NOTES candles are designed to tunnel the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the candle. This is largely due to the air flow created between the beads. This is normal, and doesn’t affect the quality of fragrance or the longevity of the candle like it might in a traditional pillar candle. We don’t recommend pushing the wax into the warmed wax pool, so as to prevent snuffing out the flame. The beads will slowly waterfall into the center as the candle continues to burn, leveling the wax without you having to do a thing. This process is not only interesting to watch, but creates a beautiful silhouette and soft glow when observing from the outside of the vessel. By the time your silicone insert is ready to be removed, you should have an even disk of wax with minimal bead residue on the walls of the candle.