With fall fast approaching, we'd have our eyes on some new candles anyhow. But with all of this extra time we're spending at home, we want our spaces to be as cozy as possible. So we’re looking to these four St. Louis–based, women-owned candle companies for some relaxing, non-toxic scents.
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Courtesy of Little Lemon Candles
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Courtesy of Little Lemon Candles
Little Lemon Candles: Kayla Schneider just celebrated the one year anniversary of her company. While pregnant with her son, Schneider’s husband bought her a bunch of candles for Christmas, and she began getting terrible migraines. She later discovered that most candles contain paraffin and phthalates to last longer, but these chemicals can be harmful. “I decided that my addiction to candles was not something I was going to give up, so I set out on a mission of making candles with natural ingredients approved by me,” Schneider says. Now her company’s most popular scents include Eucalyptus & Lavender “Girl, you need to relax” and Beach Juniper & Teakwood “I’d rather be on the beach right now.” Her newest scent is Fresh Gardenia “Um... can I please unsubscribe from 2020”. Next, she will release The Office –themed candles. From now until August, 10 percent of the brand’s sales will be donated to Dream Builders 4 Equity. Candles are $20.
Courtesy of Virago Candle
Courtesy of Virago Candle
Tyra Dizon-Clark, owner of Virago Candle Studio
Virago Candle Studio: Tyra Dizon-Clark has been making candles for a little over a year and launched her brand this past April. “I've always loved candles,” she says. “They've always been a form of stability throughout my life.” The epiphany: Dizon-Clark’s wife told her that because she loved buying candles so much that she should try making them as a hobby. “From that first pour, I fell in love!” The candles are made from a soy wax blend, phthalate-free fragrance, and wooden wicks; the jars are made from blown glass and can be reused. Her brand’s most popular scents are Cactus Flower & Jade and the Gooey Butter Cake. Currently, $1 for every Loud + Proud candle sold is donated to PROMO Missouri. “As a queer woman of color, I felt that it was really important to offer a way to celebrate Pride this summer while also being able to donate to an organization that works so hard to advocate for equality for the LGBTQ+ community in Missouri,” Dizon-Clark says. Candles are $26 for the 8 oz. single wick candles and $42 for the 16 oz. double wick candles that will launch soon.
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Courtesy of Kin + More
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Courtesy of Kin + More
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Courtesy of Kin + More
Kin + More: Sisters Beth and Julie Kinamore just celebrated a year of operating their candle company. It all started when they took a candle making class with their mom. Now they operate the brand out of their father’s former dental lab, which they nicknamed "The Factory." Their candles are made of natural coconut and soy wax, which the sisters explain is an ideal blend that produces a thorough (no tunneling) and clean burn (minimal soot). The candles are 100 percent American-made and the sisters work with local St. Louis businesses on the fragrance oil, glass printing, and graphic design elements. They just launched the GardenMORE Collection which includes a Lavender + Chamomile candle and a Cucumber, Mint + Basil candle. They’ll launch a CelebrateMORE collection this upcoming holiday season. Candles are $29 each or $55 for the current GardenMORE Duo. Kin + More’s candles can also be found at The Gifted Gardener, in Brentwood.
Photography by Jennifer Silverberg
Glow Candle Co.: A love for travel inspired Natalie Van Hee to launch her own candle company, in 2015. “I was finding myself either bringing home candles that reminded me of places we had visited or searching online to find them upon arriving home,” she says. “Smelling a good candle always transported me back to somewhere we had been. I think we all need something that can take us someplace right now.” Her candles are made with soy wax. The Lemon and Lavender scent is always a best seller. Other popular scents include Arugula, Pacific, and Mediterranian Fig. The Sun & Sea Salt is popular right now, but come fall, The Saint Nic (with notes of pine, fir, and balsam) will surely steal the spotlight. All candles have a 70-hour burn time and are made with natural, eco-friendly soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks. The candles are $30 and can be purchased on the website as well as the following stores: all Straub's locations, Ginger Bay, the Four Seasons Spa, The Rusted Chandelier, Union Studio, Ivy Hill, Mary Tuttles, and Mister Guy Women.
