Basically if Cire Trudon makes something new, I want it. Here is Tuileries, celebrating Trudon's 380th anniversary. "The Tuileries collection finds its inspiration in a rare document kept at the French National Archives: the Gazette des Atours de la Reine. In what seems like an ordinary notebook, countess Geneviève d’Ossun – a French courtier who served as lady-in-waiting and first maid of honor to Marie Antoinette – gathered many fabric samples used to tailor the sovereigns’ many dresses and royal outfits. The fragrance was conceived as an homage to the rose, the Queen’s favorite flower throughout her life." Additional notes for the fruity floral chypre include pink pepper, blackcurrant, mandarin, white flowers, raspberry, geranium, musk, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla. Candles in 4 sizes ($55 - $690) or diffuser ($250), at Trudon.
The daily lemming
From Etiket in Canada, the Les Lilas du Voisin candle: "When you take your morning walk, you always turn left. Maybe it’s habit, or maybe it’s the avalanche of lilacs erupting from your neighbour’s yard, pulling you eternally in that direction. This is the smell of the few blossoms you steal from those branches, glancing furtively at their front window before dashing away. With notes of lilac, airy muguet, and a touch of freshly tilled garden soil, light this candle to feel like a kid again. Walk fast and inhale greedily." $68 for 350g.
Everything stops just for an instant
So, imagine a lacquered mahogany table on a balmy summer afternoon. A shaft of bright sunlight hits the table, warming the book-filled room it sits in, making the air heavy and resinous, almost as if someone is burning incense somewhere. A lavish bouquet of sprawling alabaster Easter lilies sits in an ornate vase on the table’s surface, pumping out their robust, silky fragrance. It’s creamy and complex, with a slight bite of ginger and a velvety touch of jasmine. You stop by the table, run your fingers over its smooth lacquer, and savour the warm, fragrant air. Everything stops just for an instant, and it’s beautiful.
— Laura Kennedy of the The Irish Times on Cloon Keen’s Aesthetic Lily candle. Read more in Galway perfumer Cloon Keen’s new candle is a masterclass in aesthetics.
The daily lemming
From Neom's Scent-to-Destress range, the Intensive Skin Treatment Candle (basically, you light it, melt the top layer, let it cool and use it as a body oil): "Say hello to our newly blended hero, our Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, now with ADDED baobab and jojoba oil. The magic four (rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sweet almond oil, cocoa seed butter) has been expertly re-whipped up by master crafters in the UK to be EVEN MORE intensely nourishing and is now the magic six! We've added baobab from Africa (containing vitamin C, A, D, E and F and essential fatty acids), and jojoba oil (a soothing wonder for dry skin)....100% natural fragrances and blended with seriously nourishing oils of English lavender, jasmine & Brazilian rosewood, plus 21 other essential oils"; $47 for 140g, and also available in a Scent-to-Sleep version.
The daily lemming
Kevin loved Otherland's Extra Hour candle when he reviewed it back in 2019, and it's back in stock for Otherland's spring collection 2023. His words: "...a lovely melange of what smells like grapefruit peels mixed with fresh mint and peppery shiso...a candle/cocktail that's a perfect summer scent. It brightens my mood to smell it." Still $36, at Otherland.