Homemade beeswax candles are simple to make, cozy up any space and are made with all-natural ingredients. Made with raw honey and scented with pure vanilla and essential oils, these honey vanilla candles are sure to warm up any room.

Homemade honey vanilla beeswax candle on table with white and blue tea towel.

I love lighting candles in the evening after a long day. It just sets the mood, too relaxing and cozy. I used to buy candles from the store until I found out what was in them.

Most conventional candles are filled with synthetic fragrances, toxin-filled waxes, and even the wicks contain chemicals. Yes, they smell nice, but not without a price.

Lighting these chemical-filled candles can reduce the air quality in your home and cause damage to your respiratory system. Making your own candles, on the other hand, do just the opposite!

HONEY VANILLA CANDLE

If you love the sweet aroma of honey and the warm scent of vanilla, you are going to love these candles.

After making this honey vanilla candle recipe, I can tell you, “honey vanilla” is moving up the list as one of my favorite scent combos.

Similar to my beeswax candle recipe, I actually added raw honey and pure vanilla extract to this one.

BEST WAX TO MAKE CANDLES

Both beeswax and soy wax can be used to make homemade candles. I most often use beeswax, but I have made soy wax candles too. The recipe will be the same no matter which wax you choose.

Beeswax makes a hard, dense candle and lasts longer than soy wax candles. It has a higher smoke point than soy wax and burns brighter. Beeswax also gives off a more natural light with a warm tone.

Soy wax is a great option when going the vegan candle route.

Paraffin wax can be used to make candles as well. However, paraffin wax can be altered and you will want to check the purity of the ingredients before purchasing.

Homemade beeswax candle in a medium size mason jar.

HOW TO SCENT CANDLES NATURALLY?

The best part about making your own candles is scenting them. This is the fun part and the options are endless. You can get super creative or leave them plain.

Burning pure beeswax smells good on its own or you can add in herbs, essential oils, or abstracts to scent them more.

Strong-smelling herbs such as peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, clove buds, or lavender are very common choices to scent candles with.

To do this, add the fresh herbs into the wax as you are melting it and once the wax is melted, simply strain the herbs out.

HOMEMADE VANILLA HONEY CANDLES

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INGREDIENTS

1 pound of beeswax (or soy wax)
4 tablespoons of honey
8 teaspoons of vanilla
50 drops of essential oils (optional)
Metal Container
Large saucepan
Pencil or wooden skewers
Heat resistant containers (mason jars, coffee mugs, etc.)
Wicks

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the beeswax to a metal pitcher. I highly recommend having a pitcher just for candle making as it is extremely difficult to clean wax out of dishes.
Place the metal container into a large pot of water and bring it to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and occasionally stir until all the beeswax is completely melted. It is important to melt the wax slowly, so it doesn’t lose any of its natural scent. Be sure the water doesn’t splash into the beeswax container.
Once the wax is completely melted, remove it from heat. Allow the wax to cool down to 125 degrees.
Add in honey and vanilla. If using essential oils, add those in now too. Stir the ingredients until well combined.
Secure a wick at the bottom of the mason jar with a little glue and then fill the jar with the melted wax. Leave about an inch of room at the top of the jar.
Using a pencil or bamboo skewer, wrap the other end of the wick around it and lay it horizontally across the top center of the jar. This will keep the wick centered while the wax hardens.
Once the wax is completely hardened, you can trim the wick, and it is ready to light. It should be about a 1/2 inch long.

NOTE: It may take 24-48 hours before your candle is completely hardened and ready to light. Make sure it fully hardens before lighting it to ensure the longest burn time.

BEESWAX CANDLES WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

As mentioned above, you can add essential oils to your honey vanilla candles if you want to. Personally, I think they smell amazing on their own!

Lavender, chamomile, jasmine, or any other floral oils do pair well with the honey vanilla aroma. I also love the scents of Siberian fir, sandalwood, and cedarwood in my candles.

These woodsy scents are especially great for making Christmas candles.

If you decide to add essential oils to your candles, you will notice that you need a lot in order to smell the scent.

This is why most homemade candles are made with fragrances and not essential oils. Unfortunately, fragrances are synthetic and contain harsh ingredients that are not natural.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CANDLES SCENT STRONGER?

The main reason homemade candles don’t have a strong scent is that the herbs, oils, or fragrances are added to the wax when it is too hot.

It is important to wait until the wax is cooled down to at least 125 degrees before adding in scent.

The second reason is that not enough herbs or oils were added. It takes a lot of essential oils and herbs to scent candles naturally.

Lastly, pay attention to where you place your candles in your home. Place them in smaller rooms and away from air vents in order to get the most out of the candles.

HOW LONG DO HOMEMADE CANDLES LAST?

Candles don’t really expire as food does. However, they can lose scent and color over time. Most candles can last about one year after opening and lighting.

Homemade candles are no different and should be good for about a year before losing scent.

The best way to test your candle is by lighting it and smelling it. If it smells off, then throw it out and make new ones.