The Ingredient Glossary

An introduction to the materials, fragrances and notes that shape our world.

At Paddy Hanley, fragrance is an invitation to remember, to discover and to experience the familiar in a new way.

Every scent is composed of individual elements, each contributing its own character to the finished fragrance. From bright citrus and delicate florals to warm woods and rich amber, these elements come together to create compositions that are distinctive, balanced and memorable.

Our Ingredient Glossary offers a closer look at the ingredients and fragrance notes that inspire our collection.

The Foundations

Soy Wax

A vegetable-derived wax obtained from soybean oil. Soy wax is used as the foundation of our candles, providing a medium in which fragrance can be incorporated and released as the candle burns.

Fragrance Oil

A formulated fragrance blend used to give a candle its distinctive scent. Depending on the fragrance, a blend may contain aromatic ingredients of natural origin, synthetic aroma materials or a combination of both.

Wick

The wick draws melted wax upwards through capillary action, supplying fuel to the flame. Its material, size and construction influence how a candle burns.

Citrus & Fresh Notes

Bergamot

A fragrant citrus note with a bright, green freshness and a subtle bitterness. Bergamot brings a lively, refined quality to fragrance compositions.

Orange

Sweet, sunny and familiar, orange offers a vibrant citrus character that can bring warmth and brightness to a fragrance.

Egyptian Cotton

A soft, clean fragrance accord inspired by freshly laundered fabrics. It is a perfumery composition rather than an ingredient extracted directly from cotton.

Floral & Fruity Notes

Black Rose

A deep, velvety floral accord with a darker interpretation of rose. It can lend a fragrance an elegant, mysterious and sensual character.

Peach

Soft, juicy and gently sweet, peach introduces a rounded fruit character that can feel delicate, inviting and warm.

Watermelon

A fresh, watery fruit accord that evokes the crisp sweetness of ripe watermelon. It can bring a light, playful quality to a fragrance.

Woods & Earthy Notes

Sandalwood

A creamy, smooth woody note traditionally associated with warmth and softness. Sandalwood can give a fragrance a rounded, grounding character.

Oud

A rich, complex woody note associated with depth, warmth and resinous character. Oud may be represented by natural oud material, a fragrance accord or a combination of aromatic materials, depending on the formulation.

Warm & Sensual Notes

Amber

A warm, enveloping fragrance accord often built from several aromatic materials. Amber notes can evoke resin, soft sweetness and a gentle, lingering warmth.

Vanilla

A familiar, comforting note with a creamy sweetness. Vanilla can soften sharper fragrance elements and bring a rounded quality to a composition.

Understanding Fragrance Notes

Fragrances are often described through three layers, known as top, heart and base notes.

Top notes are the first impressions of a fragrance. Citrus and fresh accords often contribute brightness at the beginning.

Heart notes form the central character of a composition. Floral, fruity and aromatic notes frequently provide this character.

Base notes provide depth and lasting warmth. Woods, amber and vanilla are common examples.

These categories are a guide rather than a strict rule. A fragrance note may evolve differently depending on the composition and the way it is experienced.

A Note on Ingredients

The descriptions in this glossary explain the fragrance character and general purpose of selected materials. They are not a complete declaration of the ingredients in any individual product.

For the precise composition of a particular candle, please refer to its product information or contact us directly.

At Paddy Hanley, we believe that understanding fragrance is part of enjoying it. We invite you to explore our collection, discover the notes that speak to you and find a scent that feels like your own.

Paddy Hanley

The warmth of simpler days.