The internet is going crazy for the bendy candle DIY trend, with folks taking up the challenge to make their own versions. The original candles is going to take you back approximately $60 apiece – so, DIY Expert Monique Taylor-Yee Shui is showing you how to get in on the trend for cheap. This DIY requires a pack of 8 candles that retail for $4!

What you need:

• Taper candles in the colour of your choice (paraffin is preferred)
• Two containers big enough to submerge the candles
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Rolling pin
• Ruler
• Thermometer (optional)

Braided Candle

Let’s start with a braided candle. To make this candle, start by leaving your tapered candle submerged in hot water for 10-15 minutes. If you have a thermometer, 45 degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for this step.

Once the 10-15 minutes has passed, use a rolling pin to flatten the candle in the middle. Leave about 2 inches untouched at the end. You want to make sure you leave that space at the end so your finished candle can fit in the holder.

Using a ruler and knife, slice the candle into three “strings” starting from the top of the candle down to the bottom where you left the 2 inches.

Once you have the candle sliced, start braiding. You can do a basic braid or get creative with it!

As a tip, if your wax starts hardening before you’re done, just dip it back into your warm water.

Once you’re finished braiding, shape the candle into a straight rod and dip it into cold water to harden it. 10-15 degrees Celsius is ideal for this step.

Bendy Candle

This candle is going viral on TikTok, and is super simple to make. Like the braided candle, simply submerge the tapered candle into hot water. After you remove it from the hot water, just bend the candle into your desired shape.

Like the braided candle, finish by submerging the candle in cold water.

You can get real creative with this, bending candles in unique ways or joining candles to make the final product seamless.