Frequently Asked Questions

A candle made of loose wax pearls instead of one solid block. You pour the pearls into a bowl, push a cotton wick into the centre and light it. Only the wax right around the wick melts; the rest stays as pearls. When it has burned down, you lift out the small cooled disc, add a fresh wick — and you have a new candle, in the same bowl.

Yes — “sand candle”, “candle sand”, “powdered candle” and “pearl candle” are other names for the same idea: loose, granulated wax that you pour and light with a wick. Emilie calls it a pearled candle, and our Free-Wick System, prepared cotton wicks and handmade bowls are what make ours different.

Candle sand is loose, granulated candle wax — the same idea as a pearled candle. Emilie’s pearled wax is prepared in our UK studio and comes with 50 prepared cotton wicks in every 800g pouch.

Another name for a pearled or sand candle: loose wax you pour into a container and light with a wick. No melting and no hot pouring — the candle is ready in minutes.

Small granules of candle wax. On their own they are just wax; with a wick and a suitable bowl they become a candle you can refill, recolour and restyle as often as you like.

The wick draws up the wax from the small pool that forms around it. Because the pearls around that pool stay solid, the candle burns downwards in one small spot instead of melting the whole surface. When the wick is finished, the pool cools into a disc you lift out — everything around it is still fresh pearls.

No. Pour the pearls straight from the pouch, add a wick and light it. There is no melting, no hot pouring and no equipment.

Never. The pearls are used cold, straight from the pouch. Only the small area around a lit wick melts, and it stays in the bowl.

If you can pour cereal, you can make an Emilie candle. Pour, push in a wick, light — it takes a couple of minutes, and the first time is as easy as the hundredth.

A couple of minutes: pour the pearls, place the wick, light. Changing the look later — a new colour, another bowl, more wicks — is just as quick.

800g of pearled wax and 50 prepared cotton wicks. Scented pouches are white pearled wax with the scent already in it; unscented pouches come in our fragrance-free colours.

As many as you like: 50 wicks means 50 lightings of around five hours each. You can make one big candle, several small ones, or change the setup every evening.

Up to 200+ hours of candlelight. One wick burns for about five hours, and each pouch includes 50 wicks — your total depends on how many wicks you light at once and for how long.

Up to 200+ hours from one 800g pouch — that is about 20p an hour of candlelight, and less when you buy three pouches.

100% plant-based pearled wax, made without paraffin or soy — prepared in our UK studio.

No. Our pearled wax is 100% plant-based, made without paraffin or soy.

No. It is a 100% plant-based pearled wax — no soy and no paraffin.

Emilie is named after our daughter, Emilia — she is the reason we cared enough to create it properly.

We do. Emilie was created by Sara and Artur, and every order is prepared and packed by our small family team in our UK studio.

In our own UK studio. Our pearled wax is prepared in-house, every cotton wick is prepared by hand, and our bowls and dishes are cast, finished and checked by hand.

A real brand. We make and prepare our products ourselves, in our own studio — our colours, our scents, our bowls. You won’t find them anywhere else.

Directly from us at emiliecandle.com — made by our family in our UK studio, with free UK delivery from £49 and a 30-day promise. You will also find us on Amazon and TikTok Shop.

Yes — you will find us on Amazon and TikTok Shop (and soon on Etsy), and you can shop straight from our Instagram and Facebook. Here at emiliecandle.com you get the whole range, your rewards as you choose, and our 30-day Emilie promise.

No. No melting, no hot pouring, no equipment — just the pearls, a wick and a flame.

Yes. Pour the pearls, add a wick and light it — nothing to melt, nothing to wait for.

Yes — a gentle shake or a smooth with your fingers gives an even surface, so every wick stands at the same depth.

A calm flame and a small pool forming around the wick. The pearls around it stay pearls — that is exactly how it should look.

Yes, that is the design: only a small pool around each wick melts, and the pearls around it stay solid.

Usually too many wicks, wicks too close to the sides, or a container that is too small. Let it cool, lift out the disc, crumble it back into the pearls and start again with fewer wicks, each about 5cm from the sides.

Our wicks are never fixed to the bowl. Each one stands loose in the pearls, clear of the base and the walls. That one decision is why the cooled disc lifts out in one piece, why each wick is designed to go out on its own when it is finished, and why the pearls are there to help cover the flame if a candle is ever knocked.

Because a fixed wick burns wherever the jar lets it — down the middle, into the glass. A loose wick stands only as long as there is wax around it, can be placed wherever your bowl needs it, and is simply replaced with a fresh one next time.

