Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Home Fragrance › Best Candles Ever
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Best Candles Ever

post #1 of 43
11/23/11 at 3:34pm
Thread Starter 
Confession. I am a fragrance addict. Specifically Chanel and Diptyque. It's great to have a support group.

Okay, so, at the moment, I am having a candle thing so would appreciate your recommendations for the best candles ever!
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
post #2 of 43
11/23/11 at 4:06pm
Diptyque candles are wonderful especially if you like their fragrances.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 43
11/23/11 at 5:16pm
Hello ChanelAddict. Diptyque candles are wonderful indeed. Also gorgeous are the candles by Baobab and l'Artisan Parfumeur. Recently I have bought "Cedre Bleu" by l'Artisan. Limited edition for Christmas. It's the smell of my meditaranee. And when my husband wants the house smell like a church from tilme to time, it's Avignon by Comme des Garcons or Cardinal by Heeley.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 43
11/23/11 at 5:56pm
Outside of Diptyque (which as others have said makes great candles).

Parfums de Nicolai: especially her Vetiver de java (dryest bitterest ever)
Santa Maria Novella: especially Melograno (pomegranate)
and while in general I am no fan of Bond NY, I absolutely love their Chinatown candle (gourmand chypre).

cacio
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 43
11/23/11 at 9:45pm
Diptyque have wonderful candles.
The ones from Miller Harris are also nice.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 43
11/24/11 at 5:00am
Cire Trudon are quite amazing, and strong. The themes are far off places and grand interiors: Roi Soleil smells like the rooms of Versailles. A bit pricey at $80, but beautifully done.

The company that produces for Cire Trudon also have their own line: Carriere Freres. Much less expensive at $45 - more botanical based: agarwood, cedar, ebony, biter almond, coffee, cacoa - are all wonderful.

Votivo's Red Currant is a real classic, and a deal at $25.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 43
11/24/11 at 8:01am
Cire Trudon are pretty amazing. Nazareth is my favourite. Frederic Malle Saint de Saints is another one, interesting line. Diptyque Opoponax - and a fantastic selection overall. Just getting round to SMN, recently arrived here so maybe try one for Christmas. To be honest I'm having more fun checking out new candles than fragrance releases these days . . .

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Guyer View Post

The company that produces for Cire Trudon also have their own line: Carriere Freres. Much less expensive at $45 - more botanical based: agarwood, cedar, ebony, biter almond, coffee, cacoa - are all wonderful.

Didn't know this, thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 43
11/24/11 at 12:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Guyer View Post


The company that produces for Cire Trudon also have their own line: Carriere Freres. Much less expensive at $45 - more botanical based: agarwood, cedar, ebony, biter almond, coffee, cacoa - are all wonderful.

good to know...thanks Kevin
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 43
11/24/11 at 4:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Byzantine View Post

Hello ChanelAddict. Diptyque candles are wonderful indeed. Also gorgeous are the candles by Baobab and l'Artisan Parfumeur. Recently I have bought "Cedre Bleu" by l'Artisan. Limited edition for Christmas. It's the smell of my meditaranee. And when my husband wants the house smell like a church from tilme to time, it's Avignon by Comme des Garcons or Cardinal by Heeley.

Thank you very much, Byzantine. I have had terrible trouble when I have strayed from Diptyque. So really appreciate your advice. I don't suppose you know anything about Annick Goutal 'Noël' Scented candles? I'm stocking up for Christmas. My whole house will be a fire hazzard! And it's summer where I live. But I don't care. My house has to smell like Christmas. Besides we have airconditioning - so I can ramp that up until we feel like we're in the Northern Hemisphere!
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 43
11/24/11 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, Mr Reasonable. I've never had much luck with Cire Trudon. I was attracted to it - the French thing and, hey, it's pretty but when I lit it almost nothing. And it was smoky. I tried the Trianon candle, Roi Soleil and Marquise. Maybe they were from a bad batch but I'm not so sure. I bought a couple of others from carriere frere at the same time. They were all a bit Meh for me. I haven't tried Frederic Malle Saint de Saints but I did try Gardenia (Meh), 1er Mai (okay) and Rubrum Lily (made me physically ill)! I know I sound a bit (or maybe a lot) like a diva but having been spoilt by Diptyque, I kinda expect a lot from candles.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 43
11/24/11 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Guyer View Post

Cire Trudon are quite amazing, and strong. The themes are far off places and grand interiors: Roi Soleil smells like the rooms of Versailles. A bit pricey at $80, but beautifully done.

