Made in Singapore Beeswax Candles, infused with Coconut Wax and Non-Toxic Premium Fragrance or Essential Oils – The Smitten Collection by Cheryl Miles

Candle tunnelling happens when the candle doesn’t melt completely to the edges causing the wick’s flame to melt the wax downwards instead of outwards. This results in a ring of unmelted wax on the circumference of the candle, shortening the burn time of the candle and wasting a percentage of the wax. 

There are two main reasons why this happens:

• bad candle burning habits
• wrong wick was used

To avoid tunnelling be sure to burn your candle for at least 4 hours on the first burn, and 2-4 hours each time thereafter. This will ensure the candle melts all the way to the edges creating a full melt pool and then melting evenly and uniformly each time afterwards. Be sure the candle is not exposed to drafts from an open window, fan or aircon so that the flame is kept steady. 

If candle tunnelling does occur, try wrapping the top of the candle with aluminium foil as shown in this video. This traps the heat in and helps to melt the wax on the edges. 

Another factor that leads to tunnelling is a poorly wicked candle – a common problem with mass-produced candles that use cheaper wicks. In some cases, a poorly wicked candle may even lead to the wick being drowned out by the wax completely.

Luxury, hand poured candles are made with more care using properly-sized wicks for each jar. However, if you happen to experience tunnelling even with the proper care and candle burning habits, do reach out to us here and we’ll do our best to rectify the situation.  

Please note that beeswax burns at a higher temperature than all other waxes, so you may sometimes see some of the wax “hanging on” to the sides of the jar. This usually melts eventually as you keep burning your candle and is not the same as candle tunnelling. 

Please follow the candle care instructions on the card provided with each candle to find out how to enjoy your candle fully and safely.

TRIM YOUR WICKS!

It is so important to trim your wicks to ¼ of an inch to ensure your candle burns safely and evenly. To elevate your candle enjoyment, you can purchase the 5-in-One Smitten Candle Care Set (available from April 2024) or else use a nail clipper to cut the wick down. Another method is to use your fingers to gently remove the burnt tip of the wick and any carbon deposits, but if it’s still too long you will have to cut it. 

When your wick is too long, the flame will be too big and may pose a fire hazard. A bigger flame also means you burn through your candle faster while producing unnecessary soot or black smoke. You might also notice the wick “mushrooming”, resulting in carbon deposits “sparking” and “popping” when lit. 

So for a cleaner, slower and safer burn, always trim your wick and be sure to discard any black debris before lighting your candle.

MORE CANDLE SAFETY TIPS

As relaxing and soothing as candles are, remember you are still dealing with an open flame and potential fire hazards.

• Never leave a candle burning unattended.
• Never light a candle if you intend to fall asleep or are highly intoxicated.
• Never burn a candle for longer than 4 hours. This is because as the wax melts, the wick may get longer and the flame will get bigger.
• Never burn a candle near any flammables like an open window with a curtain.
• Make sure there is at least 3 feet/1 metre between a candle and any surface above it.
• Keep children and pets away from a lit candle.
• To safely extinguish a candle, use a wick dipper or a wick snuffer. Blowing a candle with too much gusto may splash some hot wax back into your face or distribute sparks, so please be careful. Another method is to suffocate the flame with an airtight bamboo lid.
• NEVER EVER extinguish a candle or a candle fire with water!!! This is extremely dangerous and will splash hot flammable wax everywhere.
• HOW TO SAFELY PUT OUT A CANDLE FIRE: In the unfortunate situation that carelessness leads to a small candle fire, throw baking soda or salt onto the flame – never water and never a Class A water-based fire extinguisher. You could also cover the flames with a metal pot lid or a fire blanket – never a glass, ceramic or plastic lid. Read this for more candle fire safety tips.
• Water and wax do not mix! When pouring yourself a glass of water be sure not to do it next to your candle. Should, for some reason, some water splash onto your unlit candle, be sure to wipe it up with a paper towel and wait until it is fully dry before lighting it.
• To prolong the burn time of your candle, wait until the wax has fully hardened before lighting it again.
• Never burn your candle all the way to the very bottom. While we have test burned our candles all the way to the end with no problems at all, there is a risk that the flame could ignite any debris or cause the glass jar to shatter with the increased heat. Once the wax drops to below half an inch, stop using the candle.
• Never try to move a lit candle with your bare hands as the jar could be too hot and dropping a lit candle is very dangerous. Extinguish the flame first before moving it anywhere. We recommend using our Smitten Candle Coasters to protect your table from getting scorched or ruined from the heat. The coaster also makes it safer to move your candle, once the flame is put out.

Flower petals do not belong on a candle! It is really unsafe and will almost certainly catch fire as you burn through your candle. It is perfectly fine to decorate wax melts with botanicals or even candy sprinkles as they are not exposed to an open flame. 

Some of our candles are topped with crystals, non-plastic eco-glitter or wax embeds as these are safe to use.

Coconut wax and beeswax are two of the most expensive waxes on the market. But we think you are totally worth it for the many incredible properties these two non-toxic waxes are known for.

Many suppliers offer pre-mixed wax blends which make it easier for candle makers to melt it straight out of the box. However, this means you’re also not in control of any of the additives suppliers include in their blends to “improve” their product.

For example, during our research and development stage, we found a coconut-soy wax blend we quite liked but then discovered that it included “some” paraffin and then later learnt, that soy wax is not so great either.

As such, we create our own proprietary wax blend of just two ingredients – natural coconut wax and white (sometimes yellow) beeswax.

PARAFFIN WAX IS BAD FOR YOU!

