By Mae Whitaker · September 30, 2026
Most inexpensive candles are paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum refining. It holds a lot of fragrance and is cheap, which is why it is everywhere.
Soy wax comes from soybeans. It burns a little cooler and slower, so a soy candle usually lasts longer. Blending it with coconut wax gives a smoother top and a stronger scent throw.
Beeswax has its own faint honey smell and a warm color, and it burns very slowly with almost no drip. It is ideal for pillars and tapers, where you want no added scent at all.
We use a soy and coconut blend for jar candles and beeswax for pillars and tapers. Whatever you buy, a cotton wick and a trimmed flame matter as much as the wax.