About five hours — up to six, depending on where it sits and how deep it is.

That is how it is designed. When a wick reaches the end of its usable length, it tips into the small melted pool beneath it and the flame is designed to go out. It is still a real flame: never leave it burning unattended.

With nothing holding it, the wick leans into the melted pool and the flame goes out. Let everything cool, lift out the disc with the old wick, and add a fresh wick.

In the centre of the bowl, about 5cm from the sides, with at least 1cm of pearls underneath it. In wider bowls you can use several wicks.

Deep enough that it stands upright on its own, with at least 1cm of pearls under the bottom of the wick.

About 6mm (0.6cm) — no more. A wick burns together with the wax that melts around it: that wax is its fuel. With 1–2cm showing you mostly burn the wick, not the candle.

It depends on the width of the bowl: the Emilie Bowl takes up to 6, the Core Bowl and Dune Bowl up to 5, the Duo Vessel and Luna Box 1 (or 2 set close together), the Cove Bowl 1.

They can, but closer than you need just wastes wax. About 5cm apart, wicks quickly share one big melt pool; further apart than 5cm, each keeps its own small pool. What matters most is the distance from the container: about 5cm from the sides and at least 1cm of pearls underneath.

Usually too little wick is showing, the wick sits too deep, or it has been used for too long. Let everything cool, then adjust it or use a fresh wick.

Put it out if the flame becomes unusually large, unsteady or smoky. Too much wick may be showing, or the candle may be in a draught. Let everything cool before adjusting.

Yes, while it is still suitable: long enough to light, with about 6mm showing, and standing upright. When it is too short, lift it out with the cooled disc and use a fresh one — every pouch comes with 50.

Yes — extra prepared cotton wicks are available, and three pouches come with 20 extra wicks free.

Cotton. Every wick is individually prepared in our studio before it reaches your pouch.

Yes — and often you should. Cut the wick to fit your container: about 6mm showing above the pearls and at least 1cm of pearls under it. Never cut it shorter than 2cm — a 2cm wick burns for about 2–3 hours.

Yes. The wick’s length sets the burn time: a full wick burns for about five hours, a 2cm wick for about 2–3 hours. A shorter wick means a shorter candle moment.

None, if you fill them the way we suggest: up to about 90% full — the amount of wax listed for each bowl. Fill less and you may need a shorter wick; keep at least 3cm of pearls so even a 2cm wick can stand.

Either end — it makes no difference.

It was probably not deep enough. Push it in until it stands upright on its own, with at least 1cm of pearls under it and about 6mm showing. A wick is designed to lean into the pool only when it is finished.

Usually too little wick is showing, it sits too deep, or it was cut short — a 2cm wick lasts about 2–3 hours. A draught can put it out too. Let everything cool, then adjust it or use a fresh wick.

No. Emilie wicks are never fixed: each one stands loose in the pearls — that is the Free-Wick System.

Yes, as long as you know how big a melt pool that wick makes — place it so the pool always has loose pearls around it and underneath.

It is a real flame, so it needs the same care as any candle. What we changed is the mechanics: the wick is designed to go out on its own when it is finished, only a small pool melts, and the pearls around it stay solid. We built safety into how it works — not just onto a warning label.

Set up as we show you, there is always far more solid wax around the flame than melted wax under it, so the loose pearls fall in and help cover the flame instead of spilling fuel towards it. Please still keep it where it can’t be knocked.

Each wick is designed to go out on its own when it reaches the end of its usable length — after around five hours. That is peace of mind, not permission: always put a candle out before leaving the room or going to sleep.

Every lit candle warms its container, and Emilie is a real flame too. What is different is how it burns: only a small pool melts around each wick and the pearls around it stay solid. Place it on a heat-resistant surface, never move it while it is lit, and let everything cool completely before you touch it.

Only the small pool around each wick is liquid — the rest stays solid pearls. Never move a lit candle, and let it cool completely before you touch it.

It is a real flame, so keep it out of reach. Children love pouring the pearls and choosing colours — with an adult, and before the wick is lit.

We never call any real-flame candle pet-safe. Our unscented pearled candles have no added fragrance, which is why many customers choose them in homes with pets — but a lit candle and loose pearls should always be kept away from animals.

Our unscented pearled candles have no added fragrance at all, which is why they are the popular pick in homes with allergy-sensitive noses, little ones or pets — and for anyone who would rather their room keeps its own smell.

