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Your candles are burned down to the end, leaving you with useless jars taking up space. What's next for those candle jars? Clean them out and repurpose them. We searched every method we could find, and put each one to the test. After testing each one, here's our ranking and review for each method. (Please Note: we only tested the following methods using our wax. Results may vary with other waxes.) Before we jump into the results, a couple quick notes:
Here’s our ranking of every wax cleaning method we could find (from worst to best): 5. Microwave (Do not do this!) Alright, this one shouldn’t even be on the list but we’re including it as a cautionary tale. Candle wicks are secured to the bottom of candle containers using a metal tab; therefore, do not put candles in the microwave. 4. Hair Dryer or Heat Gun It takes a bit of time to melt down the remaining wax with these guys but it does the job! Be patient and be careful not to burn yourself on the hot glass. Be sure to keep moving the glass around so that it does not crack. Use spoon to pop out the wick holder if needed. Follow-up with good wipe down. You can also use the heat to remove and remaining stickers. Once glass has cooled, clean jar using dish soap and hot water. 3. Boiling Water Pour boiling water directly into candle jar. Okay, I'll be 100% honest: I wasn't even going to test this method because I was already familiar with the double-boiler stovetop method; but I did it anyways, and instantly regretted it. Here's why: it's so much easier and safer to pour melted wax into the trash rather than disposing of liquified wax and fragrance oil mixed in boiling hot water. This method works because the boiling water is hotter than the wax melting point. Once glass has cooled, clean jar using dish soap and hot water. 2. Freezer Wax does shrink somewhat when frozen. The theory behind this one is if you place a candle in a freezer for a few hours (or overnight), you can "pop" the wax out using a butter knife. In practicality: with a lot slips and elbow grease, I was able to get the vast majority of the wax out in chunks but struggled to remove 100% of the wax. I only recommend this method for candle jars with thick glass. For example, I didn't feel comfortable testing it on our wine glasses. 1. Double Boiler Add 1/2” – 1” of water inside a small pot: just enough water to be level with the remaining wax. If candle bobs or floats in water, pour some water out. Place small pot on burner, then place candle in the middle of the pot and turn burner onto medium-high heat. Bring water to a boil, continue boiling until wax is melted and the wick tab is lose. Once melted, turn off burner and carefully remove candle jar from pot using a hot pad or towel. Pour melted wax and wick tab into the trash. (Please Note: our wax is biodegradable.) Once glass has cooled, clean jar using dish soap and hot water. There are so many creative ways you can repurpose your candle jars after the wax is gone - from inexpensive centerpieces to unique gift packaging to elegant décor, there are unlimited uses for your clean and empty candle jars! One of my favorites is to keep my make-up organized. Of course, you can always reuse them for more candles :) AuthorJen Burnley, owner of Scent & Sip.
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But why? Well, it turns out that smelling something pleasant can actually lower your blood pressure and reduce stress levels. In fact, studies have shown that people who practice aromatherapy are less likely to get sick than those who don't! And it's not just about having a nice scent around—it's also important to be thoughtful about what scents you're choosing (and how much) so that you aren't overwhelming yourself (or others). How it works.We are all familiar with the power of smell. It is our most memorable sense, and the one that we often use to remember people, places, and things. But how does our sense of smell work? Our sense of smell works by sending signals from our nose to the brain. When you breathe in through your nose, molecules from the air stimulate nerve cells in your nose. This causes electrical impulses to be sent along a pathway called the olfactory nerve to an area deep inside your brain called the olfactory bulb. There are also other parts of your brain involved in processing smells, including areas involved in memory and emotion. Humans have about 350 different types of receptors that are sensitive to different types of smells—some of these receptors can detect between 1 trillion and 10 trillion scents at any given time! The olfactory bulb then sends signals out to other parts of your brain so you can process the information and decide whether or not it smells good or bad, familiar or unfamiliar. These signals also help us decide what type of response we should have—whether it is something we should approach or avoid!
 Warm weather is here, which means it's time to put away those winter candles and discover the best warmer weather scents. It's time to freshen up your home's scent to match the season. Here are some tips & trends for scenting your home for warmer weather:
Be brave and mix any of these fragrances into your perfect Spring scent. By using these tips, you can create a refreshing and uplifting scent in your home that matches the warmer weather outside.
