: 3g
- Sweet orange: 2g
- Wick: 1 cotton or wooden wick (slightly longer than container height)
- Container: Heat-resistant glass or metal mold (200–250ml capacity)
- Decorations (optional): Dried flowers, small pinch of glitter, or herbs
Tools:
- Double boiler or wax melting container
- Thermometer
- Digital scale
- Long stirring spoon
- Wick holder or pencil
- Hot air tool or hair dryer (optional, for smoothing wax)
- Small double-sided tape to fix wick at bottom
Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Cover your table with newspaper or a silicone mat to avoid spills. Arrange all tools and materials for easy access. Fix the wick at the center of your container using a small piece of double-sided tape, then use a wick holder or pencil to keep it upright. Doing this first ensures the wick stays perfectly centered when you pour the wax.
Step 2: Melt the Wax
1. Combine soy wax, coconut wax, and white beeswax in a 1:0.5:0.5 ratio in a double boiler.
2. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Monitor temperature carefully:
- Essential oils: add around 60°C
- Colorants or certain decorations: add around 80°C
3. Once wax is mostly melted but still has a few small lumps, remove from heat and stir evenly to stabilize the temperature.
Step 3: Add Essential Oils
1. Slowly add 3g lavender oil and 2g sweet orange oil to melted wax.
2. Stir gently for 1–2 minutes to evenly mix the scent.
3. Smell the mixture to check aroma strength; adjust by ±1g if needed.
Step 4: Optional Coloring and Decorations
- Add 1–2 pinches of candle-safe coloring powder or mica for a soft visual effect.
- Stir slowly until color is uniform.
- For dried flowers or herbs, wait until wax cools to ~40°C before gently placing them on top. This prevents burning and ensures they stay in place.
Step 5: Pouring the Wax
1. Let wax cool slightly (~40°C) to avoid surface imperfections or lines.
2. Pour the wax slowly into the prepared container, keeping the wick centered.
3. Tap the container lightly to remove any air bubbles.
4. Allow wax to set undisturbed for 1–2 hours until fully solid.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
1. Trim the wick to about 0.5–1cm above the wax surface.
2. Smooth the surface with a heat tool or hair dryer if necessary.
3. Add any final decorations, like dried flowers or small herbs, on top for a polished, professional look.
Tips for Beginners
1. Start Small: Make one candle before attempting multiple scents or shapes.
2. Choose Natural Ingredients: Natural waxes and essential oils provide safer burning and stronger fragrance.
3. Temperature Control: Too hot wax may discolor or develop surface imperfections; too cool wax may not mix properly with oils.
4. Patience is Key: Mistakes are normal—every candle teaches a new skill.
Final Thoughts
Making candles is not just about the final product—it’s a relaxing and creative process. From choosing ingredients to pouring wax and adding personal decorations, each step is rewarding.
So, Lykkers, gather your waxes and essential oils, follow these steps, and create your own handmade scented candles. We promise, the warm glow and lovely aroma of your candle will brighten any room and bring joy to anyone who sees it.
A Beginners Guide To Making A Candle
Video by Cosy Owl Craft
