May some candles be lit with oil and others with wax?

Question: Is it possible to combine different kinds of candles in the same hanukkiah?

Answer:

The Ben Ish Chai writes that one should not light some candles with oil and others with wax.

He gives two reasons:

1. So that it does not look as if two different people lit the candles.

2. Because uniform candles add beauty and hiddur to the mitzvah.

Therefore the candles should be similar in size, shape and type.

What about the shamash?

The shamash, on the contrary, should be different from the other candles, so that it is clear it is not one of the mitzvah candles.

The Ben Ish Chai notes that this was his own practice.