The company that produces for Cire Trudon also have their own line: Carriere Freres. Much less expensive at $45 - more botanical based: agarwood, cedar, ebony, biter almond, coffee, cacoa - are all wonderful.

Votivo's Red Currant is a real classic, and a deal at $25.

Thank you Kevin. Lots of people share your view on Cire Trudon but I never had much luck with them. Have you tried the Trumph candles or maybe Ralph Lauren. I do wonder what they are like and it's not so easy for me to test them (as they are not readily available in Australia). Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 43
11/24/11 at 5:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Diptyque have wonderful candles.
The ones from Miller Harris are also nice.

Thanks, apparently the First Lady was gifted a Miller Harris mini candle set!
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 43
11/24/11 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacio View Post

Outside of Diptyque (which as others have said makes great candles).

Parfums de Nicolai: especially her Vetiver de java (dryest bitterest ever)
Santa Maria Novella: especially Melograno (pomegranate)
and while in general I am no fan of Bond NY, I absolutely love their Chinatown candle (gourmand chypre).

cacio

Thank you Cacio, they sound very exotic! Worth a look!
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 43
11/25/11 at 3:47am
I don't get on with Cire Trudon that well either, I don't find their strength all that good.
My favourite candle makers so far have been http://www.astierdevillatte.com/inte...ernational.htm Astier de Villate (Rue St Honore, my favourite of all theirs). They are expensive, but definitely worth it.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 43
11/25/11 at 5:00pm
I just bought Baies by diptyque today... smells really good
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 43
11/30/11 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harvest Moon View Post

I don't get on with Cire Trudon that well either, I don't find their strength all that good.
My favourite candle makers so far have been http://www.astierdevillatte.com/inte...ernational.htm Astier de Villate (Rue St Honore, my favourite of all theirs). They are expensive, but definitely worth it.

Thank you, Harvest Moon. They sound lovely but what a weird website!
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 43
12/11/11 at 3:25am
Really love Amouage candles , burn well and have great projection .....
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 43
12/11/11 at 10:43am
  • dnc
  • offline
  • Gender:
DayNa Decker for me. The crackling wood wick adds to the experience
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 43
12/11/11 at 10:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dnc View Post

DayNa Decker for me. The crackling wood wick adds to the experience

Now this would be an excellent idea as a gift for someone I know who loves candles. Thanks for the idea.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 43
12/12/11 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pour_Monsieur View Post

Really love Amouage candles , burn well and have great projection .....

Oh my goodness, Pour Monsieur, at $166 a pop, they better be nice! Do you have a favourite?
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 43
12/12/11 at 3:15pm
I loved their Eternal Oud candle but understand it has or is soon to be discontinued
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 43
12/12/11 at 3:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pour_Monsieur View Post

I loved their Eternal Oud candle but understand it has or is soon to be discontinued

Opening with a velvety lushness of almond, cedar, patchouli, papyrus, and vetiver the spirit of eternity is captured with a special oud accord including leather, amber, frankincense, myrrh, cumin, tobacco and vanilla. Sounds delicious! And I thought an Oud was a strange looking creature on Dr Who!
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 43
12/19/11 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harvest Moon View Post

I don't get on with Cire Trudon that well either, I don't find their strength all that good.
My favourite candle makers so far have been http://www.astierdevillatte.com/inte...ernational.htm Astier de Villate (Rue St Honore, my favourite of all theirs). They are expensive, but definitely worth it.

Thanks Harvest Moon. I bought the Rue St Honore. It was nice but not fab - if you know what I mean? On the plus side, you get about twice as much as you do for Diptyque - so, pound for pound, it is okay value. Have ordered a Tom Ford tobacco-vanilla candle and a Balenciaga l'essence candle from Neiman Marcus. Will let you know how that goes ...
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 43
1/4/12 at 1:29pm
chaneladdict - I was on the candle search right along with you - debating between cire trudon and astier de villatte. Because CT contain stearin I went AdV. I started with Kobe - which burns woody yet refrenshing and serene. The wood is fig infused, and the ginger + coriander lift the blend.

