I was really excited to see The Candle Lab opening in Over the Rhine! I hadn't been to one previously but I love candles and who doesn't love the idea of making your own?! Walking into the store there's shelving to your left with a bunch of different jar options. They range in price, size and have different metal and glass jars; lots of choices which is nice! All the scents are lined up alphabetically against the wall for you to smell. You write down your favorite scents on the mini clipboards they provide; then sit at the counter and an employee will help you! They give you the scents and you pour the oil into a shot glass; rationing out the scents however you prefer! They fill your container of choice up with wax and you mix in the oil and design your label. We had to pick ours up the next day because we were in there late on a Saturday! Overall, it was a lot of fun and definitely a good date night or girls night out! read more

The Candle Lab OTR - This jar was $25 and said it would burn for 120 hours. - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This was such a fun experience. I had taken my kids here as a fun to do during the summer break. You get to smell all types of scents to see what types of scent you like. As you create a list of Fragrance characters that appeal to you. They help you select 3 characters that would blend well together. From there, you can to mix the Fragrance at ratio of your choice. The kids loved the experience and their candle. read more

What a fun thing to do in the city! The other reviews are dead on with the process. All of the available scents are so true to how they're described. My personal favorites include bamboo, awapuhi, and sea breeze. The staff is really awesome at guiding you when choosing scents that go together, and the process is quite simple. Definitely comparable in price to if you were buying candles at Anthropologie. Overall, a fun and unique thing to do in OTR! If you can, call ahead of time and reserve some stools. It can get pretty busy on the weekends! read more

This place is a true gem! I took my mom and my best friend here and we had the greatest time. I recommend getting there right when it opens, that's what we did and we were able to get started right away. By the time we had finished the line was out the door, this place is super popular. It is such an amazing concept. The workers really help guide you to find the scent you are looking for and they have quite the variety of candle holders. They also had a buy 3 get one free sale. I ended up using the 4th one to make one for my dad, unsure of whether or not he would like it. I made his with bourbon, dad's den, and straight razor and he LOVED it! They make great gifts for birthdays and Christmas, will definitely be coming back! read more

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The business model for the Candle Labs matches its experience, outrageous. I mean that in a good way. I am certainly not the kind of person who likes to burn my money, but I was able to put that in the back of my mind due to the great experience here. At CLOTR you pick the scents you like and mark them down on a mini clip board. There is a wall full of scents with images of what you are smelling to help those who are visual learners like me. After your smells are selected go to the opposite side and find the small cabinet area that has all kinds of jars/canisters for your candle. Take this to the small bar counter where a worker here will grab the scented bottles you selected and will squeeze them in your face. Well, they press the bottle so you can smell the two or three scents you want to mix at once. Not really in your face. If you like, then you can add them to a mini silver conical shot glass like fixture. Each candle you create needs to be labeled with your own personalized sticker. They have an assortment of markers and colored pencils for your masterpiece. The wax and scent solution must be mixed by the visitor and the staff will guide you during this process. Wait, wait, wait! See what just happened. I've completely forgot that I am paying money to participate in this activity. I guess that is why they are doing a good job. It made me forget about how much money I paid for a jar to fill with wax in my favorite scents. It takes about an hour for the candle to settle or solidify, bake? I'm not sure what happens, but take a walk around OTR during this time. The Candle Lab should collect commission from the surrounding business as this has to drive foot traffic. Well, I had fun and now have my own branded candle that I plan to take to market and sell at Bath & Body Works. read more

The Candle Lab OTR - I call this candle...Pineapple Express. - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

So many scents, so little time! If you love smells, you'll LOVE Candle Lab. My first experience with Candle Lab in OTR was for a friend's birthday celebration. We had a group of 8 making candles, and a mix of first timers and veterans. We made a reservation for the group a couple weeks in advance. They are very specific about the last time slot available for a group, so be sure to call ahead. When we walked in, we were greeted and given pieces of paper to take notes of or favorite scents. The host explained that our first task was to smell as many candles as we wanted and to write down the ones we liked the most. It was good advice not to worry too much about which ones you plan to mix together, but to instead keep track of the ones you like. You next pick out a container to fill, with the prices clearly marked. Pro Tip: you can bring your own to fill with a candle, and they then charge by the ounce of wax used to fill the candle, so you can either reuse one from a previous visit or get creative!! I chose to use "pistachio" and "morning dew" to make my candle in a small clear container. Most people in our group used 3-4 scents to make their creations and each one was unique! This was an experience I have told so many friends about - I can't wait to go again and make another masterpiece! read more

