The Great Variety Of Home Fragrance Products

An excellent way to complement the beautiful decor of your home is by means of home fragrances , either in the form of scented candles or their more contemporary alternatives, reed diffusers . The final decisiion will depend on your circumstances. If you want  a subtle but continuous fragrance, then reed  diffusers are the ideal  choice, because it is not a particularly prudent ideato leave a scented candle burning for a long time unattended. If you prefer to give your home a fragrance "boost", for just a few hours, then scented candles are are terrific choice.



It really does not matter what  you choose, home fragrances afford  the homeowner a simple, yet effective way of giving their home an uplifting boost with the use of natural wholesome fragrances, such as scented candles. One of the most attractive things about modern home fragrances is the enormous selection which is available. This choice   encompasses not only to the method of dispersal of your favourite scent - either by way of scented candles or diffusers - but also to the selection of sizes, colours, designs and fragrances which are out there.



One thing which you should consider  is that when it comes to choosing scented candles or diffusers, one size does not necessarily fit all. The preceived wisdom is that there are some scents which  tend to give better results in particular areas of the home or in certain rooms than in others. By way of example, in the bedroom, to help you drift off to sleep, you would probably look to use relaxing scents  which might include chamomile or jasmine, in place of  aromas  such ascitrus or ginger which are more uplifting and invigorating. On the other hand, if you are considering taking a long relaxing bath, then relaxing  fragrances would are more appropriate.



The public rooms of your home - where you greet and receive visitors - are  are some of the places you would want to make as comfortable and welcoming as you can. That means that in these rooms delicate subtle floral scents would be a good option .



Scented candles and diffusers can be found  from a   large number  of manufacturers. These range from companies who specialise in cheaper mass-market products, which you can find  in the local shop, supermarket or even at the local garage, to luxury  brands who specialise in handmade products, created  in true artisan fashion, employing  the best  ingredients.



Luxury scented candles and diffusers, made by companies like True Grace candles and Yankee candles, are more expensive  than their factory produced  alternatives and it is a fair question to enquire whether this price difference can be justified. In essence the difference in price basically comes down to two main things. Firstly, luxury candle brands   make  their candles  using high-grade, eco-friendly waxes like soy wax or beeswax, instead of  less expensive unrefined waxes. These waxes are not only a more eco friendly choice for the consumer, but also have the added advantages that they burn longer and cleaner than the alternatives, while also emitting fragrance more effectively. On the downside, however, these waxes are more expensive than paraffin wax and similar less refined waxes.



Luxury candle brands also obtain their aromas from the essential oils and extracts of plants, trees flowers and other botanicals, rather than  from synthetic  fragrance compounds . These aromatic  oils and extracts are the same fragrance additives  which have been used by master perfumers for decades . While they allow  candle makers to create  long-lasting true-to-life fragrances, they also carry  a significant price premium over synthetic fragrances . As with so many things,whether you opt  for candles made by a premium  brand, or something less expensive , it all boils  down to individual choice.




The author is the owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a variety of home fragrances, including True Grace candles and Yankee candles

Scented Candles - A Look At Some Of The Leading Brands

Only a few short years ago  there were only a handful of manufacturers  making scented candles. Scented candles as we know them  today are generally acknowledged to have originated from  the United States around the start of the Nineties, co-incidentally around the same time that  the first experiments were being made into using soy wax as a cheaper , more environmentally friendly wax for candlemaking  than paraffin wax. In the intervening years , many manufacturers  of scented candles have come to the fore , so that now candlemakers  can be found in The States, the United Kingson, Europe and Australia. Some of these brands tend to appeal  to the mass-market such as companies like Yankee Candles or Colonial candles. However, there has been a distinct trend towards the higher end of the market lately  with candle makers spending more time and attention on finding, and using, the best quality  waxes and fragrance  oils in their products, and combining  them with truly striking  designs and packaging. These premium quality  candles are aimed  squarely at the luxury end of the market and tend to be priced accordingly . So, among these de luxe candle manufacturers, which companies stand out ? Well, to an extent, this is purely subjective. We all have our own preferences for a particular style, and, just as we have favourite perfumes or colognes , we also have our own preference for home fragrances . That being understood, there are a few companies out there who can certainly be regarded as leading exponents  of the candle making art. In the United States companies such as  Voluspa and Agraria have been around for a long time  and are continually producing beautiful collections of scented candles and other home fragrances. Across the Atlantic, True Grace candles are one of the United Kingdom's leading candle makers foremost candle making companies in the UK, producing some  of the most sought-after candles to be found anywhere. And  Ecoya candles are winning acclaim for their inspired collection of home fragrances as far away as New Zealand. The main reason for choosing scented candles made by one of these premium brands has to do with the quality they offer . Essential oils are used to give the candles their fragrance  so  that you can be sure you will receive a long lasting true to life scent from your favourite candle.