Hooked, I then went with Opera - which is a lush blend of sandalwood, spice sweetened by the scent of honey - both are beautiful and next on my list is Jerusalem, Aoyama, Delphes, Monte Carlo and Saint Cirq Lapopie. I must admit that the Opera candle was a surprise in that the throw was more intense than the Kobe creating a very different ambience.

Have you tried any other candles? I was advised that Cire trudon's scented pillar candles are the best buy - containing more perfume oil than the glass candles.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 43
1/4/12 at 2:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coccodrllo View Post

chaneladdict - I was on the candle search right along with you - debating between cire trudon and astier de villatte. Because CT contain stearin I went AdV. I started with Kobe - which burns woody yet refrenshing and serene. The wood is fig infused, and the ginger + coriander lift the blend.

Hooked, I then went with Opera - which is a lush blend of sandalwood, spice sweetened by the scent of honey - both are beautiful and next on my list is Jerusalem, Aoyama, Delphes, Monte Carlo and Saint Cirq Lapopie. I must admit that the Opera candle was a surprise in that the throw was more intense than the Kobe creating a very different ambience.

Have you tried any other candles? I was advised that Cire trudon's scented pillar candles are the best buy - containing more perfume oil than the glass candles.

Hi Coccodrillo, a lot of hit and miss for me when I stray from Diptyque. I tried Astier de Villatte too - Rue St Honore. Not really my thing but maybe Opera will work for me? I'm a bit of a girlie girl - so masculine smells don't really work for me unless they are my husband's aftershave! I finally bought Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille candle. I'm scared. It's not really a gym smell but it's a really strong bar with continental male perfumes. Maybe it burns a nicer scent. Otherwise I'll stick it in the laundry with my cats' litter box. I also bought Balenciaga L'essence candle - which also is a little overwhelming. You know those women who drown themselves in perfume in the morning? It's like that. Not cheap perfume - but so strong you can taste it? I'm thinking of sticking it in the bathroom! I keep hoping to find a new brand of candle but I'm not having much luck. PS I wouldn't recommend Cire Trudon candles. Very pretty but as they say in Amadeus, too many notes! Sorry I couldn't be more help! ChanelAddict.
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 43
1/4/12 at 3:28pm
Hi ChanelAddict - understand why you're scared! I was blind buying and was lucky given that the store mgr where I got my candles was very sweet and described what the candles smelled like when burned and I had him pick the strongest smelling candles in my scent choice. Delphes or Honolulu may be more what you're after. i bought the scented erasers in Naples and rue st. hon. and the scents were not what I imagined them to be. Have you considered trying the incense?
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 43
1/4/12 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coccodrllo View Post

Hi ChanelAddict - understand why you're scared! I was blind buying and was lucky given that the store mgr where I got my candles was very sweet and described what the candles smelled like when burned and I had him pick the strongest smelling candles in my scent choice. Delphes or Honolulu may be more what you're after. i bought the scented erasers in Naples and rue st. hon. and the scents were not what I imagined them to be. Have you considered trying the incense?

Thanks for your prompt reply, Coccodrllo. Part of my problem is that I live in Australia and many candles are not widely available. So I either have to send away to the US for them or, if I'm lucky, some other Australian capital city. Either way, I don't get to try before I buy. That's why I rely so heavily on people who have tried the candles before me - and actually know what they smell like! Very much appreciate your advice! ChanelAddict
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 43
1/26/12 at 5:24pm
It has to be Diptyque all the way for me , but had a lot of Armani/Prive candles that were amazingly powerful . Didn't find the L'Artisan candles worked for me though . There is an English company called True Grace who sell there own range and are fantastic and nearly all natural ingredients , they make candles for lots of top brands , they list them on their website . They are very strong as they use 10% fragrance . Other than that we will have to pester Chanel to make the Exclusifs in a range of candles................
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 43
1/26/12 at 6:27pm
I hear great things about Le Labo's Santal 33 candle...
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 43
2/5/12 at 2:31pm
Sorry to come a bit late to this thread. We run a small hotel and always have a candle burning in the hall, so we get through a lot.
The best for us, which guests always mention is Ormonde Jayne (the signature scent) single wick. Burns well, fabulous throw, even having the candles in the cupboard makes the place smell delicious.
I have just bought Francis Kurkdjian candle on E-bay (Lumiere Noire) which I have heard great things about but not tried yet.
Otherwise I have given up with all makes except Diptyque.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions here, don't see all of these this side of the Atlantic but I'm going to look them out.
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 43
2/5/12 at 4:20pm
Everyone loves Diptyque but for the sake of introducing an option not yet mentioned, I’m a fan of the Jo Malone range of candles - most of them will fill a room just for taking the lid off and burn cleanly for as long as they say they will. Dark Amber and Ginger Lily would be my top choice.
Reply
Reply
post #32 of 43
2/5/12 at 5:25pm
Another great candle that has not been mentioned yet is the Dayna Decker range of candles, try http://daynadecker.com/v2/collection-chandel_flora.html
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 43
2/5/12 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pour_Monsieur View Post

