Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Pros
- Natural Wax
- Designer
Cons
- Burn time unknown
Close your eyes and light this candle—suddenly you’re lounging in Côte d’Azur, salty Mediterranean breeze included. The blend of mineral notes, white flowers, and pine captures the essence of the French Riviera in the most sophisticated way possible.
A Dior reviewer says: «Absolutely one of my favorite candles of all time. Will purchase over and over!»
| Burn time | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Pine, sea salt, white flowers |
| Wax type | Plant-based |
Pros
- Each scent tells a story
Cons
- Paraffin wax
This is the ultimate cozy comfort candle that will make you just want to curl up with a good book.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: «Warm, moody, sensational candle that takes you right to the fireplace on a cold and dreary night. I love the smell of this candle — I even smell it when it’s not lit. I also enjoy the simplicity of the packaging.»
| Burn time | 40 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Pink pepper, orange flower petals, clove oil |
| Wax type | Paraffin |
Pros
- Reusable vessel
- Premium soy wax blend
If you can’t make it to 888 Madison Avenue, this is absolutely the next best thing. The sophisticated blend of tuberose and musk captures everything we love about Ralph Lauren’s flagship (and that monogrammed vessel is practically begging to be repurposed as the chicest catch-all ever).
A Ralph Lauren reviewer says: «A classic piece that well represents the feeling of the flagship store on Madison.»
| Burn time | 45 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Tuberose, magnolia, cashmere musk |
| Wax type | Premium soy |
Pros
- Promotes stress relief
This isn’t just another pretty candle—it’s basically aromatherapy backed by serious science. The star ingredient, agarwood essential oil, actually helps calm your body’s stress response (yes, really).
A Caftari reviewer says: «I love winding my day down and doing some self care with this candle. It smells AMAZING and makes me feel so calm and relaxed after a long busy day. The scent is so fresh and warm and I’m gonna be repurchasing ASAP!!«
| Burn time | 60 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Patchouli, agarwood, cedarwood |
| Wax type | Soy coconut |
Pros
- Popular scents
Cons
- Paraffin Wax
If you know, you know—and Diptyque’s Baies is definitely a know-it-if-you-know-it candle. The perfect blend of fresh blackcurrant and rose has earned this bestseller its cult status (our deputy digital editor loves the scent so much she had these candles burning at her wedding).
A Diptyque reviewer says: «It fills the room with a luxurious, calming scent and has a long burn time. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any space- or for any gift baskets or presents.»
| Burn time | 60 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Blackcurrant, rose |
| Wax type | Paraffin |
Pros
- Natural vegetable wax
Cons
- Short burn time
If your TikTok FYP hasn’t convinced you to try Loewe’s fan-favorite candle yet, let us do the honors. This isn’t your basic garden scent—it’s summer in the Mediterranean, bottled in a chic vessel. Warning: may cause sudden urges to book flights to Spain.
A Nieman Marcus reviewer says: «It’s popular for a reason. The scent is incredible and always draws compliments from guests who are unfamiliar.«
| Burn time | 30 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Black pepper, tomato |
| Wax type | Vegetable |
Pros
- Reusable ceramic vessel
Cons
- Unknown wax type
Talk about double-duty luxury—Ginori 1735’s collaboration with artist Luke Edward Hall gives you both a sophisticated mint and rose scent and a piece of hand-painted porcelain that’s too gorgeous to hide. Consider this your new favorite two-in-one investment piece.
An Abask reviewer says: «I’ve absolutely fallen in love with this fragrance from Ginori 1735. It’s this rich scent that I’ve never experienced before.»
| Burn time | 65 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Mint, rose, geranium |
| Wax type | Unknown |
Pros
- Developed and manufactured using artisanal methods
- Not too strong
Cons
- Unknown wax type
This candle has smoke and birchwood as top notes, giving it a rustic, cozy feel. Like camping, without the uncomfortable tent.
A San Soli reviewer says: «I really liked the candle, it has an unobtrusive aroma and is very stylish.»
| Burn time | 50 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Birchwood, ash, musk, moss |
| Wax type | Unknown |
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
This Brooklyn-made stunner combines spicy black pepper and Valencia orange with rich leather and woods, all in a sleek matte black vessel.
An Obakki reviewer says: «I love the smell of candles when I enter any room in my house, especially smokey scented ones. Needless to say, I buy a lot of luxury candles and I think I finally found my holy grail!»
| Burn time | 50 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Leather, black pepper, Valencia orange |
| Wax type | Soy |
For the Enigma
JO MALONE LONDON\u003CSUP\u003E\u003C\u002FSUP\u003E Jo Malone™ Pomegranate Noir Scented Home Candle
Pros
- Handmade
- Fan favorite
Cons
- Unknown wax type
As one of the most popular luxury candles on the market, it lives up to the hype.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: «I have spent too much money on candles that were disappointing. This is the best scented candle I have ever tried.»
| Burn time | 45 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Pomegranate, casablanca lily, guaiacwood |
| Wax type | Unknown |
Pros
- Premium soy wax blend
Cons
- Low burn time
From singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, this candle is «a love letter to New England, painting a picture of what it’s like to live in a small town.» This isn’t your typical cabin-in-the-woods scent—the blend of sandalwood, amber, and iris creates something far more elevated. Plus, that vessel transforms into the perfect cocktail glass once you’re done. How’s that for New England ingenuity?
