FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our small 7.5 oz soy candles burn up to 40-60 hours.* Our large 12.5oz soy candles will burn up to 60-80 hours.* *Proper wick trimming will help maximize the candles burn time. Some environmental circumstances, like but not limited to, weather and air ventilation, may play a factor.

Place wax melt cubes into your warmer then turn it on, or light a tea light underneath (depending on your warmer type). The soy wax will begin to melt, releasing the fragrance into the air. To remove or change scents*, turn off the wax warmer and allow the wax to harden. Once solid, you can easily remove the wax from the dish​. *It is recommended to remove all used wax prior to adding new scented wax into the warmer to avoid diluting the wax. (Avoid simply adding more cubes to wax that is no longer scented.)

For both my soy candles and my wax melts, I use 100% premium soy wax.* The oils used are premium paraffin-free and paraben-free fragrance oils. *Note: if you ever see a product that says "Blend," it may mean that the wax has been blended with paraffin wax which is what we want to avoid when it comes to headaches. Both the wax and the fragrance oils can contribute to migraines when burning candles. Therefore opting for a natural wax and premium, "clean" fragrance oils, will help to avoid those nasty migraines cause by harsh chemicals.

Soy candles are made from the oil of soybeans, which makes them a natural, renewable wax. Paraffin, on the other hand, comes from petroleum, the same stuff used to make gasoline. Because of that difference, soy burns slower and cooler. A great way to picture it, is like a natural campfire versus putting lighter fluid onto the fire. One gives you a steady, controlled burn. The other flares up fast and disappears just as quickly (paraffin). Soy also has a lower melting point, which means the wax melts evenly across the surface instead of drilling a sad little hole down the middle. That helps prevent tunneling, reduces wasted wax, and gives you a candle that actually lasts as long as it should.

To maximize the amount of time you have with your candle, I recommend you trim the wick before every burn (except the first one since I trim your wick for you). Then allow your candle to burn for about 3 to 4 hours or until you get a full melt pool (about 1/2" to 1" deep of melted wax.) When store your candles for a period of time, keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Soy candles have a long shelf life, but they are meant to enjoy... so enjoy them!

Soy candles are generally a better option for those with allergies due to the fact that the candles burn "cleaner." Soy candles produce less soot (every flame produces a little) and fewer pollutants compared to paraffin candles. If you are sensitive to a specific scent or note, always check the fragrance notes listed on each of the product pages.

Yes, soy candles and wax melts are generally safer for pets compared to paraffin products since they burn cleaner with the natural wax and produce fewer toxins. However, please do keep your candles and wax melts out of direct reach to prevent accidents and always follow your vets recommendations if your pet has any extra special attention they need.

Absolutely! As long as the order has not been packed up, I can add items to your order to avoid you needing to place a second order and/or pay for shipping.* Please reach out through the Contact Us page with the items and quantities you'd like to add. I can update your order for you. *Note: It's best to avoid placing two orders, but if you do, I can credit back a portion of the shipping for the second order.

First, because I live in Florida, I chose to work with a soy wax that withstands warmer temperatures. With that said, during the summer months, keep an eye on the tracking info I provide with every order. Orders usually arrive within 3-5 business days of being placed. During the summer months, I only ship Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to avoid weekend delays as well.

I typically pack orders the same day during my TikTok Live at 8:00 PM CST and ship them out the next day. Most orders go out via priority mail, arriving within 2-3 business days. Generally, expect delivery within 3-5 days.

I don't offer "special gift wrapping", but my packaging is already cute, I promise! If you're ordering for someone special, leave a comment on your order with their name and a message for them. I'll hand-write it and include it with the order so they know who it's from!

I have a loyalty points-based system called IA Rewards! From the moment you sign up, you'll start earning IA Points for various actions, including placing orders or particpating on the website blog posts or activities. You can redeem these points for discounts on future purchases. For more details, check out our IA Rewards page.(https://www.illuminateapothecary.com/rewards)

Unfortunately, I don't offer international shipping at this time. The boxes get quite heavy with candles, resulting in very high shipping fees.

In the very rare event that you receive a damaged product, contact me immediately with a photo of the damage. I'll resolve the issue for you. I do pack my orders very carefully, so it's uncommon for breaks to occur but if they do, don't be afraid to reach out. Please note that I can't credit back damaged products after 14 days.

For wholesale inquiries, please reach out to me via my contact form. I'd love to work with you!

While I do not create custom fragrances, I am happy to customize labels for your special occasions or bulk purchases. Here’s how it works: • Wholesale Orders: Perfect for retailers looking to stock our products. (Minimum order requirements apply.) • Event Candles: Ideal for weddings, corporate events, memorials, bridal shower, or any special occasion. Choose from our signature scents or a fragrance from our current collection, and we'll create a custom label to match your event's theme. (Minimum order requirements apply.) If you're interested in placing a custom label order for an event or wholesale purchase, please reach out via my contact page.(https://www.illuminateapothecary.com/contact) I'll be delighted to help you add a touch of elegance and warmth to your event or store!

Yes, I left my corporate job in 2021 after 7 years. It was the best decision ever! Ask me about it on my lives for the full story!

I usually go live at 8 PM CST for order packing, so if you place an order, chances are, I will be on that evening to pack it up live - Tune in early! I also do production lives, but less frequently now. For notifications on these, follow my Discord channel. Normally they are either 10:30 AM CST or 4:00 PM CST.

You can find them at Smiirl.com.(https://www.smiirl.com)

I appreciate your interest in my process and while I do help support new small businesses with general information, some information I've earned the right to keep to myself! Over the past three years, I've dedicated countless hours to researching and sourcing the best materials for Illuminate Apothecary. While I could share this information, it would not be great business practice to do so as it is proprietary to my business. I encourage you to dive into your own research and find what works best for your unique creations. Happy crafting!

At the moment, I am not in need of moderators for my TikTok lives. Over the past year, TikTok traffic has slowed down, resulting in less random traffic during our sessions. Our community is incredibly loving and supportive, and we rarely encounter issues. For now, I encourage everyone to relax and enjoy the live streams. I truly appreciate your interest in helping me and Illuminate Apothecary grow. Thank you for your support!