Calling all candle fanatics: WELCOME HOME. I am obsessed with this candle lab in OTR. I came here the other day with my friends, and I had the best experience. So here's a breakdown of what goes on at the candle lab: 1. You walk in and are immediately immersed the aroma of candles.. So cozy! 2. You grab a clipboard with a piece of paper and pen, and you begin to smell the different candle scents on the wall. 3. If you like a scent, write it down and move on. 4. Once you have smelled the wide (and must I add quite unique) range of candles, you sit down at the bar and have an employee help you. 5. The employee will go through the list with you to help you decide what type of scent you are going for. From there, you narrow it down to 1-3 scents. 6. You choose what type of candle holder you want (they offer a lot of different options to help you stay within your budget/style) 7. You make the candle! You pour the three different oil scents into a small beaker and then pour that into the candle holder. 8. Since the candles take around 1 to 2 hours to solidify, you come back later to pick it up! (We just shopped around OTR for the hour and a half) 9. And voila! You have your own delicious candle ready to burn. Personally, I love love LOVE the candle I made! It is a mix of butterscotch, sugar cookie and chai tea! It smells amazing! I will definitely be coming back here to get some Christmas gifts for family and friends! read more

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This was a neat little place that a friend recommended we take a girlfriend to for an impromptu "bachelorette" evening (aka candle-making and dinner and bed, because 2 out of 3 of us are old and introverts). I had called ahead to ask if there was any need to make reservations for three to make candles and the staff members assured me that for such a small group on a weeknight would not be a problem. (However during weekend nights and/or with much larger groups they would recommend calling in advance and confirming that there will not be an issue getting in based on the limited barstool seating). I haven't been to OTR in a while and I was very pleased with the surplus of parking that has popped up. Street parking with convenient payment machines, garage parking, affordable-ish valet parking was plenty on that Wednesday evening. I parked almost adjacent to The Candle Lab's storefront for a couple of dollars (credit cards accepted!) which was great. The store is cute and small and the general concept is to either buy soy candles in a plethora of available scents or to make your own candle, choosing and blending the fragrances of your choice. The candles are distinct looking in a clean, simple manner. I heard that they are very expensive, but as a candle-burning fiend I do not think $15 for a candle with 60 hours of burning life is expensive at all. I usually buy 3-wick candles at Bath and Body Works with comparable burn life for $22 (plus some promo or coupon). I rarely buy Yankee because they are SO expensive and don't have any type of promos/coupons. And at TCL, if you buy one candle then you get the 2nd one 50% off, so a total of $22 you can get two candles which is more than reasonable. The scents range from familiar (sugar cookie, lavender, etc.) to wacky (cannabis, bacon, old books). Some of the fragrances are spot-on and delightful and others are nausea-inducing. Unfortunately the bride-to-be got stuck in a bad traffic jam and my friend and I decided to just buy the ready-made candles rather than making them ourselves. However I can see how candle-making could be a fun, girly thing to do on an evening and I wouldn't be opposed to returning. read more

What a great concept! Getting to make your own candle, pick the scents, and it being soy wax? Amazing! It was so exciting walking in and getting the sweet aroma of a mix of scents; coffee, maple syrup, strawberry jam, eucalyptus, you name it! I would recommend going through the week, because they said that the weekends are often busy (and no wonder)! Also, if you bring your own candle jar with a lid, it is a bit cheaper than getting one of theirs. Plus, you're recycling! I would definitely recommend taking a friend here for their birthday, or just for a fun outing. read more

Perfect location for the perfect day/night out with the girls! My sisters and I took our mom here for Mother's Day and it was such a huge hit we're thinking of making this an annual tradition! You go in and smell until you can smell no more...and then smell at least one more just for fun. The wall of fragrances will satisfy and delight even the stuffiest of nasal passages. Write down your favorites on your clip board, pick your container (which are VERY reasonably priced), then consult one of the knowledgable and eager-to-serve staff members. You'll sit at a bar, get your label-making, creative juices flowing, pick your fragrance combination, and mix your own custom scent. In the hour and a half or two hours it takes for your candle to set, go and visit your favorite OTR watering hole or restaurant du jour and presto change-o, you'll go pick up your creation in an adorably perfect bag with tissue and you're ready to start filling your home with your signature scent. I would imagine this place gets pretty busy on the weekends, so I'd recommend a week night to avoid crowds of eager candlemakers and 2 hour waits for dinner. read more

