How candles became my unexpected go-to during quarantine
Working from home in my cramped bedroom made it hard to relax, until I discovered the power of scent.
Hanna Horvath
Hanna Horvath
Here are other candles I’ve tried (and loved), from different price ranges and brands.
Lulu Candles makes candles in over a dozen scents, though I prefer the brand's Jasmine, Oud and Sandalwood candle. It produces a woodsy scent that’s calming and almost a bit sweet. This 9-ounce candle is made with soy wax and comes in a modern black glass holder with a fancy-looking label. While the company doesn’t list the burn times, I’ve had my candle for two or three months and burn it for at least an hour each night — and it hasn’t run out yet.
This candle has a rich blend of many scents, including eucalyptus, lilac, sandalwood and vetiver. I personally find this scent light and airy, and it isn’t too overpowering. I’ll typically light this candle throughout the day while I work, as it won’t take over the entire room and make it stuffy. The 11-ounce White Vetiver candle is made of a soy wax blend with a cotton wick and has a burn time of 60 to 70 hours.
If you’re not sure what scent you like, this set of mini candles is a great place to start. I place them around my room and often light a couple at one time for a nice, blended scent. Some of the scents in the set include Huckleberry, French Lavender and Persimmon. Each candle is made of bamboo wax and has a cotton wick — they come in colorful glass containers. Though these candles are small, they boast a burn time of 15 hours each.
You may recognize this candle brand by its distinctive pink label or funky candle names (like Cowboy Kush or Redhead). I personally enjoy the Cedar Stack candle, another woodsy scent with a blended twist of tobacco and peppercorn. The fragrance reminds me of a campfire or sauna. This candle is made out of coconut wax and beeswax with a cotton wick.
If you have a favorite scent — like lavender, eucalyptus or sandalwood — you can tailor your search around it. I love bergamot, cedar and vetiver scents, and many of my candles have some notes of one of those. Candles are made from different types of wax, including soy, paraffin, coconut and beeswax. Paraffin is very common but typically lower quality and will produce more soot than other candles, which can really stuff up your room when you blow them out. I personally prefer soy candles, which are typically more expensive but burn more evenly and don’t emit as much soot as paraffin candles.
Candles can range anywhere from $5 to $100, depending on the size, scent and brand. I’ve been through my fair share of candles and, in my experience, you’re going to get what you pay for in terms of quality and aesthetic appearance. I personally find that lower-priced candles have overpowering fragrances and release more smoke and soot when blown out. While I definitely splurge on luxury candles (my Byredo candle is one of my favorite possessions), you can find a decent candle with a long burn time that costs between $25 to $45.
Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
