Candle Chat

Saturday, October 6, 2012

'GET TO KNOW US GIVEAWAY' THROUGH OCTOBER 15, 2012

- - Offer is limited to one person per household for one free gift. Select from our large selection of fragrances and candle types.
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  - Experience a product for free. How can you resist?!

Friday, September 28, 2012

FIVE ENGLISH ROSE FRAGRANCES

According to Austin Roses. A Summary: Who Knew?

Myrrh: An aromatic, anise-like scent/ among roses it's found almost exclusively in English roses.

Fruity: Because the rose is related to apricots, pears, apples, strawberries and others, fruity tones often surface.

Musk: A romantic scent, it often comes from the flower's stamens. People are especially sensitive to the scent.

Old rose: The classic rose fragrance, it's found almost exclusively in pink and red roses.

Tea rose: This strong scent -- like that of fresh tea -- often dominates a flower. Other fragrances can become evident over time.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CERTAIN ESSENTIAL OIL FRAGRANCE INGREDIENTS

When trying to choose a fragrance for a candle, and/or a fragrance or perfume oil, it's always prudent to look at the ingredients. On that note, we've put together the following list of some essential oils and their purported benefits or affects. The content of these oils in our massage oil candles, scented pillar candles, jar candles, soy wax melts & all of our other products can be found on our fragrance descriptions page. For our purposes here - discussing fragrances - the descriptions of topical or other uses are given only for informational reasons, other than perhaps our massage oil candles.

While reading the information below and our fragrance descriptions in general, explanations/definitions of 'Perfumery Notes' is in order as follow:

*Top Notes are the fragrance components that you smell when a perfume is first applied. These components evaporate more quickly than the rest, which is the reason you'll smell them first - they're the first to reach your nose.

Middle (or Mid) Notes are what you smell as the top notes are fading. In a good scent blend, middle notes will be compatible with both the top notes and the base notes. Middle notes typically develop within 10 minutes and may last for several hours.

Base (or Bottom) Notes are what you smell when the middle notes have gone through their "dry down" phase (defined below). These components are the "anchor" of the whole blend, even though they may not be apparent when you first apply the perfume (or light the scented candle). Many perfumers feel the base notes are the most important component of the entire blend, not only because they last the longest, but also because they affect all the other notes contained in the blend.

A successful fragrance blend will be compatible throughout all of these phases. This is called "fragrance accord", meaning all notes are in harmony as they fade and blend into one another.

Dry Down is the "lifetime" of a fragrance; the phases a fragrance goes through when worn.

*Taken with minor variations from: FORYOURNOSE.COM

The list below includes some purported "benefits"/and/or uses for a few essential oils. Some of the listed oils include fragrance descriptions, uses & have a Perfumery Note attached. Please see our Fragrance Descriptions page for more details.

ESSENTIAL OILS CONTAINED IN OUR PRODUCTS

BERGAMOT Antiseptic, cooling, calming, relaxing, refreshing, purifying

CARDAMON Stimulant, aphrodisiac

CINNAMON Stimulating, antiseptic, refreshing, purifying, aphrodisiac

CEDARWOOD Fresh, woody, balsamic resembling aroma of cedar chests and closets. Uses:

acne, arthritis, bronchitis, coughs, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, insect repellant,

stress. Perfumery Note: Base

CITRUS Energizing, uplifting, fight off 'winter blues'

CLARY SAGE Antiseptic, calming, relaxing, regulating, warming, aphrodisiac

CLOVE BUD Antiseptic, mental stimulant, energizing

COFFEE Strong, rich, aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Uses: Perfumery/fragrancing.

Perfumery Note: Base

EUCALYPTUS Antiseptic, stimulant, balancing, purifying, respiratory

FRANKINCENSE Antiseptic, skin rejuvenator, calming, relaxing, warming, meditative, well-being

GARDENIA Treating infections, jaundice, anxiety, insomnia, blood clotting, reducing swelling,

menopausal imbalance, bladder infections, reducing tumors

GINGER Aphrodisiac, energizing, uplifting. Warm, spicy, earthy, woody aroma. Uses:

aching muscles, arthritis, nausea, poor circulation. Perfumery Note: Middle/Base

GRAPEFRUIT Energizing. Citrusy, tangy like grapefruit-but sweet. Uses: Cellulitis, toxic build-up,

water retention. Perfumery Note: Top

HOLLY Fever reducing, diuretic

HONEYSUCKLE Clears heat, wind & toxins from the blood & liver, treathing sore throats, fever, skin

blemishes & rashes

JASMINE Aphrodisiac, euphoric , uplifting, skin rejuvenator, warming.

JUNIPER Energizing, stimulating, regulating.

LAVENDER Most versatile of all oils, cell rejuvenator, anti-infectious, antiseptic,

immunostimulant, calming, balancing, well-being, induces sleep, blends well.

LEMON Stimulant, antiseptic, purifying, refreshing.

