Candle Talk - unwind with scented candles

April 2007

CANDLE TALK
Unwind With
Fragrantly Scented Candles
By Leah Jayasanker

In our busy lives time is precious. The older we get the more consumed we become with activities thus forgoing time for ourselves. Perhaps that is why the concept of do-it-yourself spa and candles for relaxation in home décor is growing in popularity. A surefire way to unwind after a hectic day is to soak in a warm tub surrounded by a tranquil setting of fragrantly scented votives. A booming business not only in home décor but also with fragrance companies is aromatherapy and candles. Cord Coen, the Creator and President of Zents Aromatherapy offers his explanation for this increasingly popular trend.

LJ: Tell me more about the Zents brand and the current demand for creating hand poured candles.
CC: Zents is a therapeutic spa-grade body care, fragrance and candle line with ten gentle scents. It was created and stems from my most precious and memorable experiences throughout my life. My travels in India and around the world along with people that I love deeply inspired the brand. We are the rare merging of therapeutic body care with complex sophisticated scents.

There is growing demand for candles and I felt like it was important to create a beautiful sophisticated candle that was healthy and toxic free with a 100% natural wax and all-cotton wick.

LJ: How is a hand poured candle different and or perhaps better than a traditional candle?
CC: There really is no difference when it comes to therapeutic benefits. The hand-poured element shows how Zents is dedicated to the importance of detail in its design and creations. Our candles are soy, vegetable and beeswax. The natural elements that make up the base are 100% toxic-free and do not release carcinogenic chemicals into the air and lungs. Although I love soy wax, I decided to combine two other 100% natural waxes to help the scent “throw” better.

LJ: Since the inception of Zents have you seen a rising trend for candles in the home décor marketplace?
CC: Yes, absolutely, there has been an increase in daily home candle use and specific holiday candle use (i.e., Valentines Day, Christmas and gifts for birthdays). This trend is projected into 2011. Also on a regular basis I see a constant demand from my clients for new candles; in fact we are in the process of creating a new line for our upcoming holiday candles.

LJ: What is your top selling product?
CC: Our top selling products are candles and soaps. Both are great gift items that are well received. One thing that makes our candles popular in home décor is their ability to be clash-proof. We left off color, images and branding on our frosted glass to make it elegant and chameleon-like. Additionally each candle ($30, zents.com) comes with a hand-carved stone lid to keep it fresh, which also serves safely to set on top of furniture.

LJ: Do you have anything new launching in 2007?
CC: We are working on a few things for late summer introduction.

Editor’s Picks
Wedding belles are in the air when lighting Réve de Vivre ($58, Ritz Carlton Resorts) Bouquet Collection candles. Inspired by real weddings of celebrated women (like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor) these elegantly stylish votives instantly dress up any room.

If you’re finicky and indecisive you’ll appreciate the CUCINA Dolce Votive Candle Set ($30, ebubbles.com ) that includes eight different aromas all of which are inspired by Italian delights.

Island Soap Company Beeswax Votive Candle ($2.95, ebubbles.com ) is a locally harvested handmade beeswax votive flown in via the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Island Soap’s six unique scents each conjure up a feeling of being in a tropical oasis.

Part of Banana Republic’s Personal Care Collection arrives The Home Fragrance Spring Edition Candle ($24, Banana Republic). This limited-edition floral blended aroma comes with a box of brown-tipped wood matches to compliment its subtle and sleek design.

Nothing combines romance better than a candlelit meal and a soothing massage. Enjoy both with jimmyjane massage oil candle’s ($48, redenvelope.com ) all natural wax blend emollient formula complete with an easy-to-pour spout.

For at home aromatherapy dab pure lavender oil on temples and pillows. Just a small amount will calm senses. Alternatively, burn a lavender candle, like L’Occitane Lavender Amber Scented Travel Candle ($17, Sephora), prior bed.

The concept of enjoying your fragrance both on your body and around your home increases in popularity from even the most luxurious name in jewelry, Bvlgari. Enjoy their latest endeavor, of a rose-floral scent perfume and candle inside the Bvlgari Rose Essentielle Gift Set ($65, Sephora).