Nothing drives change like a man (or woman) with a cause. That’s exactly what you get when you meet artisan candle maker Andrew Mason of Uaine (“oonyah”) Candles. Motivated by a desire to invoke change and make a difference, I had the privilege to experience his message and passion first- hand when he visited The Natives Co. Bondi recently as a part of our “meet the maker” events.
Andrew, experienced retailer, world traveller and expert candle maker is both charming and engaging. As I watched him interact with unsuspecting passersby I discover his passion for his candles is contagious. His products, like many other candles, are divinely fragranced with scents that trigger the brain centres of memory and sensory bliss. However, unlike others, hidden inside his joyful pots of romantic aromatherapy is a dedication to safety and quality ensured only by the hours of trialling and refining the chemistry required to create a unique fragrance blend of this standard. Andrew’s knowledge and appreciation for his craft is truly unmatched.
The sales pitch aside, Andrew’s message goes well beyond the clichéd “oooohh that smells so good” we indiscriminately associate with the endless array of candles on the market. As he leans into an unassuming young customer who’s innocently inhaling the enveloping aromatic notes of champagne, strawberry and rose petal in his 100% soy “Blush” candle, the enormity of his message becomes clear. “What do you know about paraffin wax?” he asks. An expected shrug is followed by Andrew’s quirky but knowing “now what I’m about to tell you could save your life”. The chuckles are forgiven, as one hardly expects that a candle-maker armed with an apron and dad jokes is going to offer lifesaving insights, but Andrew’s unrelenting drive to educate the consumer is both admirable and genuine. His love affair with soy candles actually began after his own personal experience with an exploding paraffin candle that sprayed shards of glass around the room and almost ended in sirens, fire engines and the charred remains of his heritage home.
On the day of his visit Andrew enlightened me with the recent Product Safety Recall notice for a candle range by a well-known Australian brand that has been found to overheat and explode. “What’s in these candles that could cause that?” I asked. The answer came both unexpected and alarming, “Paraffin”. Now, for those who aren’t aware, paraffin is the common base ingredient for most candles on the market. “Paraffin can overheat” explains Andrew. “It overheats, placing heat pressure on the glassware in which it is contained and then fractures or shatters catastrophically”. With this front of mind, Andrew is not waiting for government authorities and regulatory bodies to enforce change, he is charging the path, one customer and one safe and beautiful 100% soy wax candle at a time.
So, what our lucky customers may or may not be aware, is that what they gleaned from Andrew on that day is the knowledge and opportunity to become a discerning buyer. To identify quality and be armed with a simple insight that will ensure what they bring into their homes or indeed gift to loved ones is a safer and healthier candle that is pure and all about the blissful experience and aromatherapy without the silent hazards.
At The NATIVES Co. we are all about unique brands that are dedicated to making a difference. Brands that empower through awareness and philanthropy, that focus on sustainability and care about their social responsibility. Brands that bring you, the customer, the best quality product possible. We are delighted and honoured to be stocking Uaine Candles. An authentic Australian brand forging the path of change for safety and quality. We are indebted to Andrew for sharing his time and passion and offer our most sincere thanks and appreciation, @uainecandles.
For those who didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Andrew, here are his top tips, less the charismatic banter and dad jokes…
Paraffin is a cheap wax option used in many commercial candle brands. It has a high melting point that burns hot with a black sooty smoke and residue which, according to testing authorities around the world, is known to contain a number of toxins and carcinogens. The heat produced during burning for as little as two hours is enough to cause the wax to overheat and for the glassware to “explode”, posing both a risk of injury and fire hazard.
Check the label. If it’s not 100% soy, it is likely to contain paraffin and other unsafe additives. Other tell-tale signs include the wax being very hot during burning, the container becoming too hot to touch and a black sooty residue around the inside of the jar after burning.
Pure soy wax candles on the other hand have a low melting point. The wax does not get excessively hot during burning, in fact you can safely dip your finger in the melted wax and rub it into your skin for a lingering fragrant moisturiser. The jar containing the soy should not get too hot to touch or pose a burn risk.
Pure Soy wax does not burn with a sooty reside, there are no fillers, additives or toxins. Soy is water soluble and biodegradable, the container of your candle remains clean all the way to the end of the burn and can be easily washed out and re-purposed when you’ve finished enjoying the candle.
Beautiful + Clean + Safer + Healthier. Uaine 100% pure soy wax candles are available at The NATIVES Co. in-store Bondi Beach and online.
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