I had never been to the candle lab, nor do I ever come to Cincinnati, but my SIL wanted a girls day. All of the ladies working the bar and helping out were thoughtful and kind. The process was easy and didn't take very long. I loved the experience and will be back with my boyfriend! read more

So FUN!!! I love this shop. I came with a couple friends and we had such fun trying all the different fragrances. The staff at the Candle Lab will help you narrow your choices down to 2-3 that will mesh well, and then you get to mix the fragrance oils in whatever ratio you choose, and select a container. There's a nice variety of vessels to pick from. I went with a classic mason jar. They also have you decorate your very own label. I am absolutely thrilled with the final product!! Note: It takes a couple hours for the candle to set. Take advantage of the free time and go explore OTR! read more

The Candle Lab OTR - Pick your container! - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I came here to make a candle for my birthday and this place and the concept is so dope. I came to make a candle, but they have other things you can build, like room fragrance oils, oils for diffusers etc. Firstly, let me just say that they have a million different scents to sniff and choose from (I'm exaggerating, but barely. They literally have scents from A to Z). If you're anything like me, you'll be a little overwhelmed before you get through the first half of the alphabet, but if you have a couple of favorites, the employees there can help you with choosing complimentary scents, or scents similar to ones you like but maybe didn't consider, if you'd like to shake things up. And if you make your candle early enough before closing, you can go get a bite to eat or grab a couple drinks and come back to pick it up the same day. This place is really cool, although I did think they get a little crowded between booking multiple parties and casual shoppers looking to come in to make or buy pre-made candles. But once my birthday candle is all gone, I'll probably be back. read more

The Candle Lab OTR - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I can't think of anything good to say other than that the store smelled good, because it was full of candles. I made a reservation with 5 of my girl friends days before, and was told that we had to be there by 6pm to take our candles home the same day. We all arrived at 6pm and the associate taking care of us was less than inviting. He gave us our sheets to fill out, told us to pick as many scents as we wanted and to write them down and they'll help us choose. Needless to say, once we sat down, ready to hear the advice he gave for pairing the scents, he simply told us all to 'just pick three' and did not offer help. Our group was a fun bunch and will make the best time of anything, but we could not get out of there fast enough. Not only did our associate not help us, but was completely rude and clearly did not want anything to do with helping customers. There was one other associate working with him, and she was even less than polite. After finishing, we were told we are not allowed to take our candles home the same day, even though we got there at 6pm as instructed. I showed the email that confirmed it, and the associates would not allow (likely because it was cutting into their Friday evening plans of closing the shop early.) The Candle Lab is supposed to be a very service-based, experiential time to enjoy each others' company by doing an activity, and the staff made it incredibly underwhelming. All 6 of us were extremely disappointed and will not go back and will not refer friends. I recommend the staff undergoes a customer service training to learn how to treat people with respect. read more

I brought my 9 and 12 year old daughters in while shopping downtown and they were excited to make their own candles. It's not the cheapest thing for sure but they were talked to with such kindness and respect and were very proud of their creations. To make this a fab 5 star experience, my 9 year old walked out of the store and smashed the candle before we could get in our front door. I called the Candle Lab and they immediately told me that she'd probably still love her unique scent, so why don't I drop off the candle and they'd remelt it into a new glass, no charge. This was done by the next day and my daughter is delighted. This was a fun small business shopping day that was made memorable by the kind service and fun atmosphere of the Candle Lab OTR. Well done! read more

We've visited the candle lab in both Columbus and OTR locations. It can either be crowded or empty depending on the time of the week. We chose to go around lunchtime on a Thursday and we were the only ones there, which was great. The actual experience isn't that in depth, and mostly consists of spending the majority of the time smelling existing scents to choose the right ones. The time actually building the candle is pretty quick. The candles have help up really well and smell great, which is a huge plus. Definitely like the Candle Lab for gifts and unique outings. read more

