Best Candles That Actually Smell Incredible

I have an embarrassingly large candle collection and I am not even sorry about it. A good candle changes the atmosphere of a room completely. It is one of those small things that costs under $50 and makes your home feel a hundred times more intentional and cozy.

But not all candles are created equal. I have bought plenty that smelled incredible in the store and then basically disappeared once lit. Here are the ones that actually deliver.

Voluspa (Find It at Anthropologie)

If you have not tried Voluspa yet, this is your sign. The throw on these candles is incredible, meaning the scent actually fills the room instead of just hovering around the wick. My favorite scents are Mokara and Baltic Amber. I order through Anthropologie via ShopMy for the best selection. Also available on Amazon.

Malin+Goetz Dark Rum

This one is for the people who are tired of every candle smelling like a bakery or a spa. Dark Rum from Malin+Goetz is warm, slightly smoky, slightly sweet, and completely sophisticated. It is a candle that gets compliments. You can find it through ShopMy. Worth every penny.

A Good Affordable Option From Amazon

You do not have to spend $40 every time. Amazon has some genuinely great candles, especially the soy wax ones that burn clean and long. I look for ones with cotton wicks and high fragrance load ratings. Shop strong-scented soy candles on Amazon.

A Candle Snuffer (You Need One)

If you are blowing out your candles you are doing it wrong. Blowing creates smoke and can disturb the wax surface. A candle snuffer is a $10 tool that keeps your candles burning longer and cleaner. I have had mine for years. Candle snuffers on Amazon.

How to Make Candles Last Longer

Trim your wick to a quarter inch before every burn. Always let the wax pool melt to the edge of the jar on the first burn or you will get tunneling and waste half the candle. Keep them away from drafts. And store them with lids on to protect the scent.

My Favorite Scent Families

For morning: citrus, green tea, eucalyptus. For evenings: amber, vanilla, sandalwood, tobacco. For fall: fig, cedar, clove. For summer: ocean, linen, cucumber. You do not need one candle for every room but I do have at least one for the living room and one for the bathroom and honestly that is the minimum.

Tell me in the comments your all-time favorite candle. I am always adding to the collection and I genuinely want to know what you love.

xo, Pam

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