I was
actually inspired to write this blog entry by Yankee Candle themselves. Well
whoever runs the Twitter account for the USA Yankee Candle company anyway (oh
and hello to all of the American visitors to this blog – now accounting for some
35% of the traffic!)
They posed
the question recently asking if fragrance was the most important thing when
buying or enjoying a candle. There were some interesting answers and it got me
thinking (and responding) – and thus the inspiration for this article.
With votives
(samplers) it is about ambience perhaps. The colour of the wax and the
container it is in (of which there are some stunning choices around). The aroma
can be almost secondary, though I know Yankee Candle fans like to mix samplers
together sometimes in multiple holders to create unique blends.
As for melts, it’s all about the quick throw of scent
but again the wax colour can look lovely if it is used in a clear glass melt
warmer.
But really
this piece is about jar candles. So what really makes a Yankee Candle large jar
perfect and is it all about the scent?
It is the
fragrance of course that is the essential, but the aesthetics are also very
important. The wax colour has to be appealing and it can’t be understated how
important the label is.
So, fragrance
is the most important thing. If you don’t like the smell then no matter how
great the image or wax colour, it is doubtful you’ll get much enjoyment out of
your 150 hours burning time! Whether it is a strong throw candle or a room
atmosphere changing less heady scent you are after, the fragrance of Yankee
Candle is what sets them apart from everything else.
Let’s not
underestimate the wax colour though. Many of you I know like to display candles
around your house and if they do complement the décor, so much the better. Also
some of the Yankee Candle wax colouring has an amazing effect all of its own.
Look at the lovely and unique tones in Home Sweet Home for example or the
exotic escapism of Midsummer’s Night.
The unusual wax colouring of Home Sweet Home
And then we
have the image and perhaps even the name of the candle. I’ve no idea how long
Yankee Candle spend just trying to get exactly the right image for their
candles – but they get it right more often than not. Almost always the
fragrance from the candle is exactly what the image depicts. Look at Coastal
Waters with waves coming into shore over seawater covered rocks, or the
cacophony of different roses on Fresh Cut Roses or the lush red velvet cake on
Red Velvet.
Coastal Waters just makes you think of bracing sea air
I guess if
you don’t like the label you could (shudder) remove it or use a melt or votive.
Some labels don’t do it for me as I think I’ve mentioned before. First Down’s
American Football is pretty uninspiring for such an amazing scent and I never
really want to see people or children on a jar image, so no matter how much I
love A Child’s Wish as a fragrance, I won’t ever buy a jar of it! But this
hobby is all about personal taste…
Get all
three right and you are in Yankee Candle heaven indeed. Some of my all time
favourite combinations are :
Evening Air – a stunning wax colour, amazingly
atmospheric picture and to die for scent.
Black Coconut – dark and mysterious
with a pure fantasy image and a creamy, luxurious smell.
Camomile Tea – a
simplistic image with a honeyish colour and gentle daytime fragrance.
Sparkling
Lemon – its rich yellow colour, bright fizzy scent and a vibrant, cooling
image.
I could go on forever!
Perfection in a Yankee Candle?
But I think
the most important element of a Yankee Candle I haven’t even mentioned. It’s
not the wax, the jar, the image or even the scent. No it’s YOU – and your enjoyment!
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Coming Soon
Living the
Yankee Candle dream (an article about this blog!)
Yankee
Candle Q3 detailed review
More Yankee
Candles of the day
And… don’t
forget that Bank Holiday Monday on QVC is Yankee Candle TSV day with Rosa Smith
taking us through the day with a ton of offers. Plus an amazing TSV offering.
It is simply stunning! All kicks off at Midnight on Sunday and then at 8am,
11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.