Brooke Martin
Beeswax candles are naturally hypoallergenic and emit negative ions, which have various health benefits. They burn longer than paraffin, do not drip, and do not create candle soot. In its natural state, beeswax varies in colour from white to yellow, but you can add colours to suit your preferences. To naturally colour your beeswax, herbs and spices can be used. Turmeric, paprika, rosemary, cloves, and saffron are highly recommended to create natural shades. For a brown/orange colour, add cinnamon, and for pink, add turmeric. For a candle that glows in the dark, mix glow-in-the-dark powder with melted wax. You can also use crayons, pigments, or food colouring, but these may not bond well with the beeswax.
Characteristics and Values table for naturally colouring beeswax candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural colour | Ivory, yellow, golden |
| Natural colourants | Spices, herbs, crayons, micas, oxides/pigments, food colouring, glow-in-the-dark powder |
| Colourant properties | Earthy shades, greens, golden yellows, scent, pleasant odour |
| Colourant preparation | Melt beeswax in a double boiler or wax melter, add colourant to melted wax, test shade before pouring |
| Colour inspiration | Holiday colours, e.g. red |
| Other uses | Lip balm, soap, hand lotion, moisturiser, furniture wax, polish |
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What You'll Learn
Using herbs and spices for natural colouring
Beeswax candles are a natural, hypoallergenic alternative to paraffin candles, which burn longer, do not drip, and do not create candle soot. To colour beeswax candles naturally, you can use herbs and spices, which also add a pleasant scent to your candles.
When using herbs and spices, it is important to note that the colour will depend on the type and amount used. For instance, cinnamon produces a brown/orange colour, whereas turmeric produces a pink colour. Spices tend to produce earthy shades, such as greens and golden yellows.
To infuse your wax with herbs and spices, you can follow these steps:
- Melt your beeswax over the stove.
- Remove from the heat and place the herbs or spices in a coffee filter or muslin cloth.
- Steep the coffee filter or cloth in the wax for a few hours.
- Remove the cloth or coffee filter. If your wax is not as colourful as you would like, steep the herbs or spices for a little longer.
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Parsnip
- Saffron
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Rosemary
- Sunflower seeds (for a purple hue)
- Elder (for a bluish colour)
- Dandelions (for a red colour)
You can also mix and match herbs and spices to create your desired colour and scent.
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How to prepare beeswax for melting
To prepare beeswax for melting, you will first need to break down large blocks of wax into smaller pieces. This will ensure that the wax melts more quickly and evenly. You can then wrap the wax in cheesecloth and secure it with a string. This will make it easier to remove the wax from the water after it has melted.
Next, place the wrapped wax in a large pot of water and gently heat it. You can also use a crock pot or slow cooker, but it is recommended to use equipment that you no longer need for food preparation as beeswax is difficult to remove. The pot of water will act as a double boiler, providing indirect heat to melt the wax slowly and evenly without overheating.
Beeswax has a melting point of around 140°F to 150°F (60°C to 65°C), so make sure not to heat the water above this temperature. Keep a close eye on the beeswax as it melts, and do not let it reach its flashpoint of 400°F (204°C), as it may ignite and start a fire.
Once the wax has completely melted, remove the pot from the heat. If there are any unmelted pieces of wax, you can filter them out by pouring the melted wax through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. Allow the wax to cool and harden, and then it will be ready for colouring and pouring into candle moulds.
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Using mica powder for colouring
Mica powder is a naturally occurring mineral that can be ground into a fine powder and used for colouring and adding a glittery or shimmery effect to candles. It is non-toxic, safe, and has a glass-like sheen effect, making it a good option for adding a decorative "wow" factor to your wax creations.
Mica powder is available in natural shades of grey and white, and can also be coated with lab-created pigments to achieve vivid colours. The amount of mica powder used will determine the vibrancy of the colour, with smaller amounts resulting in pastel hues. The natural colour of the beeswax will also affect the final colour, with yellow beeswax retaining a yellow tint and white beeswax resulting in pastel colours.
