For a long time I thought that knowing how to use a candle meant lighting it with a lighter or a match and blowing it out when you got tired or left the room. How naive!
On TikTok, Kudzi Chikumbu aka @SirCandleMan provides his video expertise on wicks, waxes and fragrances. And ever since I found out, I wouldn’t say that my life has changed, but rather that my candles last longer and my inside smell is better.
And considering how much it costs, it helps me feel like I’m finally getting my money’s worth! Although the ideal would obviously be to do without it, especially since it relatively pollutes the indoor air.
In short, some advice from Mr. Candles of TikTok could be useful to you optimize use and thus get the most out of this scented decoration. Small anthology.
Where to best place your candle
This may seem obvious to many, but it can only be good to remember: the candle must be used on a perfectly flat surface protected from drafts, with nothing on top. We therefore avoid placing it on the floor, or on a wobbly table, or in a narrow corridor where people pass, or in front of a sometimes open window.
How to relight the candle correctly to avoid black smoke?
If you are one of the rare people who reads the instructions before using an object, you probably already know: the first use of a candle requires letting it burn for at least an hourdepending on its capacity and number of wicks, so it’s worth checking.
Regarding the following uses, to improve combustion and optimize the duration of its scent, Sir Candle Man recommends, once the candle is extinguished, cut the wick by a few millimeters in case it breaks or clumps after combustion. In fact, ideally it should also be cut after each use.
This prevents it from producing a flame that is too large, too strong when re-ignited, which would therefore burn too quickly, and could also cause black, smelly smoke.
How best to extinguish your candle to prolong its life?
If you simply blow out the candle and blow it out, you could quickly end up with a flame that causes black smoke, stains around the edges, or an off-center wax tunnel effect. Against this, Kudzi Chikumbu recommends turning it off normally, then immediately re-center the wick and set it straight again. This will allow you to turn it on again later in better conditions.
How to correctly match the scents of scented candles?
If you really like candles, you may have already thought about or tried to do so mix scents by turning on several at the same time.
@SirCandleMan recommends burning in one room at the same time a rather earthy and/or woody fragrance, with another fruity one.
And a little’ the same logic as the formulation of skin perfumesfinally: the top and heart notes appear even more sparkling or intoxicating thanks to the depth provided by the warm base notes.
You can also take inspiration from the olfactory pyramid of your favorite eau de toilette to recreate something similar with your candles.
If this universe fascinates you, know that @SirCandleMan provides his reviews of the most popular candles on the market (hello Dyptique, Byredo, Bath & Body Works and other Yankee Candles), and recommends low-cost duplicates of the more expensive models. Just to avoid feeling like you’re burning money on both sides.
Une photo credit: TikTok screenshot @SirCandleMan
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Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
