THE FLAME GAME CANDLES CAN MAKE THE MOOD - INDOORS AND OUT.

Byline: Alina Larson Correspondent

Make a wish! Remember the slender little candles blazing away atop your birthday cake, waiting for you to blow? Candles have come a long way from being just a reminder of advancing age. Paraffin is being pushed aside by soy and beeswax. Aromachology has joined aromatherapy in candle science lingo.

There are new looks, new uses and a million new scents to the latest candles. Get a whiff of advances in the fragrance industry that make unusual scents such as new car smell, grass and creme brulee possible. All these improvements are happening in spite of tightening home decorating budgets, according to a study by the National Candle Association, which found that candles are used in seven out of every 10 American households.

``People are living at a fast pace, they're inundated with technology, and candles give you a sense of calm,'' says Valerie Cooper, executive vice president of the NCA. ``In the 1970s, people used to hold onto their candles for longer,'' says Cooper. ``They wouldn't burn them. Today candles are relatively inexpensive, there are different shapes and colors, manufacturers are keeping up with trends and fashion, and you can get them in so many varieties.''

For surprising new scents, try Pier One or Illume in West Hollywood, but don't go on an empty stomach. Pier One offers caramel butter, ginger melon and Tuscan herb (prices range from $2 to $28), while Illume sells angel food, pineapple cilantro and roasting chestnuts ($3 to $29).

``Fruits are really hot right now,'' says Bob Rosenberger, director of public relations for PartyLite, which sells candles through at-home consultants. Rosenberger says their newest and best seller is strawberry rhubarb, part of a trend of fragrance blending, the combining of two or more scents.

When most people think of candle scents, aromatherapy comes to mind, but now the word aromachology is being used as well. So what's the difference?

Aromatherapy is the art of treating ailments with essential oils extracted from the most delicate part of the plant. Aromachology refers to the study of the influence of smells on mood and behavior. So while aromachology does involve fragrance, only candles using essential oils can be labeled aromatherapy. Aromatherapy candles can help boost sex drive or calm the nerves.

The Illume ``Inspiration'' candle contains bergamot, amber and ylang ylang, an oil produced from a plant native to tropical Asia, while ``Tranquillity'' boasts ginger, ginseng and honey.

For further peace of mind, try environmentally friendly soy wax candles. Tracy Worthington, owner and creator of OoohLaLa of Beverly Hills, began making soy wax candles three years ago because they do not release toxins into the environment.

``I had no idea then that they would become the rage,'' says Worthington. Soy candles are clean-burning because they contain no petroleum, recognizable by the black stain it leaves on candle containers. Soy also burns 40 percent longer than paraffin. Worthington also decided to only use cotton-wrapped wicks after a recent controversy over the possible danger of lead wicks. The variety of candle styles and candleholders has also increased with demand.

Check out www.uniquecandles.net, where you can find a candle which features your dog's breed - and keeps his odors away ($19.99). Aida Absi, who runs the Northridge-based company with her husband, Naji, says the canine collection is their most popular. They also sell candles coated with nuts, cloves, seashells and coffee beans ($9.99 to $39.99). And if you think your choice for displaying your candles is limited to a simple square or circular holder - think again.

Candles can float, hang or light up a terra cotta animal tucked in the garden. PartyLite's outdoor candle holder line, which will be introduced in May, will include terra cotta frogs that can float in the pool, bunnies to sit among potted plants and sconces to hang on the fence. PartyLite will offer Moroccan-, Asian- and contemporary-styled lanterns, among others. Choose a lantern that fits your back yard's style and line the yard or patio's perimeter, the walkway, or just have one by the front door.

``There's a real trend to bring the indoors outdoors,'' says Lorraine Ricca, senior regional vice president of PartyLite. ``People are bringing items they'd use to decorate inside and using them outside to make the patio more cozy. Back yards are becoming more resort areas. People want to spend more time there.''

Candles are an inexpensive way to add ambience and warmth to a back yard or patio gathering, large or small - for an intimate barbecue or an all-neighborhood pool party. It's crucial to choose a theme or concept for your back yard first, says Susie Coelho, author of ``Styling for Entertaining.'' Then choose a color palette that matches the theme.

For a tropical-themed area, colors like mango or fuchsia would be appropriate, while romance would call for pinks, and a Zen garden might have deep reds. But just stick to a few colors. Coelho also recommends grouping candles.

