Buzz
1.A hand-poured sage candle infused with dried flowers and herbs for that extra touch of charm. With up to 55 hours of burn time, it's the perfect addition to your zen space.
2.A soy candle with the motto, "bringing light to a dark world," which perfectly captures its essence. Non-toxic and offering 37 hours of burn time, it comes in a variety of unique scents. Its minimalist design suits any decor, and its elegant packaging makes it an excellent gift!
3.An essential oil pillar candle, perfect for those who have a collection of unused candleholders. Available in delightful scents like orange lemongrass and vanilla peppermint!
4.A homesick candle for those who miss the comforting scents of a place they once called home. And it’s not just states — you can choose from cities and even college towns!
5.A Pet House candle, a must-have for dog owners whose pets adore long walks in the rain (resulting in that wet dog smell that lingers far too long in the house).
6.A soy-based candle to bring the perfect cozy atmosphere to your home — because everyone knows it's not truly chilly season until a candle is lit. Those are the rules 🕯️.
7.A "Comfort Zone" candle, perfect for those who love nothing more than canceled plans (guilty), curling up on the couch watching Netflix, and enjoying the calming aroma of vanilla and cedarwood.
Anecdote Candles feature cotton wicks and a coconut-soy wax blend, ensuring a clean burn.
Scent notes: orange blossom, coffee, jasmine, vanilla, patchouli, and cedarwood.
Available at Anecdote Candles starting at $14+ (three size options).
8.A set of tiny strawberry candles that'll have you singing "I want more berriessssss and that summer feelinnnnng" just like Harry Styles whenever you light one — they're that cute.
9.A unique scented candle that stands out from the rest — it blends orange peel, peppercorn, apple, mandarin, vanilla, and Tonka bean. Definitely a 10/10 experience.
This LGBTQ-owned small business is based in Chicago. I’ve personally tried their Real Housewives of New York "Berkshires" candle, and I can vouch for how fantastic their candles are.
Promising review: "It’s giving pecan pie and apple cider 🥰 I’m obsessed!! The quality, as always, is incredible, and the projection is just right." —Julia Peters
Scent notes:
Top: Citrus, Cinnamon, Chrysanthemum
Middle: Apple, Berry, Green Leaves
Base: Pecan, Cedar
Available at The Sisters Stoned on Etsy for $18+ (two sizes available).
10.A Star Wars–themed Homesick candle, perfect for those curious about what The Death Star smells like. Ideal for your next movie marathon (yes, again).
11.A "warm and cozy" candle, because just the name alone feels like it’ll wrap you in a soft throw blanket and lead you to the couch for the ultimate snuggle session.
This candle combines orange, cinnamon, clove, vetiver, and pine. With its minimalist design, it complements any home decor beautifully! It’s crafted by Sweet Water Decor, a small business based in Pennsylvania.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this candle... adore it! The only downside is that it's too small, I prefer larger three-wick candles. But the scent totally makes up for it. With a subtle hint of fireplace smoke mixed with winter pine and a touch of citrus, it's the perfect cozy vibe. The snow’s falling outside, but I’m wrapped in a blanket, warm and happy with my Warm & Cozy candle. :)" —K.M. Helm
Scent notes: orange, cinnamon, clove, and pine
Available from Sweet Water Decor on Amazon Handmade for $19.99 (offered in four scents and two designs).
12.A Capri Blue Volcano Mercury candle, a familiar scent if you've ever been inside an Anthropologie store — it comes in multiple sizes, so you can pick the one that’s *just right* for your space.
These candles are adored by every Anthropologie lover — don’t miss out on them!
Promising review: "I’ve bought so many of these candles over the years for both myself and as gifts. The fragrance is amazing and long-lasting. I also love the lid to keep the dust out when not in use." —Hodges Runner
Scent notes: tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons, and limes with a hint of lightly exotic mountain greens.
Available at Anthropologie for $20+ (offered in sizes XS–XL).
13.A Votivo candle in a simple jar that complements your home’s decor — they come in so many delicious scents, you might struggle to pick just one to start with!
14.A stylish glass candle in an elegant jar that will elevate any space in your home — plus, its wooden wick adds a cozy, crackling fireplace feel to any room.
La Jolíe Muse Store is a charming small business offering exquisite home products.
Promising review: "This candle is absolutely stunning, especially considering the price. The glass is gorgeous, and the color is perfect. The wick is impressively thick. Even when it's not lit, it gives off a delightful scent when the lid is off. I’ve gotten so many compliments on it." —Erin
Get it on Amazon for $36+ (available in nine different scents).
15.A West Coast-scented candle by P.F. Candle Co. is perfect for those days when you wish you were cruising down the coast (these are handmade in California!). Ideal for moments when you'd rather be by the ocean than stuck in work emails.
16.A Voluspa candle in a beautifully designed jar that will not only make your home smell heavenly but also serve as a stunning decor piece. If it were possible to bathe in a candle's scent, this would be the one I'd choose to envelop myself in completely.
