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I love a good subscription box. At one point I was paying for at least four—mostly because of the dopamine rush I’d get from opening a little promotional package filled with sample sizes of new makeup, skin care, housewares, and even condiments. Sure, I always ended up giving away or tossing at least half of the stuff, and every once in a while I’d get a weird rash from an eye cream or lip plumper, but it was all worth it because one month I received a tiny tin that contained what would become my favorite fancy candle.
The candle was Voluspa’s Crane Flower, a coconut and wax blend with warm, earthy, floral notes and a little citrus too. It had a strong throw and gave me major rich grandma vibes. It quickly became my home’s signature scent and I became the kind of person who actually burns her fancy candles instead of saving them (for what, I still don’t know). For nearly a decade I lit them when we were having company, after we cooked something particularly stinky, and whenever I wanted to—except every December, when it’s all pine-scented everything, all the time at my house.
But all good things must come to an end, and—like my favorite lipstick, bra, underwear, and perfume before it—my favorite candle has recently been discontinued. Since taste and scent are so closely connected, I decided to seek recommendations for a new go-to candle from the people whose tastes I trust the most: my Epi colleagues. They gave me some wonderful suggestions and I even learned about some fancy unscented taper candles I can use at the dinner table (though burning scented candles during meals isn’t as terrible as you might think).
Here are the candles Epi staffers love to burn at home.
Scented candles
I had no idea I wanted my house to smell like a fancy French bakery until associate editor Zoe Denenberg told me about her “special occasion candle.” It’s Hive & Wick’s Rosemary Baguette Market Candle which she says gives off “major boulangerie vibes.” The lemon and tomato scents are tempting too—especially for burning in the kitchen.
For those who can’t get enough vanilla, associate director of social media Urmila Ramakrishnan says P.F. Candle Co.’s Vanilla & Ghost Pepper is The One. In addition to the warm vanilla and spicy pepper, this candle has notes of evening primrose, tonka bean, cedar, and cinnamon. Unfortunately, Urmila’s pick is one of P.F. Candle Co.’s seasonal scents, and while it’s currently not available on their website, you may still be able to snag one near you. If not, try another one of the brand’s ingredient-inspired scents.
Astier De Villatte Candles It turns out that asking your coworkers for fancy candle recommendations is the easiest way to find out who among them has the most lavish taste. That title goes to my fellow commerce writer, Wilder Davies, who loves Astier De Villatte Candles. These hand-poured candles are inspired by some of the world's most iconic locations and the labels are printed by France's last remaining typesetter. I can't afford to get into this kind of relationship right now, but I might allow myself just one Mantes-la-Jolie, which has notes of bergamot, lemon, eucalyptus, cedar, and “crunchy green-stem accord” (whatever that means).
When he wants to focus during the workday, editor Joe Sevier lights the eucalyptus-and-mint-scented Stress Free candle from Black-owned, Brooklyn-based Twelve21 Candle Studio. For a night in, he switches the mood with their Cozy Cabin scent, which has notes of bergamot, leather, and saffron. I do love a candle in an amber glass jar, and the accessible price point means I might have to move this brand to the top of my list.
Taper candles
Lately, I’ve been into taper candles with unexpected shapes, but the classic taper can be fun too. For an unscented tabletop option, Zoe adores these colorful candles from Anthropologie. “They’re drip-free and have lasted me through three Shabat dinners and counting,” she says.
If you’re concerned about the possible side effects of burning paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, digital director Maggie Hoffman suggests Bluecorn beeswax tapers for setting the mood at dinnertime. Most beeswax candles are yellow (keeping with the natural theme and all) but these come in a variety of bold colors.
Candle accessories
Lighting a candle is part of the fancy-candle experience and if you don’t blow your entire budget on Wilder’s fancy candle recommendation above, he says you should also spring for some fancy matches.
Whatever candle you burn, Emily Johnson, associate director of commerce, says you shouldn’t blow it out, you should snuff it out with a vintage-inspired snuffer. Like a fancy candle, it’s a little luxury that can make a long, cold winter somewhat more bearable.
