Our Favorite Warm and Woodsy Candles
Boy Smells Hinoki Fantôme Candle offers an earthy and elegant aroma with a combination of cypress smoke, warm amber, sweet vanilla, florals, and fresh moss. It has a sophisticated look but may have slightly crooked labels and a fingerprint-prone glossy vessel. The scent is fragrant yet not overwhelming, making it suitable for various occasions. Another great option is the Kishmish Kashmiri Chai Candle, which provides a sweet and spicy blend of anise and cardamom. It's hand-poured in San Francisco but is only sold on the company's website and doesn't accept returns except for defective products. The P.F. Candle Co. Amber & Moss Soy Candle has a rich, complex aroma with notes of pine resin, moss, eucalyptus, and vanilla. It has an unfussy vessel but a flimsy label and a relatively mild scent. Paddywax Tobacco Flower Form Candle comes in an eye-catching ceramic vessel with a cedar-and-patchouli fragrance that's warm and spicy. It may have uneven wax pours and a less potent scent. Apotheke Charcoal Candle has an upscale look and a sophisticated scent of charred sandalwood and cedar, but its label can't be removed, limiting the jar's reusability. Brooklyn Candle Studio Palo Santo Minimalist Candle has a potent palo santo–scented that looks elegant but has a stubborn label for reuse. Voluspa Baltic Amber Candle is incredibly fragrant with a warm, spicy, woodsy, and musky scent. It's available in various sizes but may have a single wick that causes uneven burning.
Our Favorite Fresh and Floral Candles
Bath & Body Works Rose Water & Ivy Candle offers a realistic rose scent that's sweet yet not treacly. It's budget-friendly but burns faster than most. Diptyque Roses Classic Candle has a potent and delicate rose scent but is expensive and doesn't come with a lid. Otherland Daybed Candle has a strong rose presence with peony and pear water, housed in a bold and colorful vessel. It's very fragrant but may be too intense for some. Target Project 62 Lavender + Eucalyptus Candle provides a soft and natural-smelling scent of lavender and eucalyptus but burns fast and has no lid.
Our Favorite Sweet and Citrusy Candles
Mala the Brand Cereal Scented Soy Candle is a sophisticated take on Froot Loops and is available with either a wooden or cotton wick. It's playful but has strict return policies and can tunnel. Peacesake Neroli and Musk Candle has a dreamy blend of florals, citrus, and sandalwood and comes in a thick, matte-black, recycled-glass vessel with a cork lid. However, the lid can crumble and it's not widely sold.
Our Favorite Unique and Savory Scents
D.S. & Durga Pasta Water Candle has a strange but satisfying savory-and-salty smell but is very expensive and polarizing. Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle has a fresh and green tomato scent but is pricey. Smell House Juice Hoax Candle has a fruity, vegetative smell but the label can't be removed for jar reuse.
How We Picked and Tested
We conducted blind tests with a panel of experts, considering various factors such as scent, vessel design, and environmental consciousness. We also evaluated the candles both lit and unlit. We preferred candlemakers that are environmentally conscious and ensured that the candles were tested thoroughly for quality and performance.
How to Make Your Candles Burn More Evenly (and Last Longer)
To make your candles burn evenly and last longer, trim the wick to about ¼ inch before lighting. Burn the candle to the edges on the first use to give the wax "memory" and avoid tunneling. If tunneling occurs, use a vented tin-foil hat to redirect the heat. Also, limit burning to three to four hours at a time and use a lid or cover when not in use.
What about Wick Trimmers and Other Accessories?
Wick trimmers, snuffers, and dippers can enhance your candle-burning experience. Wick trimmers help keep the wick at the right length, snuffers cut off the flame's air supply, and dippers extinguish the flame with less smoke. These tools are not essential but can add to the convenience and enjoyment of using candles.
Other Scented Candles Worth Considering
Some candles worth considering include Capri Blue Cactus Pineapple Flower Petite Jar, Capri Blue Volcano Petite Jar, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day candles, Threshold Leather + Embers Wooden Wick Candle, Threshold Coconut + Honey Wooden Wick Candle, Apothia Bronzed Candle. Each has its own unique features, scents, and pros and cons.
The Competition
Keap Lavender + Petals Candle has a good smell but is difficult to purchase. Yankee Candle's scents can be overly pungent and have issues with website and customer support.
In conclusion, finding the best candle scent depends on your personal preferences and the atmosphere you want to create. Whether you prefer warm and woodsy, fresh and floral, sweet and citrusy, or unique and savory scents, there's a candle out there to suit your needs. Consider the quality, scent strength, vessel design, and burn time when making your choice. Happy candle hunting!
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