Frequently Asked Questions

ConniesCompulsivelyRecovering was created to build an honest, vulnerable, and compassionate space that shows others what recovery from compulsive food behaviors, disordered eating, trauma, and addiction looks like. It strives to be a place of healing, acceptance, and authenticity.

The mission of this blog is to remove shame by bravely sharing real, unfiltered experiences — the victories, the setbacks, and the in-between moments that often go unseen. Recovery is not linear, and it is not meant to be walked alone or kept in silence.

Through vulnerability, reflection, and insight, the blog aims to spark hope in those who feel isolated in their struggles. It serves as both a personal journal and a community builder. It reminds readers that healing is possible, growth is ongoing, and progress — no matter how small — is worthy of acknowledgment.

Above all, the blog exists to say: you are not broken, I see you, and together, we can do what we could never do alone.

The Compulsive Candle Co. was created to transform my inner dark turmoil into forgiving, abundant light that nurtures instead of consumes.

My mission is to create intentional, high-quality candles that serve as reminders of hope, self-compassion, and personal growth. Each scent is thoughtfully chosen and designed to reflect themes of recovery, resilience, and emotional healing.

Everyday rituals — like lighting a candle — can become a grounding moment of reflection and restoration. A candle can mark a new beginning, a day of progress, a hard conversation survived, or simply a quiet moment of peace.

The Compulsive Candle Co. exists not just to sell candles, but to create meaningful products that align with a deeper purpose: reducing shame, encouraging courage, and honoring the ongoing journey of recovery.

Reaching out is simple! Submit your contact information through the Contact page.

Deciding when to reach out is entirely up to you, but whenever you choose to do so, I will respond within 48 hours.

I take every inquiry very seriously and will do my best to get back to you sooner rather than later. Life will be life sometimes, and that may delay my response, but please know that your inquiry is extremely important to me! You will not be ignored!

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Proper candle care isn’t just for safety but to ensure a clean, long-lasting, and fragrant burn.

For Candles:

• Trim your wick to 1/4 inch before each burn, except the first.

• Allow the wax to melt fully to the edges of the jar during the first burn (this helps prevent tunneling).

• Do not burn longer than 3 - 4 hours at a time. If the melt pool does not reach its full size before the 4 hours, that’s okay. Always stop burning at 4 hours.

• Keep away from drafts, fans, and anything flammable.

• Always keep candles in eyesight and away from the reach of children or pets.

• Do not leave candles burning unattended.

• Stop burning when about 1/4 inch of wax remains at the bottom of the jar.

For Wax Melts:

• Use 1 - 2 cubes at a time, depending on your warmer size.

• Only use in an approved wax warmer.

• Do not add water, oil, or other additives.

• Allow the wax to cool fully before removing or replacing the fragrance. Pro Tip - If you want to change the wax quickly, place the warmer or the warmer cup in the freezer to cool the wax quickly and remove it from the warmer more easily.

Taking care of your candle or wax melt isn’t just about safety - it helps you get the most out of each intentional moment it was created for!

Tunneling happens when a candle isn’t allowed to melt fully across the top during the first few burns. Wax has “memory,” so if it only melts partially, it will continue to burn down the center instead of evenly across.

To prevent tunneling:

• Allow your first burn to create a full melt pool (wax melted to the edges of the jar).

• Burn for 2–4 hours, depending on the size of your candle.

• Avoid placing your candle near drafts or fans.

If your candle has already tunneled, don’t worry — it can often be fixed by allowing a longer burn time to help even out the wax.

*The Signature 8-oz and 3-oz candles will have a very slight tunnel for the first 1-3 burns (when burned in 4-hour increments). This is normal and has been tested several times. Continue to burn the candle in 4-hour increments, and the melt pool will even itself out.

Soot, mushrooming (a carbon buildup on the wick that looks like a mushroom), or a high flame usually happens when the wick is too long or hasn’t been trimmed properly.

To prevent this:

• Trim your wick to ¼ inch before every burn, except the first.

• Keep your candle away from drafts, vents, and fans.

• Avoid burning longer than 4 hours at a time.

If you notice a high flame, extinguish the candle, allow it to cool, trim the wick, and relight.

A properly trimmed wick helps ensure a clean, safe, and even burn.

*The Signature 8-oz candles tend to need less trimming as the wax melts down. The first 1-5 burns will require trimming, especially to keep soot from collecting on the jar. Once the wax is halfway gone, the wicks naturally stay around ¼ of an inch between burns. Use your discretion when trimming.

My candles are thoughtfully formulated using a premium wax blend and high-quality, phthalate-free fragrance oils. When burned responsibly and in a well-ventilated space, they are designed to provide a clean, steady burn you can enjoy regularly.

*We always recommend trimming your wick and following proper candle care guidelines to ensure the best experience.

My Signature 8oz candles are made of a paraffin-dominant and soy wax blend. The paraffin ensures the candle will give off a strong scent throw*, and the soy makes the candle burn longer while reducing the negative side effects of fully paraffin candles.

