What’s Inside Our Candles? An Honest Breakdown of Ingredients, Burn Time & Care

If you’ve ever bought a candle that smelled amazing in the store and like nothing at home… congratulations, you’ve been scammed. Let’s fix that.

Not all candles are created equal, and you deserve to know exactly what you’re lighting in your home. No gatekeeping, no mystery ingredients, no “trust us” vibes. This is the honest, pull-the-curtain-back breakdown of what goes into our handmade candles, how long they burn, and how to take care of them so you get the best scent throw and the cleanest burn every single time.

Whether you’re a candle lover, a cozy-vibes addict, or someone who’s tired of questionable store-bought candles, this guide gives you the real ingredients, the real burn time, and the real candle care tips straight from a small business that pours every jar by hand. If you’ve ever wondered about wax types, fragrance oils, clean-burning candles, or how to make your candle last longer — feel free to check out our Candle-Making for Beginners blog where we focus on those exact topics.

Now, let’s get into what’s really inside our candles (and why it matters).

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What’s Inside Our Candles? (Ingredient Breakdown)

Alright, let’s get real. Your candles aren’t just wax and wicks thrown together — there’s a method to the madness, and we’re spilling all the tea. Here’s what actually goes into every jar, mold, and wax melt we make.

Wax Type:

For our container candles, we rely on American Freedom Soy Wax. It’s smooth, clean, and reliable, making it perfect for holding layers, whipped cream tops, and delivering a strong, even scent throw. When it comes to molded candles and toppings — like strawberries, mini hearts, chocolates, and other cute accents — we use Freedom Pillar Wax instead. It slides out flawlessly, dries faster than regular soy wax, and makes it easier for us to create tiny crumbs or intricate details. Both waxes are great for making crumbs, but the Pillar Wax is our go-to whenever we need quick-drying, detailed toppings that stick and look perfect every time.

Fragrance Oils:

Most of our other ingredients, including fragrance oils, come from The Flaming Candle. We carefully select scents that match the design of each candle, so every burn smells as real as it looks. Using a 9% fragrance load ensures the aroma is strong and consistent without overwhelming your space. Sometimes we like to mix scents in one batch for a little creative twist, but usually, each layer gets its own fragrance — giving every candle a subtle aromatic surprise. High-quality oils like these make a huge difference in scent throw, filling your space beautifully from the first light to the last.

Wicks:

We use eco-friendly cotton wicks, usually size 16, and 2–3 wicks for larger jars. This isn’t just a detail — it’s essential. Pour a ton of wax into a wide jar with only one wick, and it will drown. The candle won’t melt evenly, the burn will be uneven, and your scent throw will suffer. Using the right number and size of wicks ensures a clean, even melt and a candle that actually works as intended.

Dyes & Coloring:

We used to wrestle with liquid dyes — messy, unpredictable, and a pain to work with. Now, we rely on dye chips and a touch of mica powder for decoration. While many people add mica to wax for shine, we use it to create effects like a cinnamon powder look on a coffee candle top or to color toppings for a realistic, glossy finish. Half a dye chip is perfect for small batches, a full chip for larger ones. Pro tip: too much mica can clog your candle or interfere with scent throw, so moderation is key.

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Why These Ingredients Matter

Here’s the deal: we don’t play around with our candles. Every ingredient is picked to make your candle look stunning, smell irresistible, and actually work. The wax lets us stack layers, whip up toppings, and create the most perfect crumbs. Fragrance oils hit just right, filling your space with a noticeable scent that lasts longer than your morning coffee. Wicks? Perfectly sized and placed so your candle melts evenly — no sad tunnels, no drowning, no wasted wax. And dyes and mica aren’t just for sparkle; they give toppings a realistic, glossy pop and add subtle effects without messing up the candle. Basically, we make sure every candle you light is a mini masterpiece that delivers from the first flicker to the last drip.

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Burn Time: What Affects It & What to Expect

Let’s get real — nobody wants a candle that’s gone before you’ve even finished your playlist. Burn time isn’t random; it’s a mix of science, strategy, and a little candle magic.

Average Burn Time:

Most of our candles burn anywhere from 30 to 60 hours, depending on size, wax type, and toppings. But don’t just go by the clock — a candle’s performance is about how it melts and throws scent from the first flicker to the last drip.

What Influences Burn Time:

A lot goes into that perfect, long-lasting burn. Wick size and placement, as mentioned before, are huge factors — get them wrong, and you could end up with tunnels or drowned wicks. Jar width and wax volume also matter; wider jars need proper wick coverage to melt evenly. Even room conditions like drafts or AC can speed up or slow down your candle. And here’s a golden rule: let your candle burn for at least 2 hours each time. This gives it a perfect melt pool and allows the fragrance to fully release for maximum scent throw. And yes, the first burn is everything — it sets the candle’s memory and prevents tunneling disasters.

Shelf Life & Wax Frosting:

Most of our candles are made to be lit, but keeping them as decor is totally fine! Just keep in mind that soy wax naturally develops frosting, a white, powdery surface that’s purely cosmetic. It won’t hurt the scent, burn, or safety — it just changes the look a little. To minimize frosting, store candles upright in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations. Doing this keeps your candle looking smooth and fresh for longer.

How to Make Your Candle Last Longer:

• Trim your wicks before each burn to avoid high flames and soot.
• Let the top layer melt fully on the first burn; skipping this step leads to tunneling.
• Keep candles away from drafts to prevent uneven melting.
• Store them properly — cool, dry places keep wax and fragrance stable.

Follow these tips, and your candles won’t just look cute — they’ll burn evenly, smell amazing, and give you hours of cozy vibes.

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Why We Keep Our Candles Honest & High-Quality

Here’s the tea: we don’t just make candles — we craft mini masterpieces that actually deliver. Every wick, layer, topping, and scent is hand-picked to give you candles that look bomb, smell irresistible, and perform like a dream. No shady shortcuts. No mysterious ingredients. No “trust us” nonsense. Just honest, handmade magic for your home.

Whether you’re a candle newbie, a cozy-vibes addict, or tired of those sad, lifeless store-bought candles, we’ve got your back. Light it, let it melt, and enjoy the full-on cozy, fragrant experience you deserve.

And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, dive into our Candle-Making for Beginners guide — your backstage pass to all the tips, tricks, and insider secrets straight from our small-batch candle lab. 

Try the Candles, See the Difference

Thank you for reading! Yours truly, Chali from KC <3