17.A tobacco and patchouli Paddywax candle in a vintage amber apothecary jar, evoking the feeling of living in a charming yet mystical shop run by enchanting women cursed by a series of unfortunate love stories. Think Practical Magic vibes, full of magic and mystery.
18. A Pet's Favorite odor-eliminating candle designed to tackle Fido's lingering smells that seem to cling to your home no matter how many baths you give your furry friend. Crafted from a soy-paraffin blend with a cotton wick, it's safe for pets!
19. A Torched IPA Candle inspired by craft beers and ciders, made from upcycled bottles. These hand-cut candles will fill your home with a delightful fragrance while serving as a unique conversation starter. Cheers to that!
Torched Products is a small business based in Tampa, Florida.
My colleague Tasia Bass is a big fan of these candles: "I stumbled upon the lavender version at a cider mill gift shop and purchased it on a whim, even though I don't drink IPAs. The candle just caught my eye. I'm so glad I did! I ended up going back to buy all the scents the next year, but my favorites are definitely the lavender IPA and blood orange IPA.
I love them during the fall, but they're great year-round too. I also bought the Pinewood Pilsner, which smells like Christmas! The scent is subtle and lingers long after you blow the candle out. Plus, they come in three sizes, and the largest burns for up to 200 hours. They make a perfect gift for both IPA and candle lovers!"
Get it from Torched Products for $19.99+ or Amazon for $22.99+ (available in three sizes and a variety of scents).
20. A large Midsummer's Night Yankee Candle that lasts 110 hours, offering the perfect companion for cozy nights (and beyond!). Its fragrance blends musk, patchouli, sage, and mahogany cologne ✨.
21. A "Negroni Nights" candle that transforms the essence of your favorite cocktail into a must-have candle. You’ll be so obsessed with its incredible scent, it’ll be impossible not to rave about it.
Poured Candle Bar is a small business based in Hudson, NY, offering a variety of unique fragrance experiences. I gifted this candle to my husband because Negronis are his go-to drink, and he was absolutely amazed by the scent. He often complains about my candle obsession (rightfully so), but he couldn't help but embrace this one — it's just that incredible.
Scent notes: blood orange, bitters, dry gin, rosemary, and sage
Get it from Poured Candle Bar for $40 (also available as a large seven-wick centerpiece bowl).
22. A candle that you'll want to snatch up and light immediately before diving into that steamy romance novel you've been proudly reading — because embracing your inner smut lover is something to be proud of. It’ll *~add a little spice~* to your world 🌶️.
Evil Queen is my absolute favorite small business, and it’s where I always turn to for candles. They're woman-owned and offer all kinds of candles with witty labels that’ll entice you to try them, even if the scent isn’t something you’d usually go for. The "Smut Lover" candle is hands down one of the most amazing scents my nose has ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The label is a riot and makes it *super* gift-worthy, but the scent — WOW!
Scent notes:
Top: Lemon, Lime, Eucalyptus
Middle: Lavender, Marine, Ozone, Cyclamen, Anise
Base: Cedar, Orris, Frankincense, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Musk
Do yourself a favor and grab a few of these.
Promising review: "This candle is absolutely fantastic, from the label to the scent. Light it up while reading for a cozy, inviting vibe as you indulge in your favorite smut. For fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, this candle has serious Rhysand vibes. It's strong and masculine, and I could sit and inhale it all day." —Caitlin Duncan
Get it from Evil Queen for $22.
23. A tomato and basil-scented candle with the hilarious name "pizza from a guy named joe" that will make you drop everything and add it to your cart before you’ve even taken a sniff. Warning: it may just make you crave a slice of pizza 🍕.
24. A mystical unicorn candle you’ll want to keep coming back for once you witness its mesmerizing transformation when it "sheds" its skin to reveal only a skeletal form. And as if that wasn’t cool enough, it also smells incredible, with hints of vanilla and cinnamon.
54Celsius is a fantastic small business!
Promising review: "At first, I thought they were a bit expensive, but when they arrived, we were all thoroughly impressed. They are well-made, and the skeletons are so unique, especially the Unicorn one. We’re burning ours now, but they also make an excellent gift." —Blue
Scent notes: mandarin, vanilla, and cinnamon
Grab it from 54Celsius for $44 (available in three colors).
25. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Soy Candle will fill your entire apartment with the fresh scent of laundry, making it smell like a freshly washed pile of clothes—no matter what your hamper actually looks like.
26. Wax & Wick's scented soy candle has an aesthetic that would blend perfectly in a stylish Brooklyn loft, or even better—your own home!
27. Lulu Candles' tobacco, spice, and vanilla candle evokes the nostalgic scent of pipe-smoking grandparents with a dash of spice and sweetness.
28. Gerrard Larriett's candles are not only great at neutralizing odors but also help reduce stress, perfect for unwinding after chasing your muddy dog around the house.
