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Candles Online: Guidelines for Choosing the Right Candle

Candles Online: Guidelines for Choosing the Right Candle
By April Hayman

Choosing a candle is such a sensory experience that it can be difficult to imagine buying one online. Those who cannot use commercial candles because of allergies or asthma, those who are vegan and demand a purely vegetable wax, and those who want an environmentally sound candle but can't find one in a brick and mortar store need an alternative to finding a candle that works for them.

The alternative, then, is to search the World Wide Web for the right candle. However, the web is so mind bogglingly huge that finding the right candle can be a numbing task.

So, the first step in purchasing a candle online is to know what you're looking for. There are many reasons we choose a candle. These reasons can be simply broken down into the following categories:

type

size

scent

Use the following guidelines to determine what type of candle you want out of each category.

Guideline #1: Choose your wax carefully.

There are many different types of wax used in candles today. If you have allergies or asthma, you will need to be extra careful about what type of candle you burn in your home. The following is a list of common waxes:

Paraffin - is the most common wax found in candles. Even though it's cheap and easy to work with it's made from petroleum waste. It also produces smoke and soot and releases carcinogens like benzene and toluene into the air when burned.
Gel - offers clear wax and a high ability to accept color and fragrance. However, this type of wax is also made of petroleum by-products. In addition, since the wax is so soft the wicks must be reinforced, which are a health hazard.
Soy - produced from soybeans, burns cleaner than petroleum based waxes (doesn't emit soot or carcinogens) and is a renewable resource. It also burns longer than paraffin wax. Good for those with allergies and asthma.

Guideline #2: Determine the type of the candle.

Some candles do not come in containers and are "free standing". These are the traditional tapers, pillars, and votive candles. Other candles are poured into a variety of glass jars or other containers, like travel tins. You will also need to consider color when determining the type of candle you want in your home or personal space.

To make your decision about candle types, think about the following:

If you have children or pets, you may want to consider a candle poured into a jar or other container. This may help prevent falling candles and splashing wax, which may be a problem with tapers and pillars. However, if you like the look of free standing candles make sure to put them in a sturdy and appropriately sized candle holder and put them out of reach.
How large a candle do you want? Is the size just for show? Or do you actually need a large candle? You may find that buying smaller candles and placing them strategically around the room works better than one big candle.
Color plays a large role in any home décor. Don't be afraid to add a splash of color into the room! For example, if you have a predominantly blue room, try using a candle that is orange, yellow, or bright red.

Guideline #3: Candle size does matter...at least for burn times.

Burn times differ depending on the size of the candle and its wick. The rule of thumb is that smaller candles with smaller wicks will burn about 7 to 9 hours per ounce of wax used. A larger candle with a larger wick will burn faster; therefore, expect about 5-7 hours per ounce of wax in a large candle.

Guideline #4: Choose a scent that works for you.

One of the biggest selling points for any candle is how good it smells. Some people with asthma and allergies believe that it’s the scent that starts them on an asthmatic or allergic episode. This is not the case. It's actually the wax itself that is the trigger. Those with allergies and asthma will find that their bodies do not react as strongly or at all to the 100% soy candles or soy/veggie blend candles, even if the candle is highly scented.

You can't smell candles online, though, until some IT genius comes up with Scent-O-Vision. Those shopping online must rely on the descriptions offered by the candle maker or website (not necessarily the same person).

When picking a scent online, think about the following:

How you want your home to smell. Homey smells, like Dutch Apple Pie, make a house feel inviting and warm. Floral scents, like Lavender or Honeysuckle Vine, can make you feel innocent or sexy. Fruity scents, like Coconut or Green Tea, are uplifting and energizing.
Read the scent description. An example of a good scent description is "a down-home favorite with slices of juicy apples, covered with brown sugar and cinnamon and embraced in a warm baked crust". If the store doesn't offer a scent description, move on.

Buying a candle online is simple when you know what you are looking for. Determining what you want before shopping makes a world of difference when choosing the right candle online.

April Hayman, a Marlo Quinn Independent Consultant, offers 100% soy candles, natural bath & body products for the whole family, and Marlo Minerals makeup online at the following websites: My Marlo Quinn and Naturally Elegant 4 You.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=April_Hayman

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