Making candle perfume last longer

[unity.sticks]

What's the best way to make candle fragrance last longer? I've noticed some of my pours smell amazing at first, but the scent fades quicker than I'd like. Just adding more oil doesn't always work and it can mess with the burn. Do certain waxes or cure times really help lock the fragrance in, or is it more about picking the right oils from the start?
Need to know what I should do better for the fragrance to last longer

 

[Smooth's_kin]

Hello there @unity.sticks, you've encountered a challenge that every candle maker faces, so you are on the right track to making some amazing candles. You are absolutely correct that just adding more oil often creates more problems than it solves. To maximize scent longevity, focus on two key variables, such as mixing temperature and cure time. Mix your fragrance oil with the wax at the recommended temperature for your wax type and then allow your candles to cure for a full 1-2 weeks so the fragrance and wax can fully bond. This step really improves scent throw. To help everyone provide you with better advice, could you share what type of wax you are currently using and at what temperature you add your fragrance oil? With some experimenting, you'll find the perfect combination for your process, so keep up the good work.

 

[24K Magic]

@Smooth's_kin makes a great point about cure time, that really does make a difference. @unity.sticks I'd also suggest testing different wax blends since some hold fragrance a lot better than others, especially soy-paraffin mixes.

 

[MazeyCrafts]

How long should I leave the candle or wax melt after unmolding it? I've heard it will sweat and shrink if I don't wrap it in something non-porous... the wax melts I make seem a little crumbly when I unmold them...

 

[Firefly24]

Hello there @unity.sticks, you've encountered a challenge that every candle maker faces, so you are on the right track to making some amazing candles. You are absolutely correct that just adding more oil often creates more problems than it solves. To maximize scent longevity, focus on two key variables, such as mixing temperature and cure time. Mix your fragrance oil with the wax at the recommended temperature for your wax type and then allow your candles to cure for a full 1-2 weeks so the fragrance and wax can fully bond. This step really improves scent throw. To help everyone provide you with better advice, could you share what type of wax you are currently using and at what temperature you add your fragrance oil? With some experimenting, you'll find the perfect combination for your process, so keep up the good work.

I completely agree! First follow the IFRA and then choose the % x wax amount. (The candle calc) Some add Vybar & different additives yet, I think it's all about the wax and how well the FO 's molecules blend with the wax. The heat, the pour, etc. Keeping notes is so important. Test, test, test. And always wait at least 2 weeks to do your first burn. Another thing I learned, is that on your 1st burn-burn it for at least 3 hours. This way you can check the melt pool. Now, if it starts smoking really bad, put it out. You have used the wrong wick. There are so many types of wax to try.

 

[Smooth's_kin]

@Firefly24 those are some fantastic, detailed points you've added.

The advice about wicking is especially critical and something I should've included in my first reply. A candle that doesn't burn correctly due to the incorrect wick size won't create a proper melt pool. If you don't get a good melt pool, you'll never get a good scent throw, no matter how perfect the fragrance load and cure time are. That's another key variable for @unity.sticks to test if they're still following along.