Of all the products I test as a beauty writer—lip glosses, hair masks, facial cleansers, foundation—candles remain the most alluring. I collect them like Yu-Gi-Oh cards, hoarding my favorites and constantly searching for more. But I’m not one to save my fanciest candles for special occasions. Every day deserves the delicious unwind that comes with lighting a really great, really relaxing candle.
To me, the best ones smell familiar, with a note you can’t quite place. They bring down my high frenetic energy and make my place smell great in the process. Ahead, 10 of my all-time favorite candles that help me zen out.
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Smokey, Woodsy Candles That Calm
Unfortunately, my shoebox apartment doesn’t have a fireplace, but a smoldering, woodsy candle is a close second. The blend of spices and gourmands envelopes me in warmth, while smokey notes set the perfect ambiance. Perfect for those cold winter months, I have these candles burning from December through February.
Sidia’s Braless is the aromatic equivalent to stripping off your bra after a long day (hence the name)—in other words, it’s instantly relaxing, easing tensions and setting the tone for the ultimate unwind. Base notes of patchouli, vanilla cream, musk, and leather mix with black pepper, coconut, cedar, orris, black tea, spanish rosemary, and violet to set the mood. I love lighting it up on a lazy Sunday night.
Maison Margiela
‘REPLICA’ By the Fireplace Scented Candle
I like to smell my candles, even when unlit. By the Fireplace does just that, offering a sweet smokiness that envelopes the room in warmth. Orange flower and vanilla are layered over classic woody notes and chestnut for a wholly unique scent experience. It’s the best-smelling version of a fireplace I’ve ever come across.
Warm and Grounded Scents For Sky-High Anxiety
I wait all summer to pull out my favorite warm candles. Slightly sweet and a little spicy, they’re grounded with an attitude. Think the most perfect fall day you can dream up—then make it 10 times better. There’s an inexplicable coziness to these candles that just keep me coming back.
One of my all-time favorite candles, I’m constantly between hoarding Chai Milk candles and keeping one burning at all times. It smells like its namesake, amped up with creamy milk, brown sugar, and tonka. The result is a truly intoxicating candle that grounds me from the moment it lights up.
A true mood-maker, Cece is an instant hit with everyone it meets. Cedarwood smoke, sweet cardamon, cinnamon, and white leather make for a cozy burn that brings the warmth without overwhelming a space. To me, it transforms even the tensest moments into sweet serene release.
Fresh Candles to Uplift
When I’m looking for something light and uplifting, I turn to fresh, earthy candles that smell like the best summer nights. There’s something familiar about these sort of scents—nature, amped up a few notches. They’re particularly great in the kitchen.
(Image credit: Danielle Cohen)
Flamingo Estate
Heirloom Tomato Leaf Candle
Balmy nights in the garden might not be the most obvious candle inspiration, but Flamingo Estate’s Tomato Leaf makes quite the argument for it. Sweet and green, with hints of sharpness and a subtle earthy warmth, this candle keeps tomato season going all year long. It’s herbaceous, ripe, and juicy without feeling saccharine or artificial.
Trudon
Versailles Classic Candle
Inspired by French culture in the 18th century, Versailles evokes the aroma of running through a beautiful garden in peak season. Notes of mint, peony, thyme, tulip blossom, rosemary, and tuberose are grounded with an oak and honeysuckle base. Floral and fresh, it’s France in the spring—what could be better?
Spicy Candles That Bring the Heat
Warm and heady, spice-forward candles are the ultimate blend of intensity and intimacy. They’re cozy yet mysterious; both sultry and comfortable. To me, they harken back to the coldest winter nights, setting the perfect tone to enjoy red wine under a faux fur blanket.
Diptyque
Ambre Scented Candle
A true classic, Diptyque’s Ambre is woody, earthy, floral, and, most important of all, spicy. It’s extra in the most indulgent way, a blend of balms, spices, and woods that circle around the air and warm any space. It’s rich without feeling pretentious; instantly elevating the night.
When Byredo reissued its Altar candle, its creative director and founder said it “reminded of the sanctity of home and family.” I have to agree—with clove buds, carnations, ylang ylang, papyrus, and vetiver, it smells like a warm fire in the dead of winter. It’s intensely spicy in a way that makes you lean in for more.
Rich Girl Scents to Lift You Up
Sometimes, you just want your space to smell rich; something that feels fancy and elevated. Some candles just embody luxury. They neither scream nor whisper, they simply are.
Hotel Lobby Candle
Signature Candle
Given this candle is inspired by the world’s finest hotels, it’s no wonder it smells so luxurious. The profile is deep and sophisticated, rich and warm. It also has perhaps the best throw of any candle on this list. Even in the box, the clever blend of agarwood, vetiver, cedar, amber, and musk shines through.
Le Labo
Santal 26 Classic Candle
Perhaps the Santal 26 legacy has something to do with it, but, in my mind, this candle embodies sophistication and class. Warm, leathery, and musky, it’s downright aristocratic, with an underlying coolness that can’t be taught. There’s a reason this scent has stood the test of time; it’s just that good.
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