In today’s article I’m sharing my Caftari Candles review, plus I chatted with Caftari founder Shreya Aggarwal. These are science-backed intentional candles developed with consulting doctors and neuroscientists. Both of their debut candles Elixir and Dolce spotlight a hero essential oil that is designed to modulate a specific brainwave, which are actually etched onto the vessel. Caftari also gives back with a portion of the brand’s sales donated to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).

Caftari’s non-toxic candles feature not just scents but neuroscents. It’s the intersection of scent and science where formulas aren’t just designed to smell good but also support stress relief, joyfulness and energy. In terms of their composition, the scent is 100% clean and free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates with a high percentage of natural essential oils that total 10ml per candle. The wax is a 100% natural blend of soy wax and coconut wax with no petrochemicals or petroleum byproducts.

As for their commitment to sustainability, the candles are packaged in 100% recycled materials and their ceramic vessels are made in an eco-friendly warehouse.

Cafari’s Elixir Candle is a bergamot, mandarin and tea accord scent that’s designed to release endorphins. They’re associated with Gamma brainwaves, which are emitted when we are in a heightened state of awareness. A pattern of these brainwaves is etched all around the candle to remind you of what’s going on internally. The chic ceramic vessels are matte and coming in pastel shades that add a bit of color to the home and are so calming to look at. The candle throw is on the lighter end, which makes it perfect for those who are sensitive to synthetic or strong scents.

Founder Shreya Aggarwal Tells All

Caftari Candles founder Shreya Aggarwal chatted with us to share more about the brand with OBL readers. Get to know more about her journey into candlemaking and what sets Caftari apart!

Q: What inspired you to start a candle brand?

Shreya: I view Caftari as a wellness brand first, candle brand second. I have always been obsessed with fragrance for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t until 2022 where I went through mental health issues where I started to view fragrance as more than just an indulgence, but rather as a powerful tool to utilize to improve our wellbeing. I chose candles because I wanted people to get into a routine when the burn it, and it’s more accessible than personal fragrance, more giftable than reed diffusers / essential oils etc.

Q: How was the process of getting the brand off the ground and were there any major hurdles?

Shreya: The process was definitely very challenging! As someone who had no prior experience running a business there were a lot of things I had to learn on the go. The biggest hurdle so far was manufacturing and understanding the global supply chain. We are still seeing the effects of the pandemic on the supply chain and so it was difficult to navigate that.

Q: The brainwave modulation aspect is so intriguing! Tell us more about this.

Shreya: When creating the brand, I wanted to focus the messaging and design on science, so we chose to engrave the brainwaves on each candle. The brainwave is linked to the mood that the candle is supposed to elicit. For example, when you are energized you are highly alert, where gamma brainwaves are the most dominant. When you are relaxed, theta brainwaves are the most dominant, etc.

Q: Tell us more about the scent journey of the 2 fragrances you developed and how they came to be.

Shreya: The scent journey started with fragrance ideation. After careful research, we consulted a Columbia educated neurologist to help us decide on the hero essential oil being featured in each blend. For fragrance creation, we ship off the brief to Grasse, France to a fragrance house where our proprietary blend is made. Once the proprietary blend is  made, we perform our own consumer testing to validate the efficacy of the formulas.

Q: Where do you see the candle industry headed in the future?

Shreya: I see the candle industry moving away from paraffin wax and going towards more sustainable choices. I also see people using it more as a relaxation tool than as a decorative piece.

Q: Which is your favorite Caftari scent? And can you tell us about any upcoming scents that might be in the works?

Shreya: My favorite scent is Scent of Nirvana, slated to launch in February of this year. It is a majestic woody and smoky scent profile.

Check out: 24 Best Non-Toxic Candles

Andrea

Andrea is a clean beauty expert from Los Angeles, California with 10 years of experience in natural skincare and organic living. She writes for Organic Beauty Lover using her expertise to guide readers in choosing the best clean products. Andrea graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 and has worked at multiple skincare companies, big and small. Connect with her @organicbeautylover.