Frequently Asked Questions

Between Chaos and Stillness.

 

— Ingredients & Safety —

Q1. Are your candles safe for children and pets?

All AURA COVE candles are made with 100% Coconut Soy Wax, which burns cleanly without the soot or toxic fumes associated with paraffin. Our fragrance oils are sourced from Makesy, a certified U.S. supplier — all scents are IFRA-compliant and phthalate-free. When used responsibly (never unattended, kept out of reach of children), our candles are a pet- and family-friendly choice.

Q2. What wax do you use, and why Coconut Soy Wax?

We use 100% Coconut Soy Wax from Makesy. Compared to pure soy wax, a coconut-soy blend offers stronger scent throw, a cleaner and more even burn, and a smoother surface finish that resists the white frosting common in soy candles. After extensive testing, this blend was our clear choice — so what you smell is pure fragrance, not the wax itself.

Q3. Are the fragrance oils safe? Are there any allergens I should know about?

All our fragrance oils are IFRA-compliant and free of phthalates. If you or a family member have sensitivities to specific fragrance components, we encourage you to reach out before purchasing — we can share ingredient details for any of our scents. We'd rather you make an informed decision than wonder after the fact.

 

— Our Collections —

Q4. What's the difference between The Chaos Lab and The Signature Gallery? How do I choose?

Both series are held to the same standard for fragrance quality — the difference lies in the vessel and the voice. The Chaos Lab comes in a matte black industrial tin with deadpan, survival-mode copy and crisp or herbal scents. It's for the person who needs to feel understood, not motivated. The Signature Gallery is housed in hand-thrown ceramic vessels from our Hoboken studio, each one a one-of-a-kind object, with complex, quiet scents for anyone who needs to slow down and come back to themselves. Still can't decide? Tell us a little about who you're shopping for and we'll point you in the right direction.

Q5. Is the Signature Gallery ceramic vessel really handmade? Will mine look different from the photos?

Yes — every piece in The Signature Gallery is hand-thrown on the wheel in our Hoboken studio and kiln-fired at 1200–1280°C. Glaze depth, crackle patterns, and kiln variation mean that no two pieces are identical. What you receive is the only one of its kind in the world. Product photos are representative; the specific surface details of your piece will be uniquely its own.

 

— Burn & Care —

Q6. How long do your candles burn?

Burn time depends on the vessel. The Chaos Lab tin burns approximately 20–25 hours. The Signature Gallery small cup (10oz) burns approximately 60–65 hours; the large cup (12oz) approximately 75–80 hours. As each ceramic vessel is hand-thrown, capacity may vary slightly — refer to individual product pages for the most accurate estimates.

Q7. What should I do the first time I light my candle?

The first burn sets your candle's memory. Allow the melt pool to reach the full edge of the vessel before extinguishing — this typically takes 1.5–2 hours. Blowing it out too soon causes the wax to tunnel down the centre in future burns, significantly shortening its life. One patient first burn makes every burn after it better.

Q8. How do I care for the wood wick? My flame seems small or it won't stay lit.

Before each burn, trim the wick to approximately 0.5cm using scissors or a wick trimmer. A wick that's too long causes an oversized flame and smoke; too short makes it difficult to light or sustain. A soft crackling sound during burning is completely normal — that's the wood wick doing exactly what it's meant to do. If it still won't stay lit after trimming, check for carbon buildup at the tip and gently remove it before trying again.

 

— Sustainability & Custom Orders —

Q9. What can I do with the vessel after the candle is finished?

This part matters to us. Once the wax is spent, soak the vessel in warm soapy water to release any residue — both the tin and ceramic cup clean up easily. From there, they make excellent planters, jewellery or hair tie organisers, desktop pen holders, or simply objects worth keeping on a shelf. We don't make things to be thrown away. Your rebirth plan is probably more creative than ours — tag us @auracove when you find it.

Q10. Do you accept custom or wholesale orders?

We do take on small-batch custom enquiries — fragrance combinations, gift sets, corporate gifting, and event favours. Because Signature Gallery pieces are made by hand, production capacity is limited; we recommend reaching out early to discuss lead times. Send us a note through our contact page or by email and we'll let you know what's possible.