The Best Candles and Home Fragrances I’ve Tried (And I’ve Tried Them All)

In the era known as BC (Before Covid), I was not into home fragrance. Like, at all.

I never bought candles! I never burnt candles! I didn't spend hours every night browsing home fragrances online, promise!

I was always out and about, and wasn’t invested in bedroom fragrance options and bathroom fragrance reed diffusers, or making my home a sensually-scented sanctuary. 

It only took a pandemic to make me a homebody. Now, I spend long stretches in my apartment, and over the last 18 months, I've become quite the candle connoisseur.

Some might even say I buy 'too many' candles. Dunno about that.

But it's not just candles. My house is FULL of home fragrance.

Think: Incense, oil burners, wax melts, room sprays, home fragrance diffusers… if it smells good, I own it. And if it smells sexy, I repurchase it.

Keep scrolling for what are, in my opinion, the best home fragrance products. Plus, my best tips for buying home fragrances online when you can't smell them IRL first.

How to Choose Home Fragrances Online.

Buying home fragrances online can be tricky because sadly, we haven't figured out how to transport the scent through your phone screen. Yet.

So, before making a home fragrance purchase, I consider the following home fragrance criteria:

1. The scent.

This is, by far, the most important factor. I am willing to splurge on a unique and intoxicating scent, such as Trudon’s Abd El Kader scent.

Yes, Trudon sits at a higher price point than a lot of candles, but the way Cire Trudon Limited Edition Gold Amber Abd El Kader Candle 270gmmakes me feel is unparalleled.

It’s in a league of its own! Pre-covid, I was a big traveller, so if a scent can transport me to another place or time, then I’m sold.

And if it evokes a sexy, holiday romance, well, that’s just priceless. 

2. Burn time.

I am less concerned with burn time than the scent, but it’s definitely an important factor as you want bang for your buck!

For example, my favourite candle brand Lumira boast candles with an 80-hour burn time.

3. The packaging.

Candles and home fragrance are like any other object displayed in my home, so I choose packaging that suits my aesthetic.

I like black glass, gold details and amber glass, so my favourite brands aesthetically are Lumira, Maison Balzac, Trudon and Lola James Harper.

I also clean my empty Lumira candle vessels and reuse them - I almost have a full set of black water glasses, now!  

4. Price point.

I tend to go for higher price point candles because I find that these are the scents that I’m drawn to.

Luxury candle brands use high quality oils with unique and complex scents. For me, a candle is a splurge item that can instantly lift my mood. Or… put me in the mood.

5. Where it will live.

Where the home fragrance will be positioned in your home is a factor to consider, too.

To me, the best bedroom fragrance is going to be different to bathroom fragrance products, which might be stronger or more aquatic versus a subtle scent to lull you to sleep.

Best Home Fragrance Products.

Alrighty, now for my ultimate home fragrance list.

From bathroom fragrance reed diffusers and large candles to sexy wax melts and even a sleep spray, these are the scents I repurchase again and again.

Watch my home fragrance video recap below, or read on for the full breakdown.

1. Circa Amber Sandalwood Diffuser.

What: CIRCA Amber & Sandalwood Diffuser

A stylish glass diffuser with a spicy, sensual scent.

Main notes: Orange, amber, vanilla and sandalwood.

Why I love it:

Diffusers use wooden reeds to absorb essential oils that evaporate into the air.

This is a new addition to my house, and I love the clear glass diffuser. I’m also a big fan of the spicy scent.

Shop it here:

2. Maison Balzac And Now Relax Incense Set.

What:

Maison Balzac And Now Relax Incense Set - Pink Pebble with Paris Incense

Is this not the most stylish glass incense holder? The set also comes with a box of floral-scented incense sticks.

Main notes: Rose.

Why I love it: 

I love incense but had been searching for a stylish incense holder for ages!

Enter Maison Balzac, a brand that creates the most stunning homewares and home fragrance.

The accompanying incense is made in Japan, has 25 minutes burn time for each stick and is scented with rose absolute. 

Shop it here:

3. Juliette Has A Gun Not A Room Spray.

What: Juliette Has A Gun Not A Room Spray

This is a room spray fragranced with the cult ‘Not A Perfume’ scent.

You can read my full review of the Not A Perfume home range (including a shower gel!!) here.

Main notes: A musky amber scent made up of a single note called cetalox.

Why I love it:

When your signature scent is Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, it only makes sense to spray your bathroom with the same scent after, ahem, you do your business.

It’s clean, fresh but also a little sensual, so I also spray my dining room before guests come over.

Shop it here:

4. Cire Trudon Abd El Kader Scented Cameo Wax Melts.

What: Cire Trudon Abd El Kader Scented Cameo Wax Melts

These wax melts are fragranced with my all-time favourite scent, Abd El Kader.

Main notes: Spiced tea and fresh tobacco.

Why I love it:

Fragrance is sometimes hard to describe, but I’ll try. Abd El Kader is sweet, sexy and a little bit spicy. It has this intoxicating quality about it.

If you’re not sure if you’ll like the scent, and don’t want to splurge $129 on the candle, then you could try these wax melts at $39.

The pack comes with four and they burn for eight hours each. Burn them in a wax warmer or oil burner.

Shop it here:

5. Lumira Black Candle Terra Australis.

What: Lumira Black Candle Terra Australis

This earthy candle is inspired by the Australian landscape.

Main notes: Herbs, tea, wood and smoke.

Why I love it: 

BC, I was a big hiker. During lockdowns, I burn this one non-stop because it’s got an earthy scent that’s almost like being out in the bush.

This one ticks all the boxes: 80 hour burn time, stunning scent and beautiful packaging.

Shop it here:

6. Maison Balzac Oil Burner and Le Soir Essential Oil.

What:

Maison Balzac Brule Parfum Oil Burner- Amber is an amber glass burner - pair with the Maison Balzac Le Soir Essential Oil for a calming scent.

Main notes: Cedar, myrrh and tangerine.

Why I love it:

The oil burner has a 70s vibe with the amber glass. But it also comes in a pretty sheer pink.

I like to use it with a matching Maison Balzac essential oil - I’m loving the Le Soir oil (which means “the evening” in French). It's perfect to burn after work when you want to unwind from the day. 

Shop them here:

7. Sensori+ Sleep Mist.

What:

Sensori+ Advanced Detoxifying Deep Sleep Mist Sapphire Coast Night

A sleep-time room spray that will purify the air, with a scent designed to promote rest.

Main notes: Chamomile, lavender and patchouli.

Why I love it:

Looking for the best bedroom fragrance? This is an upgrade from your run-of-the-mill pillow mist.

This Sensori+ spray contains ChlorosPure to help eliminate odours and remove common toxins. Plus, the scent is subtle and calming, and will get you in the mood for bed.

Shop it here:

Would I like to go back to my life BC? Sure.

In the meantime, candles will continue to spice up my life at home.

The pandemic has changed things, that’s for sure. Mostly not for the better.

But in the case of my home, it’s certainly made it smell better. 

Want more fragrances recommendations? Check out these stories...

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• NEW ARRIVALS: 8 New Beauty Products Adore Staff Are Loving Sick This Month

• The New Unisex Scent That Made It Into Our Fragrance Buyer's Signature Scent Wardrobe