29. A coconut-scented candle that's literally housed inside an actual coconut shell. Once it’s burned out, keep the polished shell for decoration, fashion it into a coconut bra, or even repurpose it into a new candle (maybe try a lime scent for the perfect lime in the coconut vibe?).
30. And don't forget a rechargeable lighter, so you can light all your newly purchased candles without worrying about running out of fuel. You're welcome!
31. A hand-poured "Ghost People All Year Round" soy candle available in delightful scents such as Apples & Cinnamon, Blueberry Pie, and Lux Linen, allowing you to create the perfect atmosphere in your home.
Wax On Fire is a small business from South Carolina that specializes in eco-friendly soy candles and other products.
Promising review: "Better than advertised!! I got the banana bread scent and absolutely love it!!" –Michael
Get it from Wax On Fire on Etsy for $12.60+ (originally $18+; available in three sizes and 25 scent options, including unscented).
32. A soy candle from Chesapeake Bay's Mind and Body collection, crafted with essential oils to evoke soothing fragrances inspired by the serene atmosphere of Maryland's coastline.
33. A Mise en Scènt soy candle that transports you to the world of romantic comedies. With fragrance notes of freesia, peach, vanilla, and the feeling of confessing your love to your best friend just before they catch their flight to another country.
Mise en Scènt is a small business based in Brooklyn, creating soy candles inspired by films. They offer hand-poured scents to complement your favorite movie nights – ranging from fantasy to macabre to old Hollywood, and much more.
As a self-professed rom-com aficionado, I couldn't resist trying this candle. Mise en Scènt generously gifted it to me, and I wasted no time lighting it, enjoying it, and watching Nora Ephron films — all in the name of research! The scent was absolutely heavenly (a perfect blend of fruity, floral, and musky notes), and it burned evenly and lasted for ages. I'll probably be ordering their "Macabre" candle soon as we approach the spooky season.
Pick it up from Mise en Scènt for $36.
34. A charming set of aromatherapy candles that would make the perfect gift for the candle lover in your life (we all know one), or a lovely indulgence for yourself as a "treat yourself" moment.
35. A delightful apple-scented Yankee Candle that lets you live out your apple-picking fantasies, no matter the season – even if it's snowing outside.
36. Decorative cactus-shaped tea candles that will make it seem like you’ve mastered the art of plant care – at least until you light them up. After that, you're right back to square one.
37. A candle that tackles the important questions everyone is wondering. Malicious Women is a woman-owned small business from Washington State, specializing in candles that smell incredible and bring some much-needed humor to your day.
After receiving one of these candles as a gift, I (Courtney) loved it so much that I went on to purchase six more in different scents and styles. Bonus points for being from my home state (shoutout to the PNW) and woman-owned. Each scent is as delightful as it is effortlessly filling, and the personalized, witty, or sometimes serious designs are just the cherry on top of an already fabulous candle.
Get it from Malicious Women for $22 (they offer a variety of scents; browse their full candle collection here).
38. A cereal-scented wood wick candle because breakfast cereal is an amazing fragrance and, honestly, I'm not open to discussion on this!
Mala The Brand is a woman-owned small shop on Etsy offering hand-poured, uniquely scented candles inspired by the beauty of everyday life. Each candle is crafted with natural coconut soy wax, blended with phthalate-free fragrance oils and essential oils. While you're there, check out some other home decor pieces from small businesses you may want to add to your cart!
Promising review: "Every single candle smells so incredible and fragrant. It’s warm and comforting without being overpowering, and the wood wick crackling is so soothing and relaxing. I can’t wait to buy some fall-scented Mala candles next!" —Shaiza
Get it from Mala The Brand on Etsy for $18.17.
39. A coconut wood wick candle literally made inside a coconut! Any guesses as to what it might smell like...
40. A lidded metal option so you can trap all the smoke after blowing out the wick. We love a sweet-smelling candle, but the lingering smoke is another story.
Promising review: "These candles added a festive touch to my table for Christmas. They looked beautiful with the silver bows." —Ryvie
Get it from Target for $10.
41. A cherry blossom candle for those who long for spring all year, just to inhale the scent of delicate pink petals. Now you can have them in your home permanently.
Get it from Target for $13.19.
42. A distinctive "Focus" wood wick candle brimming with herbal, floral, and citrusy essential oils designed to help you work through the night—productively, of course.
Burn.in Candle Co. is a Black woman-owned business founded in 2020 after Donna-Marie, the creator, experienced both professional and pandemic burnout. She turned to aromatherapy for relief, which led to the creation of the anti-burnout candles you can enjoy today!
Promising reviews: "I absolutely adore my All-Nighter candle! I initially bought one as a gift, but I ended up keeping it for myself and even repurchased it almost a year later. The crackling sound of the wood wick and the way it fills my entire space are just perfect 🥰" –Customer
"I love how this candle helps me focus. I could surround my desk with them and achieve total zen!" —Dana P.
Get it from Burn.in Candle Co. for $38 (also available in a sample tin).
You, savoring every fragrant note from your new candle:
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
