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Candle making is more than just a hobby - it’s an art form that transforms wax into mood-setting, memory-evoking masterpieces. One of the most crucial elements in crafting the perfect candle is choosing the right fragrance oil. The scent not only defines your candle’s personality, but also influences how customers feel when they light it.
Whether you're a beginner looking to explore or a seasoned maker curating your next best-seller, finding the best fragrance oil can take your candle game to a whole new level. In this blog, we'll explore some of the most loved fragrance categories and top-performing scent notes to consider for your collection.
Why Fragrance Oil Matters
Fragrance oil is the heart and soul of a scented candle. It determines how your candle smells both cold (before it's lit) and hot (while burning). This is known as the 'Cold Throw' and 'Hot Throw'. High-quality oils not only ensure a stronger scent cold and hot scent throw, but also improve the longevity and consistency of the candle's aroma.
Unlike essential oils, which are natural and often more subtle, fragrance oils are carefully formulated to be stronger, longer-lasting, and more diverse in their scent profiles. This makes them ideal for candles, wax melts, and other home fragrance products.
Best Fragrance Oil Categories for Candle Making
Let’s break down the best scent families and some standout fragrance oils within each. Whether your audience loves cosy, luxurious, or energising vibes, these fragrance oil picks are top-tier choices.
Fruity Fragrances: Juicy, Bright, and Uplifting
Fruity scents are playful, refreshing, and often a big hit in warmer months. They work great as standalone scents or as part of complex blends.
Monkey Farts Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Go bananas with a fruity concoction of banana, pear, orange, lemon, lime and coconut with a touch of jasmine, musk and vanilla. A vibrant and sweet scent that will leave you feeling deliciously playful. … read more
Grape Soda Pop Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Bursting with the sweet and sparkling scent of grape, red berries and apple. With sweet notes of sugar and vanilla.… read more
Best for: Summer ranges, fruity collections, and gift sets for younger audiences.
Floral Fragrances: Soft, Romantic, and Classic
Floral fragrance oils are timeless and elegant, making them perfect for year-round sales and luxurious candle lines.
Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil
£1.99
A graceful fruity floral fragrance where fruity top notes of apple and cherry combine with a heart of jasmine and rose on a base of musks, amber and a hint of vanilla.… read more
English Pear & Freesia Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Indulge in the enticing aroma of ripe juicy pear, complemented by delicate freesia and rose, creating a heavenly floral scent. Enhanced with patchouli, amber and sheer musk, simply close your eyes and be immediately transported to a floral paradise. Our version… read more
Best for: Wedding collections, wellness brands, and boutique-style candle makers.
Gourmand Fragrances: Sweet, Comforting, and Delicious
Gourmand scents smell good enough to eat—and that's exactly what makes them so popular. Think of cosy kitchens, sweet treats, and indulgent desserts.
Apple Pie Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Indulge in the warm, familiar scent of freshly baked Apple Pie. A delightful mix of ripe apples, sweet cinnamon and warm vanilla. The perfect sweet treat.… read more
Blueberry Muffin Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Indulge in the mouth-watering aroma of fresh-baked Blueberry Muffins. Experience an irresistible scent of juicy blueberries, golden pastry and a hint of warm vanilla. … read more
Best for: Autumn/winter ranges, festive collections, and foodie-inspired brands.
Woody & Earthy Fragrances: Deep, Grounding, and Unisex
Woodsy fragrance oils offer a grounding balance to sweeter or floral blends. They’re perfect for unisex candles or collections that lean toward minimalism and calm.
Cashmere & Musk Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Indulge in a moment of cosy bliss with festive spices of cinnamon and clove, perfectly balanced with a winter floral blend of jasmine, violet and rose. The warm base of saffron, woods and cashmere is complemented by a touch of… read more
Tonka Bean & Myrrh Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Elevate your senses with notes of lemon, grapefruit and bergamot to awaken your senses while a heart of magnolia, rose and jasmine brings a sweet oriental scent. The base of myrrh, tonka bean and vanilla add a warm, inviting touch.… read more
Best for: Unisex collections, gift candles, and minimalist branding.
Fresh & Clean Fragrances: Crisp, Light, and Inviting
These fragrance oils are great for candles that promote a fresh and airy feel, such as spring lines or “clean home” themed products.
Clean Cotton Fragrance Oil
£1.99
A soft, powdery blend of musk and florals, featuring delicate violet and orange blossom, complemented by refreshing green notes, jasmine, Our version of the designer candle. Similar in style and identity to the popular home fragrance brand.… read more
Fresh Unstoppable Fragrance Oil
£1.99
Experience a clean and invigorating blend of citrus, florals and green notes. The fruity top notes of orange, peach and green apple will energise the senses, while the floral heart notes of jasmine, rose and neroli add a touch of… read more
Best for: Everyday candle lines, spring/summer ranges, and bathroom/kitchen candles.
Seasonal Stars: Fragrance Oils That Shine All Year
Some fragrance oils work especially well when tied to specific seasons or events. Consider rotating these into your collection:
Winter: Spiced Orange, Fir Needle, Gingerbread
Spring: Cherry Blossom, Lemon Verbena, Bluebell
Summer: Coconut & Lime, Peach Bellini, Watermelon
Autumn: Pumpkin Spice, Maple Pecan, Smoky Fireside
Seasonal fragrance oils help keep your offerings fresh and give your customers a reason to come back throughout the year.
Tips for Choosing the Right Fragrance Oil
Picking a scent isn’t just about what smells good - it’s also about performance, customer appeal, and compatibility with your wax.
Here are a few tips to help you choose:
Cold & Hot Throw: Always test both. Some oils bloom when the candle is lit.
Wax Compatibility: Not all oils behave the same in soy, paraffin, or coconut wax.
Fragrance Load: Know how much your wax can hold. Some oils are stronger than others.
Test Blending: Mix oils for custom signature scents (like Lavender + Vanilla or Citrus + Cedar).
Target Audience: Choose scents that align with your brand and your customer’s preferences.
Where to Buy Quality Fragrance Oils
Always purchase fragrance oils from reputable suppliers that specialize in candle-safe formulations. Look for:
Full IFRA documentation
Clear usage percentages
Cosmetic and CLP compliance (especially in the UK/EU)
Consistency across batches
Customer reviews and performance ratings
Investing in premium fragrance oils may cost more upfront, but it pays off with happier customers, fewer issues, and better product performance.
Final Thoughts
The scent of a candle can create a memory, evoke emotion, and even define a brand. Whether you're making cosy autumn/winter or light and airy spring scents, choosing the right fragrance oil is essential to the success of your candle creations.
Try new blends, test thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to develop your own signature scent combinations. With the right fragrance oils in your arsenal, your candles won’t just smell good - they’ll sell well too.
Where To Buy Fragrance Oils
Finding high-quality oils can be tricky, but House of Scent makes it easy! As a trusted supplier, we offer premium, undiluted oils that deliver exceptional scent throw and performance in candles, wax melts, soaps, and cosmetics.
Why Buy From House of Scent?
🌟 Premium Quality – Our oils are carefully formulated to be true-to-scent and long-lasting.
🔬 Undiluted & Strong – We never dilute our oils, ensuring you get maximum strength and value.
🛍 Wide Range of Scents – From timeless classics to the latest trending fragrances, we’ve got it all.
🚀 Same-Day Dispatch – Order before our cut-off time and get your oils shipped the same day!
💡 Industry Expertise – With years of experience in the fragrance industry, we know what makes a great oil.
Whether you're a small business, a passionate crafter, or a fragrance enthusiast, House of Scent has the perfect oil for you.
