Beeswax candles have become one of the most searched-for candles in Australia, and for good reason. They burn slowly, give a warm golden light and smell faintly of honey without any added fragrance. But not every candle sold as beeswax is the same. This guide covers what to look for, which type of candle suits which space, and how to get the most from them.
What is a beeswax candle?
A beeswax candle is made from the wax honeybees produce to build their comb. Beekeepers collect it when they harvest honey, then filter and melt it down. A pure beeswax candle is that wax and a cotton wick, and nothing else.
Labels vary, though. Some candles sold as beeswax are blends, with beeswax mixed into paraffin, soy or coconut wax to bring the price down. If you want the real thing, look for 100% beeswax or pure beeswax on the label.
Why Australian beeswax?
Australian beeswax comes from Australian hives, so it travels a short distance and supports local beekeepers and makers. Its colour and faint scent change with the flowers the bees fed on, which is why two beeswax candles can be slightly different shades of gold. That variation is a good sign: it means the wax hasn't been bleached or dyed to look uniform.
Every candle at Miel Cire is pure beeswax, and most are hand-poured in Killarney, on Queensland's Southern Downs, from 100% natural Australian beeswax.
How to tell if a candle is real beeswax
- Colour: natural beeswax ranges from pale butter to deep gold. Bright white beeswax has usually been filtered or bleached.
- Scent: unlit, real beeswax smells faintly of honey. Strong perfume usually means added fragrance or a blend.
- Bloom: over time, pure beeswax develops a pale, powdery film called bloom. It wipes away with a soft cloth and is a sign of real beeswax.
- Feel: beeswax is firm and slightly tacky, not soft or oily.
- Price: pure beeswax costs more than paraffin or soy. A very cheap beeswax candle is worth a second look at the label.
Which type of beeswax candle should you buy?
Pillar candles
Free-standing, long-burning and simple. A 20cm beeswax pillar burns for around 60 hours and suits dining tables, mantels and fireplaces. Browse pillar, votive and tealight candles.
Taper candles
Tall and slim, for dinner tables and candelabras. Our beeswax taper candles come in natural beeswax and a range of soft and bright colours.
Votives and tealights
Small, affordable and easy to group. Tealights in clear cups are ideal for oil burners and teapot warmers; votives sit on small plates around a table.
Sculptural candles
Shapes like a dahlia, a swirl sphere or a pinecone look as good unlit as they do lit, which makes them popular gifts. See all sculptural beeswax candles.
How long do beeswax candles burn?
Beeswax is a hard wax with a high melting point, so it burns more slowly than most soft container waxes. As a guide, from our own range:
- 20cm Classic Pillar: about 60 hours
- Serenity Jar: up to 25 hours
- Wreath and Garland Trees: about 20 hours
- Honeycomb Votives: about 15 hours each
- Tealights: about 5 hours each
- Small Christmas tree tapers: about 1 hour
For more detail, read how long beeswax candles burn.
Caring for beeswax candles
Stand free-standing candles on a candle plate or heat-resistant holder, trim the wick to about 5mm before each lighting, keep them out of draughts, and never leave a lit candle unattended. Our full beeswax candle care guide covers bloom, tunnelling and storage.
Where to buy beeswax candles in Australia
Miel Cire sells beeswax candles and nothing else, with every candle made from pure beeswax and most hand-poured in Queensland. Shop all beeswax candles.