My Signature 3oz Mini candles are made of the same wax blend as the 8oz candles.

Some of my Limited-Edition 3oz Mini candles are made with a soy-dominant and paraffin wax blend. This blend performs better with certain fragrances than others.

I mainly use the paraffin-dominant blend because it outperforms the all-natural alternatives* in various ways, such as producing the strongest scent throws throughout the entire life of the candle and maintaining a long candle lifespan. Both wax blends were tested thoroughly to ensure optimal scent throws and longevity.

*Scent Throw is the scent a candle gives off when it is or is not burning.

*I plan on testing all-natural wax blends in the future to offer customers a completely paraffin-free alternative!

My melts are made with an all-natural soy, coconut, and sunflower wax blend. This blend has been proven to create solid, easily breakable wax melts. This is important because we want the wax melt to maintain a solid texture when handling, but also be able to break out of the clamshell without sticking to it.

Because this wax blend is all-natural, it can sometimes produce a reaction called frosting - a bubbling or crystallization on the surface of the wax after it’s been melted. This is a completely natural reaction and does not impact the fragrance or longevity of the melts.

My full-size wax melts are standard, 3oz 6-cube clamshells.

After months of research, I chose fragrance oils that are known for their clean, high-quality, phthalate-free qualities that perform well across all wax types. Every fragrance oil is extensively tested in my own home, where a cat and other humans live, so these fragrances are trusted and safe* for animals to be around! Each scent was thoughtfully chosen to ensure beautiful and balanced cold and hot throws while supporting the atmosphere each candle/wax melt is meant to create.

*By safe, I mean it’s okay that the fragrance oils are smelled directly from the bottle or after they’ve been blended with wax. Fragrance oils or any type of wax cured with fragrance oils are NOT safe to ingest.

These candles and melts are formulated to have a medium-strong, room-filling scent when used in appropriately sized spaces. When testing the candles and melts, I placed them in different-sized rooms to gauge their strength –

• The Signature 8oz candles are strong enough to fill up to a large high-ceiling living room and a connected kitchen.

• The smaller, 3oz mini candles are strong enough to easily fill a large bathroom and up to a medium-large bedroom.

• The wax melts have a very strong cold throw but a subtler hot throw. When placed in the front foyer of my house, the melts give a medium to strong scent in that area after being fully melted.

Scent strength may vary depending on room size, ceiling height, airflow, candle maintenance, fragrance choice, and individual scent sensitivity, but each product is thoroughly tested to ensure a consistent, non-overpowering, and enjoyable scent experience.

Yes! Every single candle and wax melt is hand-poured in small batches with intention, patience, and care. Smaller batches ensure attention to detail, consistency, and fewer discrepancies.

The Compulsive Candle Co. is built on the belief that healing happens in small, mindful moments — and that same mindfulness is woven into every step of the process. From blending fragrances to placing that final label on the shipment, each product is crafted with purpose and love.

The Signature 8oz tumblers are crafted from thick, high-quality glass featuring an electroplated gold interior and a matte cranberry exterior for a rich, elevated finish. Each candle is topped with a coordinating gold-colored metal lid. The substantial glass construction helps minimize exterior heat, so the vessel remains comfortable to the touch even after several hours of burning.

The 3oz Mini Candles are poured into rose gold, high-quality aluminum tins that are both lightweight and durable — perfect for travel or smaller spaces. Due to their compact size and metal composition, these tins do become hot to the touch after approximately one hour of burning, and is recommended to handle with care.

The 6-cube wax melt clamshells are made from thick, premium BPA-free plastic designed to withstand the higher temperatures associated with wax melting, while maintaining durability and product integrity.

The Signature 8oz candles have a tested burn time of 40–50 hours when proper candle care is followed.

The Signature and Limited-Edition 3oz Mini candles have a whopping 18–22 hour burn time with proper candle etiquette maintained.

A single cube of wax melt provides approximately 8–15 hours of fragrance, depending on the warmer and room conditions. Wax melts are simple to enjoy and require minimal maintenance compared to traditional candles.

For best results and maximum longevity, it is recommended to trim the wick(s) before each burn and allow the wax pool to fully melt* across the surface during the first use.

*Both the 8oz and 3oz candles tend to “tunnel” the first 2-3 burns, which means the melt pool does not reach the edges of the container. During testing, the melt pool stayed large enough through the first 3 burns that eventually, the candle reached a full melt-pool for the remainder of the candle's lifespan. Everything within the container does, in fact, melt down! Do not fret if the candle does not reach a full melt pool the first 3 times the candles are lit - it will eventually get there!

A single candle or wax melt, regardless of size, takes 2 and a half weeks to make. Mixing fragrances and pouring wax happen on the same day, but candles and melts take 2 weeks to fully cure. This curing period ensures the products burn/melt properly and give off the strongest cold and hot throws (fragrance).

Choosing a fragrance online without a chance to smell it first can feel pretty intimidating! Fragrances can be deeply personal – and deeply emotional – that’s why each scent is thoughtfully described with detailed fragrance notes and the mood or atmosphere it’s designed to create.

