Why Some People Can Smell Wax Melts, Candles and Sprays and Others Can’t
5 min reading time
A helpful guide to understanding scent sensitivity, nose fatigue, and how fragrance spreads in your home.
Wax melts are loved for filling a room with beautiful, cosy fragrance but many people notice that some people smell them instantly, while others barely notice a thing. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry it’s completely normal. Let’s explore why scent perception varies so much, and what you can do to get the best fragrance experience every time.
1. Everyone’s Sense of Smell Is Different
Just like taste, eyesight, or hearing, our sense of smell varies from person to person.
Biology plays a big role:
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Some people naturally have more scent receptors in their nose.
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Others may have a slightly reduced sense of smell, making subtle scents harder to detect.
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Age also matters our scent sensitivity can decline over time.
This is why one person may be blown away by a strong wax melt, while another smells only a hint.
2. Nose Blindness (Scent Fatigue) Happens Quickly
Ever walked into a room and noticed a strong smell but after a few minutes, it disappears?
That’s nose blindness and it affects everyone differently.
When you're around the same scent for a while, your brain essentially says:
“This smell isn’t a threat let’s ignore it.”
People who spend more time in the room with the wax melt may stop noticing the fragrance, while someone walking in fresh will smell it immediately.
3. Room Size and Airflow Make a Huge Difference
Wax melts don’t magically spread they rely on air movement, heat, and space.
People may smell the melt more (or less) depending on:
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Whether they’re close to the burner
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How big the room is
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Whether windows or doors are open
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Whether the melt is in a hallway, bedroom, or large open-plan area
Someone standing near the burner will often smell much more than someone on the other side of the room.
4. Some Fragrances Are Naturally Stronger
All fragrances are not created equal.
What affects scent strength?
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Fragrance oil concentration
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Type of notes (e.g., citrus & mint travel further than soft florals)
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Wax type and melt temperature
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Quality of the fragrance oil
Some people are more sensitive to certain fragrance families too for example, someone may detect fruity scents easily but struggle with musky ones.
5. Allergies, Illness & Lifestyle Can Reduce Smell
There are many temporary reasons someone may smell less than others:
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A recent cold or sinus infection
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Hay fever
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Smoking
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Hormonal changes
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Medication that affects the nasal lining
Even mild congestion can significantly reduce how well someone smells wax melts.
6. Sensory Sensitivity Goes Both Ways
While some people can’t smell wax melts easily, others are super smell-sensitive.
These people might describe a melt as:
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“Very strong”
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“Overpowering”
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“Filling the whole house”
This can happen because their sensory system picks up fragrance particles more intensely.
7. How to Make Wax Melts Smell Stronger for Everyone
If you want fragrance to be noticeable to all noses, try these tips:
✔ Place the burner in a central spot
Avoid corners airflow matters.
✔ Use a tealight with a consistent flame
A weak flame = weak throw.
✔ Keep doors slightly open
Helps scent travel.
✔ Choose stronger fragrance families
Such as:
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Citrus
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Mint
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Herbal
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Laundry/fresh
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Spices
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Woody scents
✔ Don’t run the same scent every day
Switching melts prevents nose blindness.
Final Thoughts
Everyone experiences scent differently and that’s completely normal. From biology and airflow to fragrance strength and temporary sinus issues, there are many reasons why wax melts might be stronger to some people than others.
If you're trying to get the perfect fragrance experience, a mix of the right scent, the right space, and the right burner makes all the difference.