A correctly placed wick burns with a calm, steady flame. If you see smoke, put it out, let it cool and check how much wick is showing and whether it is in a draught.

Yes, in a sheltered spot away from wind, in a stable holder that is at least 10cm wide inside — never unattended.

No. Always put a candle out before you go to sleep or leave the room.

On a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, shelves above, draughts, and anything that can catch fire.

Yes — patterns in coloured pearls, our stencils and decor pearls, on the surface and away from the wick. Anything that can burn (dried flowers, paper, fabric) is used at your own risk: keep it well away from the flame.

Use a snuffer, blow it out gently, or tip the wick into its own melt pool. Never use water — and don’t fan it with a cloth or a hairdryer: too much air sends the pearls everywhere.

Up to about five hours per wick — each wick is designed to go out on its own when it is finished. It is still a real flame: never leave it burning unattended.

No. There is no “memory ring” to set: only a small pool melts each time, so you can light it for an hour or for a whole evening.

No. Never move a lit candle — let everything cool completely first.

About 10 minutes, depending on the size of the melt pool — then lift the disc out gently.

Yes, once everything has cooled completely. Never move it while it is lit or still warm.

Yes — any stable, undamaged, heat-safe container that is at least 10cm wide inside. Place each wick about 5cm from the sides, with at least 1cm of pearls under it.

At least 10cm across inside for one wick. Wider containers can take more wicks, each about 5cm from the sides.

Yes — a finished jar candle is a perfect second life for a jar, as long as it is heat-safe, undamaged and at least 10cm wide inside.

Yes, if they are heat-safe, stable and at least 10cm wide inside. They are perfect for baths, tables, weddings and gardens — several at once, all from the same pouch.

Candle-suitable glass, ceramic and metal can all work if they are stable and heat-safe. Never wood, plastic, paper or thin decorative glass.

The Emilie Bowl up to 600g, the Core Bowl 550g, the Dune Bowl 460g, the Duo Vessel 290g, the Luna Box 180g and the Cove Bowl 125g. One 800g pouch fills any of them, with pearls left for top-ups.

The Emilie Bowl up to 6, the Core Bowl and Dune Bowl up to 5, the Duo Vessel and Luna Box 1 (2 set close together), the Cove Bowl 1.

For a coffee or dining table: the Emilie Bowl or Core Bowl (up to 5–6 wicks). For a shelf or bedside: the Duo Vessel, Luna Box or Cove Bowl (one wick). The size list on every bowl shows how much wax it holds.

Yes. Every bowl is cast by hand in our UK studio, finished by Sara and checked before it is packed.

Because it is made by hand. Tone, texture and tiny pinholes vary slightly — that is the character of the finish, and no two bowls are identical.

Dust it with a soft brush. For wax marks, use a soft, slightly damp cloth. Never soak it and never put it in the dishwasher.

No — never. A soft brush and a slightly damp cloth are all it needs.

Of course. Between candles it is a beautiful decorative bowl — for keys, jewellery or simply as it is.

They sit beside your candle: for the cooled wax disc, spare wicks, matches, jewellery or keys. Nothing goes under the bowl.

No — our trays and dishes are not candle holders. They sit beside your candle: for spare wicks, matches or the cooled wax disc. For a small candle, choose the Cove Bowl (up to 125g, one wick).

The Emilie Bowl, Core Bowl, Dune Bowl, Duo Vessel, Luna Box and Cove Bowl. Trays and dishes are made for beside the candle.

Our bowls: up to about 90% full, so a little of the wall still shows. A bit less is fine — your choice — but keep at least 3cm of pearls so a 2cm wick can stand. Seen videos of four wicks in a mug, or a thin layer of pearls with wicks sticking up like sticks? That’s not how a pearled candle works.

One wick melts a pool about 6cm wide. With the wick in the centre, 10cm leaves loose pearls between the pool and the walls — that is what keeps the candle working as designed.

Only if it is heat-safe, stable, undamaged and at least 10cm wide inside. Most mugs and cups are narrower, so they are not suitable.

No. Pour what your container holds — the rest waits in the pouch for the next refresh.

Stand it directly on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface. Our trays and dishes sit beside the bowl, not under it.

Yes — just no liquids.

Yes — our bowls are protected for places like that, from the bathroom to the garden. Just don’t keep liquids in them.

Scented pearled candles are white pearled wax with the scent already in it — no mixing at home. Unscented pearled candles have no added fragrance and come in our colours.

