Can't Find Those Trendy Heart Candles At Your Local Five Below? Here's How To DIY Them

If you've spent any time on home decor social media lately, then you've most likely seen the adorable heart-patterned tapered candle duo from Five Below. These adorable candles are ultra-popular picks right now for Valentine's Day, and even for everyday decor around the house. Unfortunately, these cute candles are so popular (and inexpensive) that finding them in stock in-store or online is pretty much impossible. So what can you do if you can't find them? We say skip trying to find them at Five Below and try this trendy heart candle DIY that Instagram user @casagrella shared instead.

You can easily recreate these boutique-style candles in about fifteen minutes for just a few bucks. The project is easy enough for DIY beginners to tackle and offers a fun, therapeutic way to spend a quiet afternoon at home. The project only requires a few basic supplies available at most craft stores. You'll need a small red candle to act as the "paint" and a small, thin paintbrush. You'll also need two 10-inch tapered candles: one in a soft, creamy white and one in a dusty light pink make the perfect Five Below dupe. Just don't make these mistakes when buying your candles.

By making your own version of the heart tapers yourself, you can avoid all the hassle of hunting the candles down from Five Below and gain the satisfaction of creating your own handmade accent. Plus, the candles would look stunning if you paired them with vintage brass holders or maximize their mood with decorative touches. They'll elevate a mantel or a Valentine's Day tablescape with a touch of classic, romantic flair once you're done.

The secret to this clever dupe is using melted wax to create the hearts instead of something more traditional like acrylic paint (especially since acrylic can smell or flake when burned). To start, light your red candle and let it burn for a few minutes until a small pool of liquid wax forms around the wick; this molten pool will serve as your inkwell. Rather than messing with extra dishes, you can dip your paintbrush directly into the molten wax (carefully, of course; don't let the brush get too close to the flame).

Since wax starts to harden as soon as it leaves the heat, we recommend working quickly as you move from the liquid wax pool to your tapered candle. To create a perfect heart, apply two small downward diagonal flicks that meet at a point at the bottom. The wax will dry pretty much instantly on the taper's cooler surface and leave behind a slightly raised texture that'll actually look more expensive than the flat, printed version from the store. And don't worry if your hearts aren't totally symmetrical; these little variations give your candles a hand-painted artisanal vibe. The red wax can peel right off if you make a mistake, too, so things don't have to be stressful.

Once you've covered the length of each candle, let them sit for a while in a holder so they fully cure. And voila! You now have a set of trendy tapers that look like they came from a high-end boutique. It's the perfect way to help you decorate your home for Valentine's Day.