If you’re unsure where to start, I recommend choosing based on how you want to feel or what you may be needing in this season of your life. Rather than focusing only on specific scent notes or what sounds “good,” I encourage you to ask yourself which candle description sounds like it’s speaking directly to you and your needs.

Whether you’re looking for something calming, uplifting, sweetening, or confidence-boosting, the scent descriptions are designed to guide you toward the right experience.

If you're still unsure or don’t want to commit to a full-size candle, the mini candles, wax melts, or sample pack options are a beautiful way to explore at your own pace.

If you ever need help deciding, feel free to reach out – I am always happy to guide you!

As a business owner, my customers’ satisfaction is very important to me! With that said, I am also extremely grateful for every purchase and want to say thank you in the ways I can, without compromising my business.

Every order comes with at least 2 free wax melt samples!

Orders over $50 will receive 1 free Signature or Limited-Edition 3-oz mini candle or (1) 3-oz 6-cube wax melt clamshell (scent of your choosing) in addition to the 2 free wax melt samples.

Orders over $75 get to enjoy free shipping as well as receive 1 free Signature or Limited-Edition 3-oz mini candle or (1) 3-oz 6-cube wax melt clamshell (scent of your choosing) in addition to 3 free wax melt samples.

* The Limited-Edition products are first-come, first-served. If the fragrance you choose is no longer available at checkout, the system will prompt you to choose a different one.

Yes! I am happy to offer bulk and event ordering for special occasions, important milestones, corporate gifts, recovery celebrations, and much more.

*Candles and wax melts take 2 weeks to cure. Please reach out to discuss the details at least 3 - 4 weeks before the candles or wax melts need to be ready and to account for shipping times. Depending on the number of items needed, fragrance choices, or candle size, a deposit may be required.

Yes, to an extent!

If there is a Limited-Edition scent that has gone out of stock or a specific scent I don’t already have in stock that you’d like to have created in a wax melt or candle, please contact me! I would be happy to create a personalized product for you.

I do not offer different jar sizes at this time due to the testing required to ensure a different container and wax system is compatible. As my product offerings expand, I will have more customization options to choose from.

*Personalized products will incur a $15 fee in addition to the product cost due to the specialized ordering of supplies to create the desired items. If a large order of personalized products is desired, a deposit and larger personalization fee will need to be determined based on the extent of the order.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your order weight, location, and selected shipping method.

I always aim to provide fair and accurate shipping rates while ensuring your order is carefully packaged and protected during transit. If enough orders are placed, I hope to switch to flat-rate shipping in the future!

In-stock items are typically processed and shipped within 2–3 business days. Once shipped, most domestic orders arrive within 3–7 business days, depending on your location and carrier timelines. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as your order is on its way.

*Because these candles and wax melts are hand-poured in small batches and require a two-week curing period for peak fragrance performance, restock timing may occasionally extend processing. If an item needs to be freshly poured, please allow up to 2–3 weeks before shipment so your candle or wax melt has time to properly cure and perform as intended. If a fresh-pour is needed, I will always communicate that and ensure your candle arrives fully cured and ready to create the atmosphere it was designed for.

I believe quality is worth the wait, and I will always communicate clearly if extended processing times apply.

Local pickup is not available at this time. All orders are currently shipped directly to you to ensure a smooth and secure experience for both my customers and my small business.

As The Compulsive Candle Co. continues to grow, I hope to offer a dedicated local pickup option in the future. Thank you for understanding and supporting a small, home-based business!

Due to the nature of these products, I do not accept returns on used candles or wax melts. If the candle or wax melt is defective (doesn’t light, doesn’t have a scent, isn’t melting properly, etc.), please contact me with an explanation, pictures, and your order number within 14 days of your delivery to work out an exchange.

I do not offer returns based on scent preference, as fragrance perception varies from person to person. I am willing to exchange an unused candle or wax melt if you do not like the cold throw (scent before lighting/melting). Please contact me with an explanation and your order number within 14 days of your delivery to work out an exchange.

If your order arrives damaged, please contact me within 14 days of delivery with your order number and clear photos of the item and packaging to work out an exchange or return.

*Because fragrance is a personal and subjective experience, I encourage customers to review scent descriptions carefully or try the mini candles/wax melts or sample options before committing to a full-size product.

*Refunds of any kind will not be processed until the product being returned is in my possession. Thank you for understanding!

I am committed to your satisfaction and will always do my best to ensure you have a positive experience with The Compulsive Candle Co.!

If your order arrives damaged, please contact me within 14 days of delivery with your order number and clear photos of the item and packaging to work out an exchange or return.

See the question above about the return policy for more details.

Absolutely! This part of owning a business is so exciting and something I look forward to!

In addition to the core collection, I’ll be releasing special themed collections throughout the year that celebrate identity, growth, and meaningful moments. I can’t share all the details yet, but trust me… they’re going to be special. Be sure to stay connected so you don’t miss what’s coming next!