Scented candles are a timeless and elegant gift choice for events such as weddings, engagements, corporate events, and more. Not only do they add a touch of elegance to any room, but they also provide a pleasant aroma that can enhance the ambiance of any occasion.
In this blog, we'll explore why scented candles make great door gifts for events and how to choose the perfect candle for your next event.
1. Versatility
Scented candles can be used in a variety of settings, making them a great gift for anyone and any occasion. They can be used in the living room, bedroom, bathroom, or office, making them a versatile gift choice. Whether you're giving them as a wedding favor, an engagement present, or a birthday gift, scented candles are sure to be appreciated.
2. Long-lasting
Candles can burn for hours, sometimes even weeks depending on usage frequency hence making them a long-lasting and practical gift. This makes them a great door gift for events such as weddings and engagements where guests will be able to enjoy the candle's aroma long after the event has ended.
3. Wide Appeal
Candles are a popular gift choice for people of all ages and genders, making them a safe choice for door gifts. They can be enjoyed by both men and women, and they make a great gift for any age group.
4. Personalisation
Candles come in a wide range of scents, colors, and sizes, and can be personalized with custom labels or packaging to make it special and unique. This makes them a great gift choice for events such as weddings where you can personalize them with the couple's names and wedding date.
5. Mood-setting
Different scents can evoke different moods, such as lavender for relaxation, peppermint for invigoration, etc. This makes scented candles a great gift choice for events such as birthdays and engagements where you can choose a scent that aligns with the occasion.
6. Affordability
Scented candles are available at a wide range of price points, making them a great gift option for any budget. Whether you're on a tight budget or looking to splurge, you can find a candle that fits your budget.
7. Decorative
Candles can be used as a decorative item, and it can be placed in any room to give an ambiance. This makes them a great door gift for events such as weddings and engagements where you can choose a candle that complements the event's decor.
When choosing scented candles as door gifts, it's important to consider the occasion and the preferences of your guests. For example,
In conclusion, scented candles make great door gifts for events because they are versatile, long-lasting, have a wide appeal, can be personalised, can set the mood, are affordable, and can be used as a decorative item. They are an elegant and timeless gift choice that will be appreciated by guests at any event. With a little consideration and planning, you can choose the perfect scented candle to complement your event and delight your guests.
Looking for customised candles door gift for your upcoming event in Malaysia or Brunei? Learn more about our process here.
There’s something fascinating about scented candles. How it eases your mood, brighten up a space and even takes you to places.
But have you ever wondered about the history of scented candles and how does it actually work? Let’s find out!
]]>But have you ever wondered about the history of scented candles and how does it actually work? Let’s find out!
History of scented candles
According to the US National Candle Association, candles (also known as lilin in Malay) are dated as far back as 3000 B.C. with the Egyptians who first used animal fats. Candles then progress through centuries with the use of plants, insects and animal waxes and are primarily used as a source of light. It wasn’t until the mid 19th century where advancements were made in wax and candle production that allowed scented candles to take off.
How does a scented candle work?
For a flame to happen, you’d need the ‘fire triangle’ where you have oxygen, heat and fuel. Take any of the elements away, the fire will die. In scented candles, the fire triangle takes place due to the candle wax, wick and the flame.
When you light the wick of your scented candle, the heat from the flame melts the wax. With fragrance and essential oil molecules in the wax are heated, they give off an aroma. This aroma is released through the evaporation from the hot wax pool (melt pool) hence scented candles usually give off the scent gradually.
With this in mind, it’s also important to make sure your scented candle melts evenly each time to produce a full melt pool to provide the best scent experience. A few key things to remember on each burn is to ensure you are burning the candle on an even surface and away from drafts.
Not all scented candles are made the same!
Paraffin wax is most commonly used in mass-produced candles available in the market. They generally give a stronger scent throw while using lesser fragrance hence are cheaper to produce and are readily accessible.
According to a study in 2009, paraffin candles were found to release potentially carcinogenic toxic chemicals (toulene & benzene) when burned. It also tend to release soot when burned thus staining walls & furniture and affects our respiratory system.