I actually came here with my boyfriend. They have so many scents to choose from and the girls were very helpful in helping us choose scents that went well together. You mix the scents and pour the oil in the container you choose, which is filled with melted wax. We paid for the candles and walked down to rhinegeist to have a few beers while we wait for them to harden. About 2 hours later we picked them up! I got the 120 hour burn and the candle has actually lasted a very long time. ****I will say that my boyfriend burned his all the way down, and at the end of the wick, the flame shot up almost 2 feet high and he had to rush to put out the flame so he didn't burn down the house.**** Otherwise I had a lovely time and my candle smelled wonderful. read more

Recently cashed in on Christmas gifts with my mom and boyfriend's mom and had a good experience with Candle Lab. The workers were helpful and informative, and we had a lot of freedom with regard to the scents we wanted to use to pour our candles. There were probably a hundred or more scents to choose from; you write down the ones you like, and the people working help you choose a combination that would go well together. I ended up with a Hops, Burnt Sugar, and Fig concoction because beer. I would recommend Candle Lab for any kind of special event -- a birthday, Mother's Day, or Christmas gift, etc. --as it is a fun outing and a bit more personal than most gifts. read more

I had a wonderful time here making candles. I always love exploring OTR when I visit Cincinnati and this shop made my trip. The options for scents were very nice, and the man who helped me answered all my questions, explained the process, and even gave excellent suggestions for some good scents. I'll definitely come back when I'm back in town, and tell my friends about it too! read more

I stopped in here for some holiday shopping and am glad I did! I didn't quite have the time commitment to do the make-your-own candle, which takes about 10-20 minutes plus 30 minutes before you can pick up. But they also have a large selection of premade candles to choose from in TONS of scents- seriously almost anything you can think of. I also found out that you can do make-your-own soap and lotion in addition to candles! Everyone in the shop was super friendly and helpful, I can't wait to go back and make something soon! read more

Cute shop with super friendly clerks! I preferred the honeysuckle, hazelnut, and lemongrass scents best. The liked the concept that their candles are simply made with pure soy and other natural ingredients. Since I am from out of town, I opted to order some items to be shipped to my home. read more

Okay, here's the thing...you have to have to be a VERY specific type of person to enjoy this. I, unfortunately, am not that type of person. I came to The Candle Lab to try to transform the scent of a family cookie recipe into a candle as a Christmas gift for a relative. I thought the gift would be sentimental and there was the added bonus that I would be able to participate in a fun activity. My husband and I arrived and we were directed to a clipboard where we were to write down the fragrances we'd like to include in our candle. I had written down all the scented ingredients in the cookie recipe and looked along their wall of candles for matching scents. They didn't really have the scents that matched, but I found close approximates. I guess the idea was that you are supposed to spend some time smelling this wall of fragrances. I just feel like, at this point in my life, I know what things smell like. I picked my slew of smells and went to the counter to work on my candle. You can only pick three scents, which I think is a serious let-down. My entire intent on coming to the Candle Lab was to re-create a specific plethora of scents, which really can't be done in three notes. At that point, it felt kind of juvenile. I could probably find my combination of brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon on nearly any shelf at any generic store for a lot less. At this point you are are given your three scents in oil form and are supposed to drip them into a small container and fill it to the top. The staff member helping us said it would be best to stop and smell after every few drops. I really just didn't have the patience or level of energy needed to take that seriously. Also, we're sitting in a candle lab so the entire store smells of 800 fragrances, so I doubt I could really even smell my own candle oils. Is there such thing as a palate cleanser for your nose? If so, they need that. So, basically I just filled my container to the top and called it a day. It takes about an hour and a half until the candle is ready, so we just walked around and got some lunch. The cost for my candle in a clear jar with a lid was $20. It smells like a generic candle. I think that there are people out there who could milk this experience for all it's worth and have a great time. I am not that person. I was in the store for maybe seven minutes. I'd love to see them allow customers to add as many fragrances as they want to their candle. If we make some sort of noxious smelling candle, that's on us. It wouldn't require any additional materials on their end, as the limiting factor is the size of the container that you fill with oil. I also wouldn't mind adding color to the candle. My Aunt enjoyed the candle, but appreciated our retelling of our experience even more. read more