A signature collection of scents and colours that is always available, plus limited editions for each season — and new colours and collections join regularly.

Scented, never overpowering. How much you smell depends on how many wicks you light, the size of the room and any draughts — and you smell it best once it is lit.

A mix of essential oils and fragrance blends, already in the pearled wax — soft, never overpowering, and nothing to measure or mix at home.

You can — with Emilie, you decide. We usually recommend one scent at a time so each one smells the way it was made.

Yes, and it is one of the best parts. Mix unscented colours, pour them in layers, or sprinkle one colour over another to make patterns.

Yes. Colour from the unscented pearls, scent from the white ones — the scent will simply be softer.

They can, but only after a long time in direct sunlight. When you are not using them, keep the pearls in their pouch, or somewhere out of the sun.

Seasonal pearled candles with the colour and the scent together — this autumn Pumpkin Spice, Baked Cinnamon Bun and Dark Oud, available until 1 December.

Seasonal ranges end with their season, and new ones arrive with the next — our Christmas collection is on its way.

Every scent page lists its notes and the kind of room it suits. Fresh and clean for everyday, warm and cosy for evenings — and unscented if you would rather choose by colour.

Yes — essential oils, blends or fragrance oils all work. Set the wick first, then add a few drops (about six) around it, and light. Never add oil to a burning candle.

You smell it best once it is lit. How much depends on how many wicks you light, the size of the room and any draughts.

Poured out and left unlit for more than a month, the top of the candle loses some of its scent — but not all of it, and the pearls underneath keep theirs.

It can: unused pearls in direct sunlight for a few hours every day may change colour after more than a month.

Mix colours, pour them in layers, or draw lines and patterns with a second colour on top. Our stencils (coming soon) will let you add shapes like a Christmas tree or a pumpkin with decor pearls. Keep every decoration on the surface, well away from the wick.

Smooth the surface, then sprinkle a second colour where you want the pattern — lines, waves, dots, initials. Keep the area around the wick plain.

Stencils made for Emilie candles: lay one on the surface of your candle and sprinkle decor pearls through the cut-out — a tree, a pumpkin — then lift it off by its little tab. Coming soon.

Small 10g pouches of coloured pearls made for decorating the surface of your candle and for stencils — not for making a whole candle. Wicks are not included. Coming soon.

Yes — simply pour the pearls onto water in a heat-safe glass: not a single pearl sinks. Want something under the water? Water beads work beautifully — they grow in water and all but disappear once the water covers them.

Yes — it is made for them. Line an aisle with glass holders, light a whole table, or set candles along a garden path, all from the same pearls, in any colour. When the day is over, the pearls go back in the pouch.

Use a wide bowl like the Emilie Bowl, three wicks and a pattern in a second colour. It takes minutes, and it can look completely different the next time.

Yes — pour the pearls into a few heat-safe glass holders and set them on a stable surface around the bath, away from towels and anything that can catch fire. Never leave them unattended.

On our Styling ideas page — films and photos of real setups, from a single-wick film night to a wedding aisle, each with the pieces you need.

Once it is completely cool, lift out the wax disc with the used wick, top up the pearls if you like, push in a fresh wick and light it. That is a brand-new candle.

Nothing goes in the bin. Flip it: if at least 6mm of wick shows under the cooled disc, turn it over, set it back in the same candle and level it with the pearls around it — a fresh-looking candle, ready to light. Crush it back into the pearls. Or save it: collect your discs, and when you have a few, smash them in a bag or a mortar — discs from different candles make a brand-new multicolour, multi-scent candle.

Yes. Once cooled, the disc can be broken up and mixed back into the pearls, or saved for a remix candle later.

Save the cooled discs from different colours, break them into pieces and mix them with fresh pearls. Every remix candle is one of a kind.

Yes. When you do not need the candle any more, pour the pearls back into the pouch and put it away — it takes no space until next time.

In their pouch, closed, out of direct sunlight — that keeps the colour and the scent at their best.

No. Kept closed in their pouch, with nothing getting in, they stay ready to use. Poured out in a bowl, the scent can soften after about a month — give the pearls a stir and it wakes up again; you smell it best once it is lit. Tip: give the pouch a shake before you open it.

Almost none: you keep the bowl, the cooled wax goes back into the pearls, and only the small end of each used wick is thrown away.

One pouch has 50 wicks, so each lighting costs about 80p — about 67p when you buy three pouches. That is around 20p an hour of candlelight.

Lift it out with the cooled disc. The tiny used end is the only thing that goes in the bin.