So the process of removing these old layers is called Scrubbing. Scrubs can be done using several materials varying from natural to artificial. Bringing your skin back to life by removing the old dead layers and helping your skin to generate healthy new layers is what scrubs simply do. Scent & Sip offers 2 very different scrubs: Sugar Scrub & Walnut Scrub What does a body scrub do? Scrubs reveal smoother and softer skin beneath dead old skin cells. By using scrubs, a person is helping the skin in transforming itself, from dull, almost lifeless quality to stunning and glowing. In a way, scrubs help to “buff and polish” the skin to maintain its youthful glow. Scrubs, as exfoliating agents, are also important in stimulating circulation and encourage the removal of toxins, by unclogging skins pores. The skin can absorb efficiently and effectively all the needed nourishing and moisturizing products when skin pores are unclogged.
Our Sugar Scrub is made of 3 basic yet highly effective ingredients: Sugar, Oil, and your fragrance. Choose our Sugar Scrub for extreme exfoliation and moisturization. Here is a deep-dive into each ingredient. Sugar is naturally an emollient, a mild emulsifier, and a humectant which helps soften and soothe the skin. It is often used to correct dryness and scaling. The sugar grains feel great and provide while providing excellent exfoliation properties. Apricot kernel oil is good for people with sensitive skin. It is non-irritant and soothing for the skin. It is light and quickly makes the skin soft and smooth. Apricot oil percolates deep into the skin. It is easy to apply on the skin as it quickly spreads on the skin. It soothes irritated skin. Since it is light, it does not feel too oily. Once it is absorbed into the skin, it provides moisturization for a long time. It penetrates nicely into the skin and also improves the delivery of your personal fragrance blend.
 Walnut Scrub Our Walnut Body Scrub is a luxuriously thick and creamy body scrub that is designed to help detox and exfoliate the body, revealing a new layer of smooth, shiny, healthy skin. We don't skimp on the Crushed Walnut Shell! The color of the base is tan but will tend to vary from batch to batch since walnut shells are a natural compound. Choose a Walnut Scrub if you want to feel polished and nourished. The feel of this scrub is less abrasive and super rich. This is a good choice if you have sensitive skin. Ingredient Superstars:
How to use a body scrub? If you are using the scrub as an all over body exfoliant, the best method is in the shower. After you are all done washing your body, you are ready for scrubbing. Open the jar and take a small handful out - think a tablespoon or 2. More than this will result in more being on the floor of the tub than on your body. Rub this on your parts in the circular motion. You may need a few trips back to the jar to take care of your whole body. Try to stay out of the stream of the shower while you are scrubbing. This will help the oil to penetrate your skin. After you have scrubbed your parts, do a quick rinse off with water. This step is simply to remove any grains that are remaining on your skin - but not the oils. Pat yourself dry. You should notice oil remaining on your skin. Your skin is glowing and you smell great!
Important note: Check out the tub, there may be excess oil on the bottom of the tub. Be sure to clean this out before you or the next person gets into the shower to prevent slipping and falling. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s): Why Should I Use a Scrub? The simple answer is that scrub will help your body, particularly your skin in the process of regeneration. As we age the body’s ability to exfoliate and shed dry skin cells slow down resulting in the accumulation of dead skin on the surface. Combined with grime, dirt and excessive oils, this will clog the skin pores that make it hard for the skin to receive the good stuff. Doctors recommend the use of a scrub to reveal healthy skin cells for a youthful glow. Is it Possible to scrub Too Often? While it is true that using a scrub to exfoliate has numerous skin benefits, overindulgence in these habits could also harm the skin. Dermatologist cautioned the public on scrubbing too often. Scrubbing often can strip the skin of natural oils that are important to maintain elasticity. Too much scrubbing may leave skin dry and these dry skins may accumulate and clog pores, which defeats the reason for scrubbing in the first place. Scrubs that are more rough and abrasive use could also damage healthy young skin once the dead layer of the skin is off the body surface if used too often. Is it necessary to use different scrub during summer and winter time? While there is information that tells a difference between scrubs you should use during summer or during wintertime, experts agreed that the important thing to note is how often you exfoliate and scrub. Yes, it is very important to consider the weather when you are exfoliating using a scrub. During the winter, the skin becomes too dry and would often accumulate excess dry surface skin. Generally, people often apply heavy creams or moisturizers to compensate for the dryness. Unfortunately, this will leave the dry and dead skin to build upon the surface. It will be very important to be extra careful to avoid excessive scrubbing during winter, as your skin may be further damage because of it. The recommended practice is to do mild exfoliation using less course or rough ingredients to reveal healthy skin, and then moisturize the new skin for best results. Is scrubbing safe if you have skin problems? It is best to consult a dermatologist when you have skin problems. The doctor can advise you on the type of scrub which is best suited for your skin. Speaking personally, our sugar scrub is my favorite product! For me it is more than the healthy skin treat - it is all about pampering. It is the 2 minutes I take for myself that feels & smells great. I think of it as a mini-vacation in the shower. My personal scent blend varies but I almost always add Whisper. I just love it! I’ve heard time and time again lately that one of the best ways to bond and grow as a couple is to pick up a shared hobby - to create something together, have something new to discover and discuss. I think the same thing can be said of how to date in current society. It’s not just about dinner and a movie anymore, it’s about a more involved, shared experience…maybe with some wine or beer to help things along.
