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Some people wait a lifetime for a candle that fits their vibe. Discovering a candle that matches your mood is like finding your signature scent — but it takes a lot of sniffing around.
Let this be a guide of candles that can stay burning for a few hours without overwhelming the room, whether you’re cuddled up on the couch solo or hosting a holiday soirée. These gentle scents have something for everyone, including refreshing citrus and tea, calming lavender-ylang ylang, and a zen blend of bamboo, jasmine, and coconut. Explore these gentle-yet-lingering scents — that also make for great catch-all gifts to have on hand — and choose your own relaxing adventure.
Instantly Relaxing: Chesapeake Bay Zen Garden 3-Wick Candle, CVS
The closest thing to raking sand in a mini zen garden is lighting this serene candle. A mix of bamboo leaves, jasmine, coconut water, and sweet orange peel brings a calm, unwinding atmosphere — ideal to counterbalance a stressful Yankee Swap. The gentle scent will last about 24 hours of burn time.
Clean and Simple: Mrs. Meyer's Rain Water Scent Clean Day Large Candle, Rite Aid
A clean scent with hints of white flowers and the feeling of standing in a rainstorm (without getting soaked). This would be great for a daytime brunch party or Christmas breakfast. The 7.2-ounce candle has a 35-hour burn time of garden-inspired goodness.
Warm and Musky: Fine Fragrance Bare Candle, Victoria's Secret
This candle is far from the bare minimum. This woody-floral scent combines sandalwood, mandarin, and violet for what Victoria’s Secret calls an “atmospheric glow.” This scent is best fit for a candlelit dinner, sharing wine and cozy moments. The 10.2-ounce candle has up to a 50-hour burn time.
Herbaceous and Fresh: Northern Lights PawsOn Eucalyptus & Mint Leaf Candle, CVS
Take a deep inhale of this herbaceous blend of eucalyptus, mint, and basil. Especially if you have pets at home, the odor-neutralizing technology in this candle “traps common pet smells and replaces them with aromatherapeutic fur-eshness,” according to Northern Lights, and their packaging includes custom illustrations of their employee’s pets. The 5-ounce candle has a 26-hour burn time. It would make a sweet gift for a pet lover!
Zesty and Refreshing: NEST New York Lime Zest & Matcha Candle
A vibrant blend of matcha green tea, lime zest, clary sage, and bergamot is an invigorating scent that will refresh your space. This 8.1-ounce candle has up to 60 hours of burn time, and the striped vessel would make a great upcycled cocktail glass.
Delightfully Calming: Sleepy Scented Candle, LUSH
Need a “please leave by 9 p.m.” vibe? Just light this baby and create a soothing environment with lavender and ylang ylang that will have people yawning and shuffling out the door, calm and happy. This 2.6-ounce candle is small but mighty (with a 12-to-15-hour burn time). LUSH also has complementary lotions, scrubs, body washes, and bath bombs if you want to keep the sleepy train going — cleaning up the kitchen can wait!
Bright and Soothing: Homesick Thanks Candle, DashMart
This simple candle has a gender-neutral, lemony scent and the most giftable packaging — which you can personalize with a handwritten note. The main trio of aromas are lemon flower, cucumber, and patchouli, but there are also notes of oud wood (say that five times fast), pink melon, kiwi, and musk for a well-balanced scent. Light it before unwrapping gifts with friends or family, and bask in the thankful glow.
Luxurious and Woodsy: Otherland Chandelier Candle, DashMart
Maybe you are drawn to the finer things in life? This candle has notes of champagne, saffron, and leather, and will effervesce your nights like a glass of bubbly. There’s a 55-hour burn time, more than enough to fully unwind after your guests leave.
PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Quitoriano