A Ranger Station reviewer says: «Smells of class and warmth. I always get compliments on how my home smells. Ordering again for sure.»
| Burn time | 30 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Sandalwood, amber resin, iris, leather |
| Wax type | Soy |
Pros
- Butterfly Mark certified
Cons
- Unknown wax type
Leave it to Tom Ford to make sustainability look this sexy. The Fabulous candle lives up to its name with an addictive blend of leather, sage, and almond. Plus, it’s Butterfly Mark certified, meaning you can feel extra good about this splurge.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: «This candle is so worth the splurge — it smells ridiculously good. And you can burn it for a few hours and still smell it for days. I will have one in my house for the rest of time.»
| Burn time | 40 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Clary sage, lavender, bitter almond, leather, orris root |
| Wax type | Unknown |
Pros
- Long burn time
- Natural coconut wax
When regular candles just won’t cut it, Voluspa’s five-wick behemoth enters the chat. This massive beauty combines sandalwood and vanilla in the most sophisticated way—perfect for when you want your entire home to smell like a five-star spa.
A Voluspa reviewer says: «This scent and candle size is all that is needed to create a lovely and inviting scent-vironment. It’s great for any season.»
| Burn time | 250 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Santal, French bourbon vanilla, oud |
| Wax type | Coconut |
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
A cult favorite, this one will not disappoint. Amber, cocoa, and warm vanilla has made this the unofficial scent of cool homes and hotels everywhere.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: «Wonderful candle. Large size, lovely gender neutral scent of light wood, not too perfume-y, with a subtle hint of spice. I keep one in my bedroom and when its lit it wafts through half of the second floor. I find one candle lit every other day or so for a few hours at a time lasts me about 2-3 months.»
| Burn time | 80 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Amber, cocoa, vanilla, cedar |
| Wax type | Soy |
Pros
- Natural vegetable wax
- Plant based and cruelty-free
Cons
- Unknown burn time
If your idea of heaven is a sun-drenched California garden, Flamingo Estate’s best-selling candle is your match. This isn’t your basic sage scent — it’s an intoxicating blend that manages to be both earthy and subtly sweet.
A Flamingo Estate reviewer says «This is the only candle I’ve burnt in my house on an almost daily basis for the last two months, so you could say I’m obsessed. If you love sage-scented, heady, tranquil, almost cannabis-like fragrances, this is an absolute dream candle, which permeates whatever room you light it in.»
| Burn time | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Clary sage, thyme |
| Wax type | Vegetable |
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
When a candle looks this good, it better smell amazing—and Overose’s Nudesse delivers on both counts. The rose blend feels fresh and modern (not your grandmother’s rose perfume).
An Overose reviewer says: «This candle is heaven. Truly one of a kind. It packed quite the punch right out of the box.»
| Burn time | 60 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Rose petals, rain |
| Wax type | Natural blend |
Pros
- Clean burn
- Natural wax
Trapp took our favorite summer treat and gave it a grown-up makeover. Brazilian orange meets Tahitian vanilla in this impossibly elegant blend, with a hint of tonka bean for extra sophistication.
A Trapp Fragrances reviewer says: «Burns clean and the scent fills the room! Love!»
| Burn time | 50 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Brazilian orange, Tahitian vanilla, tonka bean |
| Wax type | Soy |
Pros
- Reusable glass jar
Cons
- Unknown wax type
Byredo bottled that old-library-meets-luxury-leather-chair energy we all dream about. Their Bibliothèque candle combines leather and vanilla with unexpected notes of plum and violet, creating something that feels both scholarly and sexy.
A Byredo reviewer says: «This is by far my favorite candle! I’ve already purchased a second one. It has a wonderful peachy-plum opening just out of the box, but the leather, vanilla, and patchouli really take over as it burns. The candles burn very evenly — a must — and given the depth/strength of the scent you’ll only need to burn the candle for 1-2 hours for it to fill a decent sized room/entire floor. The scent lingers and lingers — I can smell it the next day when I come home. Worth the investment!»
| Burn time | 60 hours |
|---|---|
| Scent notes | Plum, cinnamon, leather, birch woods |
| Wax type | Unknown |
Candle Care 101
Since we’re talking about an investment piece here (I mean, you wouldn’t treat your designer bag carelessly, right?), let’s talk candle care 101: Always allow the first burn to create a complete melt pool across the surface, maintain a precise ¼-inch wick trim before each lighting, and limit burning sessions to four hours to preserve the integrity of these sophisticated scent profiles.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she oversees the brand’s social media platforms, covers design trends and culture, and writes the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art, and lifestyle.
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