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How to Pick a Candle You'll Actually Love

4 min read

A great candle does a lot: it sets the mood, scents the room and gives you a reason to slow down. Here's what to check before you buy.

Wax

Soy, coconut and beeswax blends are popular choices and tend to burn cleanly and evenly. Paraffin is common and often cheaper. Pick based on your budget and how much scent you want.

Wick

Cotton or wood wicks are common. Whatever the type, trim the wick to about a quarter inch before each burn to reduce smoke and soot.

Scent notes

Think in families. Warm (amber, vanilla, sandalwood) feels cozy; fresh (citrus, green tea) feels clean; floral (rose, peony) feels soft. If you can, smell it before you buy, since a scent that's lovely in a store can be strong at home.

Burn it well

• On the first burn, let the wax melt all the way across to avoid tunneling.
• Keep burns to a few hours at a time.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it away from anything flammable.