Lifestyle

4 ways to re-use old candle jars

lifestyle and beauty blog 2014

It’s no secret that I have a bit of an obsession with candles, especially ones that are scented. Bath & Body Works candles have to be one of my favorites and once empty, the jars make for a great storage solution for items like makeup brushes, cotton swabs, nails polishes or lip & eye liners.

candle jar reuse

 Last year I attempted to do one of those DIY projects that are all over the Internet (using mod podge and glitter and/or spray glitter) and it was a mess. I got glitter all over my bathroom and the jars kept “shedding” glitter all over my makeup brushes and vanity. I think at this point it’s safe to say that DIY is not really my thing. Although every once in a while I do like to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. Like transforming my office into a closet/beauty room, where we tore apart an old closet an built a new one (ok.. my husband did that) and repaint and rearrange the whole room. Does that count as DIY?

cute lipbalms

Since it was clear that glitter and I won’t become friends anytime soon, I thought, why not re-use the candle jars anyway? I really loved my Floral Bloom scented candle that came in the cutest white and pink ceramic jar. When a jar is so pretty, all you need to do is clean it out and you’re good to go. I bought this at Home Goods, but it’s by Ardan Living Essentials. Even though there wasn’t much scent to this candle while it was burning, I’m still happy that I got it, since I’m left with this pretty jar. I use it to store some of my lipbalms and keep it on my desk by my computer where I do most of my work. If you’re a girl, chances are you buy ridiculous amounts of lipbalms and always seem to lose them, and this is a neat idea for keeping them all in one place.

lip balm storage idea

As I said in the beginning, Bath and Body Works candles are my favorites and I also love the jars that they come in (I also LOVE  Scentsetional Natural Soy candles and their jars). They’re a perfect size and height and aren’t very flimsy.  I have one on my nightstand where I keep a bunch of eye creams, my eye drops, a lipbalm, a night cream, etc., I have a few that store my makeup brushes, my lipsticks and another one where I keep all of my mascaras. There’s also one in my bathroom where I keep more skincare products. I actually came to really like the non-glitter look of those, it’s very plain and clean as well as easy to wash, if need be (I usually wash my jars whenever I happen to wash my brushes, I also like to clean them with some alcohol once washed-just the germaphobe in me). All you need to do is put the empty candle jar in a freezer (I usually do it overnight) and the wax will come off easily, without a mess- I like to use a knife for that, once taken out the freezer, the wax will easily pop-off. Rather than throwing it away, I like to use the last bits of wax as well, I just melt it in my wax warmer. I only do that for scented candles (obviously) ;) .

makeup brush holder diy

 candle jars storage makeup

Do you guys keep your candle jars as well? Maybe you know of some other ways to re-use them?

10 Comments

  • Reply
    MITCH
    July 25, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    This is such a great idea to reuse it. I love how some scented candles have pretty packaging!

    xx
    http://felishmichelle.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Paula
      July 27, 2014 at 9:41 am

      I do too, those are the best ;)

  • Reply
    Christel
    July 25, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    I definitely keep used candle jars around my house, I love the look of having different jars with different things stored just like you have…and yes B&BW candles are the best for this purpose! :)

    floralconstellation.com

    • Reply
      Paula
      July 27, 2014 at 9:41 am

      Thanks Christel!

  • Reply
    Carolin
    July 26, 2014 at 4:16 am

    The Bath and Body Works jars look gorgeous! It’s sad that I can’t get them here :(

    By the way I nominated you for the Liebster Award. You can read the post on my blog to see what’s it all about :)

    Olive Apple – The Liebster Award

    • Reply
      Paula
      July 27, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Aww that’s too bad! They really are great!

      Thanks Carolin! <3

  • Reply
    BerryBloomXO
    July 28, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    I do that too! We don’t have Mod-Podge readily available here in the UK, so I tried the glitter but it was just a huge mess! I also like it with a clean look, and the candle jar is perfect for so many things!

    Oh, and the pink jar you have is gorgeous!
    xoxo,

    BerryBloomXO.com | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog 

    • Reply
      Paula
      July 28, 2014 at 7:58 pm

      Glad to know I’m not the only one! :D

  • Reply
    Sophie Sierra
    July 28, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Love, love, love this idea Paula! :D The jars pictured are so pretty, (adore the white & pink) so I’m not surprised you felt inspired to use them so creatively. Turning your office into a closet is definitely DIY, and a stylishly Clueless approach to DIY at that- Cher would be proud girl! <3 DIY is most definitely not my thing, I really have a patience limit of zero haha! ;)

    It's so lovely you store all your gorgeous products so nicely, tons better than make-up cases/compacts because it's always a nightmare finding anything in those and the thing you usually want is stuck at the bottom. I'll tell you what, reading this post I feel you are superwoman Paula (not even kidding), my make-up/beauty products and half unpacked suitcase from the US are all scattered around the house in random shopping bags XD Eos lip glosses always look divine, I love the design, super cute! And can I just say am swooning at your brush collection!

    Just noticed the picture of your "The smell of Winter" post at the bottom, it has to be one of my all-time favourites and one that reminds me the most of discovering your wonderful blog! :D A really cosy, Wintery read that I'm going to have to go back and take a look at ;)

    Sophie xo

    • Reply
      Paula
      July 28, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      Thank you so much Sophie! I really got lucky with that pink one, I’ve been looking for another cute candle like that one with no luck! Hahaha I could only dream to have a closet similar to Cher’s!! How fab would it be to have a virtual fitting room, haha ;)

      Most of the time they’re stored nicely, but trust me, if I’m filming a video or getting ready to go out, I always make such a mess, leaving makeup brushes and products everywhere, haha! But my closet/room is definitely my favorite one to clean and organize, so I can’t complain about the mess too much haha;)

      Aww how sweet! I remember like yesterday when I was just writing that post ;) So nice of you to have remembered that! <3

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