Soy wax candles on the other hand generally burn clean with minimal to no sooting so you and your family can enjoy scents at home without such worries.
There’s no doubt candles have come a long way from being a source of light to a must have in the household of our modern day as a home decor, self care companion, gifts and more. Now go on, enjoy your candle!
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]]>There’s something about the simple act of gift giving. A gift builds your relationship with others and expresses your thoughts by more than just words. This simple gesture can express love, respect and appreciation to another person.
Nothing is more meaningful than to receive a gift the receiver remembers for a long time instead of another White Elephant. Choosing gifts can be a stressful process no matter if it’s for your friend, lover, family or colleague.
However, there is one gift that makes it perfect for everyone on all occasions and that is scented candles. Here are 6 reasons why candles make great gifts:
Aromatherapy is the practice of using aromatic essential oils for therapeutic benefit and has been used for centuries. When inhaled, they result in calmness, relaxation and increased emotional well-being.
A few popular essential oils with aromatherapy benefits are such as:
Like perfume, scented candles are very individual as each person has their own taste and preferences. Our living space is a sanctuary and at the same time reflects who we are.
Choosing a scent to express yourself at home, not only calms the space; this will be the scent your guests remember you by. At Borneo Candle Studio, we have a variety of scents to express just that and there is guaranteed a scent to match every personality and your story.
If you’d like to take gifting to the next level, you can add your recipient's name on the candle to include a unique personal touch.
One of our most sophisticated senses is our sense of smell. A sniff of a familiar scent brings back memories, emotions and places.
Studies have shown scents will bring back a memory in a matter of seconds. How does this happen?
Incoming smells are detected by our olfactory bulb in our nose which is connected to the brain. Unlike other senses, the olfactory send signals directly to our amygdala and hippocampus which are brain regions related to emotion and memory.
Our scent collections is inspired by our memory, the nature and the mood we seek in our living spaces.
Candles make great decoration pieces to any living space or workspace. Regardless of your home decor style, you can be sure to find a candle that matches your aesthetic.
Our minimalist amber glass jar candle complements all spaces subtly while being a focal point in the room both lit and unlit.
Whether it is for weddings, birthdays or holiday gifts the right scented candle will allow you to celebrate any occasion.
Who says scented candles can only be fruity or floral? Scented candles can be gender-neutral. At Borneo Candle Studio, we have a diverse selection of scent collections. From masculine, floral, earthy, woody and fresh: there will be a candle guaranteed to appeal to anyone.
The flickering and glow from the candle flame not only illuminates your space but is also relaxing.
Even if you do not have a fireplace, candles will perfectly replace it bringing warmth and coziness into the atmosphere of the room. Plus, you never have to worry about power blackouts because you’ll always have candles ready on hand.
Still looking for the perfect gift? Create your own candle gift box with our gift box service or personalise your candle today.
Check out our candle gift guide or scent quiz to discover a new favourite scent and get it delivered directly to your recipient in Malaysia and Brunei.
]]>And this will happen at least once throughout your scented candle experience regardless of price, brand or what wax is the candle made of. There’s without a doubt, candle tunneling is ANNOYING.
So what is candle tunneling?
Candle tunneling refers to the appearance where your candle burns with an unsightly ring of unmelted wax surrounding the edge of the jar.The flame of your candle only burns down this vertical tunnel leaving plenty of unmelted solid wax around the side during and after burn.
Over time, you may lose your candle wick entirely and notice your candle burns down to the bottom very quickly. When you candle tunnels, not only it looks ugly but you are not getting the most out of your scented candle.
The few common reasons for candle tunneling are:
How to ensure your candle burns evenly?
Your first burn is VERY important. Always ensure the first burn of every candle is about 2-3 hours to allow sufficient time for a full melt pool to form. A full melt pool is where the entire wax surface is fully liquid and melted. As candle wax holds a ‘memory’ from the first burn, getting a full melt pool right sets the stage for your candle to subsequently burn evenly.
Avoiding candle tunneling doesn’t only stop at the first burn, you need to ensure your candle reaches a full melt pool on each burn.
