It’s also fairly affordable (though a few dollars pricier than the Boy Smells) and under the radar enough that it probably won’t sell out. It comes in a sleek, all-black votive that looks nice sitting out and has the serif font of a fancy DTC brand. It smells incredible (so much so that I’ve penned an ode to its versatility) and can be burned all day without inducing a headache. The sage is strong and head clearing, and the oat milk gives it a creamy, subtly sweet finish. The combination is luxurious without being fussy. It’s heavily scented without being overpowering and has just two notes: sage and oat milk.

If Boy Smells Kush is a bit overpowering for you, then allow me to direct you to this candle from Keys Soulcare, which will be ostensibly inoffensive to most people (including those with sensitive noses). Notes: Sage and oat milk | Scent family: Earthy, fresh | Wax: Soy-wax blend | Burn time: 65 hours She likes that it leaves a scent impression in the room long after you blow it out.

Stylist Mecca James-Williams calls it a “less grown-up version of Dark Rum,” which she’s kept on constant rotation since she bought it after smelling it at Kith. It’s intoxicating the scent evolves like a conversation with an old friend: bright at the surface and then increasingly complex as the hours stretch on. Finally, when you blow it out or let it burn for a while, you start to smell the suede, musk, and amber. Then there’s almond, tulip, sage, and eucalyptus. At the top is cannabis leaf, lemon peel, and rhubarb - which you smell immediately. I credit Kush’s uniqueness to the heady mix of amber, floral, and green notes. The brand is known for its signature scents - so much so that we dubbed it the statusy candle in 2018, and in the years since, the company has maintained its cachet. I’m a longtime fan of Boy Smells’ Kush and all of its offshoot siblings because it’s one of those instantly recognizable scents that doesn’t smell like anything else. Notes: Cannabis, suede, white musk, tulip, and amber | Scent family: Green amber | Wax: Coconut-and-beeswax blend | Burn time: 50 hours Generally, most brands use a blend of waxes with the goal of producing an ideal candle-burning experience. But coconut wax is pricier than soy wax, meaning a candle made from coconut wax alone will be more expensive. It also burns slightly slower than soy wax, giving candles an even longer burn time. It’s made from coconut oil and tends to have a better throw than soy wax. Coconut wax is the newest wax of the four.

It has a naturally sweet scent, which can be a positive or negative, depending on preference. On the flip side, it doesn’t hold scent the same way paraffin wax does, decreasing its throw. Soy wax is often touted as the ecofriendly alternative to paraffin and is popular among candle brands that label themselves “clean” or “nontoxic.” Soy wax burns slower, meaning your candle will last longer. Paraffin holds scent well, which makes it a popular option, but it’s a by-product of petroleum, which isn’t as sustainable as other candle wax options like coconut or soy. The first and most common is paraffin, which you’ll find in lots of mainstream options like Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works. With that in mind, I spoke to a handful of scent obsessives with exceptional taste - and a particular affinity for candles - to find out their favorites, which I’ve listed below.Īs I said before, “good” can be subjective when it comes to fragrance - but all candles are made of the same stuff: wax and fragrance.

When it comes to fragrance, “good” is subjective and often comes down to a matter of preference of taste. As a result, I’ve learned what makes a good one. I’ve also done quite a bit of writing about candles and tested a bunch too. I even trim my wicks! Which, by the way, you should be doing too if you want an even pool of wax. I burn them for hours at a time, picking scents according to the room in my home and practice identifying scent notes with a few sniffs. It started out sporadically, during the odd bath or to banish the smell of cooked food, but now it’s a full-on hobby.

I’ve been working from home for more than two years now, and in that time, I’ve become a bit of a candle obsessive.

La jolie muse reviews