My Candle Journey and the birth of The Scented Essence.

My journey into the world of candle-making truly began during one of the most uncertain times—lockdown 2.0. As the world outside slowed to a standstill, I, like many others, found myself searching for something meaningful to pour my energy into. I wanted to create something with my hands, something calming, beautiful, and personal. And so, one idle Monday, after ordering a candle-making kit online the weekend before, I decided to give it a try.

Now, in my mind, candle-making seemed like a straightforward, almost effortless task—how hard could it really be? But I quickly learned it was far from simple. My first few attempts were, let’s say, a bit of a disaster. Wax too hot, scents too strong, wicks misbehaving. But after many (many… many) practice runs, I finally managed to create my very first candle. It wasn’t perfect, but there was something magical about that moment. I had turned raw materials into something soothing and beautiful. And I was hooked.

However, just when I felt I was getting the hang of it, things took a turn. About a month into my candle-making adventure, I began experiencing severe lung inflammation. As someone who has suffered from asthma for years, I initially brushed it off as just another flare-up. But as the symptoms worsened, I began to suspect that something was seriously wrong. After some digging, I discovered the culprit: the concentrated fragrances I had been using at the time were full of toxic chemicals and lung irritants, something I hadn’t known when I first started out. This health scare forced me to put my newfound passion on hold—a frustrating, yet necessary hiatus.

But the downtime gave me an opportunity to reflect and research. I spent hours deep-diving into the pages of the European Chemicals Agency (a website I never imagined becoming so familiar with!) and learned just how harmful many common candle ingredients could be—not just to me, but to anyone using them. It was an eye-opening revelation that shifted my entire perspective. Suddenly, candle-making wasn’t just a hobby anymore; it became a mission.

Rather than being defeated by the setback, I saw an opportunity to redefine my vision. I had my lightbulb moment: to create non-toxic, luxury candles that would not only fill homes with beautiful scents but also promote health and wellbeing. I wanted to offer candles that were as pure as they were luxurious, ensuring that no one would have to compromise between beauty and safety in their own space.

What began as a personal health challenge became the catalyst for change—both in my life and for my brand. I committed myself to crafting candles made from the finest non-toxic materials, free from harmful chemicals and lung irritants. I wanted to create something that people could trust, knowing it was as good for their environment as it was for their senses.

The Scented Essence was no longer just about making candles; it became a mission to offer consumers something better—beautiful, sustainable, and safe. Every candle is a reflection of that journey: one that started with a spark of creativity, was shaped by adversity, and blossomed into a passion for wellness and luxury combined.