Candles are an excellent way to turn a bland environment into a sexy and romantic one. Many fragrances are designed to evoke different emotions, and they work quite well at doing so. Scent is a powerful thing and has the power to make someone feel sexy, turned on, or calm. But can certain scents really act as an aphrodisiac?

Just like foods can boost sexual desire to men and women, scent can as well. Many perfumes and fragranced body products are designed to do just that very thing. Candle fragrances can act similarly if their scent is potent enough.

Chocolate candle scents are known to be one of the most powerful fragrances. Studies suggest that smelling chocolate alone can increase sexual desire and boost your overall mood. You get all of the benefits of a dark chocolate bar – but none of the calories or fat! How amazing is that for candle and chocolate lovers? Chocolate is also a delicious scent that may trigger your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife to say “Yum what do we have here?”

Another fragrance would be strawberry or exotic scents. Strawberry is particularly interesting because it can go one way or the other. For some people it makes them happy and giddy, but others become quite aroused at the smell of delicious strawberries. Passionflower scents are also great for summertime, and may make you feel more aroused and attracted to your spouse. These are a simple yet sneaky way to create an alluring environment without taking a pill or using food to act as a mood booster.

Exotic scents are likely one of the most sensual. Deep amber, bergamot, and “spicy” things tend to make people feel more sexy and sensual. Many perfumes do this as well, but a candle can emanate through the entire home, making each room fill your head with a beautiful rich scent. This causes a spark in your brain, which tells your body to respond by acting a certain way.

The best part is that soy candles hold their scent quite well. Since many soy based votives and jar candles tend to use natural fragrances, the overall effect is higher than with an inferior candle variety. If you want to boost your mood and create an aphrodisiac for sensual moments then these are highly recommended for your bedroom or bathroom – or anywhere else for that matter.

One area of concern for many consumers however, is the variance in quality between different candles.  Candle lovers quickly notice that some candles retain their scent until they are finished burning, while others fade quickly.  In this situation, the quality and recipe of ingredients is the determining factor with candles.  The cliché, you get what you pay for, has some validity in the candle market.  All standard, scented candles are made with the basic ingredients of paraffin wax, a wick and a perfume or fragrance.   However, several factors can determine which candles last longer than others.

Candle fragrances are generally created by mixing fragrance oils into the candle wax during manufacturing.  In this case, the quality and amount of the fragrance is the determining factor. To keep costs down, a manufacturer may use less oil or a fragrance oil which has been cut with filler.  Less expensive fragrances are created by mixing pure fragrance oil with other filler oils.  The idea is to stretch the product volume without compromising too much quality.  It takes quite a bit of plant material, for example an orchid flower, to create a fragrance oil.  Therefore, the higher the amount of essential oils, the higher the cost of the candle.

Another factor that determines how long a candle fragrance will last is how the candle is manufactured.  Some less expensive candles have fragrance only in the top twenty or thirty percent of the candle.  This means that the candles starts out smelling wonderful, but fades over time.

Ultimately, the best advice for consumers is to experiment and pay attention to which brands provide fragrance for the longest time. With so many candles available in the marketplace, candle lovers can enjoy many candles and many fragrances as they search for their favorite.