Different Types of Candles: Wax, Sizes & Styles

A Candle for Every Occasion

Searching for a perfect candle doesn’t stop at picking a favorite color or scent — you can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes, and wax types. Whether you’re inspiring a mood, creating a cozy candlescape, or freshening up your laundry room, our different candle types are perfect for all of life’s moments. Whatever the occasion, there is a style of candle for you. Take the fragrance quiz and see the brand and fragrance that’s a perfect match for you.

Types of Candle Wax

Understanding the different types of wax will help you choose the right candle for your home. Soy wax is made from soybean oil while paraffin wax is made from crude oil that is affordable and widely available. Either wax you choose will give your candle a nice burn and strong fragrance in any space. If soy wax or paraffin wax isn’t for you, try candles made with beeswax or a hybrid wax blend of soy and paraffin.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is made from soybean oil and is a popular alternative to paraffin wax. You’ll find soy wax as one of the primary ingredients in our Signature Collection Candles, our Studio Collection, and other decorative candles.

Beeswax

Recommended for those with asthma and allergies, beeswax candles are an excellent option. Beeswax is harvested from bees, making it a perfect choice that benefits both you and your home. With all these desirable features and a warm, golden glow, beeswax candles are an enjoyable addition to your home.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax has long been a common ingredient for decorative and scented candles. Paraffin wax is an affordable and widely available byproduct of crude oil. Some candle types are made with a combination of paraffin and soy wax — an excellent choice when seeking the advantages of both.

Types of Candle Sizes & Styles

If you enjoy the effortless way a candle can inspire the mood of any room with fragrance and glow, then you’ll be delighted with the broad selection of candle sizes and styles. Looking to find the right candle for your home? Here you can find both new and favorite, iconic styles.

Tea Lights

Tea lights are the epitome of big style in small packages. The term Tea Light Candle originates from their traditional use in keeping tea warm. They are small, flat candles that are often housed in a metal or plastic holder. While they are popular for events and restaurant dining tables, they are also a popular choice for the home when creating accent lighting or creative decorations. For those seeking short-term ambiance for a family gathering or meal, tea light candles are made with paraffin wax with a burn time of 4 – 6 hours each. Tea light candle styles are available scented or unscented and can be found in pleasing colors that offer an alternative to their popular white hue.

Pillars

Pillar Candles have the advantage of offering a traditional look while being an excellent choice for candlescapes. Pillar Candles come in a variety of sizes and are perfect for decorative use or for adding ambiance to any space in your home. Also, Pillar Candles are not only widely loved for their style, ample glow, and fragrance, but also for their long burn time of up to 115 hours . Pillar Candles come in decorative glass vessels and can be personalized with accessories such as candle trays. However you choose to use your Pillar Candle you’ll find it’s a candle style well-suited for use in any season.

Samplers® Votives and Yankee Candle® Minis

Samplers® Votive candles are the style of candle for those seeking a soft glow and the perfect amount of scent for a corner, bedside table, or mantel. Like Samplers® Votive Candles, Yankee Candle® Minis are a mini candle in the perfect size for trying new fragrances in your home. Yankee Candle® Minis are the choice of candle when a compact size is needed. Yankee Candle® Minis provide just the right amount of ambiance and come in their own petite package with decorative glass. Samplers® Votive Candles make trying new scents easy with a burn time of 15 hours; they provide instant ambiance for a dining room table or coffee table. Any of these small candles you choose make perfect gifts and come in a range of colors and fragrances, as well as an assortment of waxes such as paraffin or a soy-wax blend.

Large & Multi-Wick Candles

Multi-wick candles can have 2 or 3 wicks and can be found in several candle styles for maximum glow. Multiple wicks create a generous wax pool that leads to an effective and efficient burn for enhanced ambiance and fragrance throw, perfect for large rooms. Whichever multi-wick candle you choose, there’s plenty to love about this décor-enhancing, high-ambiance candle style. When you are finished with your candles, you can upcycle the vessels with creative DIY ideas to add to your décor.

Safety Precautions for All Candle Types

Always use caution when using your candles. Below are simple candle safety guidelines for all candles regardless of style or size.

·        Remove all packaging before lighting.

·        Place candle(s) on a protected surface away from anything that could catch fire.

·        Keep candles away and out of reach of children and pets.

·        Keep wick(s) trimmed to the length stated on your candle’s bottom label.

·        If smoke occurs, check for drafts which can cause flames to flicker and smoke.

·        Keep the wick centered and free of wick trimmings, matches, or any other material.

·        Never leave burning candles unattended.

·        Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Caring for your candle can help with safety and burn efficiency. Learn about Basic Candle Care on our website for all your candle styles, and enjoy the ambiance! For more on candle safety, visit our website.