2. Trim your candle wicks (correctly)
We always remind our candle lover friends to trim their candle wicks before each burn. This ensures your candle doesn’t soot or burn too quickly.
We get the enthusiasm for proper candle care however, there are instances where you may overtrim your candle wick especially once it burns down and is harder to reach.
We recommend you to get a wick trimmer that not only looks classy but is able to reach to the bottom of your candle jars to trim the wick with ease. Alternatively, you can also use scissors but always remember to trim your candle wicks to 5 mm before relighting.
Don’t forget to remove the debris from your candle to prevent the wick from clogging.
How To Fix Candle Tunneling?
So what should you do if your candle has already started to tunnel? We have 3 easy methods we'd recommend as below.
Method 1: Let the candle burn long enough
If you’ve noticed your candle had only just started to tunnel (and very minor), this is the best and easiest way to fix it.
Light your candle and allow a full melt pool to form before extinguishing it. This may take 2-4 hours with one or two tries. Sometimes your candle will be able to correct itself with enough heat and time.
Method 2: Foil method
If method 1 didn’t help, you can try out the aluminium foil method.
To do this, you’ll need to wrap a small piece of kitchen aluminium foil around the jar body on the top part of your candle. You’ll then wrap the excess foil over the lid of your candle leaving a hollow opening in the middle. Once ready, you can light the candle as normal.
The science behind this method is that with the trapped heat at the top part of the candle which tunnels, you can melt the stubborn wax left on the sides back into the candle itself without any waste.
It may take 1 hour or more for your candle to form a full melt pool to allow it to burn evenly.
It's a relatively easy method but you’d need to be careful to not burn yourself as the foil can be very hot. We do not recommend using the tin foil method for an extended period as the candle jar may overheat and crack.
Method 3: Hair dryer method
The third method uses a hair dryer to melt the top layer of your tunneling candle.
To do this, you'd need a hair dryer at low speed and heat to slowly melt the candle surface. Although this technique is much faster than above, you'd need to be careful to avoid the hot wax from spilling out.
Do take note for method 2 & 3 as depending on the extent of tunneling, you may need to pour some melted wax away to prevent your wick from drowning in the excess wax.
And that’s all about candle tunneling! We hope our tips today will allow you to become a candle expert and make the most out of your scented candles experience at home.
]]>Candles make the perfect gift on all occasion especially during the gifting season! This holiday, we have the LARGEST collection to-date with 14 scents. But each scent is unique and different so how do I choose a match for myself/family/besties?
Don't worry, we got you covered! Here’s our updated 2023 candle gift guide to help you find the perfect match for everyone on your holiday gift list.
Shop by SCENT | Shop by BUDGET
Brunei Gift Guide 2023
For the nature-lover: Winter Solstice (limited edition)
Fresh-cut Christmas trees in a candle. Nuff said.
For the unique one: Spiced Berry (limited edition)
An opulent blend of holiday berries and saffron (a rare precious spice) that creates a captivating fragrance experience.
For the home decor enthusiast: Ember Daze (limited edition)
You don't need an actual fireplace to create one in our tropical climate. Highlighting our favourite scent notes of tonka bean and agarwood with clove.
For the ocean lover: Coastal Waves
The essence of the ocean captured for those who love it most.
For the mindful and zen one: First Light
An inviting yet elegant scent creates an atmosphere of calm, helping you to focus your senses on the beauty around you.
For the romantic: Love Potion
An enticing floral bouquet of soft, sweet blooms that awaits your embrace.
For the foodie: Santan Cabin
A yummy paradise with indulging gourmand scent notes of coconut and vanilla.
For the weekend lover: Sunday Morning
Let Sunday Morning transport you to a place where you can relax and forget about the weekday hustle. It’s your Sunday, so savor it.
For your sister/mum/grandma/aunty: Tropical Sunrise
A spa-like scent, this uplifting blend will leave you feeling energized and relaxed.
For the man in your life (friend/family/SO): Midnight Breeze
A true manly scented candle for any season.
