"Better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness...."
-- Chinese Proverb

Aroma Naturals of Irvine, California

These candles are one of the finest, strongly scented candles I've ever tried! They sent me so many candles to test burn, it has taken me months to burn them all and I still have several to burn! So far, I've test burned the following: Insight: Bergamot & Lime 3x6 pillar, Chai Tea: Cardamom & Clove jar, Peace: Orange Clove & Cinnamon #10 2.7oz tin, Earth: Ginger & Patchouli #17 square jar, Serenity: Lavender & Ylang Ylang 3x3.5 pillar. (I still have to test burn the following: Insight: Bergamot & Lime 3x6 & 3x3.5 pillars (new formula), Relaxing: Lavender & Tangerine 3x3.5 pillar, Ambiance: Orange & Lemongrass 2.5x4 pillar, Meditation: Patchouli & Frankincense 2.75x5 pillar, Tranquility: Wildcrafted Lavender 2.25x3 pillar, and Sensual: Ylang Ylang & Jasmine 3x3.5 pillar.) All of the candles burned beautifully, burned a long time, and were very highly scented. These candles filled a room with aroma even when unlit. Aroma Naturals offer several types of pillars, jars, tins and votives in a wide variety of fragrances (23 currently, made with true essential oils) and types: Aromatherapy, VegePure (Vegetable Wax), Bees Wax, Holiday Candles, and Gift Sets. They also offer a new Spa bath and body collection, room sprays and aromatic mists. My favorite Aroma Naturals fragrance: Bergamot & Lime.

Bridgewater Candle Company of Buffalo, South Carolina

I found these candles at Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace in Rochester Hills, Michigan. I purchased a "Lilac Mist" votive candle ($1.49, 2oz.). Currently they offer 52 fragrances. They also offer jars, pillars, Wax Potpourri Wafers? tea lights, and tins. As far as the votive, it was very strong scented (both unlit and lit), but it didn't burn that well. The wick was off-center so I had to keep moving it with a toothpick. Once it got going, it burned fairly well. However, it did leave a bit of wax behind when it was done burning. The packaging of these candles is nice; looks a lot like Yankee Candles.

Candle-licious of Elgin, Illinois

Candle-licious are a wonderful line of candles - strongest tealights I've ever smelled! I test burned 3 votives in "Lily of the Valley", "Honey Dew This", and "Raspberry-Currant" and 2 tealights in "Lilac" and "Caramel Apple". All of the candles burned beautifully, they burned clean (no wax left behind) and burned a long time, and were highly fragrant. Amazingly, the tealights were more fragrant than the votives! One tealight filled my entire upstairs with lovely aroma! I thought the "Caramel Apple" smelled more like maple syrup, but the other scents were very true. They offer votives, tealights, jars, melts/tarts in over 40 fragrances. They also offer aromatherapy face & body products, scented potpourri, candle holders & shades, tart burners, gift baskets, and other fine accessories. My favorite Candle-licious fragrance: Lily of the Valley.

Deja Vu Candles of Lipan, Texas

These strongly scented hand-poured jar candles are absolutely wonderful! I test burned two of their 4oz. Tureen container candles: "Bermuda Triangle" & "Koala Kisses" and was very impressed. The candles burned beautifully, burned a long time, and gave off a very strong aroma. They add as much fragrance as the candle wax will allow; this costs them a bit more but they feel they are offering quality candles to their customers with the maximum amount of scent possible at a low cost. Some candle companies only scent the top half of their candles; they scent their candles the same from top to bottom! Currently they offer a variety of container candles in over 70 fragrances. They also offer air freshener sprays, candle parties, fundraising opportunities, and wholesale purchasing. My favorite Deja Vu fragrance: Bermuda Triangle.

Gold Canyon Candles of Arizona

These strongly scented jar candles are absolutely wonderful! I test burned their 16oz jar candle in the Signature Series "Sweet Pea" fragrance and was very impressed. The candle burned beautifully, burned a long time, and gave off a very strong aroma. Currently they offer various candle types (jars, pillars, specialty, votives) in over 89 fragrances. They also offer candle accessories. These candles can be purchased online, from an independent consultant, or through a home party. My favorite Gold Canyon fragrance (so far): Sweet Pea.

Home & Garden Party of Marshall, Texas

Pumpkin Spice

These candles can be purchased from an independent consultant or through a home party. I regularly burn their 10oz. jar candles ($5.50). They are strongly scented and burn very well. I don't recommend their votives or tealights -- they don't burn well at all. Votives leave a ton of wax behind and the tealights have trouble staying lit. They also offer bigger jars, candle melts, floating candles, pillars, and tapers. Besides their 10oz. jar candles, I also love their potpourri and hand lotion. My favorite Home & Garden Party fragrance: Spiced Apple.

Kate's Candles (formerly Mrs. Bakers)

These candles are fairly strongly scented, but don't burn very well (jars and votives leave wax behind). The jars burn much better than the votives. From what I hear from visitors, these candles are really hard to find anymore. I contacted the company and they told me that "the brand is being reduced in SKUs. It will not be expanded or developed further at this time." My favorite Kate's fragrances: Lilac and Honeydew Melon.