This place offers a great out of the ordinary experience for indulgence. Make your own scent and candle! You walk into their gorgeous space to a wall of over 100 scents to choose from. Grab a clip board and write down your favorites (I recommend smelling the lids, the scent is stronger there). Once you've picked a few favorites, the helpful staff can give recommendations on what might go best together. Pick from another wall of lots of shapes, colors, and sizes of container. Once that's done you sit down to mix your scent oils. No two will be alike because you pick the amount of each that smells right to you. The staff then gives you the soy candle to mix your oil into. Don't forget to create your own candle label! Wash up with some of their luxurious hand scrub and you're done! Do be aware, the candles take several hours to set, so you'll have to come back to pick it up! LOVE my bacon beer candle! read more

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After a sorority advisory meeting, a group of sister and I went to the Candle Lab for some quality bonding time! Someone in our group had made reservations for about 20 people, so when we showed up we were a bit confused when there we were told we would need to wait for a spot to open up so we could do our activities. After some confusion everything was cleared up (luckily someone else took the lead on that), and we were able to start the process. We picked out our creation base, browsed the scent collections, and finally settled on what we were interested in creating. I chose to do a room spray made from Lemongrass, Basmati Rice, and Bay Leaf. To my surprise, the actual creation process was extremely fun, and didn't take as long as I anticipated! I mixed the oils to find the perfect 'smellscape', and gingerly poured everything into my bottle. It turned out so wonderful, I love it!! If you enjoy being creative, and are looking for a fun, unique experience, I highly recommend this place! I have literally already told so many people about it, and can't wait to go back again! I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did, and even though there was some confusion at the beginning, everything worked out perfectly for all my sisters! read more

The Candle Lab OTR - My finished product! - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I love this place; it's a blast going with friends and making candles. The staff is also very helpful. However, it would be helpful if you made people aware of the latest time they can arrive by in order to make a candle. I recently arrived at 7:15, knowing the location closed at 8 and it takes 30 minutes to make a candle, and was told I didn't have enough time to make one before closing. If I had known the time I needed to arrive by, I would have known ahead of time I didn't have time and would have gone another day. In all other regards, this place is awesome! read more

Great experience!! Enjoyed smelling the various candles and even got to make my own scent. Grab a clip board and write down your faves. The owners were really helpful and really nice as well. read more

The Candle Lab OTR - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Let me preface this review by saying I really wanted to LOVE this place and it makes me sad to give an honest review of our experience. I was so excited to finally try The Candle Lab. My friend had called to make a reservation for her birthday. We had 1 reservation at 5:30pm and 1 at 6:00pm. They have 8 spots and can only reserve 4, leaving 4 open for walk ins. No problem - we understood. We called twice to confirm the reservation in the days leading up to it and on the day of, when we called to confirm a third time, they had no record of it. We showed up right at 5:30pm and the place was packed wall to wall. More of our group showed up for our 6pm reservation too while another separate larger group showed up for a 6pm reservation as well. Our group wasn't even halfway done because they kept taking the walk ins as opposed to the two big reservations they had double booked. It seemed that the employees were stressed because the other group was visibly upset that they overbooked themselves and so the entire process was not enjoyable - we were rushing to get done so the other reservation could make their candles and they hovered over us waiting for our seats to open up. Then they said "the candles will be done around 7:55pm but we close at 8:00pm" which basically to me meant come back later and get them. As an out of towner who was in town for the holidays, I had to have a friend pick mine up. I liked the way it smelled, but the experience creating it was sadly unenjoyable and stressful. :( For a $30 candle, I was expecting a better experience. read more

The Candle Lab OTR - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

What a fun concept and neat idea. It's basically a make your own candle bar. I came across The Candle Bar while eating at The Mercer with my husband. It wasn't until I looked on Yelp that I realized it was a make your own candle bar. I love candles and had to try it. I came in with my mother-in-law and we went to the bar and asked how the process works. 1) smell the candles in the store to pick out approx 15 scents you like. 2) pick your jar you want to make the candle with 3) go to the bar and start mixing your top 3 scents to make a candle scent & create your own label for your candle. My mother-in-law and I literally smelt every candle in the store and wrote down our favorites. It was fun. Some smelt wonderful while others not so much. We went to the bar and started mixing our top 3 scents, smelling as we went. An employee brought us our jars we picked out filled with wax. We dumped in our oils and stirred. That's it, it's so easy. The entire process was fun and it was good quality time with my mother-in-law. It does get crowded because their aren't a lot of seats at the bar. My only complaints are 1) that they do not have safety goggles to wear. The reason I say that is because I went to smell the oils again out of the bottle and pressed the bottle to get another whiff and the oil squirted out into my eye. When I say that burned sooooo bad, it's hurts. I went and washed my eye out in the bathroom; as well as, closed my eye and washed with soap to get the oil surrounding my eye off. My eye was red and irritated, so be careful. 2) The turn around time to get your candle is 2 hours because you have to wait to let it get solid and then come back. If you go in past a certain time you can't pick up your candle till the next day. I don't live here and I'm leaving on Sunday morning and they don't open till 12 PM on Sunday. Good thing they ship and the shipping cost isn't bad at $6. I think if they could get a machine to get the candles to dry faster then they could have more business because the turn around time to pick up finished candles would be faster. Overall, besides the eye issue I had a really good time and enjoyed myself. It's definitely a unique idea and fun. read more