The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of luxury home fragrances, including candles from True Grace candles and Yankee candles

Making Your Own Scented Candles Is Easy And Fulfilling

There can often be a radical difference between some kinds of scented candles, for example the difference between a bog-standard candle you can pick up at the local store and those you buy from specialist retailers. People are very often unaware of this and assume scented candles are all the same. You can either buy your candles at the store or online or alternatively you can actually make your own.
If you want to make your own scented candles you will need to get hold of the appropriate tools. Other than the right kind of wax and cooking equipment, you will need to find aromatic oils  which will give your candles a strong, realistic fragrance. You might even want to combine a variety of aromas to obtain a truly individual aroma of your own design. Although there is a huge variety of fragrances out there, some scents like rose or freesia or else the fragrance of baked items like pies, tend to be ever-popular. Candles infused with the fragrance of gingerbread or treacle pudding give a soothing and relaxing feeling. When you are talking about the fragrance of baked items, one other favourite that springs to mind is the scent of cinammon  As well as a large number of fragrances, there is also a variety of different waxes which are used, the most popular of which  is soy wax as it holds the scent for a longer period of time in addition to its slow rate of burning. Soy wax, or a blend using it, is used by many luxury candle makers like True Grace candles or Yankee candles.  Candles made out of soy waxalso emit a better, more far reaching aroma which helps fill up the entire room with a wonderful scent in a matter of minutes. For using soy wax to make your candle you first need to melt the wax in a double boiler over a high heat. Next you add the colour and scent required. Depending on the desired shape of the candle you can either pick up moulds available at craft shops and candle making supply stores or you may even make your own moulds out of tin foil. This is a very inexpensive way to make scented candles. The most common types include tapered, pillar, votive and tea light.
There is a finite degree of fragrance which you can expect to get from each candle. The basic difference between an ordinary scented candle and a richly scented one is basically defined  by the quantity of essential fragrant oils each ghas in its makeup . Some people are allergic to certain strong scents. This should be kept in mind when making, lighting or gifting candles. Scented candles are very useful to fill your room up with wonderful scents. You could light many different types, let their scents blend and create a uniquely different aroma. They are perfect to set up a specific type of mood. Scented candles are very useful to replace the smell of food when guests arrive as you wouldn't want them to know what is cooking in your kitchen. They are even best for covering up the smell of burnt food or any other foul smell.
So that is all there is to it. Why not get started making your own scented candles today? Your home will never have smelled better.





The author is the owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a huge selection of luxury home fragrances, including True Grace candles and Yankee candles

Give Your Home A Bright New Look Without Breaking The Bank

Giving your home a new look  can be an expensive exercise, but it is easy to get by  without spending a lot of money . Using original - and not necessarily expensive - decorative objects, you can create a stylish, pleasant ambiance. The style of your home can be changed simply by the use of a few  well chosen objects..

You may be surprised to learn that   smells  can affect the atmosphere and the overall appearance of a room. But by the use of  home fragrances such as scented candles, essential oils and incense burners you can simply and quicly give your home a bright fresh feel . For instance, if you would like to enjoy a subtle fragrance while taking a bath, simply add two or three drops of your favourite essential oil to the warm water.

