Michel Design Works Candles

Your Complete Buying Guide for Michel Design Works Candles

Michel Design Works is known for its beautifully fragrant and artfully designed candles that can enhance any space. With a wide variety of scents and styles to choose from, it can be tricky to select the perfect candle for your needs. This comprehensive buying guide covers everything you need to know about Michel Design Works candles to help you find your new favorite.

Overview of Michel Design Works Candles

Michel Design Works was founded by candle artisan Michael Kittredge in 1990. Based in Massachusetts, the company aims to create candles that are not just beautiful but also environmentally friendly.

Michel Design Works offers candles in a range of styles including tumblers, jars, tins, and pillars. The candles come in a variety of sizes perfect for any room. From small 3 ounce tins to giant 3-wick jars, you can find the right candle for your space.

The candles are hand-poured using high quality soy wax sourced from American growers. Soy wax is a renewable and sustainable resource that burns cleaner than paraffin wax. Michel Design Works uses cotton, wood, and tin wicks to ensure an even, long burn.

The hallmark of Michel Design Works candles is the gorgeous fragrances and stunning packaging designs. Each candle has been specially crafted to provide an exceptional scent experience and enhance home decor. Many candles come in beautiful reusable glass jars or vintage-inspired tins.

Michel Design Works Candle Scents

With over 100 signature fragrances, Michel Design Works offers scents for every preference. Choose from fresh and floral, fruity and sweet, herbal and earthy, spicy and savory, or woodsy and aromatic scents. Popular options include:

• Lemon Verbena: Bright citrus and herbaceous verbena notes
• Fresh Cut Roses: Realistic rose aroma with dewy greens and stems
• Basil Lemongrass: Herbaceous blend with earthy basil and bright lemongrass
• Pumpkin Chai: Warming blend of pumpkin, spices, vanilla, and tea
• Cedarwood & Tobacco: Rich woodsy aroma with musky tobacco
• Ocean Mist: Cool aquatic blend with ocean breeze and seaside florals

The company also offers limited-edition seasonal scents for holidays and times of year. Scents like Frasier Fir, Cookie Dough, and Hot Cocoa are only available for a short window during the appropriate season.

Burn Time and Materials

Michel Design Works uses quality materials to ensure a long, even burn time. Most of their candles provide 45 to 60 hours of burn time. However, the burn time can vary based on the candle size and materials:

• Tumblers: Up to 30 hours
• Jars: 45 to 60 hours
• 3-Wick Jars: 50 to 80 hours
• Tins: 20 to 40 hours
• Pillars: Up to 40 hours

The company uses 100% cotton wicks in their jar and pillar candles. These provide excellent wax absorption for a complete burn. Wooden and tin wicks are used for the tumbler and tin candles. Wood and tin have slower capillary action, resulting in a controlled pool of melted wax.

Eco-Friendly and Natural Ingredients

All Michel Design Works candles are made using eco-friendly materials and processes. The soy wax is completely biodegradable and free of pollutants. It’s sourced from American soybean farmers. No paraffin, parabens, or phthalates are used in production.

Many candles are scented exclusively with pure essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances. This provides a more natural, authentic aroma. The candles use vegetable-based dyes when color is desired.

Michel Design Works also utilizes renewable resources for wicks and vessels. The cotton, wood, and tin wicks are sustainable and reusable. Most packaging is crafted from recyclable glass, tin, and cardboard.

Gift-Worthy Presentation

Beyond the fragrance, Michel Design Works candles make fantastic gifts because of their stunning presentation. The candles come nestled inside gorgeous packaging including:

• Reusable glass jars, tumblers, and tins
• Vintage-inspired boxes and labels
• Printed sleeves and paper wraps
• Organza bags and ribbon

The packaging can be customized for weddings, birthdays, holidays, and more. Many designs are embellished with beautiful artwork, patterns, and foiling. Popular jar and tin styles mimic antique mercury glass or elegant brushed metals.