For the bold & mysterious one: Borneo Oudh
A rich woody blend that is mysterious, intoxicating and equally elegant.
For the hustler/workaholic: Fresh Day
A scent by your work desk to have your mind at ease and ready for whatever may come your way throughout the day.
For the sweet tooth: Nectarine Rosé
A beautiful sweet platter. Immerse your olfactory senses with this fruity blend.
For the homebody: Cashmere Clouds
The scent of comfort, wrapped up in soft warmth hug. It’s inviting, cozy and enveloping.
For the tea lover: Tea Garden
A harmonious blend of citrus and white tea comes together to create a sophisticated fragrance that you'll want to sniff every day. Only available in room & linen spray.
For the candle connoisseur: Candle snuffer & wick trimmer
Still unsure which scent to go for? Take our Scent Quiz here!
3.5 oz Scented Candle
A great way to try out different scents before committing to a larger size. Each candle comes with an individual reusable cotton pouch!
100mL Room & Linen Spray
An instant way to refresh your space.
7.7 oz Scented Candle
A great value to get your favourite scents. Each candle also comes with an individual reusable cotton pouch.
Holiday Gift Set A
Holiday gifting made simple and with more value. Customise your gift box own selection of scents.
Save more when you purchase our Holiday Gift Set B and C. Don't miss out!
]]>Hello everyone and happy November (in advance)!
As some of you may be new, we'll introduce ourselves and welcome you as part of the BCS family. Co-founded by 2 candle lovers: myself (Mel) and Jack, Borneo Candle Studio was founded with one simple goal in mind: to bring high quality scented candles accessible locally made with the finest clean ingredients ethically-sourced around the world.
Even as a small business, we always strive to do our part in making eco-friendly and conscious decisions in possible ways and this includes our ingredients, process, products and packaging. This is always a bigger goal that inspires us apart from creating quality scented candles for you.
We've come a long way and excited to say we are turning TWO! For our second anniversary this year, we choose to give back for another anniversary celebration as we believe in lasting and significant benefit somewhere close to home (Malaysia & Brunei) together with our customers.
We are excited to announce another collaboration with Animal Projects & Environmental Education @ APE Malaysia as we will donate a portion of our sales proceeds in November to plant trees in Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Borneo.
The Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary “is arguably the last forested alluvial floodplain in Asia and an area of enormous importance for wildlife and the local community” according to WWF. Endangered wildlife in the area include: Borneo pygmy elephants, Borneo orangutan, Sumatran rhinoceros, Malayan sun bear, clouded leopard, bear cat, hornbills and many more.
This reforestation effort by APE Malaysia aims to restore wildlife and biodiversity sanctuary by planting native trees where the planting sites were ex-logging and log dumpsites.
Will this affect you? Not at all, a portion of your purchase from 1st - 30 November via website & stockists in Brunei and Malaysia will be automatically included to plant trees in Borneo.
Our goal is to plant a total 50 trees (RM20/tree) this month. We hope to achieve this goal with you and makes the environment a better place together, one tree at a time.
]]>Prior to our candle making journey, we used to think all candles are just the same… or are they?
The reality is, it’s not. Candles can be made with various types of waxes (paraffin, soy, beeswax, palm and etc).
]]>Prior to our candle making journey, we used to think all scented candles are just the same… or are they?
The reality is, it’s not. Candles can be made with various types of waxes (paraffin, soy, beeswax, palm and etc). What is easily accessible in our market are usually made of paraffin waxes which are derived from crude oil.
For us at Borneo Candle Studio, we love working with 100% soy in our candles. So why do we choose soy wax and what are the benefits of burning one?
1. Plant-based & natural
Soy wax is a plant-based vegetable wax derived from the oil of soybeans. Upon harvesting, the soybeans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated to form soy wax.
2. Sustainable & renewable
Compared to paraffin waxes which rely on crude oil supply and are non-renewable, soy wax and palm wax on the other hand being plant-based is of a renewable resource. Palm wax is highly accessible locally and costs only a fraction of soy wax but while it's also eco-friendly, there are concerns tied to deforestation surrounding palm industry in Malaysia & Indonesia (84% worldwide producers of palm) with visible impact. The rapid expansion of the soybean industry in certain parts of the world such as South America, the US and China has also raised similar concerns.