For a simple yet elegant decorative touch  , why not try using a beautiful bowl or interesting vase? Just imagine the dramatic  effect you can create with a bowl filled with brightly coloured fruit such as lemons, limes and oranges or a lovely  bouquet of flowers. Without spending much  you can pick up a wide selection of vases or bowls that could be used in this way.  Why not try a decorative  flat bowl simply sitting on its own on your coffee table for a fresh modern touch? If you prefer  a more traditional feel, you can fill your favourite vase with either fresh or dried flowers.

There are lots of  other inexpensive items  available which will give your decor a much needed boost, or fill your home with a little more character. These decorative ideas are usually easy to find , no matter the style of your interior decorating, from the traditional to the contemporary. Various objects  such as cushions, rugs and throws bring an added colour or texture without breaking the bank.

Lighting is a very good way to influence the atmosphere in your home . Using scented candles, especially luxury scented candles made by premium  brands like True Grace candles or Yankee candles, you can create an atmosphere of calm and romance . Candle holders and candlebras can be artistic and show off  your candles to the best effect ,  enhancing  the decorative appeal of just about any room you care to mention. For instance a large wrought iron candle holder, such as you might find  in an old country home or castle, can make a truly an impressive design statement  in most traditional homes.







And perhaps the easiest way to keep your home looking its best  is to have it regularly cleaned. Having your carpets and rugs professionally cleaned  every six to twelve months can make a dramatic  difference to the look of your home  

So you see, very often it does not take much to revive and brighten the interior of your  house or apartment - scented candles, essential oils, cushions - using your imagination, you can easily imbue your home with some much needed character









The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a large selection of luxury home fragrances inclusing scented candles by True Grace candles and Yankee candles

A Brief Guide To Choosing Scented Candles

Despite what you may think  scented candles are not all the same. There is a huge difference in the manufacturing process between  luxury scented candles, such as those created by brands like True Grace or Yankee candles, and the cheap mass-market candles which you can pick up  at the corner shop, supermarket or even the garage. This is one of the reasons some people end up being disappointed  with their scented candles. It stands to reason  that something which costs only a few pounds or dollars is unlikely to give off the same quality of fragrance as a scented candle costing several times as much . You will often find that price is a good guide to, or indicator of, the quality of a scented candle . The ingredients used to  make premium candles, especially good quality wax, such as beeswax or soy wax, along with essential plant oils used to create true-to-life aromas, are not cheap, and this is reflected in the price of the finished product. Invest a little more and you will receive a long-lasting top quality candle which you can truly enjoy.







In terms of choice,  people are increasingly leaning towards  more eco friendly home fragrance products, in preference to  those scented candles which are made from paraffin wax. As paraffin wax is obtained through the process of refining petroleum it is a non renewable resource and not the most environmentally sound  choice. If you are looking to burn scented candles that satisfy the modern consumers demand for eco friendly products  you should consider  trying a soy candle, a beeswax candle or one of the candles made from a blend of these waxes and other vegetable waxes, such as those made by True Grace candles and Yankee candles. Burning  fragrant candles made from soy wax or one of the other aforementioned waxes can help alleviate some  allergies or reactions brought on by burning scented candles made with paraffin or other waxes . Most candles are scented with oils from plants or essential oils . A good reason to burn fragrant candles is for aroma therapy, which is a good way to relax after a hard day .



Scented candles and home fragrance products like  reed diffusers are available in a whole host  of places, from  the local corner shop or supermarket to online specialist retailers . If you are looking for more luxurious scented candles, such as those made by brands like True Grace candles, then the best selection is probably to be found online . The one drawback  about buying online is that you cannot smell the candle before you buy, but if you are choosing  scented candles from reputable manufacturers you can be confident that they will produce  long-lasting, realistic fragrances, unlike some of the cheaper factory produced alternatives. Quite apart from the large number of different brands out there, you can also find a huge variety in the types of candle available, ranging from small scented candles in tins or votives which will give a few hours fragrance , to much larger pillar or jar candles with extremely long burn times - and often with a price tag to match!