To use mica powder to colour your beeswax candles, you can add it to the melted wax before pouring it into a mould, or you can decorate the outside or top surface of the candle. If you choose to add it to the wax, use only a tiny amount to reduce the risk of wick clogging. You can use a brush to dust the inside of your mould with mica powder before pouring in the wax, or you can sprinkle mica powder on top of the wax after it has cooled and gently smear it in with your finger.
While mica powder can add a beautiful decorative touch to your candles, it is important to note that it does not fully incorporate into the wax, so it may sink to the bottom or produce an uneven colour. It can also clog the wick and cause problems with burning. Therefore, it is recommended to use mica powder sparingly and primarily for decorative purposes rather than as a primary colourant.
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Making candles glow in the dark
To make candles glow in the dark, you can add glow-in-the-dark powder to melted wax at a 1:4 ratio. It is important to thoroughly blend the powder into the wax before pouring the mixture into a mould. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely to achieve the best glow effect when using the candle.
When making candles, it is important to choose a pure, 100% organic, natural beeswax product that does not contain other filler ingredients. White beeswax is great for candle-making because you can create lots of different coloured candles with natural mica powder. Beeswax candles are naturally hypoallergenic and emit negative ions into the air, which have various health benefits.
Yellow beeswax can still be used for candles but will not showcase the colours as well as a white beeswax base will. Both yellow and white beeswax can be used for creating holistic products such as lip balms, lotions, soaps, and candles. To naturally colour your beeswax, herbs and spices can be a great choice.
For natural colours, you can add spices to the liquified beeswax. Different spices will produce different colours. For example, cinnamon will give a brown/orange colour, and turmeric will give a pink colour. The colour will also depend on how much spice you add. When adding spices, be aware that although the spices will settle on the bottom, they will still add colour.
You can also add colour by adding a grated wax crayon, artist's pigments, or some concentrated food colouring. However, it is not recommended to use food colouring for DIY projects involving beeswax because the liquid or gel food colouring will not bond well with the beeswax.
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How to test your colour
Testing the colour of your beeswax before pouring it into a mould is an important step in the candle-making process. This will allow you to adjust the shade as needed and ensure that your candle is the desired colour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to test your colour:
Prepare your wax and colourant
Firstly, melt your beeswax in a double boiler or wax melter until it is fully liquid. Beeswax melts at a temperature between 140 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit (60 to 65 degrees Celsius). Once melted, carefully mix in your chosen colourant. Natural colourants such as herbs, spices, and turmeric can be used to create earthy shades, while mica powder is a good option for brighter, more intense colours.
Test the shade
To test the shade of your coloured wax, perform a paper test. Take a small strip of parchment paper and dip it into the liquid wax, or use a spoon to place a small amount of wax onto the paper. Allow the wax to cool for about a minute. As the wax cools, you will be able to see the final colour of your candle. This is also a good opportunity to check the consistency of your wax and ensure that your colourant has been thoroughly mixed in.
Adjust the colour as needed
If the colour is too light or too dark, you can adjust it by adding more colourant or wax. If you need to add more dye, place the wax back in the double boiler or wax melter to reheat it before adding additional colourant. It is important to test the colour before adding any fragrance or essential oils, as you don't want to waste these ingredients if you need to adjust the colour.
Test for functionality
Some colourants may affect the burning of your candle, so it is important to test a small sample of your coloured wax to ensure it burns properly. Create a small test candle with your coloured wax and light it to see how it burns. If the flame struggles to stay lit or goes out, your colourant particles may be too large. You may need to experiment with different colourants and ratios to find the best combination for a functional candle.
Final adjustments
Once you are happy with the colour and functionality of your test candle, you can make any final adjustments to your coloured wax before pouring it into your desired moulds. Remember that the colour of the finished candle may vary slightly as it cools and hardens, so it is always a good idea to test on a small scale before committing to a large batch.
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