ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Candles ...are our aromatic get-aways, our bath buddies, our cheerleaders, oozing soothing scents to help us wind down and create a relaxing ambience in our living spaces.

But they are not always what they seem, and most of the time, they are more harmful to us and our planet than being a source of peace and re-wax-ation. 

To unchain the flames from the lurking shadows of toxic fumes; I have found a way in sh3la by creating hand-poured candles with all-natural ingredients to not only give you the emotion you are looking for but also be most gentle on your health.

My name is Lana, and I am the founder of sh3la - an Eco-Friendly Coconut Soy Candle Company based in Dubai, UAE. Sh3la focuses on making uniquely scented candles with ingredients sourced sustainably worldwide. All candles are developed, produced, and tested by our candle-making team in Dubai, with every candle held to the same quality standards that I have developed. For the love of our planet, we use no plastic and our eco-friendly packaging materials are biodegradable and recyclable.

Now you might be wondering what brought me to creating my own candle brand, so here is a little back story:

In 2010, I eagerly embarked on a new chapter of my life as I moved to Boston to pursue my Bachelor's degree. As I arrived in this cold city, I was immediately enchanted by its wintery charm and vibrant scenery. The streets were lined with colorful foliage and quaint alleys, beckoning me to explore. 

As I settled into my studies, I discovered a simple pleasure that would come to define my time in Boston: candles. Their warm, flickering glow provided the perfect backdrop for my hours of studying by the window, creating an atmosphere of coziness and comfort that helped me to focus and concentrate. 

But candles were not just a study aid for me; they were also a means of self-care and relaxation. When I needed to disconnect from the world and recharge my batteries, I would light a candle and let its soothing scent fill the room. It was a small indulgence that brought me great joy and helped me to weather the stresses of college life. 

In 2016, I embarked on a new adventure as I moved to the bustling city of Dubai to begin my career in Marketing. Despite the hustle and bustle of this vibrant metropolis, I remained steadfast in my love for candles and continued to seek out new and exciting scents to add to my collection. 

However, as much as I searched, I never quite found the perfect candle scent that truly spoke to me. There was always something missing, something that didn't quite fit with my unique taste and preferences. And so, I began to ponder the idea of creating my own candles, infused with the scents that I knew would bring me joy and relaxation. 

Well, a time came when the whole world came to a halt… and so did my busy life and I had plenty of time at my hands… I ended up a self-discovery journey and realized that I now want to do something that I love… and it didn't took long to realize that it will be making my own candles. 

Instead of nose diving into it, I took it up as a hobby to see how it goes. As I continued my research into the candle making process and skills in this craft, I uncovered some nasty secrets of this trade and how it was affecting our health and our environment… not something that you’d be expecting from a tiny little candle. But it's true, most of the candles being sold around the world are made with harmful materials like synthetic aromas, paraffin based wax, which is a blend of crude oil, and I am sure you know what happens when you burn oil - in any form…Crude oil is non-renewable and cannot be biodegraded. These candles use lead wicks that release an unsafe level of lead and carcinogens in the air when it's burnt causing all kinds of health problems.

My aim was simple: make the harm go away from the ritual of candle burning. So after months of research and experimentation, I decided to create candles that are eco-friendly, and also cruelty free. Hence all the ingredients and material used are  recyclable and biodegradable. We use coconut soy wax, natural fragrances with essential oils, plant extracts and flowers, wooden wicks, and metal and glass containers. Our packaging materials are also completely recyclable. 

Every candle we made also has a story behind it, beginning with metal or glass vessels, which are often recyclable and reusable. scents inspired by everyday.. capture the essence of memories. As a well-traveled person and lived in three different continents... I wanted to capture the people and places in unforgettable scents through candles. With these candles, I hope they will help you create an ambience and an atmosphere that you are aiming for.