LEMONGRASS Fresh, lemony, earthy aroma. Uses: Acne, athlete's foot, excessive perspiration,

flatulence, insect repellent, muscle aches, oily skin, scabies, stress. Perfumery

Note: Top

LIME Purifying, refreshing, stimulating

MUSK Adrenaline gland stimulator, treatment of anxiety, depression, nervousness, stress

related conditions

MYRHH Meditative, fortifying, stimulant

NUTMEG Rich, spicy, sweet, woody. Uses: arthritis, constipation, fatigue, muscle aches,

nausea, neralgia, poor circulation, rheumatism, slow digestion. Perfumery Note:

Middle

OAKMOSS Rich, earthy, woody aroma. Uses: in perfumery, for its properties as a fragrance

fixative. Perfumery Note: Base

ORANGE Refreshing, purifying, calming, well-being

PATCHOULI Aprhodisiac, warm, uplifing, relaxing

PEPPERMINT Stimulating, purifying, regulating, intellectual stimulant, clear thinking

PINE Purifying, refreshing, energizing, disinfectant, stimulating

ROSE Purifying, calming, aphrodisiac, regulating, skin rejuvenator for normal/dry skin

ROSEWOOD Sweet, fruity, woody, floral aroma. Uses: acne, colds, dryskin, dull skin, fever, flu,

frigidity, headache, oily skin, scars, sensitive skin, stress, stretch marks.

Perfumery Note: Middle

SANDALWOOD Uplifting, euphoric, aphrodisiac, meditative

SPRUCE Purifying, refreshing, energizing, disinfectant, stimulating

TANGERINE Fresh, sweet, citrusy aroma. Perfumery Note: Top

TEA TREE Antiseptic, well-being, calming, immunostimulant, anti-infectious

VANILLA Anti oxidant, aphrodisiac, anti carcinogenic, anti depressant, sedative, relaxing

VIOLET LEAF Green, earthy, slightly floral aroma. Uses: bronchitis, headache, insomnia,

rheumatism, sluggish circulation, sore throat, stress. Perfumery Note: Middle

WISTERIA Stimulating the senses, calming nerves, elevating moods

YLANG YLANG Fresh, floral, sweet, slightly fruity, fragrant aroma. Uses: Anxiety, depression,

frigidity, hypertension, palpitations, stress. Perfumery Note: Middle/Base

Friday, September 21, 2012

In Defense of Lovely Lavender

IN DEFENSE OF LOVELY LAVENDER

I've never known anyone that knew about it that didn't love it. And that is lavender. And if they used it at all, they espoused the scent as one of the most fragrant and well liked of the herbs. Because of its pleasing aroma the ancient Greeks, North Africans, and Romans used it in their bath water; hence its name from Latin, "to wash". It has been used for centuries to relieve tension, soothe digestive upsets, ease headaches, reduce stress, and promote sleep. On another page, I mentioned that lavender gives me a headache; therefore why, I need to give lavender the kudos it deserves.

The renown Edgar Cayce in one of his readings said...there is no greater influence in a physical body than the effect of odors upon the olfactory nerves of the body. They have made much of the developments for the body. When essential oils are inhaled, the oil particles reach the roof of the nose, where cilia (thin hairs) send information about the aromas to the center of the brain. Messages then reach the areas of the brain associated with smell. The release of neurochemicals is triggered and these may be relaxing or stimulating depending upon the effect. According to Cayce, individuals do and can respond to odors, and that these smells have a definite effect upon our systems.

With this said here and on other pages, past memories and experiences may play a part in one's selection of a particular scent. One of Cayce's readings talked about odors having much to do with the ability to meditate, though they may not necessarily have this effect on everyone. Another reading states that the scent of lavender "would make for the raising of the vibrations".

Whether or not you believe in Cayce's readings, many today suggest that the use of aroma can be a preparation for meditation. Further, using lavender as a lotion or in massage oil could, along with other ingredients, aid in alleviating strains in muscles and tendons. Some also use lavender along with witch hazel added to boiling water (one pint) in a fume bath - to help relax the body as the steam from the pot fills the tub.

As most of us probably know, lavender is most commonly used as a scent in soaps, perfumes, bath products, shampoos, sachets, and potpourris. In herbal medicine it has long been respected for its calming, soothing effects and is loved by many.

You can find lavender in the following fragrances in many of our product types:

Colour My World - Massage Romantique TM Soy Body Massage Candle, 4 oz. Soy Candle Tin, 6.75 Soy Candle Jar, 10 oz. Soy Candle Jar, 18 oz. Soy Candle Jar, Soy Tart Melts, Soy Votive Candles, Fragrance Oil

Lavender - Fragrance Oil, Soy Tart Melts, 4 oz. Soy Candle Tin, 6.75 oz. Soy Candle Jar, 10 oz. Soy Candle Jar, 18 oz. Soy Candle Jar, Soy Votive Candle

Lavender Vanilla - Fragrance Oil, Soy Tart Melts, 4 oz. Soy Candle Tin, 6.75 oz. Soy Candle Jar, 10 oz. Soy Candle Jar, 18 oz. Soy Candle Jar, Soy Votive Candle