We use only 100% soy wax from US-grown soybeans with high commitments of sustainable sourcing and production by our suppliers.
Note: there is no organic-certified soy wax in the market due to the chemical changes in turning oil into soy wax flakes.
3. Non-toxic & burns clean
Paraffin wax is most commonly used in mass-produced candles available in the market. They generally give a stronger scent throw while using lesser fragrance hence are cheaper to produce and are readily accessible.
According to a study in 2009, paraffin candles were found to release potentially carcinogenic toxic chemicals (toulene & benzene) when burned. It also tend to release soot when burned thus staining walls & furniture and affects our respiratory system.
Soy wax candles generally burn clean with minimal to no sooting so you and your family can enjoy scents at home without such worries.
4. Burns longer
Soy wax has a lower melting point compared to other waxes, hence will burn up to 50% longer than other types of candles. You may assume paraffin candles are cheaper but you’ll likely get a more economical choice with soy candle’s burn time.
5. Vegan-friendly
Soy wax is of plant-based origin. We don’t discredit other wax available in the market such as beeswax which also burns clean but it isn’t vegan-friendly.
Note: You may come across soy candles that are only labeled as ‘soy blends’ or just ‘soy’ which can be very ambiguous. This generally means there is a certain percentage of soy wax blended with other waxes (typically paraffin waxes) for improvements in scent throw and aesthetics - even with 10% soy wax blended, it can be labelled as 'soy candle'
We hope the insights from our research help you to make an informed decision when purchasing your next candle. Feel free to reach out directly to us if you have any questions!
]]>"HELP! I can't seem to pick up some scents from my favourite candle"
This is totally normal - your nose is not broken! It's the same as when you use the same perfume daily that you find unnoticeable until someone tells you how good you smell, it's olfactory fatigue.
]]>This is totally normal - your nose is not broken! It's the same as when you use the same perfume daily that you find unnoticeable until someone tells you how good you smell, it's olfactory fatigue.
So what exactly is 'olfactory fatigue'?
It's also called nose-blindness where your sense of smell is temporarily unable to pickup certain scents.
How does it happen?
Olfactory receptors (in your nose) detects different scent molecules by binding to it and sending signals to your brain. Over a long period of time, these receptors would be desensitised from detecting the same scents.
What can I do to fix/prevent this?
We say the best fix and prevention is to keep a few different scents on rotation! Once you notice your favourite candle are not as obvious, switch it up with another scent before coming back to you it again.
Depending on your preferred scent family, you can pick up another scent in the same category or even experiment with others!
Floral/fruity : Love Potion Nectarine Rosé
Woody/masculine : Borneo Oudh Midnight Breeze
Fresh : Fresh Day Tropical Sunrise
Cozy/gourmand : Sunday Morning Santan Cabin
]]>We are so excited to share with you that we had surpassed our initial goal and contributed to plant 57 trees! These tree saplings of various native species were planted along the Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah on former agricultural and logging sites.
What are the success indicators of this reforestation program by APE? As of 2016-2019:
Regardless if you have made a purchase with us throughout November, we are grateful for your support and for being part of this campaign. We hope this makes a lasting and significant benefit to the environment as in 3-10 years, these saplings will converge with the rest of the trees and connect to form rainforest canopy.
Thank you for planting 57 trees with us!
Learn more about APE Malaysia
]]>Congratulations you've finally finished your candle! Now what?
Cleaning the leftover candle wax from your used jars may seem a bit of a challenge! Should you throw the jar away?
Have you wondered how you can reuse your old candle jars after you had fully enjoyed it?
We’d like to share with you three fool-proof simple ways to remove leftover wax from your candle jars.After method 1, 2 or 3, you can then use warm water and soap to clean the container and voila! you have new glass jars ready to be reused over and over again!
Note: Please do not pour the melted wax down your drain. It will solidify and clog your pipes.
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