After plenty of contemplation (dare I say overthinking), I have made some exciting product changes at Amani. Lip Balm--I have finally reformulated my lip balm to be vegan. I am now using candellila wax, which is derived from a plant native to the SW United States. All the remaining ingredients are the same, however, candelilla wax is a bit glossier than beeswax, so I have tweaked the proportions slightly to achieve a finished product that is quite similar to the old version. We think you'll love it! Milk & Honey and Zanzibar Spice--The Milk & Honey scent is being discontinued but love ..read more

Wooden wick candles are a popular choice for their unique crackling sound and cozy ambiance. However, to keep them burning bright and smelling great, it's important to take proper care of them. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about trimming, lighting, and maintaining your wooden wick candles for maximum enjoyment. Candle Care Follow these tips to get then most out of your wood wick candles. If you're a die-hard candle lover you may already know these tips but they're really important. First, only burn your candle in safe safe conditions (away from pets, drafts and fl ..read more

Hello there! Today, we're going to settle a long-standing debate in the world of soap: bar soap vs. liquid soap. As your friendly neighborhood soap nerd, I'm here to set the record straight and tell you why bar soap is the clear winner.  #1. Environmental Impact Bar soap is simply more eco-friendly than liquid soap as it doesn't require plastic packaging. Additionally, liquid soap is heavier—the first ingredient is water, after all. That means a larger carbon footprint to transport it from the factory to your home.  Bar soaps, particularly handmade varieties, are more often made with ..read more

You may have noticed that some candles and lotion (mainly Southern Peach and Zanzibar Spice) change color from white to cream to yellow. What's up with that? The culprit is the fragrance. I use both essential and fragrance oils in my products. Essential oils are plant-derived oils that, by definition, are made by water or steam distillation or mechanical pressing. In other words, they must be made by physical means, without the use of solvents. Fragrance oils are synthetic products that are generally proprietary, meaning the manufacturer is not required to disclose the full ingredien ..read more

You asked, we delivered (after overthinking it).  One of the products I am most proud of are our Good Thoughts gift candles. These gorgeous candles are packaged in a beautiful gift box and each come with a corresponding keepsake stone engraved with a message. With a choice of 8 different words (balance, courage, dream, discover, faith, gratitude, love and purpose), the candles are applicable to so many different situations from graduation, weddings, and other events (new job/home/adventure) to times of challenge and struggle. We (and so many others) think these are the perfect gift ..read more

Have you ever been in a gift shop and saw a bar of soap that said triple milled or French milled? Or perhaps you’ve purchased one? This post will answer all your questions about this type of soap. What is triple milled soap and how is it made? Milling is a process for manufacturing soap that is very different from most commercial soaps. This process originated in France in the 18th century; they're sometimes called French milled.  A milled soap is created when a soap base is first made using detergents or common soap making oils such as palm, coconut, and safflower, et ..read more

You went to a farmer’s market recently and bought a pretty bar of goat’s milk soap. You love the soap but notice it doesn’t last as long as the Dove bars you used to buy. What’s going on? And is there any way to make your soap last longer? First, a quick chemistry refresher (yay—and a shoutout to Dr. Collins, my Elvis-loving chemistry teacher in college). Soap is technically defined as “an alkali salt of fatty acids”. But…what does that even mean?? Depending on how long ago you took chemistry (and if you had Dr. Collins), you might recall that a salt is simply a reaction between an acid and a ..read more

A few of the most common candle issues are a wick that is too short, tunneling and a flame that is too small or too large. I'm going to discuss strategies to remedy all of these situations.  The other day (Thanksgiving to be precise), I put one of my favorite fall candles (Cranberry Apple) in the bathroom. However, when I trimmed the wick, I accidentally cut it short. Like, waaaaay too short. I tried to light it, but no dice; it would burn out in under 30 seconds. There just wasn't enough wick above the surface of the candle. Oops. But fear not--this is totally fixable.  ..read more

Most of y'all probably know that I am passionate about travel. With vaccination rates rising and countries opening up for tourism, now might be a good time to think about planning your next vacation. Personally, I am SO ready to travel! Airfare is often the most expensive component of travel so it makes sense to do what you can to save. I LOVE planning travel; here are a few tips I've learned over the years that can help you get a great deal. Be Flexible--Most folks will pick a destination first, then work to fill in the details (airfare, hotels, activities, etc.). However, if you're look ..read more

Wood wick candles contain a unique flame and emit a slight crackling noise-- contributing to a relaxing ambiance. However, wood wicks are very different from traditional cotton wicks and can pose a challenge if not properly cared for. Every candle comes with a care card, but just in case you misplaced it (no judging), below are some tips to help you get the most out of your wood wicks. 1.The first time you light your wood wick candle, ensure that the candle is lit long enough to prevent tunneling. Don't say to yourself, "I'm just going to light this for half an hour wh ..read more