Kell's Kandles of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland

Kell's Kandles is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team with a real appreciation and passion for soy wax candles. These fine hand-poured soy wax candles are high quality with cotton wicks, long burning, and highly fragrant. I test burned one of their 2-wick 10oz. apothecary jars in vanilla and was impressed. Currently they offer a variety of apothecary jars, votives and tarts in 14 fragrances including unscented. They also offer candle warmers, tart warmers and draft lids. I am most impressed by the fact their candles "are made from soy beans grown right here in the US of A, and not from petroleum drilled up from some foreign soil."* Kudos to you Kellie & Gary! My favorite Kell's fragrances: although I haven't tried them yet, "Pumpkin Cinnamon Crunch" and "Apple Cobbler" sound yummy! *quoted from Kell's Kandles Product Catalog

Mia Bella Soy/Veg (Scent-Sations Inc.) of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

These fine soy/veg wax candles are high quality, clean burning, and highly fragrant. I test burned a 16oz. jar candle in "Lemon Pound Cake", and 10 votives in "Angel Wings", "Cucumber Melon", "Apples & Peaches", "Green Tea", "Charlie", "Patchouli Spice", "Georgia Peach", "Ginseng Energizer", "Country Spice" and "French Lavender" fragrances. (They also sent me a Bella bar gourmet soap bar in "Grapefruit/lavender" and some packets of body wash but I have not had a chance to try.) All the candles burned beautifully, burned a long time, and gave off a very strong aroma. I found the votives to be a bit high maintenance because they didn't burn well in any of the votive cups I regularly use for test burning. A couple Mia Bella reps suggested a Libbey brand votive cup (available for 57? at Walmart) which gave a very tight fit and the votives burned perfectly in those cups! The quality of both the wax and wicks are excellent. One of the best benefits of soy/veg wax candles is they burned very clean leaving no soot behind! Currently they offer 16oz. jar and 2.5oz. votive candles in over 85 fragrances. They also offer bath and body products. I don't care for the labels on the jar candles but they are removable. My favorite Mia Bella fragrance: Angel Wings.

Nightscapes Candles of Pickerington, Ohio

Guardian Angel (French Vanilla)

These candles are the most unique candles I've ever run across. I test burned their "Guardian Angel" 3.5"x3" pillar candle. The candle was beautifully packaged; these would make wonderful gifts! The candle itself burned beautifully; the outside shell stayed solid until finished burning, which allowed the beautiful angel silhouette to be viewed the entire life of the candle. It's obvious these candles are made with very high quality wax and wicks. The candle was perfectly scented -- not too strong, but strong enough to fill an entire room with the aroma. Currently they offer several different designs, including custom designs, in a very true French vanilla scent (unscented candles are also available.) Nightscapes Candles are currently available in 3.5"x3" pillars and 6"x3.5" blocks, and may be purchased at various locations in Ohio and Tennessee.

PartyLite
These are by far my #1 choice for candles! These oil-based candles are strongly scented and burn wonderfully, leaving no wax behind. This is the brand of candles that I have burned regularly since 1998. Currently they offer several different styles of candles (votive, tealight, jar, pillar (including their infamous 3-wick), ball, aroma melts, floater and taper (dinner) candles, and more) and over 70 wonderful fragrances (and counting). PartyLite candles are made exclusively for PartyLite by Colonial Candle of Cape Cod. In addition to candles, they also have a nice selection of accessories and home decor items. PartyLite candles and accessories are available for purchase through independent consultants and home parties. My favorite PartyLite fragrance: Honeydew.

Tip: One thing I have observed over the years is that it seems like the bigger the candle, the less they smell. It doesn't make sense but it's true. The only candles I regularly use are votives and tealights. (They used to have bubble jars that were very strong.) As far as the current jars, pillars and 3-wicks, I have to be real close to them to smell them, whereas the votives and tealights will smell up a room. Sometimes I even find some of the tealights smell stronger than the votives. I still occasionally but the pillars and 3-wicks because of how they look and burn (especially the 3-wicks). But if I want fragrance filling my rooms, I stick with the votives and tealights.

R&B Candles of Overton, Texas

These adorable candles are very strongly scented and burn wonderfully! They primarily sell their candles at flea markets and trade shows. I don't believe they have a web site, but you may contact the owners, Ron & Bunny Duncan, via e-mail: r_bduncan@msn.com. My favorite R&B fragrances: Sweet Pea.