Sizes and Availability

Michel Design Works offers candles ranging in size from tiny 2 ounce tins to giant 34 ounce 3-wick jars. This allows you to find the perfect candle for your space. Some of the most common sizes include:

• Large 3-wick jars: 22 to 34 oz, 50 to 80 hour burn time
• Standard jars: 10 to 16 oz, 45 to 60 hour burn time
• Tumblers: 8 to 13 oz, up to 30 hour burn time
• Tins: 2 to 10 oz, 20 to 40 hour burn time
• Pillars: 4 oz and 6 oz sizes, up to 40 hour burn time

Michel Design Works candles can be purchased directly online through their website as well as retailers like Amazon, Target, Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie, and more. Many home decor and specialty shops also carry the brand.

Reviews and Ratings

Michel Design Works candles are consistently top-rated for their exquisite scents, excellent burn quality, and beautiful packaging. Here are some highlights from buyer reviews:

• Nearly 2,000 global ratings on Amazon with a 4.6 out of 5 star average
• Reviews praise the strength of scent, unique fragrance blends, and gift-worthy packaging
• Customers say the candles have excellent throw and evenly pooled wax burning
• Most reviews mention receiving compliments and questions about where the candles are from
• Multiple reviews say these are the best scented candles they’ve purchased

The few critical reviews mention issues with soot build up or fragrances being too strong. However, the vast majority of buyers are extremely satisfied with the candles.

Price and Value

Michel Design Works candles range from $$ to $$$ in price. Exact costs vary by size, fragrance, and packaging. Some examples include:

• 2 oz tins: $5 to $10
• 8 oz tumblers: $15 to $25
• 10 to 16 oz jars: $20 to $30
• 22 to 34 oz jars: $30 to $50
• Gift sets with multiples candles: $30 to $80

Customers feel the candles are well worth the price given the quality of materials, scent strength, burn time, and presentation. Many mention the candles make affordable yet impressive gifts. The company also frequently offers sales around the holidays.

Strong Fragrance and Scent Longevity

One of the stand-out features of Michel Design Works candles is the intense, realistic fragrance. The candles use a high percentage of pure essential oils and fragrances.

Reviewers often mention being impressed with the strong scent immediately after lighting the candle. They also say the scent has excellent throw, filling up their whole room.

Most report the aroma lasting for weeks or months of burn time. The soy wax fully absorbs the oils and continues releasing the fragrance as it melts. Many say the scent lingers in the air even after blowing the candle out.

Choosing the Perfect Scent

With hundreds of scent options, choosing your favorite Michel Design Works candle can be overwhelming. Here are some tips for picking the perfect fragrance:

• Consider the space – Choose an invigorating citrus scent for a kitchen or ocean breeze for a bathroom. Go for woodsy aromas in a living room.
• Match the season – Try bright florals in spring or pumpkins and spices in autumn. Evergreen and pine are perfect for winter.
• Complement activities – Pick relaxing lavender or vanilla for a yoga space. Opt for energizing mint or rosemary for a home office.
• Sample first – Smell the candles in person whenever possible. Online descriptions aren’t always accurate.
• Burn candles before gifting to test the throw. You want to make sure the recipient will enjoy the scent.
• Don’t overlook classics like vanilla, lavender, citrus and pine. These tend to have universal appeal.

Safety Tips for Michel Design Works Candles

While meant to be enjoyed, candles should always be used with care. Here are some tips for safely using your Michel Design Works candles:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles before leaving a room.
• Place candles on a stable, heat-safe surface away from drafts. Avoid surfaces like wood that could scorch.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets who could knock them over.
• Keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, books, and dried flowers.
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess soot and smoking.
• Allow melted wax to fully solidify before moving or relighting a candle.
• Always use the recommended candle holder or base. Don’t burn a candle directly on a table or shelf.
• Extinguish pillar and tumbler candles when wax gets within 1⁄2 inch of the holder.

By following basic safety precautions, you can enjoy the entrancing scents and warm glow of Michel Design Works candles.

In Conclusion

Michel Design Works offers a stunning selection of fragrant, eco-friendly, and gorgeously designed soy candles. With a variety of scents, sizes, and packaging, you can find the perfect candle for gifting or decorating your home. Follow this buying guide when selecting your next Michel Design Works candle to ensure you discover your new favorite scent.