Such a fun activity to do! Staff is so helpful and nice. There are over 100 scents to choose from and you can pick any size candle that you would like. We will definitely go back! read more

The Candle Lab OTR - Candle Stores Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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My family and me had so much fun. Kiersten and Natilie were so helpful and we're all super happy with our candles. If you're coming in during the pandemic you NEED a reservation. Store was clean and sanitary and they space you out from other parties so you are properly distanced. Thanks so much, we'll be back!! read more

I love that there is a fun little place like this in OTR. The concept is very simple. You get to pick out and mix and match your favorite scents to make your perfect candle! It is in a great location. If you put your name in at a restaurant and are looking for something to do to pass the time, look no farther. You can come in here and make a candle while you wait. I have been here a few times and have always had wonderful experiences. The staff is super friendly and they take you step by step through the process. It is neat that you get to make your own, customized candles for the same price as buying them in a store. Everyone should experience this atleast once and I am sure after the first time, you will keep wanting to go back for more! read more

So, before I get started, I'll let you know I am a HUGE fan of The Candle Lab, just not this one. I am from Columbus, so I have been to the ones there many a time, and love it. In fact, anytime someone tells me they're taking a trip to Ohio, (I live in Florida now) I tell them it is a must-do on their trip. I was visiting my family in Cincinnati and my boyfriend and I decided to go to this location. The first thing that was strange was that when I walked in all of the employees were sitting on the far end of the counter (where you pour your candles) standing/sitting and talking, one of them even eating at the counter. They glanced up, but only one person stopped to ask if we'd been there before. When I said I'd been to the one in Columbus, she went back to her conversation. Being entirely ignored, my boyfriend and I sorted through all of the scents and candle types, and took our selection to the counter. With minimal help, we got started with our candles. Being the only two customers in the store, we could overhear the girls working complaining about the party that had called ahead saying they'd be coming in that afternoon. Apparently, it was a girl scout troop and they weren't happy about it. As we were getting ready to go, we asked if they could ship them back to Florida because it would be hard to take them in our carry on luggage. The girl said yes, but she couldn't do it, so I should call back late that night since they had a big party coming in. We left and I called back the next day. No one answered the phone, so I left a voicemail. After that, the experience went drastically downhill. I called every couple of days, not ever having someone pick up. I didn't leave a voicemail every time, but regardless, it was three weeks to a month before someone finally answered when I called. When I told them I was trying to ship my candles and that they'd probably been there for a while because I hadn't been able to get through on the phone, instead of saying sorry the girl just said it was a shady phone and that sometimes that happens. Today in age, having a bad landline is inexcusable for a company. She then proceeded to get my candies and say, "Uhm yeah that'll be $30 for shipping. Actually, these candles are really big, so $40." It seemed excessive to me, but I had no clue how much it cost to ship candles so I paid it. When the candles got here, not only were they entirely shattered, but it said on the shipping label that it had cost $11 to ship it. I tried calling them, but naturally, no one answered. I went on their website and sent them an email asking them to email, call, or text me back, but nothing. I never heard back, and ended up wasting a lot of money. It was an extremely disappointing and infuriating experience, and I no longer recommend people go to The Candle Lab in Cincinnati. **This happened in November 2016, but I waited to hear on a reply, and never got one, so I finally decided to post a review. read more

Came here earlier this week with clients and it was a great experience. You smell various scents, write down what you like, then create a unique/custom combination for your own personal candle. I'll definitely be brining more clients here for fun events in the future! read more