Root Candles of Medina, Ohio

These candles are fairly strongly scented, but don't burn very well (votives leave wax behind). They offer a very large variety of fragrances in several different styles: votives, jars, tins, tealights, pillars, and more. They have a beautiful line of candles; I just wasn't that impressed with the votives I test burned. My favorite Root fragrance: Tangerine Lemongrass

Rosegirls Candles LLC of Oshkosh, Wisconsin

These fine triple-scented soy wax candles are incredibly high quality, clean burning, and highly fragrant - probably one of the most fragrant and truest smelling candles I've ever tested! The throw from these candles is absolutely amazing; everyone that walked into my house asked, "yum, what are you baking?" (even when they weren't lit!) Amazing candles! I test burned two 16oz. jar candles in "Apple Danish" and "Gourmet Vanilla" and I just can't say enough good things about these candles. Both candles burned beautifully, burned a long time, and gave off virtually NO soot - a great benefit to soy wax candles. The quality of both the wax and wicks are excellent. Their candles are hand-poured and contain no dye or additives as to keep the natural look of soy, their wicks contain no lead, their candles are scented with either essential or fragrance oil. I love the "country" feel of these candles: they come in mason jars with adorable, simple country art labels. Currently they offer pint-size and jelly-jar size candles in over 60+ fragrances (and counting). They also offer wax tarts, custom gift baskets, linen sprays, vacuum cleaner potpourri, and wholesale purchasing. My favorite Rosegirls fragrance: Apple Danish (yum!).

Swan Creek Candles of Swanton, Ohio

I received a "Mini Crumbies Cin-fully Cinnamon" jar candle for Christmas and it's wonderful! The candle burned wonderfully and was very strongly scented (both lit and unlit). It left a bit of wax on the edge of the jar but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to because of the decorations. They offer a wide variety of candles (votives, pillars, jars, aromatherapy, melts, natural botanical wax, soy wax, and lots more) in several different scrumptious fragrances. They have some really unique candles, such as kitchen pantry jars, candles in cast iron skillets, etc. - they've really got an adorable line of products! They have a few outlet stores in Michigan and Ohio. They offer gift packages, gift certificates, and wholesale purchases. My favorite Swan Creek fragrance: Cin-fully Cinnamon.

Yankee Candle Company of South Deerfield, Massachusetts

These candles are available at a lot of Hallmark Stores. They offer a large variety of scents in a few different styles. They are very strongly scented, but don't burn very well (jars and votives leave wax behind). I very much like their potpourri tarts that I use in a candlelit potpourri burner and their liquid hand soap. My favorite Yankee scent: Sunflower.

The Pampered Chef of Addison, Illinois

I'm a big fan of the products from The Pampered Chef and even a former consultant. This is a wonderful company with high standards and excellent quality kitchen products. I recently purchased their new Lemon & Rosemary Jar candle and was very disappointed. The candle was moderately fragranced but burned horribly. The wick formed huge carbon balls causing smoke and soot (even with frequent trimming) and tons of wasted wax was left behind. My advice to The Pampered Chef: stick to your awesome kitchen & cooking products and leave the candle thing to the experts.

Pier 1 of Fort Worth, Texas
These candles are pretty unique in scent and appearance. They offer several different styles of candles. They are pretty heavily scented, but don't burn that well (pillars have a tendency to burn down the middle instead of evenly; votives leave wax in holder). Also they will leave a permanent residue on brass if melted wax drips onto it. (The finish of one of my brass holders was ruined when melted wax dripped on it.) I enjoy their home fragrance sprays but probably would never buy their candles again because of the way they burn. My favorite Pier 1 fragrance: Ginger Peach.

The White Barn Candle Company of New Albany, Ohio

Cucumber Mess, I mean Melon

I found these candles at Bath & Body Works. They offer a large variety of pretty common scents/styles including aromatherapy. They are fairly well scented, however they burn absolutely HORRIBLY! I bought two 3x3 pillars and a 3x6 pillar and they burned down the middle, melted down the side and they got all deformed (look at the picture -- this is after I cleaned up all the wax on the counter!) The wicks on these pillars drowned in the melted wax when I put them out, which made re-lighting difficult and almost impossible! The Lilac fragrance burned my eyes something awful. I enjoy White Barn/B&BW concentrated fragrance sprays and liquid hand soap but would NEVER buy these candles again because of the way they burn. My favorite White Barn/B&BW fragrance: Cucumber Melon and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin. UPDATE: An employee of White Barn informed me that the company has revamped and improved their candles tremendously since my test-burning. I may or may not re-test these candles.

American Greetings Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio

Tropical Breeze

I found these candles at CVS, and purchased a "Tropical Breeze" votive candle ($.99). Surprisingly, the fragrance was fairly strong and the votive burned fairly well. My only complaints are the coloring wasn't even and there was quite a bit of wax left behind after burning. In looking through their web site, I can't find these candles anywhere on it. The only candles I found were "GuildHouse".

Candle-lite of Cinncinnati, Ohio (not to be confused with PartyLite)

Cucumber Melon?

I found these candles at CVS, and purchased a "Cucumber Melon" votive candle ($.80). Surprisingly, the votive burned fairly well although it left quite a bit of wax behind. As far as smell, the scent of this candle was non-existent. Either this candle was of poor quality or it was very, very old. My guess is the latter. The downside to buying store-bought candles is that oftentimes they sit in warehouses for long periods of time before being shipped to the stores.

Capri Blue Candles by Aspen Bay

Southern Essence