Shop by Scent
Shop by Scent Family
Shop by Scent
Shop by Scent Family
Shop by Scent
Shop by Scent Family
Shop by Scent
Shop by Scent Family
Enjoyed for the beauty of their flickering flames and mood-enhancing qualities, candles have existed for over 5000 years. Today, even with the knowledge from generations of chandlers, creating these beacons of light, with the added complication of adding fragrance, remains a craft, not a science. Even after achieving the right balance of ingredients, we stir the mix with love, as only then is a unique experience of light and scent born.
Urban Apothecary candles are carefully crafted at our candle factory in Leicestershire, England. The team of artisans cast their expert, watchful eyes over every stage of proceedings. Each and every candle is made to a secret recipe, a precise blend of high quantities of fragrance with wax and wick. Together this trio of specialists, once in perfect harmony, ensure the finished piece burns slowly and evenly while delivering a rich release of scent.
We take a natural approach where possible. That's why we chose vegan wax, glass candle vases and cotton wicks, from the beginning. Our natural wax also provides a great fragrance ‘throw’, infusing the air with trails of delicious scent quickly and consistently.
While we’ve now established the perfect wicks, we reviewed thousands before making the final selection. With each different fragrance, a new match must be found, so that every individual candle reaches its full potential.
The entire production process is labour intensive and begins with our artisans stirring the hot wax with the fragrance oil for even distribution. The resulting mixture is then hand-poured into waiting glass candle vases, with wicks already attached to the base.
As the cooling process starts, patience and a steady hand is required, there’s an exact moment when it’s just right to check and straighten the wick. Then, after precisely placing labels and polishing the glass, there’s a final inspection of all details.
Only when the candle is flawless, will our traditionally made, labour of love, begin its journey to you, perfectly ready to infuse rooms with a stylish, contemporary scent.
We asked our artisans to share their key tips on how to get the best experience from every candle.
Here’s what our experts say:
Our wicks have been specially selected and prepared so that on lighting, the candle’s flame is just the right size to create a melting wax pool that will reach the edge of the vase. When you first use your candle, burn for as long as it takes the wax to melt across the entire surface. If you repeat this process every time you light your candle, the wax will burn down evenly. This helps prevent tunnelling – where the wax forms a small area that doesn’t melt – and instead, you’ll get to enjoy every last drop of wax and fragrance.
A little care can go a long way. After you’ve extinguished the candle’s flame, and only once the wick is cool too, if needed, centre and straighten the wick to encourage an even burn every time.
As the wax pool cools and begins to set, remove any matches or other debris that may have fallen in. This will prevent flaring and the formation of secondary wicks on the next lighting.
Finally, trim the wick to five millimetres after every use. This is the correct height to create the perfect size of flame for both an even burn and to help avoid wisps of smoke occurring in the future.
There is a natural beauty in candlelight, the dancing flame in a dimly lit room creates a calm and cosy ambience. To respect the splendour of one of nature’s lively elements, our artisans suggest some mindful tips:
Always place your candle in a safe area, such as on a heatproof, non-flammable surface where it can easily be seen. With any candles, you should always be present in the same room and never leave one unattended.
Check that the area around your candle is clear, with nothing in close proximity that could catch fire or cause an excessive build-up of heat and away from drafts that could distress the flame. If you have children or pets, place the candle far out of reach.
When grouping multiple candles together, such as when creating a centrepiece, leave a safe distance of at least ten centimetres between every one. This gives each candle its own defined space, where it won’t be influenced by the heat of another.
Never move or tip a burning candle, always extinguish the flame first and wait, allowing time for the wax and the glass to cool. Use a suitable snuffer, as this is the only method that decisively puts out the candle. It’s dangerous to blow out the flame or use liquid, it’s best to avoid these methods altogether.
A little smudge of soot forming around the top of the glass is not uncommon, although good candle care such as trimming the wick and removing debris from the wax surface, can help prevent this. Not burning your candle for long periods of time in one sitting will also help. If you do see soot marks, use a damp cloth to clean the glass and it will quickly look pristine again.
Our candle vases are made from glass so they can be recycled after use, or consider giving them a second life, once all the wax is removed and the vase cleaned. They make great pots for holding bits and pieces, from pens to plants and more.
