Darlings, let's chat about something that keeps me up at night (quite literally, as I'm rather fond of evening illumination): the pursuit of the perfect candle burn. You see, while others spend their weekends mastering sourdough or learning Portuguese, I've dedicated countless hours to the peculiarly satisfying art of candle optimization. Call me eccentric, but there's something utterly magical about a clean, even burn that makes my soul sing operatic high notes.
The First Date: Getting to Know Your Candle
Just like any proper courtship, your first burn sets the tone for your entire relationship with your candle. The cardinal rule? Let that first burn continue until the entire surface has melted into a seamless pool of wax. Yes, all the way to the edges, darling. This might take several hours, so perhaps catch up on that guilty-pleasure period drama you've been hiding from your book club. Your candle won't judge – it's too busy creating a perfect memory ring. Then, snuff it. This helps to optimize your burns.
The Wick Situation: A Trim Too Far?
Now, about that wick – it's rather like maintaining a perfectly groomed poodle. Too long, and you've got a wild flame doing the cha-cha on your coffee table. Too short, and the poor thing can barely muster the energy to shine. The sweet spot? A neat quarter-inch trim before each lighting. I keep a dedicated pair of wick trimmers on my coffee table, right next to the remote control. Yes, I'm that person, and I wear that badge with pride.
The Tunnel Vision We Don't Want
"Tunneling" – that dreaded phenomenon where your candle burns straight down the middle like an overeager prairie dog – is the equivalent of wearing socks with sandals in the candle world. Simply unacceptable. The solution? Patience, darling. Always allow your candle to burn long enough to create a full melt pool. Think of it as a tiny wax hot tub party – everyone needs to be invited to the soirée.
The Art of Positioning
Your candle's location matters more than the placement of feng shui crystals in a wellness influencer's living room. Keep it away from drafts, which can cause the flame to dance more dramatically than a contestant on a reality TV show. And please, for the love of all things luxurious, don't stick it next to your air conditioning vent. That's just asking for a wonky, lopsided burn that will haunt your dreams. Do not burn it on a book case or any covered surface above the candle to avoidburning down your gym like a pint sized popstar.
The Grand Finale: When to Say Goodbye
When there's about half an inch of wax left at the bottom of your vessel, it's time to bid adieu. Yes, I know it's hard – we all have attachment issues. But continuing to burn a candle past its prime is like forcing yourself to finish a mediocre novel just because you started it. Life's too short, and your candle collection is too precious.
A Final Note on Extinguishment
Please, I beg of you, step away from the birthday-cake-blowing-out technique. Your candle deserves better than to shower its beautiful wax with a spray of well-meaning but ultimately destructive breath. Instead, invest in a proper snuffer or wick dipper. Think of it as the elegant curtsy at the end of a perfect performance.
Remember, dear friends, a well-maintained candle is like a well-trained butler – quiet, efficient, and ready to create the perfect ambiance at a moment's notice. Now go forth and burn brilliantly. Your candles are counting on you.
Remember:
1. First burn until the candle creates a wax pool side-to-side.
2. Trim the wick between burns to 1/4 of an inch.
3. Keep burns at 3-4 hours, aka put on an alarm on your phone "snuff it" works. We go nose blind after that time, the burn gets more soot in it, and it can overheat the vessel and ruin your coffee table (yes, this happened to me while I was candle testing Diptyque. Le sigh.)
4. Enjoy!
Wishing you good scents,
x Coco
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