Fresh, woody, floral or exotic? Take your pick of the best scented candles.
Photo: Pablo Martin.
Whether it’s the romantic charm of dinner by candlelight, the tranquillity of a candle-lit bath, or the cosy comfort of a scented candle infusing your living room with its subtle fragrance, candles can effortlessly elevate the mood and aesthetic of your surroundings without breaking the bank.
A scented candle is a fail-safe gift for your famously hard-to-buy-for friend or simply a way to help you unwind in the evenings.
When finding the right scent for you and your home, you should know that a candle scent will fit into one or more of the four main scent profiles: fresh, woody, floral or exotic. Discover our guide to determine which scent profile suits you best and browse the best scented candles available in New Zealand.
Fresh scented candles
If your ideal Sunday is full of clean laundry and fresh sheets, then a fresh home fragrance is the one for you. Throw in a good book and a citrus tea, and you’ve got yourself a weekend.
One of the freshest candles to add to your collection comes from Lyttleton Lights. Its Lemongrass and Ginger scented candle offers subtle notes of ginger under a strong lemongrass base to revive your room. Similarly, this Good Vibes Only candle by Frankie + Rose invokes a herbaceous aroma of citrusy lime and freshly picked basil for the perfect pick-me-up.
For a fruitier take, Glasshouse’s award-winning Sunsets in Capri candle sports the aromas of white peach and sea breeze, and Crushes’ rendition on freshly washed sheets is The Fresh One candle.
For fresh sheet aficionados, linen spray is your best-kept secret to emulating a crisp aroma. Frankie + Rose offers a variety of linen spray varieties (like the rich, refreshing Goldie) to invigorate your bedding long after the candle’s flame goes out.
Woody scented candles
Woody aromas are rich, warm and earthy, excellent for an environment full of neutral colours and natural tones. They should transport you to cold nights full of hot chocolates, rainy drives and roaring fireplaces.
For a fragrance inspired by the smoky character of an oak barrel, the Dark Whiskey + Oak candle by Frankie + Rose is a perfect match. Lyttleton Lights’ Sandalwood and Vanilla candle is for you if you’re craving a spicy and sweet aroma.
Abeille’s Blackberry Forest scented candle adds a gorgeous hint of earthiness. Alternatively, Nevé’s Whiskey and Wood Smoke candle brings a smoky, leathery feel to a space, and its Wild Pine + Juniper Berry candle is rustic but soothing.
Floral scented candles
It might be winter outdoors, but inside, spring will bloom all year long with a floral-infused scent. From rose and lavender to hibiscus and chamomile, floral-based candles are ever-enduring in popularity and make the perfect present for that hard-to-buy person.
The Frankie + Rose Warm Vanilla candle offers a luscious blend of buttermilk, french vanilla and blossom, perfect for lighting during the day or after dinner for the ultimate sensory experience.
The Lyttelton Lights Fig and Apple Blossom candle is another of our favourite florals, taking the coffee table pride of place.
We also adore Glasshouse’s award-winning Kyoto in Bloom candle for its heavenly camellia and lotus scent. The limited-edition Lily & Rosewood Circa candle also has made its mark with a profile of fresh white lilies and sensual rosewood. And for an iconic scent by luxury French fragrance house Diptyque, Baies, is a harmonious blend of blooming roses and freshly picked blackcurrant berries.
Exotic scented candles
Exotic scents encompass aromas engineered after foods or other intoxicating smells, such as vanilla, cinnamon, honey, or coffee. These home fragrances create a stimulating environment, so they’ll have you charging through your morning emails in no time.
The Frankie + Rose Spiced Pear + Honey is the pinnacle of juicy pear and spice, with a touch of honey and brandy. The Lyttleton Lights Nectarine and Honey candle continues the honey theme with its infusion of sweet, creamy notes.
The Glasshouse candle, A Tahaa Affair (its most popular scent), is laced with the richness of caramel and vanilla with a lush frankincense and coconut undertone. Its decadent Movie Night candle is also carefully crafted to replicate a choc top and a bucket of caramel popcorn at the cinema for a robustly sweet smell.
Home fragrance: Incense and room sprays
If you’re looking for something different from the traditional scented candle, room sprays and incense sticks are great home fragrance alternatives.
The Midnight room and linen spray perfectly captures a maple-like woody essence, or for a floral option, Lyttelton Lights’ Sweet Pea and Jasmine room spray is divine. Try Plant Potions’ I am Calm Mist for a meditative-like elixir for your house, pillow, and body.
Incense sticks can lend a subtle aroma while looking great on any bookshelf. Naturally, they look great paired with an ornate incense tray.
For an incense that embodies winter, try Auckland yoga studio Sala’s seasonal incense creation that goes hand in hand with cosy evenings or sleeping in, with notes of frankincense clove, jasmine, orange blossom and cinnamon. Vyrao’s Verdant Incense is a mood-boosting option for a bright, citrusy smell.
A versatile and affordable way to create a personalised ambience in your home, remember to care for your candle with a wick trimmer to enhance the fragrance quality and burn time, and always adhere to the provided safety instructions. Whether you’re seeking home fragrance for personal enjoyment or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one, this modest luxury will delight whoever experiences it.
Words: Mae MacDonald.
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