The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a large range of home fragrances, including True Grace candles and Yankee candles

Why The Wick Is So Important In Scented Candles

When you look at  scented candles you may be inclined  to think that of all the constituent parts,  all the little things that together make up a great scented candle, the wick is the least important . After all it's just a piece of fibre , is it not? In actual fact, the wick plays a very important role in the creation  of a good quality  scented candle, such as those  produced by luxury brands like Paddywax, Yankee Candles or True Grace candles. So what difference can the wick really make ? While the wick in a cheaper , factory-produced  scented candle is likely to be made from synthetic material, , such as nylon or other similar materials, when it comes to  luxury scented candles you will almost certainly  find that the wick is created from  plaited or braided cotton which is bound round  a central strand of zinc. In days gone by , the central strand of the wick was made out  of lead but that practice has been largely discontinued , especially for luxury  candle makers,  largely, though not exclusively, as a result of health concerns about using lead in household products .






There  are other important  considerations when it comes to creating a wick  for scented candles. For example , you may be surprised  to learn  that the diameter  of the wick is of particular significance . The wider  the diameter of the wick is, the larger the flame will be , so that  a larger sized candle will need a wick which is larger in diameter than that required for  a smaller candle. The importance of the size of the wick does not simply stop there . It is also possible to  modify  or slow down  the speed at which the wick burns, which will have a corresponding effect on the overall burn time of your scented candle . This is done by treating the cotton  with a special salt compound. Now, although  this may seem a little odd , strange as it may seem, when you set light to your favourite scented candle, it is not actually the wick which is burning . What happens is that the wick melts the wax , which then evaporates, so that the flame  you see from your candle  is the vapour from the wax burning, rather than the wick itself. So you see, the wick which you may be tempted  to take for granted, actually plays an important  role in your enjoyment of  your scented candles.






The author is owner of The Scented Candle store which supplies a wide range of luxury home fragrances, including True Grace candles and Yankee candles

A Look At Different Waxes For Candle Making

Candle manufacturers  have a choice  of different waxes to use  when it comes to making their wares . There are several  different types of wax available , from paraffin wax to beeswax and more exotic bespoke wax blends which candle making companies often use .  In past times , beeswax has been used for many years, indeed for centuries,  for making  fine handmade candles. However, today , probably as a result of its expense , beeswax is most often used by luxury candle makers such as True Grace candles as part of a blend of different waxes rather than on its own . Unfortunately to make candles using only beeswax could be prohibitely expensive to many who see scented candles as a simple, but inexpensive, way to freshen up their home . As the name implies beeswax is made  by bees and is harvested from the beehive, along with honey . Beeswax has a beautiful  golden hue , meaning that candle makers often do not need to add any colouring agent to beeswax candles. It also has its own , natural honey sweet  fragrance and the skill of the scented candle maker is to use this and compliment it with other aromas which will not overwhelm it. Beeswax also burns for a long time and gives off very little dirt or soot , which is perfect when you are lighting scented candles at home . A little known fact about beeswax is that it also acts  as a natural air purifier, which works perfectly  in delicately scented candles where you want nothing to interfere with the subtle fragrance.



When candle manufacturers , such as  luxury brands like Yankee candles or True Grace candles, are deciding to develop  a new scented candle it stands to reason  that one of the first things they need to decide  is what type of wax to use. For over a century  candle makers have been using  paraffin wax to make  their candles, but today  people are looking for  more environmentally friendly solutions. Paraffin wax is derived by using  petroleum, so it is no longer seen as the most environmentally appropriate  choice for many luxury candle brands.In actual fact ,  many candle makers have created  their own unique wax blend, such as Voluspa candles, who have created a wax blend  which includes coconut and apricot waxes. Alternatively, candle companies look  to use soy wax or beeswax for the most eco-friendly candle. Both soy wax and beeswax have their advantages . Soy wax is slow burning and  emits only a small amount of  soot. Beeswax is probably the purest form of wax to be found . It, too, burns slowly, meaning  candles made from beeswax last longer and offer great value for money. Likewise they also emit little dirt. Beeswax, however, is more expensive  than soy wax. Both, therefore, have similar attributes . If budget is not a consideration, then choose beeswax, failing which soy wax is a good alternative .








The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a variety of luxury scented candles from brands like True Grace candles and Yankee candles