My "candle" experience was nothing like the 5 star reviews I read on this site prior to visiting the shop. It was crowded and there was no one directing the customers. I had to ask other customers what to do. All the seats (8) were take and there was no numbering method (like the number system at the bakery) or line to determine when it would b your turn to take a seat to "create" your candle. Basically, it was total chaos. Even after being seated, the candle person failed to give direction and appeared to be wandering about the shop aimlessly and staring off into space. Don't waste your time writing down 15 scents. Three is about all it takes. In fact, don't waste your time or your money. Go to the novelty shop 4 or 5 doors to the south. Get er done lady read more

I was sooo freakin' excited when I saw The Candle Lab was coming to Cincinnati! I'll preface by saying I've been going to Columbus for years, walked by the location in Short North a dozen times, but it took their Cincinnati announcement for me to suggest an afternoon outing last time I was in Columbus. And let me tell you, I was instantly obsessed. As a candle freak, I was in heaven. Imagine an entire wall of different scented candles just waiting for you to sniff. Anything from such oddball scents as "rain" and "baked bread" to the classic "cinnamon stick" and "hydrangea", you will find everything at The Candle Lab. Plus, the concept sounds like it would be expensive, but it's really not. The candles start at $15 and go up to about $32, which is really the price you'd already be paying for a Yankee Candle. Basically the process goes like this: 1. Grab a clipboard. 2. Smell every candle scent imaginable. 3. Write down all your faves. And I mean all of them; they don't even have to go together! (Pro tip: Star your top 2-3 favorites. They will ask you for them at the counter before you begin your creation.) 4. Choose a candle jar. 5. Go to the counter and share your list of scents with an employee. They will help pair the fragrances so you get the perfect scent. Don't worry, it will smell amazing! 6. Create your "scent story" on a sticker (to be placed on either the bottom or side of the jar). Most people just put the fragrances they chose, but you can also come up with a clever name. They provide all the crayons and markers you could ever need! 7. Start mixing your oils. You can add as little or as much of each fragrance until it's just right for your nose. 8. Pour the oil into the jar of wax provided. 9. Come back in 60-90 minutes after the wax has set (they'll give you an approximate time for pick-up). 10. Go home, burn and enjoy your new creation. I have a feeling I'll be making a lot of visits to this new location. Where's my frequent buyer card? :) read more

Excellent, helpful, friendly staff really made this experience remarkable. It was one of the most unique activities I have ever done and I had a great time making candles with my friends. I have yet to smell a candle that smells as good as the one I made and I will definitely be back to recreate it. read more

I've been to Candle Lab numerous times for birthday parties and ladies nights, and I always walk away with a great candle and experience. Visitors can take time to smell 100+ fragrance oils, and choose 2-3 (with the help of staff) to mix into hot soy wax to create a long-lasting, strong-scented candle. A few tips: - Bring your own container. The Candle Lab has numerous types and sizes for purchase, but I find it more fun and MUCH cheaper to bring my own, like an old mug, jar, or piece of pottery. - Make a reservation. Only 8-10 people can sit at the counter at a time, and this place gets crazy packed. It can be really frustrating to wait for 30+ minutes in the cramped space as several reservations get seated before you. - Check out the seasonal scents. They are on a separate shelf in this location, and easy to overlook. On my last visit, I nearly missed the shelf, and when I found it, I ended up using only those scents in my candle. Only complaints: small space (like everywhere in OTR) and a little pricy. But it is certainly worth a visit, and for about the same price as a high quality candle elsewhere, you can make a candle you love. read more

The Candle Lab is always so fun for a girls date. I've been twice and enjoyed myself so much each time. The staff is friendly and very helpful. The diy aspect is fun and you can make so much more than candles. The inside is clean and the staff truly provides a fun, unique, and satisfying experience each time. While there may be a short wait I've never had to wait too long and have always been so satisfied with the scents of my candles and how long they burn for. read more

My sister and I visited Candle Lab today and each made our own candle. The prices were reasonable and we really enjoyed the experience. My only complaint is that we arrived at 11:00 when it was supposed to be open and they didn't unlock the doors for almost 10 minutes. I know things happen though and hope this was a one time thing. Great, unique experience! read more

This place is such a fun concept. Love all of the scents that they have from the standard to the obscure. My favorite is the Old Books. How fun!!! The service is very helpful and friendly. They give good advice on mixing scents. Definitely worth the experience. Also they are expanding to soaps and other items. Cool! read more