A comforting candle is the perfect antidote to the chaos of life. ALIX NORMAN meets a young entrepreneur whose eco-friendly creations calm the senses and clear the mind
Hello Autumn! In the UK, the US, and most of Europe, it’s the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. But even here in the Med, we’re enjoying the cooler weather: as the nights draw in, we’re breaking out the cosy sweaters, cuddly socks, and scented candles. And in the process, we may be doing ourselves – and the environment – more harm than good…
It’s not the sweaters or socks that are doing the damage (unless, that is, your sartorial sense runs to chartreuse argyle). It’s the candles. Because, as we ward off the winter darkness with comforting aromas and twinkling light, we may unwittingly be releasing all sorts of nasties.
The majority of candles contain paraffin, a substance that’s not only harmful to your health (hello carcinogens!), but made from unsustainable fossil fuels. Even the wicks could be dangerous – cheaper candles (think anything under a fiver) often contain lead core wicks, proven to cumulatively poison the body.
So what’s the clean alternative? Well, there’s beeswax, which is renewable and requires minimal processing. But it’s not vegan, and not always ethical – isolating the beehive for melting can involve cruel processes. And then there’s soy. And that’s a winner. Because soy wax is toxin-free, renewable, and biodegradable – meaning you get a cleaner, longer-lasting candle that’s actually good for home and planet. Especially if you’re burning a Pixie Flames…
Created by local entrepreneur Pascale Farah, Pixie Flames is a one-of-a-kind candle brand: comforting, homely, hand-poured soy candles that are both healthy and eco-friendly.
“It was born from the pandemic, I suppose,” says Pascale. “Covid has been such a crazy time: so many people have lost so much – it’s been incredibly stressful. I wanted to create something that would engender safety and security: a product which, at a time when we were forced to spend more time than usual indoors, would transform our homes into a sanctuary of peace and wellbeing.
“And what,” she asks, “is more homely than a sweet-smelling candle? The flame alone speaks to us in a very primordial way: the fire of the cave or the hearth that wards off danger. Then there’s the aroma: the perfect fragrance transforms the home, conjuring tranquil memories – warm apple pie baking in the oven; fresh flowers cut from your mother’s garden; hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night.”
A trained interior designer with an MBA in marketing, Pascale thoroughly investigated her demographic before launching Pixie Flames – a name she chose to evoke the enchanting warmth a candle can bring to the home. “I asked hundreds of people – often strangers in shops! – what they loved about candles, why they were buying, where and when they used the product. I looked into the scents we find most soothing or uplifting, and the effect they have on our psyche. I wanted to create not just a candle, but an experience – moments of tranquil happiness that would counter the current chaos.”
At the same time, Pascale researched the effects of candles on our health and on the environment. “It’s always bothered me that our Cyprus stores generally sell candles that are toxic both to our bodies and to the environment. So many are made from paraffin, and contain wicks which emanate harmful chemicals. So not only are you breathing in toxins, you’re also negatively impacting the planet.”
Pascale’s comforting candles are, instead, made with pure soy wax: “Everything I use is non-toxic and natural,” she reveals. “The soy and the fragrance both come from a local supplier, thus reducing my carbon footprint. And the essential oils themselves are pure, non-toxic and designed to throw their scent throughout the whole house, which gives a much more impactful, longer-lasting aroma.”
But that’s not all. Each of Pascale’s candles comes in a hand-made concrete vessel, complete with a seed paper cover, and packaged in recycled materials. “I make the containers myself,” she explains, “colouring each with a rainbow of non-toxic dyes; concrete is far more biodegradable than glass, and can easily be recycled. The seed paper cover helps to maintain the integrity of the fragrance while the candle is not in use, and can also be planted in the container once the candle is finished, so every customer can grow a little plant of their own. And the packing materials are both 100 per cent recycled and recyclable.”
With Pixie Flames, Pascale imagines bringing a comforting experience to every customer: “A product that kindles a sense of warmth and connection at a time when we’re feeling increasingly less safe,” she discloses. “But the idea was also to connect people more closely with their environment: I felt a deep need to create a product that would not only give value for money, but also positively impact the planet.”
Pixie Flames currently offer 11 different candles, each casting an intensely comforting blend of aromas. The newly-launched Fall/Winter collection includes Pumpkin Soufflé, infused with pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg, and reminiscent of hot spiced coffee by the hearth; Sweater Weather (bergamot, musk, jasmine, gardenia, and sandalwood), which conjures up the very essence of autumn; and Warm Apple Pie (apples, cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar), which evokes the cosy contentment of granny’s kitchen.
There’s also a Spring/Summer range – including Watermelon Sugar, Summer Waves, and Nada’s Garden – for those who prefer cooler, fresher scents. And a number of candles perfect for the young, or young-at-heart, such as Unicorn Paradise (an enchanting blend of strawberry, blueberry, bubblegum, and cream), and Heaven’s Touch (a tropical concoction of exotic fruits, lavender, bergamot, and patchouli).
“Each was thoroughly researched to be totally eco-friendly,” Pascale continues, “and designed to create a soothing experience for the senses: beautiful, soft-to-the-touch vessels containing a candle which twinkles and sparkles, releasing a gorgeous aroma. I’ve even,” she adds, “curated a bespoke Spotify playlist” – a QR code, printed on the Thank You card that accompanies every purchase – “so you can you can augment your sensory experience with music. Just don’t eat them,” she laughs. “Pixie Flames candles smell so good, you may well want to try!”
Pixie Flames eco-friendly candles can be purchased from the Instagram account @pixie.flames or from the Facebook page ‘Pixie Flames’