Here at Scent & Sip, we have come across a ton of couples creating scents together, and having a ton of fun! Whether it’s a sweet, loving couple who encourage each other and create a scent together or a quirky, snarky couple who enjoy egging each other on, everyone ends up finding their fun over wax and wine. We tend to be pretty good at meeting you wherever your energy is at, and are happy to give you as much help or as much freedom and independence as you want. Looking for a first date idea? Is it your turn to choose the date? Are you tired of dates revolving around restaurants and you’re looking for something not primarily involving food? (I know I am, is that just me?) Here are some tips if you are curious about having a date night at Scent & Sip or want to improve your next date night experience:
 If it is that thought that counts then handmade gifts are the best. How to approach it can be nerve racking for some. The key is to keep it thoughtful. Here are some quick tips on how to give the gift of scent. 1) Keep it personal. Create a scent that creates a sentiment that you want to share. How do you do this - First, think of a personal experience that brings you happiness, joy or peace. Is it baking cookies? Trimming the tree? Enjoying a mimosa on the beach at sunrise? We all have them, think of yours and recreate it with scent! Next, convey that message with your personal label. Let the recipient know why this is special to you. This gift creating approach works well for teachers, coaches, hostess gifts, and your work friends. 2) Total Recall. Thanks to our neuro receptors, our sense of smell is our longest lasting of all our sense memories. We all have those moments we share that are surrounded by scent. It could be the smell of cedar, tobacco and a clean shave that reminds us a Grandpa. Maybe it's the smell of the ocean with a hint of caramel popcorn that brings you back to that time in Ocean City. Is it the smell of roses and hydrangea growing in Mom's garden? Think of a special memory of a person and recreate it. They will be brought right back to that place with you every time they experience this highly personal scent blend. This is the most scentimental of all the approaches and is perfect for those special people in our lives: Your BFF since grade school, family, dear-friends, and your significant other. 3) Funny always works! First, let me say that just because it is funny doesn't mean shouldn't smell good. Bacon & Whiskey is wonderful! Looking for a great bathroom scent - anything with a strong citrus will work. All the single ladies love a "mandle". Some of the more memorable Scentables include Daddy Issues, Not Tonight, Tonight is the Night, Repellent, Coffee High, & Hoppy to see you. I will let pictures do more of the talking for this one... 4) Gift Cards Rule! I admit it, normally I am not a fan of giving gift cards. I like to shop too much :) A gift card that I get to have an experience with someone is different. So, if you are still hesitant to create a personally scented gift, get them a gift card for Scent & Sip. In the card just let them know that you would like to share this experience with them. See you then! What's the best smelling gift you have received? We want to know!
 150 Fragrances to play with at Scent & Sip Designing your fragrance may seem daunting to some. Don't worry about a thing! Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
1) Determine how, when and where the scent will be used. Is this a personal fragrance item, like a lotion? A body mist for a special occasion? Or are you shooting for a reed diffuser for the bathroom? We think of fragrances differently for different uses. The answer to these questions will begin your scent journey. 2) Start with what you love.I know, you probably want other people to instantly love what you do and if they don't it can be worrisome. The truth is that we all born with different scent preferences and then build upon those preferences with every memory made. There is no universally loved smelled. Statistically, Vanilla is the most loved scent. That's not to say that everyone loves it. We have had plenty of guests let us know that they didn't care for it. Assuming that you are making this for you to enjoy - start with what you love. 3) Mix it up.Start by pairing an opposite scent type with your favorite. These types of blends will highlight each scent. When you get it right - both will shine. Next, pair your favorite with something similar. Generally, you will get a rounder blends where you don't smell the lines as clearly between the fragrances. From here, pick a path and run with it! Mix in a third fragrance to see if you can make it even better! A 3 fragrance blend is where most people end up. This isn't a rule, it is just where we are seeing our scentologists find their perfect personal fragrance creation. There is no "wrong" way to create your scent. Do what smells great to you! Have fun & enjoy the experience. |
AuthorJen Burnley, owner of Scent & Sip. Proud mom, wife and daughter. Fragrance lover! Archives
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