Break the cooled melt pool into pieces and lift them out. If a few bits stay stuck, warm them briefly with a lighter so the wax softens, then wipe them away with kitchen paper.

Yes — once you have lifted out the disc, top up with fresh pearls to level the surface, add a fresh wick and light it.

Of course — even the cooled disc can go back in, to crush next time. If its wick still shows on one side, keep it for a Flip instead: pour fresh pearls, set the disc in and light it again.

Keep it first — it’s the best place to store your pearls. When it’s finally empty, please follow your local recycling guidance.

There’s only ever a little melted wax. Spilled pearls can simply be picked up and used again — nothing wasted. For melted wax, let it harden first, lift it off gently with a blunt edge, then wipe a hard surface with a warm, slightly damp cloth.

As many as you like. The bowl stays; only the candle is refilled — any Emilie pearled candle fits any Emilie bowl.

Whenever your bowl needs topping up. One 800g pouch with 50 wicks gives up to 200+ hours of candlelight.

Free on orders from £49. Below £49, UK delivery is £4.99 — and two pearled candles already get it free.

Most orders leave us the next business day — sometimes within two, because everything is handmade in small batches. In the UK we send with Royal Mail 48, or Royal Mail 24 if you choose the faster option at checkout.

Yes — everything is prepared in our studio for your order, and handmade bowls are made in small batches.

Yes — with FedEx Connect Plus, in 2–5 business days, with all duties and taxes already included.

No. All duties, taxes and customs fees are included in the price you see — nothing more to pay at the door, ever.

Because they already include every duty, tax and customs fee. The price you see is the final price — no surprises at delivery.

Yes — with FedEx Connect Plus, in 2–5 business days, with all duties and taxes included in the price.

Yes — you will receive tracking where the courier provides it, and you can follow your order in your account.

Contact us straight away with your order number and clear photos of the box, the packaging and the item. Keep the packaging while we sort it out for you.

Within 15 minutes of ordering, yes. After that we can usually still cancel or change it until your shipping confirmation arrives — everything is made to order, so dispatch times vary and we can’t promise an exact cut-off. Email us or use live chat.

Yes, as long as your order hasn’t been shipped yet — email us or use live chat.

Yes — just message us straight after you order.

Yes — Emilie wicks come in packs of 20, 50, 100 and 150.

Try Emilie at home. Unused products can be returned within 30 days under our returns terms, and if something is not right with a product you have used, we will help — with setup advice, a replacement, store credit or another fair solution.

Yes. Unused, unopened products can be returned within the period in our returns policy — contact us first and we will guide you.

Used wax and wicks cannot usually be returned as new. If you think something is faulty, send us a photo or short video and we will look at it with you.

Scent is personal. Tell us before you use it if you picked the wrong one — and remember that unscented colours are always an option for your next pouch.

Send us a photo with your order number and we will put it right.

Yes. Choose a gift and we pack it gift-ready: a kraft box with the Emilie logo and ribbon, tissue-wrapped, inside a protective outer box.

A pearled candle and a handmade bowl, packed together in one gift box — you can add pieces and extras too.

Yes — the Emilie gift card lets them choose their own scent, colour and bowl.

It is the one gift that keeps changing: they can make a different candle every evening, in any colour, in any bowl — and refill it instead of throwing it away.

Yes — enter their address at checkout. Gift orders come in a kraft box with the Emilie logo and ribbon, tissue-wrapped, inside a protective outer box, with no prices inside.

We don’t print notes — the gift box speaks for itself, and there are no prices inside.

Yes. We make everything ourselves, so we can create colours and scents for your day — even our candles under your own name. We can run an event with you too: tell us what you have in mind.

Both give you candlelight. A jar candle is one candle: when it is finished, wax, wick and jar go in the bin. A pearled candle is a system: keep the bowl, refill the pearls, change the colour, the scent or the number of wicks whenever you like.

The fixed wick melts a narrow hole down the middle while the wax at the edges never melts. In a jar candle that wax is wasted. Emilie is built on the same shape on purpose: the flame melts a small pool around the wick, the pearls around it stay pearls — and you lift out the disc and start again.

Because we make it: pearled wax prepared in our own studio, cotton wicks prepared by hand, our own colours and scents, handmade bowls, a Free-Wick System designed for peace of mind — and a real family behind every order with a 30-day promise.

Emilie’s pearled wax is 100% plant-based, made without paraffin or soy — and because it is loose, you only ever burn what you need and keep the rest.