Lavender & Green Tea - Soy Chunk Pillar Candles in 3x3, 3x6 & 3x9 sizes

Lavender Fields - Aromatherapy Spa Candle in frosted glass open container

Pleasant Dreams - Aromatherapy Spa Candle in frosted glass open container

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

OUR SENSE OF SMELL AND HOW SCENTS AFFECT US

Many in the scientific world are beginning to believe that smell could be our most suggestive sense. Studies are indicating that smells can indeed affect many things such as our emotions, mood and perceptions. It is known that scent preferences can be highly subjective and personal relating to our memories and associations. For instance, to some the smell of certain flowers may evoke negative feelings. To me the smell of gasoline is as good as it gets since it brings back pleasant memories of Sunday afternoons when my father took me and my siblings to the refinery where he worked & filled our car up from the gas pump for employee use. We enjoyed this time together, thus I've always associated the smell of gasoline with happiness. Who would know? We can then imagine and surmise that those who dislike certain flowery scents may have experienced a negative trigger around that smell at a previous point in time.

Did you know that some people can smell certain aromas where others can't? Genetics, or to a smaller degree, small physiological changes and factors like mood and medications can affect our sense of smell. It's thought that we never experience a smell the same way twice. The sensitivity of our nose changes from hour to hour and our sense of smell is the weakest in the morning and gets stronger as the day goes on. We've all noticed that we can't smell as well when are noses are stuffed up and may also have been aware that when we are hungry, our sense of smell seems to get keener.

To me, the most exciting thing about our sense of smell is that it seems to be able to tune into fragrances that affect our behavior and mood. There are logical reasons for this phenomena. The association of fragrance and emotion is all because of our olfactory system. Our olfactory receptors are connected to the limbic system, which is thought to be the seat of emotion. Smell sensations are relayed to the cortex, where 'cognitive' recognition occurs.

There is evidence that pleasant fragrances can improve our mood and sense of well-being. Even the thought of pleasant fragrances have been found to make us a bit more cheerful. Experiments have shown that actually smelling the scent can dramatically improve mood and sense of well-being.

Interestingly, the positive emotional effects of pleasant fragrances also affect our perceptions of other people and things. Results from experiments where subjects were exposed to pleasant fragrances tended to give higher 'attractiveness ratings' to people in photographs. In one study, the presence of an unpleasant odor led subjects to give lower ratings to photographed individuals and to judge paintings less professional. Other tests conducted with shampoos resulted in participants touting many irrelevant positive qualities about the shampoo, when only the fragrance had been changed.

A lot of research is being done on how our environment affects our well-being and scents are up there in the list of physical cues that influence our perceptions. Can a floral smell be a mood stimulator and encourage social interaction? There is a wealth of information out there that says yes. Scientists are revealing that recollections tied to smell can be stronger than memory of other types.

Olfaction can transport our thoughts back to some of our earliest experiences and the outcome can be a feeling. Scientists are also suggesting that the lack of or absence of these feelings could be a sign of cognitive decline. Early stages of developing therapies to train people to smell better are thought to perhaps one day lessen the deterioration of mental faculties. Without delving too deeply into this phenomena, suffice to say, stimulating our sense of smell with fragrances can light up our lives with both old and new positive memories.

Since odors are ofen tied to a unique experience that has given us a strong and stable connection, it seems to me that we might want to surround ourselves with the fragrances we love that have for so long made us feel so good!

Janis Lyn

OUR SENSE OF SMELL AND HOW SCENTS AFFECT US

experienced a negative trigger around that smell at a previous point in time.

Janis Lyn

Dreams & Scents

DREAMS AND SCENTS

Our Sense of Smell is vital to us and affects us in many ways. Some smells can be good for our health and many can be bad. Some aromas we've seen can change our mood or emotions. To relieve stress, lavender, vanilla or rose scents are sometimes recommended. For concentration, many tout peppermint, strawberry or lavender. Personally, lavender gives me a headache. No one ever believes that, but it's true. The jasmine fragrance is said to be associated with alertness. I can smell that one, as it's one of my favorites. But, we are all unique with different chemistry. Now the study of fragrance and how it can affect our dreams is a bit more curious to me.

An aside for a moment, it has been suggested that smell might facilitate learning. In a study where participants studied the locations of cards while inhaling the smell of a rose, it was found that when the subjects went to sleep; and some were again exposed to the rose fragrance and others were given an odorless stimulus, those who smelled the rose remembered 97%, compared to 86 % for the others. This study seems to suggest that odors can accelerate learning as memories are integrated in sleep.

New research 'says' that flower scents sprayed around the bedroom before sleeping result in more positive dreams than unpleasant smells or no particular aromas at all. Not only have studies shown that smelling flowers before sleep can lead to more positive dreams, but researchers are looking into the possibility that pleasant smells could reduce the occurrence of nightmares.

So you know, clinical trials have shown that lavender can help with insomnia, anxiety, stress, and post-operative pain. I guess if I choose to go with lavender for all its benefits, I'll just have to keep a bottle of headache medicine around.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

OUR SENSE OF SMELL AND HOW SCENTS AFFECT US

Janis Lyn