Walk into almost any homewares store today and you'll find candles described as natural, clean, eco-friendly or non-toxic. But what do those terms actually mean, and how do you know which candle is right for your home?
If you're looking for a natural candle in New Zealand, understanding the ingredients and craftsmanship behind a candle can help you make a more informed choice.
What is a natural candle?
There isn't a single legal definition of a "natural candle", but generally it refers to a candle made using waxes derived from renewable or naturally sourced ingredients rather than petroleum-based waxes.
Some of the most common natural waxes include:
- Soy wax
- Coconut wax
- Beeswax
- Rapeseed wax
Many premium candle makers choose to blend natural waxes to achieve the ideal balance of fragrance throw, burn performance and appearance.
Natural wax vs paraffin wax
One of the biggest differences between candles is the type of wax they use.
Natural waxes such as soy, coconut and beeswax are derived from renewable sources and have become increasingly popular with people looking for plant-based alternatives.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum refining. It has been used in candle making for decades because it provides a strong fragrance throw and is inexpensive to produce.
The truth is that no single ingredient determines the quality of a candle. A beautifully performing candle comes down to the entire formulation, including the wax, wick, fragrance, vessel and the amount of testing behind it.
Why the wick matters
The wick is one of the most important components of any candle because it controls how the candle burns.
You'll generally find two types:
Cotton wicks
- Traditional appearance
- Reliable, consistent flame
Wooden wicks
- Create a soft crackling sound similar to a fireplace
- Produce a beautiful modern flame
- Require extensive testing to perfectly match the wax blend, fragrance and vessel
A premium candle isn't simply about choosing a wooden wick. It's about ensuring every element works together to create a clean, even burn from the first light to the last.
What makes a premium candle?
When choosing a candle, look beyond the label.
Consider:
- The quality of the wax
- The fragrance composition
- How thoroughly the candle has been tested
- Burn performance
- The vessel quality
- Clear candle care instructions
- Where and how it is made
Many handcrafted New Zealand candles undergo months of testing before they're ever released, with different waxes, wick sizes, pouring temperatures and fragrance levels carefully refined to achieve the best possible result.
Fragrance is about more than smelling beautiful
A truly beautiful candle doesn't just fragrance a room. It changes how a space feels.
Fresh citrus notes can feel uplifting and energising.
Soft florals often create a sense of calm.
Warm woods bring comfort and depth.
The right fragrance becomes part of your home, creating memories, setting the mood for dinner with friends or helping you unwind after a busy day.
The ritual of lighting a candle
For many people, lighting a candle has become much more than creating a pleasant scent.
It's the signal that work is finished.
It's the moment the house becomes home.
It's permission to slow down.
Sometimes the most valuable part of a candle isn't the fragrance at all. It's the ritual it creates.
Even five quiet minutes can make a difference.
Our approach at Becca Project
At Becca Project, every candle is hand-poured in New Zealand using a premium CocoSoy wax blend enhanced with beeswax and finished with an FSC-certified wooden wick.
What makes our candles unique is our approach to fragrance.
Every scent begins with a professionally crafted fragrance blend before being thoughtfully enhanced with pure essential oils. Each essential oil is carefully selected to complement the fragrance, adding depth, complexity and a subtle connection to nature while remaining true to our philosophy of creating moments of calm through scent.
Every candle is then hand-poured in small batches and extensively tested to ensure an even burn, beautiful fragrance performance and the gentle crackle that has become a signature of our wooden wicks.
Our philosophy is simple.
Ritual over Rush.
We believe fragrance should do more than make a room smell beautiful.
It should encourage you to pause.
To breathe.
To reconnect with yourself, your family and your home.
Because sometimes the smallest rituals become the moments we remember most.