``Even on an outside coffee table, you could have two or eight on a tray and it makes a statement.''

As for using scented candles outside, Coelho recommends adhering to your chosen theme. Use citrus-scented candles in a tropical-themed space, for example. She also reminds party planners to try citronella candles around the perimeter to keep away bugs. If insects are a problem, avoid sweetly scented candles that might draw more pests to the party. Whether it's citronella or soy, tea or pillar, aromatherapy or aromachology, candles may have evolved, but their light remains bright.

Process of illumination

Here are some candle care tips from the National Candle Association:

--Storage: Always store candles in a cool, dark, dry place. Taper or dinner candles should be stored flat to prevent warping. Candles left in bright light for an extended period of time may fade.

--Cleaning candles: To remove dust or fingerprints from a candle, gently rub the surface with a nylon stocking or a soft cloth - damp or dry. Keep the wax pool free of dust, wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.

--Trim candlewicks to 1/4 inch, unless otherwise directed by manufacturer instructions, before lighting. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, smoke and dripping.

--Lighting: Candles should always be burned in or on a candleholder. Be sure to choose a holder that is heat-resistant, sturdy and large enough to provide stability.

--Cleaning holders: Remove wax from holders by running very hot water over them. Never use a knife or other sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder; it might scratch, weaken or break the glass.

--Snuffing: A candle snuffer is an elegant and safe way to extinguish a candle and avoid wax splatters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.candles.org

www.susiecoelho.com

TO FIND CANDLES

www.partylite.com

www.pier1.com

www.uniquecandles.net

The Candle Witch

12316 Collins St., Valley Village, [phone]; www.candlewitch.com

Illume

8302 W. Third St., West Hollywood, [phone]; www.illumecandles.com

Illuminations

Westfield Shoppingtown Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon, Woodland Hills, [phone]

Ooohlala of Beverly Hills

In the San Fernando Valley, products are sold at Denise Carolyn in Fashion Square, 14006 Riverside Drive, No. 24C, Sherman Oaks; www.ooohlala.com

Village Chandler, 2060-D Avenue de los Arboles, Suite 350, Thousand Oaks, [phone]; www.renaissanceinfo.com/candles

- A.L.

The safe candle

According to the U.S. Fire Association, the majority of candle-related fires are the result of human error and negligence. The following safety guidelines from the National Candle Association should always be followed when burning candles:

--Always keep a burning candle within sight and never leave one unattended. Always extinguish all candles before going to sleep.

--Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire, such as drapes or curtains, bedding, carpets, books, paper, furniture and flammable decorations.

--Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets, including wagging tails.

--Always read and follow the manufacturer's use and safety instructions carefully.

--Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat-resistant, sturdy and big enough to collect dripping wax. Never place pillars or any candles directly on furniture, whether glass or wood.

--Avoid putting candles near drafts to prevent soot, excessive dripping and rapid, uneven burning.

--Extinguish any candle if it begins to smoke, flicker repeatedly or if the flame becomes too high. Let cool, trim the wick, check for drafts and then relight.

--Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room.

--Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, dust, matches and debris at all times.

--Extinguish pillar candles if the wax pool approaches the outer rim of the candle.

--Never touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.

--Candles should be placed at least 3 inches apart so they don't melt one another or create their own drafts that will cause them to burn improperly.

--The best way to extinguish a candle is to use a special candle snuffer or candle quencher to prevent hot wax from spattering. Do not extinguish candles with water. The water can cause the hot wax to spatter and some candle containers to break.

- A.L.

CAPTION(S):

7 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Bright ideas

Candles set the scene

Courtesy of Illumination

(2 -- color) Iced luminary candles are currently on the shelves at Pier 1 Imports.

(3 -- 4 -- color) From near right, mix traditional taper candles with votives for a new look at dinner table, or even use candles to set the mood at the pool.

Courtesy National Candle Association

(5 -- 7 -- color) There are more ways that ever to enjoy candles outdoors, including a sun-themed stake, left, that holds a votive; hanging lanterns (with or without wind chimes), above; and ceramics with interesting patterns or an angel theme, top right.

Courtesy Party Lite

Box:

(1) The safe candle (see text)

(2) Process of illumination (see text)