The journal
The journals
of Brenda.
From Nosy Be, Brenda tells of the materials, scents and encounters behind Candeur Malagasy. Discover today’s creations, their story and the workshop’s projects.
01
News from Brenda.
From going solo to the journey to SAVA.
Continuing the adventure under my own name
Brenda thanks Éric and Jardin & Vanille, then tells of starting independently under the Candeur Malagasy name.
Candeur Malgache becomes Candeur Malagasy
From Candeur Malgache to Candeur Malagasy: a new name and where to find Brenda in Nosy Be.
Candeur Malagasy: my shop opens in Nosy Be
Pods, spices and scented creations: Brenda opens Candeur Malagasy near Tatie Chris in Madirokely, Nosy Be.
Why vanilla pods belong in my shop
From her mother’s vanilla near Sambava to the pods, spices and creations in her Nosy Be shop.
Twenty-four hours on the road to vanilla.
Nosy Be, Antalaha, Sambava: the road, producers, selected pods and analysis of a sample.
02
Inside the workshop.
Brenda shares her scented creations.
Ylang-ylang and vanilla: a blend to follow in the workshop
A floral ylang-ylang and vanilla blend still being tested: follow news of Brenda’s project.
Vanilla moisturising cream: discover its texture, application and sizes
Texture, scent and application: Brenda presents her vanilla body cream in two sizes in Nosy Be.
Bourbon vanilla shampoo, from scent to wash
Intensely scented Bourbon vanilla, ingredients and washing: Brenda’s shampoo in Nosy Be, in a 250 ml bottle.
From candle to bottle, finding vanilla again
From waxes to the vanilla and jojoba pairing, Brenda seeks a subtle carrier for the scent and observes it in the warmth of Nosy Be.
Vanilla shower gel, an intense scent under the water
Prepared in Nosy Be: intense Bourbon vanilla, a plant-derived cleansing base and coconut oil in a 250 ml bottle.
What soap taught me about scents and materials
Brenda’s soap trials in Nosy Be: cold-process soapmaking, scent blends, texture and lather.
The coconut oil I prepare for my candles
Brenda describes making coconut oil by hand for her candles in Nosy Be.
03
The roots of Candeur Malagasy.
The beginnings and Madagascar vanilla.
Nosy Be, the island I rediscover through its scents
Sea, sunsets, Hell-Ville market, vanilla, ylang and clove: Brenda’s Nosy Be in Madagascar.
The pod I look at, touch and smell
Appearance, flexibility and scent: Brenda’s cues for choosing vanilla for her creations in Nosy Be.
Candeur Malagasy, an idea born from the scents of my island
Local beeswax, Bourbon vanilla: Brenda’s first candles to capture the scents of Nosy Be.Candeur’s beginnings: from the first candle to the shop
From the first candles to the Candeur Malagasy shop: Brenda’s journey and materials in Nosy Be.
Finding the woody warmth of Bourbon vanilla
In Nosy Be, Brenda observes Bourbon vanilla’s scent in her candle trials from the first lighting.
How Candeur Malagasy took shape
The beginnings of Candeur Malagasy in Nosy Be: handmade candles and oils using locally chosen materials according to availability.