Many mass-produced candles use paraffin wax (including parasoy wax – a blend of paraffin and soy wax) to lower the cost. Paraffin wax may be cheap but it is toxic and produces a lot of unmistakable black soot. It is also popularly used because it produces a relatively good scent throw – but at the expense of your health! 

Paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum, and no matter what some candle brands may say, is NOT sustainable or safe.

WHY WE DON’T USE SOY WAX

Soy wax, while a better choice than paraffin wax, is not as eco-friendly as many people think. It is also a rather temperamental wax that is sensitive to humidity and storage or weather temperatures. You may often notice soy candles will have a lumpy, curdled top after burning. As a candle maker, I personally detest working with soy wax. And with so many blends of soy wax in the market, it is impossible to find the “right one” – which in my humble opinion does not exist because soy beans, with its low fat content, is proof that it is not designed to be wax. Even cooking with soy bean oil is not advisable!
PS: For cooking, please only use coconut oil, avocado oil or olive oil.

Finally, there is no such thing as organic soy wax as many additives must be added to the wax for it to be stable enough to be used in a candle. Plus it leads to deforestation!

Are your coco-Beeswax candles vegan-friendly?

Beeswax is a natural by-product of honey and while animal activists will say that our candles are not “cruelty-free”, we disagree! Collecting beeswax is not inhumane and also not harmful to the bees. It is not in the interest of any bee keeper to intentionally kill these life giving, beautiful insects that help pollinate our planet and produce honey. They are incredibly valuable, especially to a bee keeper and they wouldn’t be able to have a bee farm without the bees.

Beeswax candles are a sustainable and superior choice for anyone looking to reduce their impact on their environment. While life and death are a natural occurrence in any hive, we do however, respect your personal beliefs and so do not label our candles as “vegan” or “cruelty-free”.

WE USE ONLY PREMIUM FRAGRANCE AND ESSENTIAL OILS

Commercial candles also contain substandard fragrance oils, the kind that will give you a headache and smells rather synthetic and cheap. 

At The Smitten Collection we invest in only the best ingredients for each candle and wax melt. Even the jars are specially selected and imported. Our fragrance oils are free from phthalates, parabens and sulphates and do not cause any headaches or irritations when burned. 

Our all-fibre wicks are made from cotton and contain no zinc, lead or metal wires . (We don’t use the trendy wooden wicks, as they don’t work well with the more viscous beeswax.) The size of the wicks are painstakingly chosen for each jar and scent to ensure an effective and slow burn. Much testing and research goes into creating every candle.

We produce in small batches for quality control and to make sure that you receive the best from us. Everything is fastidiously handmade and packed with love and care before being sent to our warehouse/fulfilment centre.

In order to create the highest quality candles for you at a reasonable price, The Smitten Collection aims to serve our customers directly without having to work with a retailer. Did you know that retailers take a huge 30-60% commission? Stocking our candles with a retailer would force us to increase our cost price dramatically and make it harder to grow with a smaller profit margin.

WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

When you consider what a big cut retailers take, it really makes you think about the value of everything we buy on a commercial, mass-produced level. This is another reason why you should only buy candles from small boutique candle companies like The Smitten Collection and direct from the maker themselves (as in via this website) as you know you will be getting high quality products with better value for money. 

THE BEST PLACE TO BUY IS HERE

The Smitten Collection may soon be available at select shops that we have a special partnership with, but buying your favourite candles and wax melts directly from our e-shop (not even via another online platform) helps us greatly. 

Follow us on instagram and sign up for our newsletter for updates on pop-up fairs and markets where you may be able to sniff and shop these candles and wax melts in person! However, as these events require much time, labour and money to set up, we do them very rarely. 

Buying our products directly from our website is still the best option and often includes some fun freebies and promo codes for special discounts. Our warehouse will then deliver your purchase straight to your doorstep!

It is highly advised to keep candles away and out of reach from children and pets as they may topple a lit candle accidentally and inadvertently start a fire! 

However, even when burning your candle safely, do note that dogs and cats may be allergic to some smells, especially certain essential oils. And if you have a feathered friend at home, be aware that birds have even more sensitive airways than dogs and cats so be sure not to burn the candle close to their bird cage. 

Candles made from paraffin wax are absolutely terrible for you and your pets. So avoid that at all costs! Beeswax (and coconut wax) is a popular choice for those with sensitive noses and can be safe for your pets too. 

However the following are known to be toxic to cats and dogs, so do avoid candles containing these essential oils:

• Cinnamon
• Citrus 
• Clove (cats only)
• Eucalyptus (cats only)
• Pine
• Pennyroyal
• Peppermint
• Sweet birch
• Tea tree
• Wintergreen 
• Ylang-ylang

Please note that some essential oils like Tea Tree and Citrus may be deemed skin-safe for your pets, but burning them in a candle or running them through an oil diffuser may have a different reaction. It is the smell that may affect their airways. 

Essential oils, while considered “natural” and “organic” are basically highly concentrated plant extracts and can cause serious health issues in your pets if ingested. Please be sure to consult with a veterinarian before using any essential oils or burning candles containing them around your cats, dogs and other pets. 

Safe scents for your furkid are vanilla, lavender, beachy or woody scents and light fruity smells. Just be sure that the product contains no paraffin wax, lead or phthalates. A pet-safe, deodourising vanilla candle is coming your way soon! Look out for it in The Smitten Collection!  

All of our products are free from phthalates, parabens, sulphates, formaldehyde, naphthalene, reproductive toxins, and carcinogens so rest assured that you are also not inhaling any harmful toxins.

Always place your candles in a well-ventilated, non-windy area away from pets and children. Please read this for more information to ensure your pets are kept safe.