When Winter Leaves Its Mark on Beeswax
At this time of year, when temperatures change dramatically, you may notice a soft white bloom appearing on the surface of your beeswax candles.
When I first started making beeswax candles, I remember noticing bloom on one of my own candles. At first, I wondered if I'd done something wrong. I hadn't seen it before, and it certainly wasn't something I'd expected.
Bloom is a natural characteristic of 100% pure beeswax candles. It isn't a flaw, it's simply one of the beautiful quirks of working with a natural material.
The soft white bloom forms, as natural wax crystals rise to the surface, particularly during colder weather or when temperatures change dramatically. It's one of the small signs that your candle is made from pure beeswax rather than a highly processed mixture of parafin and beeswax.
Some people love the soft, velvety appearance that bloom creates. Others prefer the rich golden colour of freshly poured beeswax. Both are perfectly natural.
If you'd like to restore the candle's golden finish, simply buff it gently with a soft cloth or warm the surface lightly with a hairdryer for a few moments. The bloom will disappear, although it may naturally return as the seasons change.
I have to admit, I still love the richness of a freshly poured beeswax candle. In the warmth of summer, the wax takes on a beautiful golden glow with a natural gloss that always catches my eye.
At markets, people will often ask if the candles will melt in the heat. My answer is always the same: no. Beeswax is a wonderfully hard wax. It won't simply melt sitting on a table in summer. Instead, the warmth brings out that rich golden colour, making the candles look as though they've only just been poured.
Then winter arrives, and with it comes bloom.
While I still admire the warm glow of summer beeswax, I've come to appreciate bloom for different reasons. The soft white surface reminds me of moss-covered logs and quiet walks through the bush in winter. It has a softness that feels right for the season.
Pure beeswax has a character all of its own. And somehow, bloom feels exactly right for winter.
Curious to see bloom for yourself?
My Gathered Pillar is hand-poured from 100% pure New Zealand beeswax. Over time, it may develop the same soft white bloom you've read about here, a beautiful reminder of the natural character of pure beeswax.