I haven’t bought many scented candles this year, and those I have bought are old favorites I've already reviewed. Recently, I received small-sized candle samples from The Different Company, and I liked almost all of them. I really enjoyed Lumière (from the Collection des Rêves) and Wood (from The Modern House line).
Lumière was developed by perfumer Delphine Jelk and lists orange blossom, ylang-ylang and white musk as major ingredients. Lumière is a semi-sweet, white floral-scented candle with the accent on creamy orange blossom (that sometimes veers into “almost-tuberose,” then "almost-edible" territory). During its gourmand phase, Lumière reminds me of pastry made with a dash of orange flower water. Ylang-ylang is discernible; the longer you burn the candle, the more you’ll notice it. White musk? Thankfully, it does not impart “laundry” or “clean” aromas to Lumière.
Wood (perfumer Alexandra Monet) is an interesting take on the “woody, smoky, spicy” theme, with notes of cade wood and cedar. When smelled unlit, I detect a roaring-fireplace fragrance, but when the candle is burning, along with smoking logs, there's a "comestible" flavor. Wood smells like gingerbread cookies baking in a wood-fired oven, cookies whose edges and bottoms are turning black. Aromas of brown sugar/molasses, ginger, and perhaps some cardamom and cinnamon round out Wood's fragrance. Patchouli is listed as another ingredient, but I don’t detect it.
The Lumière and Wood candles burn evenly and cleanly (if you keep the wicks trimmed); each candle has amazing throw; my tiny sample votives scent a big room even when unlit…when lit, the aromas are dense and pervasive. Most of The Different Company candles I sampled have a gourmand element, even if food or spices aren't the main characters — if you don't like food-y aromas in your candles, try before buying.
The Different Company Lumière and Wood candles are 190 g/6.7 oz and burn for approximately 45 hours; €45 each at the company website. The Different Company also offers beautifully boxed sets of four candles (each a different scent) that make great holiday gifts...and they're reasonably priced at €59.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Your description of Wood reminds me of Hansel and Gretel. There’s no burning flesh note in there I hope
Otherwise it sounds right up my alley. It’s a bit expensive for me though. Any budget recommendations for Christmas? Last year I got Thymes Frasier Fir which I liked and L’occitane Rameau d’Hiver which was frankly disappointing. I’m thinking of trying something from Lafco, maybe Feu De Bois or Tree. And as always, thanks for the review.
Jonas: no flesh! I like the Ortigia candles…around $40…Ambra Nera is good…orange blossom. I believe Twisted Lily carries them online.
The Ortigia candles look great. I just checked Twisted Lily’s online store and they have a massive Christmas Candle by Jardins d’Ecrivains called Dickens. At only $55 it’s pretty tempting. I know you’ve done done glowing reviews of their perfumes but I’m wondering if you’ve tried the candles.
Jonas…nope, haven’t gotten to the candle line yet…soon.
Ooh – these sound delightful! I recently just got my first really nice candle (a diptyque) but I can’t wait to get more. Definitely putting candles on the Christmas list!
Sun Mi: I always like scented candles all winter…but especially around the holidays. Hope you get some good ones!
I just couldn’t spend more than like $10-$15 bucks on a candle. And $15 is probably the absolute max. And haven’t even spent that much on a candle. Most I get are like $8. Ok, they won’t smell as good as Dip’s candles but I just can’t do it. Those who can, enjoy!
Omega…I could burn beeswax candles and be perfectly happy…they smell wonderful…and not expensive at all!
Mmm, beeswax:).
I’ve had good luck with getting nice medium-end candles at low-end prices at shops like Marshall’s, or T.J. Maxx. I have been known to splurge on really wonderful, really expensive candles, as well, but I burn so many in winter that I often alternate between a luxury brand and inexpensive Better Homes and Gardens candles, a few of which aren’t bad at all, particularly given their less than $10 price tag.
All: just remembered…Henri Bendel candles are great…about $30…also Pacifica candles….
Yes, Marshall’s is GREAT for candle bargains! You have to be patient, but I’ve found Natori candles (made by Nest), Tokyo Milk, Illume, and more. Most recently Marshall’s has been loaded with Aquiesse candles, lots of different scents — I think because they changed their packaging and added lids recently, they needed to dump their remaining stock. $12.99 for candles that retail at $36! And they smell amazing.
These sound wonderful! Coincidentally, I was wearing TDC De Bachmakov today, which was surprisingly just right for a dreary November day.
noz: I need to try that one again…I can’t believe how long it’s been since it launched!
I have bought a Swan Creek candle called Home for the Holidays which was very reasonably priced here in Australia especially considering it’s made in Ohio. I haven’t burnt it yet though so hoping it has good sillage. They had some other delicious smells such as warm cinammon buns and salted caramel popcorn.