Designer Candles: Simply Too Pretty to Burn?

Article below. I have my very own set of very pretty candles.  Not yet ready to burn them, so they will remain as decor items.

 

Some Candles Are Too Pretty to Burn—Or Are They? We tested them out so you don’t have to. (by Domino Magazine )

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BELLE MORIZIO

“If you love something, let it go,” goes the old adage—but yet we cling to certain trendy, sculptural candles without so much as lifting a match in their general direction. The prospect of setting them aflame feels risky and bittersweet, their beauty suddenly made temporary. But let’s not get overdramatic. Candles are made to be burned—so if you’ve been worried about exactly how that one shaped like a tiny person will look once you’ve lit it, never fear: We found out for you.

If you’re hesitating to light that multicolored pillar, that pastel blob, or that impressive bust, here’s what you can expect nine of the coolest options to look like after five hours of being lit. Not all of the candles withstood this test of time, but rest assured—it’s mesmerizing to watch regardless.

The Helping Hand

LIGHT MY FINGERS CANDLE, DADA DAILY ($65)

Burn time: 75 minutesThe meltdown: Dramatic and fast—with a total of five wicks (one in each finger, except the middle, plus one in the palm), this anatomically accurate candle pooled into a dark teal puddle, with a just barely there skeleton remaining.Should you burn it? Only if you’re willing to let it go after one burn (perhaps during a gothic dinner party?)—otherwise keep those matches away. 

The Royalty

MARIE ANTOINETTE, CIRE TRUDON ($130)

Burn time: Five hours and counting
The meltdown: Way better than anticipated—this one had a slow dissolution (Marie’s head was left largely intact) with no errant wax spills whatsoever.
Should you burn it? Sure! We can’t help but imagine how spooky it would look halfway melted down. Admittedly, though, this candle is on the pricier side, so if you want to keep it as a sculpture, that’s a fair call, too.

The Mummy

RADOS CANDLE, MICHELE OKA DONER ($250)

Burn time: Five hours and countingThe meltdown: Very gradual, with a satisfying trickle that doesn’t take away from its shape.Should you burn it? Definitely. This candle by Michele Oka Doner certainly looks intriguing in its pristine condition, but a little bit of drippage adds to the character of its ridges. 

The Blob

GOOBER CANDLE, TALBOT AND YOON ($24)

Burn time: Five hours and counting
The meltdown: It kept its shape well, with just a slight circular indentation forming around the wick.
Should you burn it? Absolutely. This orb is even more alien-like when you put it to use. 

The Kooky Cube

MILK, ANDREJ UREM ($35)

Burn time: Five hours and countingThe meltdown: Quite tidy (there was only one small spill down the side).
Should you burn it? Though its intricate design makes it seem like it might liquefy into an amorphous glob, its nubby sides hold up.

The Pristine Pillar

PILLAR CANDLE, HAY VIA MOMA DESIGN STORE ($50)

Burn time: Five hours and countingThe meltdown: Delightfully drippy, taking its time before blurring the layers.Should you burn it? Yes. Part of the fun is seeing how its colors collide.

The Neon Twist

TWIST CANDLE, LEX POTT ($35)

Burn time: Five hours and countingThe meltdown: Smooth, slower than expected, and fuss-free—it looks exactly the same as it did preburn, just shorter.Should you burn it? Definitely. This vibrant, twisty option is a fun alternative to your go-to tapers.

The Double Prong

FACTORY CANDLE, IONNA VAUTRIN FOR ENO STUDIO ($48)

Burn time: 90 minutesThe meltdown: Faster than expected—the pillars crashed into each other and eventually pooled onto the tabletop.Should you burn it? In short increments, if at all. Since it’s gone in a blink, it might be best used as a sculptural element in a tablescape—no fire necessary.

The U Haul

U CANDLE, GLAZE STUDIO ($120)

Burn time: Five hours and countingThe meltdown: Neat and perfectly even.Should you burn it? Totally—with its stately structure, brass base, and substantial life span (about 25 hours total), this piece is a great 24-7 dining table fixture. Who says you can’t eat dinner by candlelight every night?

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Candles Too Pretty to Burn

Ideas on Keeping Cool During the Hot Summer w/o AC

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOAQUIN TRUJILLO

5 Ways to Cool Down When You Don’t Have Air-Conditioning

This old-school trick actually works. by Domino Magazine

For all the wonderful things that summer brings—alfresco dining, abundant farmers’ markets, memorable trips to the beach—it’s also a time when staying comfortable can be a challenge, in spite of all that relaxing. Hot weather can be a real burden, and when you don’t have air-conditioning in your home, it can cause serious discomfort.

But there are plenty of ways to keep the temperature in your space as low as possible and help it feel cooler than it actually is. These five methods might not make your AC-free home frosty, but they will provide you with plenty of relief from the heat—no sweat. 

1. Embrace Low Light

More daylight hours is one of the best parts of summer—but that extra light can make your house even hotter. Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., recommends keeping your shades down to block out excess sun and keeping lightbulbs relatively dim to reduce the heat they give off. Avoiding incandescent bulbs can help prevent hot temperatures, too. 

2. Change Your Sheets

A stuffy room can make it hard to fall asleep, even if you’ve never struggled with insomnia. If you’re a naturally hot sleeper or dealing with extra-warm temperatures, cotton percale sheets are more breathable than cotton sateen sheets and ones made with synthetic materials like polyester. Linen is also a great option for regulating your body temperature. Emily McCrary-Ruiz-Esparza, brand editor at House Method, recommends skipping the top sheet and using a lightweight cotton quilt instead of a duvet if you’re not quite comfortable sleeping fully on top of the covers.

Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton or linen pajamas is the other part of the equation when it comes to sleeping in a warm space. Or if you’re comfortable snoozing in the buff, there’s no cooler option than that.

3. Circulate the Air

Fans don’t actually reduce the temperature of the air, Bhuyan explains, but they do circulate it—making it feel colder. She recommends the old-school trick of positioning a fan in front of a bowl of ice for extra heat relief. Place it directly in front of you to cool off, or create a cross-breeze by positioning the fan directly across from a window. “This will help improve circulation in the room and push warmer air out,” she says. Ceiling fans are also helpful—make sure they spin counterclockwise and turn them on the highest setting for the most cooling effect. 

Keeping windows open at night allows colder air to enter your home, but if temperatures are extremely hot during the day (essentially, if the air outside is hotter than the air in your space), close them and draw the blinds to keep it as cool as possible. 

4. Lighten Up Your Skin Care

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK JOHNSON

Cold water might feel shocking at first, but Bhuyan notes that a moderately cold shower can be especially helpful in fighting overheating—and you’ll get used to the water temperature after those first few seconds pass. 

Since summer heat increases the skin’s oil production, celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau recommends swapping oil-based products for lighter-weight water-based ones that still do a good job of keeping your skin hydrated. Keeping some products (like alcohol-free toner or a water-based gel mask) in the fridge means they can provide extra relief on hot days. “And, of course, drinking plenty of water is essential,” she says. 

5. Use Appliances Strategically

You’re likely not turning on your oven every day when temperatures are soaring, but any large appliance in your home—your washer and dryer, for instance—can make your space feel warmer. This is why Bhuyan recommends using them at night, when the air is slightly cooler. 

5 Ways to Cool Down Without A/C

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