Really love Amouage candles , burn well and have great projection .....

Agreed Amouage are fantastic!
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 43
2/6/12 at 6:40am
  • Roy
  • offline
  • Gender:
I haven't heard mention of the Bottega Veneta Intreccio series of candles. My vote's for number 2, but all are lovely.
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 43
2/15/12 at 1:26pm
I would love to try out CdG candles but they are just too damn expensive. Malin+Goetz candles are nice as well! Has anyone tried Jovoy Paris yet? They have a "Absolue de Mojito" candle which sounds promising. Just hope it's not plain mint....
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 43
2/15/12 at 4:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChanelAddict View Post



Hi Coccodrillo, a lot of hit and miss for me when I stray from Diptyque. I tried Astier de Villatte too - Rue St Honore. Not really my thing but maybe Opera will work for me? I'm a bit of a girlie girl - so masculine smells don't really work for me unless they are my husband's aftershave! I finally bought Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille candle. I'm scared. It's not really a gym smell but it's a really strong bar with continental male perfumes. Maybe it burns a nicer scent. Otherwise I'll stick it in the laundry with my cats' litter box. I also bought Balenciaga L'essence candle - which also is a little overwhelming. You know those women who drown themselves in perfume in the morning? It's like that. Not cheap perfume - but so strong you can taste it? I'm thinking of sticking it in the bathroom! I keep hoping to find a new brand of candle but I'm not having much luck. PS I wouldn't recommend Cire Trudon candles. Very pretty but as they say in Amadeus, too many notes! Sorry I couldn't be more help! ChanelAddict.

Do try out NEOM candles. I think you'll love those being more of a "girly" type. I enjoyed the "sumptuous" candle alot (Blush Rose + Neroli). The price point is really good on them and even the small ones really work for an entire room so you can try a couple of scents before settling for a bigger one. They're certainly not avant-garde and complex but I found that in the end that's not what I am looking for in a room fragrance.
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 43
2/20/12 at 10:37am
I can report that the Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire has the greatest throw of anything I've tried - even outdoes Ormonde Jayne. It is practically overpowering - use in a very large room!
Thanks to the other posters here, I will be trying out Neom. I didn't find Dayna Decker memorable I'm afraid. I have bought a few Diptques on Ebay (cheaper than the shops). We get through one a week!
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 43
5/3/12 at 6:14pm
A girlfriend of mine gave me a candle for my birthday a few years back by Diptyque. It smells wonderful!
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 43
5/9/12 at 4:49pm
I can't believe how nice this $24 Trapp was. The whole room smelled from the perfumed candle. I got this from a flower shop.
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 43
11/26/12 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Has anyone tried Bvlgari candles?
Reply
Reply
post #41 of 43
11/28/12 at 2:20pm
I miss Diptyque's Safran candle and so wish they would bring it back.
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 43
12/1/12 at 8:33am
My candles collection is not huge (9 pieces), but I smell candles whenever I can and the absolute favourite of mine is

Dyptique Myrrhe
I'm burning it right now and I love it!
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 43
12/2/12 at 2:03am
What would be the best smelling Diptyque candle as a gift for a female?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Fragrance

Features on Basenotes

Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Basenotes › Basenotes Forums › Fragrance Discussion › Home Fragrance › Best Candles Ever