True life: I am obsessed with candles. They set the mood, they keep the vibes in the house right at all times (it’s a homier home when a candle is lit, am I right?!), & of course- they just smell really really good. I need my house to smell good at all times, it is a non negotiable. My nose can sniff out a weird scent in 2 seconds flat & that is just not what we’re going for in the home. No weird scents allowed in this space, just candles… all the time.
The obsession started with the candle department at HomeGoods & has now transformed into me hunting down the BEST OF THE BEST candles in the world. I shop for candles like one would shop for shoes, & after a lot of trial & error, I have narrowed down for you guys my top fave candles at the moment (both for the smell & the aesthetic- of course!)
MY FAVE CANDLES (FOR BOTH THE AESTHETIC & SCENT!)
1. Kush by Boy Smells
Obviously we need a Kush candle!!!! Boy Smells has a whole Kush collection, but my personal favorite is their OG kush. It’s a super fresh candle & cozy all at the same time… & the black + pink is a killer combo for the aesthetic.
🔥 Kush Notes: green, bright notes of cannabis & brushed suede with a touch of tulip for a subtle floral hint & white musk + amber accord for a cozy touch on this fresh candle.
2. Shop Ryan Porter Haute Mess Candle
Ryan Porter has a great candle collection with really fun messaging on all the labels that are perfect for your instagram feed. All the labels are so fun, you can check them out here, but I opted for the Haute Mess not only because I am a total Haute Mess 98% of the time- but the smell is so good! It’s spicy, fruity, and so delicious!
🔥 Haute Mess Notes: an upward spiral of edgy chili pepper and tart citrus fruit, creates this electrifying blend. Balanced out with the earthy tones of black currant and pink raspberries.
3. Shrine Candles
Shrine is new on the candle game & OMG- I am obsessed. First, the aesthetic is so on point with all of their candles. I am obsessed with their branding, their Instagram vibe is everything, & these are the kind of candle vessels you will want to reuse (I just repurposed my Monogram into the cutest lipstick holder on my vanity!).
They currently have three candles: Topiary (think an english garden scent- so fresh), Monogram (think your bougiest leather handbag), & the newest scent- Stems, which is pretty much a flower field in a candle. I’ll break down notes below, but also want to say- they come in this stunning arched shaped packaging that is made from MUSHROOMS & is 100% compostable & biodegradable!! Very excited to see what they do for the fall :)
🔥 Topiary Notes: ivy, cash, heliotrope, fresh cut grass, english garden. If the color green had a scent it would be Topiary. Fresh, leafy, and crisp with a hint of floral. No green thumb required.
🔥 Monogram Notes: italian leather, violet leaves, galbanum, ambrette, sandalwood. A classically re-mixed scent. Monogram is luxe, perfumey, and layered with the scent of Italian leather. Feel fancy af every time you burn it.
🔥 Stems Notes: tulips, roses, daisies, blooming mums, citrus, fresh dirt. An ultra-floral scent for the flower obsessed. Stems is an arrangement of florals working seamlessly together with a hint of citrus and a base of fresh dirt.
4. Amoln 1945
This candle feels just as magical as it is. It’s a pricier candle, so this is definitely our “special occasion” candle- & when it’s lit, it makes the day feel very very special. The story behind the 1945 candle by Amoln is my favorite- it is a love letter from a daughter to a father, named after the year he was born & capturing the scents of her father growing up. He didn’t wear cologne, but his scent was based on his daily activities of squeezing fresh juice, picking wildflowers, wood carpentry, and cooking with asian spices.
All of Amoln candles are handmade & hand poured in Sweden, in a little town called Malmö- which is, ironically, a city that is near & dear to our hearts. We have been to Malmö about 5 times so far & can’t wait to go back. Malmö is the reason we ever ended up in Copenhagen, & if you know me, you know I AM IN LOVE WITH COPENHAGEN!
All Amoln candles are ethically sourced & made with the finest ingredients, & you can tell the love that went into these candles every time you light it. Oh, and the baby blue vessel- yes plz.
🔥 Amoln 1945 notes: a blend of fresh herbs, the sensuality of Italian bergamot, oriental roses, orange blossom, wild jasmine, and ultimately accumulate in warm undertones of sandalwood and cedarwood.
5. Velvet Moon by The Fvfth
Velvet Moon is the most indulgent candle I have ever owned. Imagine walking into a French bakery where brownies and chocolate croissants are being made, that is this candle. This candle doesn’t even need to be lit & I smell it’s deliciousness when I walk into a room. It’s all the most delicious things in life, in candle form, minus the calories.
🔥 Velvet Moon notes: artisan french chocolate, chocolate croissant, fudge brownie, cacao bean, madagascar bourbon vanilla.