Product evaluated: SoulCycle Grapefruit Yellow Candle, Small
Related Videos For You
CANDLE TIPS & TRICKS
How To Stop Candle Tunneling / Burning Down The Middle of The Jar - How Did I Not Know This!?
Data basis: I analyzed dozens of buyer comments and video demonstrations collected between Jan 2023 and Jan 2026. Most feedback came from written reviews, supported by short video clips and Q&A posts, with written reviews forming the bulk of observed patterns.
| Outcome | SoulCycle Small Candle | Typical Mid‑Range Candle |
|---|---|---|
| Scent strength | Weak scent throw that often fades quickly | Moderate scent lasting through multiple burns |
| Burn evenness | Uneven tunneling or partial melt pools reported | More even full melt pools on first long burn |
| Value per hour | Lower perceived value for price paid | Average value for mid-range price |
| Soot & residue | Occasional soot and smoky smell noted | Less frequent visible soot when properly trimmed |
| Regret trigger | Price vs scent — higher‑than‑normal disappointment | Balanced expectations for cost and performance |
Why does the scent fade so fast?
Regret moment: Many buyers expect a strong grapefruit scent that fills a room and instead notice a faint aroma within the first hour.
Pattern & context: This is a commonly reported issue that appears during the first few uses and often after short burns. It feels worse than the category baseline because similar mid-range candles usually maintain a steady scent for multiple sessions.
Why does it tunnel or burn unevenly?
- Early signs: Tunneling appears on first long burn when the full wax pool fails to form.
- Frequency tier: This is a secondary complaint but appears repeatedly across reports.
- Cause: Users cite short initial burns or skipping the recommended full melt as the common trigger.
- Category contrast: More disruptive than normal because many mid-range candles deliver an even burn after proper first‑use routine.
Is the price justified for the burn time?
- Value hit: Buyers list shorter-than-expected burn life as a primary disappointment.
- When it shows: Perceived short life appears after a few uses, not only first burn.
- Impact: The higher price makes this feel like a poor value versus similar candles.
- Attempts to fix: Trimming the wick and longer first burns were commonly tried but often only partially effective.
- Hidden requirement: Some users needed a long initial burn to avoid issues, a step many buyers did not expect.
- Category contrast: This is worse than typical mid-range options that rarely require repeated corrective steps to reach full performance.
Are there safety or finish problems like soot or packaging issues?
- Visible soot: A number of buyers reported sooty residue and a smoky scent after longer sessions.
- When it worsens: Soot appears during long burns or if the wick is left too long between trims.
- Packaging notes: Some buyers noticed chip or crack risks in the glass after use or transport.
- Impact on use: Soot and glass residue make cleanup and surface protection more important than expected.
- Attempts: Buyers tried shorter burns and strict wick trimming, which reduced but did not eliminate soot for some.
- Fixability: Fixes require ongoing care, adding maintenance time beyond category norms.
- Category contrast: This product is less forgiving than many mid-range candles that need less frequent trimming and produce less residue.
Illustrative excerpts (not real quotes)
"Scent barely filled my living room after an hour." — reflects a primary pattern of weak scent throw.
"I had to burn it long twice before it stopped tunneling." — shows a secondary pattern of uneven burn needing corrective steps.
"Left a smoky film on my table after three hours." — indicates an edge-case soot issue during long use.
Who should avoid this
- Value seekers: Avoid if you expect strong scent for the price.
- Low‑maintenance users: Avoid if you dislike extra upkeep like trimming and long first burns.
- Large rooms: Avoid if you want a candle to fill big spaces consistently.
Who this is actually good for
- Brand fans: Good if you value the SoulCycle styling over scent performance.
- Small spaces: Works for small rooms where a faint scent is acceptable.
- Decor buyers: Suitable if you mainly want the glass canister look rather than fragrance strength.
Expectation vs reality
Expectation: A mid-range scented candle should give a lasting scent across several burns.
Reality: This candle often delivers a brief aroma and needs careful first‑use and maintenance to approach expected performance.
Safer alternatives
- Look for disclosure: Choose candles that list throw strength or user burn hours to avoid weak scent.
- Check burn tests: Prefer products with documented full melt pool performance on first burn.
- Lower price per hour: Compare value per burn when the price seems high for a small jar.
- Less upkeep: Pick candles that state minimal maintenance to reduce trimming and long burn needs.
The bottom line
Main regret: The candle's weak scent and uneven burn are the chief buyer complaints tied to its price.
Why worse: These issues are more disruptive than typical mid-range candles because they often require extra care and still underperform.
Verdict: Skip this purchase if fragrance strength and hassle-free use are high priorities.
This review is an independent editorial analysis based on reported user experiences and product specifications. NegReview.com does not sell products.