Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question?  You may find the answer here - but if you don’t, feel free to reach out to us via our contact form.

What sets Bayou Rose products apart from other luxury brands?

All of our products are small-batch, sustainable, and rife with storytelling - infused with the heart of South, and made for those who love ritual, history, and a bit of magic. We are 100% soy free, vegan, cruelty free and mutagen free - using only the highest quality raw materials so that you can be confident that our products are safer for you, your family, and your pets. But the thing that sets us most apart is our refill program. Because luxury should never be wasteful.

 Are your products safe for people with fragrance sensitivities?

We formulate with care, choosing ingredients that are free of phthalates, parabens, Prop 65-listed toxins, and other known irritants commonly used in the fragrance industry. Many of our customers with scent sensitivities or sinus issues say that they can finally enjoy candles again. That said, everyone is different- so if you have a known aversion or concern that you’d like to discuss with us, feel free to reach out and we’ll steer you in the right direction.

What’s in your fragrance oils? Do you use essential oils?

We use a blend of plant-based essential oils and clean synthetics to create layered, long lasting scents that are safer for indoor use. It is a common misconception that 100% essential oil candles are better, or safer. In fact, there are many essential oils that are toxic to us and our pets. Lab-manufactured synthetics are able to isolate the chemical compounds and present them in a more tolerable and safer format for combustion and air dispersal.

What’s the deal with refills?

Each of our candles is designed to be re-used. Once you’ve burned through your original candle, simply clean the vessel (we’ll walk you through it below) and pop in a new refill. None of that boil-in-a-bag or microwave messy nonsense. Our refills are molded to fit your refillable jar. Thirty three MILLION candle jars end up in landfills annually. Help us cut that number down, one candle refill at a time.

How in the heck do I clean out my jar? Sounds tedious and messy.

We get it. Before we started making candles, we had one hell of a time trying to clean out and repurpose our old candle jars. Our coconut wax blend is softer than most of the soy waxes on the market, making it easier to get the remainder of the wax out. There are two methods that we love:

• The Boil-Out Method
  • Fill a tea kettle or a small pot with water and bring to a boil.
  • Pour the boiling water directly into your candle jar, until it is half-way full
  • The wax should immediately start to liquify and float to the top. If it isn’t, grab a small spoon, or chopstick and stir to break up any large pieces of wax until the hot water has liquified the remainder.
  • Leave the candle in a safe place to sit undisturbed for 2-3 hours until completely cool.
  • Once cool, the wax will float to the top. Pop the disk of hardened wax out and discard, or use it in your wax melter!  
  • Pour the remaining water out of the candle and gently wash the jar with warm soapy water and a soft sponge.
  • Dry completely before installing your new refill
• The Freezer Method
  • If you have more that a half-inch of wax remaining, let your candle cool completely.
  • Pop it in the freezer for about an hour and use a wooden chopstick or a silicone utensil to dislodge the frozen wax. 
  • As with the first method, simply wash with a soft sponge, dish soap and warm water. Dry completely and you’re ready to go!

Where do you ship from? Do you ship internationally?

We ship from New Orleans, Louisiana. At the moment, we are only shipping within the United States, but we’re working on expanding our reach. If you’re outside the U.S., drop us a line so we know where you’re wishing from!

I got a notification that a label was created - but it hasn’t shipped yet?

In the summer time, we do our absolute best to ship on Monday or Tuesday. So if you order on a Friday or Saturday, we may not be able to pack your order in time to go out with that week’s shipments. This is why we give ourselves 7 business days to fulfill most orders. Any longer than that, and we will reach out to you to let you know why there has been a delay. If your tracking number and estimated arrival date do not update within 7 business days, please send us an email so we can hunt down your order with our shipping provider or send out a replacement to you!

Do you offer local pickup or delivery?

Yes! If you’re in the New Orleans area, we offer free local pickup and occasionally, porch delivery. If you select “local pickup” at checkout, but wish to pick up your order at one of our pop-ups or market events, just shoot us an email and we’ll make arrangements.

What’s your return policy?

If you are not completely satisfied with your order or the scent you chose, you may send it back to us for a full refund within 30 days, less shipping.  If a product arrived damaged or somehow defective in any way, please reach out to us so we can make it right.

Do you do custom candles for businesses, venues, events & gifts?

Absolutely! We love collaborating on a signature scent to elevate your event or business to create unforgettable moments. Our tea lights and votives make excellent favors and corporate gifts. Looking for hostess gifts for the holidays? We have low minimums on custom orders! - Request a custom order form through our contact page.

What’s the best way to make my candle last longer?

Trim dat wick baby! 1/4 inch before each burn. A good rule of thumb is to remove almost all of the charred material, leaving a hairline of black along the wooden wick. If you do not have a wick trimmer handy, nail clippers are a much better alternative than your fingers or the scissors. 

What’s your favorite scent?

Oh man - it used to drive me crazy when I was a chef and people would ask “what’s your favorite thing to cook?” Not because of the frequency of the question - but because it’s so hard to narrow down. You can probably tell, we love a little gourmand moment at Bayou Rose. Yet at the same time, I can never get enough of petrichor. 

But truly, it’s our Midcentury scent - an exact replica of my Grandmother’s house. Wood paneling in the basement, plastic covered sofas, Hollywood Regency decor, expensive perfume, Italian leather shoes, and the faintest smell of a lingering cigarette smoked out the window when no one was looking.