How Daya’s Essence Began
Luxury scented melts: UK made and developed through years of trial, error, and testing, now poured with a long lasting 30% fragrance blend that customers genuinely rave about.
A UK-written origin story from an experienced wax-melt maker. Explains how a small kitchen hobby grew into a brand known for rich, long-lasting melts, and how the higher fragrance-load formula evolved over years of testing, mistakes, and customer feedback. Last updated: .
On this page
Glossary
- Fragrance load
- The % of fragrance oil in a wax melt. Typical retail ~8–10%; this story references testing at 20–30%.
- Hot throw
- How far/strong the scent travels while the melt is warming.
- Cold throw
- How strong the melt smells before warming.
- Cure time
- Rest period after pouring that improves scent performance and stability.
- Paraffin blend
- Proprietary non-soy wax mix used for Daya’s Essence melts.
- CLP
- Great Britain’s Classification, Labelling & Packaging rules for chemical mixtures (incl. wax melts).
- IFRA
- International Fragrance Association standards that cap safe usage levels for fragrance materials.
How I Built Luxury Scented Wax Melts (UK)
I’m Jo, founder of Daya’s Essence. What started in my kitchen became a UK brand known for highly scented, long lasting wax melts. After years of testing and strict CLP/IFRA compliance, I built a 30% fragrance load formula customers shout about.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I found that the comfort of uplifting wax melt scents were like an invisible hug.
Why Highly Scented Wax Melts Matter
When my favourite vendor closed, I was gutted. But my partner's offhand comment:
sparked a fire in me.
Making Strong, Long Lasting Wax Melts
My curious mind started whirling. I knew that if I was going to dive into making my own melts, they had to be exceptional. I wanted to create something that would satisfy my own high standards, something that would last longer and smell stronger than anything I'd ever experienced.
I also wanted to share that feeling of joy and comfort that fragrance brought me with others who might be struggling too.
So, I set off on a fragrance adventure!
From 20% to 30% Fragrance Load
I dove into the world of wax melts, researching note writing, devouring countless blogs and forums, and even joining wax melt groups. I was on a mission to uncover the secrets of scent creation. I quickly realised that many wax melts on the market had a fragrance load of just 8-10%.
The Moment My Melt Formula Was Born
It was my chance to do something different, to fill a gap in the market. That’s when my USP was born.
But I wasn't going to rush into anything. I researched the legal and compliance requirements in great depth, especially IFRA and CLP regulations, ensuring I could create melts that were not only luxurious but also safe and fully compliant.
Daya’s Essence: A Name Born from Love
Armed with knowledge and determination, I transformed my kitchen into a fragrance lab. I spent a ridiculous amount of money on supplies, experimenting with every kind of wax imaginable, paraffin, soy, blends, even materials and oils from overseas, you name it.
My house was filled with the scents of countless trials (and lots of failed experiments!). Let's just say I wasted a fortune and countless hours on duds! Back then, I cured my 20% concentrated melts for just two weeks, not realising they needed longer.
It wasn't until later that I discovered the importance of proper curing time.
But those early days of trial and error laid the groundwork for Daya's Essence. The name itself came during a casual chat with friends. I mentioned needing a meaningful name, saying "Daya's" as a nod to my daughter, Medea, who was just three years old at the time.
Someone chimed in with:
I absolutely loved it. It sounded elegant and warm, and it really resonated with me.
Even our logo, two interlocking hearts, was inspired by our mother and daughter bond, representing the love and passion I pour into everything I do.
Starting Daya’s Essence in 2018
In June 2018, I finally felt confident enough to turn my passion into a business, and Daya’s Essence 20% fragrance load was born.
Once everything was set up, there was no looking back!
It's been a rollercoaster of ups and downs since then, filled with long hours, hard work, and the constant challenge of balancing the joys of entrepreneurship with being a mum and also having a second job.
Trolled… then Reborn at 30%
There's a misconception that owning your own business means life is perfect, but it's quite the opposite.
You have to take the good with the bad, and believe me, there were days when I wanted to quit, but I persevered!
In 2019, I faced a major hurdle. My unique approach to fragrance, with its bold 20% fragrance load, was met with ridicule and trolling, shaking my confidence and pushing me to the brink of shutting down.
I took a break, but with the support of my loyal customers, friends, and family, I found the strength to come back stronger than ever.
That’s when I created the 30% fragrance load formula!
I rebranded with better images, labels, and a website, determined to share my creation with the world and not be bullied!
CLP-Compliant, Transparent, Tested
I proudly shout about my formula and turn any negativity into educational content on my website, addressing misconceptions head on.
Transparency is at the heart of Daya's Essence.
I believe in educating and informing, so you can understand the love and care that goes into my business.
You can see from my blogs how much work I put into research and education, I'm a wax nerd haha.
Reviews, Community, Real Results
And that love and care comes from a deep place. Every beautiful review I receive, every message from someone whose day was brightened by my melts, feels like a virtual hug.
It's a reminder that even small acts of kindness can ripple out and make a real difference. The path of business is long and winding, but it's a journey I wouldn't trade for anything.
I'm incredibly fortunate to have built a community of loyal customers who have become like family. Their support has shown me that this path is so much bigger than I ever imagined.
It's a dream come true: What started as an idea in my kitchen has grown into a thriving business, thanks to all of you. When someone asks me about my vision for Daya's Essence, I tell them that my goal is simple:
To treat my customers with the same love and care they've shown me.
I want to build something lasting, something that brings joy and comfort to countless homes, and a legacy I can one day pass on to my daughter, Medea.
What Daya’s Essence Stands For
I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. If I hadn't started making wax melts all those years ago, I wouldn't be where I am today.
This is just chapter six of my story, and like any good book, it's far from over. Who knows where we'll be in five years?
But this mama is full of love, dreams, and a whole lot of fragrance to share with the world.
I hope my story inspires you to chase your passions, even when things get tough. Because when you do what you love, you create something truly special. And that's the essence of Daya's Essence.
With love and gratitude,
Jo & Medea
