Romantic dinner or frayed nerves? There's a scented candle for every reason

Luxury candles that come in a wide array of fragrances are fast catching the fancy of high net worth individuals

It's a cold winter day and you want to spend quality time with your beloved. You've got the aesthetics right for a romantic evening right within the confines of your home -- some light music, a bottle of wine, and a delectable spread to make it a perfect candlelight dinner.

More so, because the candles you've got aren't just the ones with the fancy designs, but the aromatic kind that emit a nerve-soothing fragrance. They are premium scented works of art in hydrocarbon, for which the market in India has been growing rapidly, making them a lifestyle category in their own right. 

With the kind of prices these candles command, many would say spending on them is akin to burning money or flaunting one's status. But people using them says they're worth every penny. Says Ritvika Toshniwal, an avid user of premium candles: "It is some kind of 'guilt' pleasure I indulge in. I just cannot stop myself from buying a nice fragrant candle." The Bengaluru-based marketing executive puts away something like Rs 30,000 a year on premium scented candles.

People invest in these candles not only because for their fragrance and visual aesthetics that blend well with the decor, but also because they have a soothing effect on the senses when one comes home from a particularly hectic day at work. The candles come in a variety aromas -- a romantic scent for a date, citrus to freshen a room, nerve-calming lavender, or a holiday fragrance that enhances the festive mood. With the festival of lights around the corner, these candles have been becoming more and more popular among the affluent classes. From lime and basil, to earthy to sweet peppermint, there is a great deal of aromatic variety available.

In India, Niana, The Fragrance People, Auro, and Veedaa are some of the niche brands in this sector. Says Nisheeta Labroo, Partner, Niana, a luxury-home-fragrance brand: "Premium scented candles are known for their unique portfolio of fragrances, with subtle, evocative and eclectic aromas." International brands such as Jo Malone and Diptyque are popular with celebrity and royalty.  

These premium scented candles are mostly made using soy wax, stearin, and beeswax or paraffin wax. Soy wax is biodegradable and non-toxic and is known for clean burning. Soy candles are eco-friendly, emit less soot and burn 40 per cent longer than paraffin. The cotton wicks are also free from lead and zinc. 

Auro, on the other hand, uses vegetable wax. The candles are made using hard wax so that the outer shell remains intact while the candle burns inside. They also make candles using beeswax with essential oils and wooden wicks. Says Neha Vij, Founder, Auro Candles: "Beeswax candles create a feel-good environment at home and are good for aromatherapy -- like relaxation and stress reduction. These candles add a distinctive touch to the everyday décor." These candles contain approximately 300 grams of wax and last around 40-45 hours, depending on the type of wax. If used for an hour a day, most last for almost a month. 

Type and blends 

Mandarin Lime

Other than the normal single-flavoured scented candles, premium ones come with a mix of all blends. It is generally the blend of the quality oils and wax that delivers a unique and beautiful scent. 

The meditation candle blend of Auro is a mix of frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood. The Petit grain candle blend helps inculcate feelings of happiness and calmness. It is a mix of citrus fragrances with woody undertones. The forest candle blends give you the feel of refreshed and energised greenery and forests. There is also a ‘balance candle’ by Auro designed for aligning all the seven chakras of the body.

In the premium range, among 17 signature scents, Enigma and Luminous are the two popular fragrances of Niana. Enigma, with sparkling green lime pear and peony, is a combination with the warmth of vanilla and amber. Luminous has tiny white violet flowers and with musk and sandalwood. Other blends include Honeysuckle Jasmine, Grapefruit & Mangosteen, Mandarin Lime, and Bamboo Grove. 

Most of these companies also have their own designer products such as paisley and geometric candles. Geometric candles are artistically designed and made from everyday objects with a modern twist. Paisley candle or Buta is a motif of Persian origin. The post-Mughal version of the design became popular in the 19th century in the form of Kashmir shawls. The buta candle is a perfect blend of tradition with modernity.

Pricing

Niana ss 2017

Niana's signature candles start at Rs 865, and a se of three costs Rs 1,650. The premium range, created and developed with Givaudan in Paris is priced at Rs 2,300. However, the smaller shot glass-sized candles cost around Rs 300. The beeswax products of Auro start from Rs 1,845 and go up to Rs 7,490.

International brands such as Alaia cost around Rs 5,500, Byredo's Bohemia costs Rs 4,500, and Diptyque's Feu De Bois will put you back by around Rs 4,992. But the most expensive candles in their collection go up to Rs 25,000. Prices for the other popular brand Jo Malone start at Rs 2,500 and go up to Rs 28,000. Toshniwal of Bengaluru is partial to Jo Malone’s Lavender Lovage: "It's my favourite," she says. "Their Lime Basil and Mandarin is a must-try too. They each cost around $88 each, but are so, so worth it."