Summer is over and done with — adieu to heat, humidity, mosquitoes, yard work, glaring sunshine till almost 9 p.m., and overly bright polo shirts that also tax the eyeballs. As the chill of autumn arrives, I look forward to the crisp air, the early nightfall, rain storms, lighting fires in the fireplace, and burning candles.
But come January, the cold begins to get tiresome and a tad depressing — I want to unravel my sweaters, have fresh flowers in my house from the garden, and eat some fruit and vegetables that were not flown in from thousands of miles away. In deep winter, sun and heat are alluring once more — I even start to think about hot-pink and lime-green colored shirts. I have "reserved" a Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubblebath (Summer) candle for the icy, snowy days and nights ahead.
The Yuzu Rose Bubblebath aroma is summery: soft and milky with just a hint of soapiness. It contains pink yuzu, Nur Mahal rose petals, lemongrass and grenadine. As the fragrance develops, it smells like an exotic dessert — I detect a strawberry/pineapple accord (yuzu rind), sugared cream, and "chilled" rose essence. The lemongrass adds a touch of green sourness to the floral-fruity roses and grenadine.
The strongly-scented pink Yuzu Rose Bubblebath candles are available in single-wick ($20) or three-wick ($30) versions and these large-size candles burn for approximately 100 hours. The candles come in clear glass jars — the three-wick candle has decorative gold designs on the glass. Voluspa candles burn cleanly and evenly; for buying information, see the listing for Voluspa under Perfume Houses.
Love “bright polo shirts that tax the eyes”! I have two candle questions, though. First, do you think candles really burn as long as their estimates claim? It seems like the votives especially never make it past a few evenings. Next, do you have a recommendation for a candle with a food-cancelling scent? I have a small house, and if I cook anything fragrant, a lot of times I can smell it in the middle of the night.
Hi Angela: I can attest to the fact that most candles, esp. the “higher end” ones, DO burn as long as their manufacturers say they do (I feel like throwing a party when one of my candles FINALLY expires…that means I can get a new scent). Also, to rid the air of those post-dinner food smells (my house must be like yours…the food aromas get in the heating ducts and blast out at 3 a.m. when the heat comes on…I feel like I'm in a restaurant and that is NOT sleep inducing!) I think candles WITH spice (and woods) work best. BURN makes three candles that are great: Hinoki Temple Incense, Kaffir Lime and Balinese Woods. But you know I must give the best grade for odor eradication to incense itself…a few sticks of sandalwood, or cedar, or amber incense can clear the air. Burn the candle or incense in the kitchen where you did the cooking…. K
I also love candles and burning them all cozied up to the fireplace in the wintertime. But I have to admit that with my all white slip covered decor, I rarely buy anything but white or ivory colored candles, usually unscented. I like burinig incense or oils for added ambient scent.
As a perfumer I am curious to know how many people actually purchase expensive candles. Particularly those that are available in the same scent as a perfume. I have been considering candles for a new line that we are working on. I would rather go with candles than lotions and bath products, that often times do not smell anything at all like the perfume.
Best, Zz……..
Thanks. For some reason I haven't yet put two and two together to burn incense in the kitchen, the source of the odor! I'll check out the candles, too.
Hmm…sounds intriguing. I've never tried a Voluspa candle!
On the food odors…I just ordered a pack of Papier d'Armenie–they are supposed to be odor neutralizing papers that smell mildly of some pleasing, possibly resinous scent? Haven't tried them yet, but have high hopes not so much for food odors but odor of 'basement closet'. Yuck.
ZZ, I love expensive candles and would probably experiment with those even more than with perfume. I change my candle mood more often than my perfume mood, if that makes sense. Today I was visiting a friend burning Diptuques Figuer….utterly lovely fig scent and made us feel so cozy and happy at home on a dreary day outside!
ZZ: I probably would never buy a candle and perfume in the same scent…I would choose one or the other. But I've certainly known people who love their favorite scent so much that they spray it on lightbulbs, on sheets, in the air and would surely buy a candle if it were available. As for expense: the most expensive candle I've bought was $95 and that is a RARE thing … to buy a candle over $50. K
Pia: so far Voluspa candles have served me well. I plan on reviewing Papier d'Armenie next month so do let me know how it works for you. K
Ok, I guess then that I have been out of the candle loop.
PIA, That was an eye opener that you would favor a candle over a perfume. The more I think about it the more it make sense. Some people do not wear perfume for one reason or another, but would feel right at home with a candle.
Kevin, That $95. candle must have been one to savor. If I had purchased an expensive candle, you can bet I might burn it on a cold winters evening, all snuggled up with a glass of port and some toasted walnuts.
Thanks for sharing your opinions, this definitely gives me more to think about.
Best, Zz…….
Kevin, will let you know when the Papier d'Armeni arrive. I saw that Aedes has something similar, but at fifty something dollards vs the six dollars I paid, I'll try the d'Armenie first!
ZZ, a glass of port and toasted walnuts sounds divine. One of my favorite candles of all time, particularly for cold dreary late Feb and March evenings is L'Artisan Parfumeur Mure Sauvage–reminiscent of blackberry jam to some people, but to me, it's pure happiness.
Kevin, dare I ask what the 95 candle was? And was it divine?
ZZ: Well, the $95 candle was six inches across, two inches deep, four wicks and it came in a Chinese cast iron pot with cast-iron lid…antique looking. It smelled good too…black tea, aloeswood incense, plum, sandalwood. I was happy to find out last winter when I was looking to replace it that it is NO longer made! Money saved is money spent elsewhere….K
I love candles in the same scent as a perfume, but the problem is they're so EXPENSIVE. One of my favourites is the Narciso Rodriguez candle in the same scent as the perfume, which is absolutely gorgeous – not heady and overpowering like I imagined a perfume-candle would smell. I think what deters a lot of people is the cost – why spent $80 on a candle, when you can get the EDP for $90?
What is your perfume company, zz?
Hi Thelma,
I have a natural line. Zz's Petals, Parfume Moderne at: http://www.zzspetals.com
and a new (mostly natural) line that will debut soon: Fusionne' Parfume at: http://www.fusionneparfume.com
Thanks for asking, Zz……
Hi ZZ, your company looks really nice. I can imagine that you could come up with some divine candles based on your perfumes. I personally have never bought a candle in the same fragrances that I wear, but it seems like your formulas might lend themselves well. I think that smaller niche companies can do perfume/candles nicely ('Arstian Parfumeur doesn't replicate exactly, but works off the same theme from candle to perfume). But the one thing I would not want is a candle in an easily recognizable perfume (I got the image of Christian Diors Poison in a candle and feel overwhelmed already, lol).
Hay ZZ, I looked up your website and loved what I saw and will be ordering in the near future.
thanks!!
this sounds delightful – Voluspa do some lovely scents, but this Seasons line is especially cute with its gold-filigree style designs and colours.