Chai Soy Wax Massage Candle

Hello everyone,

To me there's nothing more indulgent than a hot cup of freshly brewed chai tea and that's why it was a no brainer that the soy candle I wanted to make just simply had to be chai tea inspired.

Not only do get enveloped in the spicy aroma when you light it but the essential oils and spices used in the candle also have numerous health benefits.

Join me on my journey into candle making...

To make this you'll need:

- Soy wax (amount depends on the size of your candle)

Soy wax

- Shea butter

Shea butter

- Cinnamon essential oil

Cinnamon oil

- Clove essential oil

Clove oil

- Black pepper essential oil

Pepper oil

- Star anise

Star anise

- Cardamom pods

Cardamom

- An old burnt out tea candle

- Cotton rope or a wick

Wick set

- A pot to melt the wax in

- A stove

- A container for your candle

Spout bowl

*links are for reference.

Soy candles are made from soybeans, not only making them a safe and natural alternative to petroleum-based paraffin, but also renewable and biodegradable. Very little soot is produced from burning soy candles.

Soy wax candles melt just above body temperature making the molten wax skin safe.

Soy oil absorbs easily into the skin which makes them great for massage.

Soy oil is high in vitamin E which leaves your skin feeling nourished, hydrated and soft.

Soy oil has been reported to potentially help relieve conditions such as dry and cracked skin, psoriasis, eczema, cracked heels and rough cuticles.

You will be able to buy pre made wicks at most crafting stores but whenever making candles I always make my own using old burnt out tea candles.

Simply remove the little metal holder, open up the hole where the previous wick was using a toothpick, thread through the new wick and pinch it closed.

Always leave the wick longer than the candle you want to make as we can just trim it back with some scissors.

We start by measuring out the amount of wax we will be needing for the candle, It will take approximately one and a half of times the amount of unmelted wax flakes to fill you container.

To this we add some shea butter, you'll want approximately 30ml of shea butter for every 100ml of soy wax.

Now add in the star anise and two or three cardamom pods, we don't want to add any essential oil at this stage.

Add all the ingredients to your pot and move it over to your stove, start melting it on the lowest heat setting of the stove. This can also be done using a bain marie.

Soy wax melts very quickly and you need to keep a constant eye on it stirring regularly.

Once everything is melted we can move on to the next step.

Now that everything is melted together we can remove it from the stove and add our essential oils.

You don't have to rush this step like with a normal candle as the soy wax will take a couple of hours to set up, so you have plenty of time.

First take your wick and dip the metal holder into the wax then place it in the centre of your container, this will hold it in place when you are pouring the candle.

Now you want to add about 2 to 3 drops of each essential oil per 100ml of wax.

Mix everything together well.

Slowly pour the wax into your container. I used a skewer to hold the wick in the centre while the wax is cooling.

Depending on your local temperature the candle will need about two hours to solidify.

Not only does the chai spices in the candle smell amazing they also have numerous benefits.

Black Pepper essential oil is high in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which are natural chemicals known for their antioxidant activity and their ability to support the immune system, it helps with muscle pains and has a localised warming effect.

Clove oil is antiseptic, antibacterial and contains a compound called eugenol that helps in treating acne by reducing the inflammation and redness.

Cinnamon essential oil is said to stimulate circulation, reduce stress, relieve pain, fight off infections and protect against insects.

Now that your candle is solidified the only thing left to do is to trim the wick.

Using your candle:
Light the candle for about 30 minutes or until you have a pool of molten wax, blow out the flame, let the oil cool for two minutes, pour the oil over your skin and gently massage it in.
Be safe and enjoy your new candle!

Happy making...