I’ve rounded up 32 different candle brands for you to support this season as you purchase gifts for yourself or someone special. These candles are all tried by yours truly because I’m that scent-obsessed. Plus, now more than ever small businesses are looking for our support so if you think a candle would be the perfect little gift, consider ordering from one of these small businesses. They’re such a special way to make even the smallest moments a little more special.
Do you ever associate a scent to a memory? I definitely do and each scent reminds me of a different season in my life – just like how people associate songs or homemade meals with memories. I always light a candle when I end the workday to make that transition from work mode to relax mode a little more official.
- The scents have to layer well and not be super intrusive – I’m a big fan of the woodsy scents but like them to not be super overpowering.
- Preferably no paraffin wax – all of these should be soy or coconut wax-based.
- Doubles as decor! Must be aesthetically pleasing (yes, I said it.).
- As many local + female + BIPOC-owned businesses as possible.
Buy a candle from Mala The Brand, and they plant a tree. These candles are soy-based and hand poured with sustainable materials. Meet the owner, Melody, here. Loving this Cereal + Golden Hour scent.
*Female, BIPOC-owned
2) Aerangis
We love a good ceramic holder. Meet the owner, Alicia Tsai, here.
*Female, BIPOC-owned
Love a good nod to our city of Chicago. Find the Chicago candle here and you can also order from their Etsy.
*Female, BIPOC-owned
The Koop drops seasonal candles and once they’re out, they’re gone! Made from coconut + soy wax. So good – they also have a core collection you can find here.
*Female, BIPOC-owned
Chic is all I think about when I think about the candles from Labotica. Love the scent CASABLANCA.
*Female, BIPOC-owned
I found this cute little shop on Etsy on a whim. Again, we love a good cerami c holder!
*Female-owned
Marble + stone candle, but make it refillable. Enough said. Can’t go wrong with the marble or black marble holder.
You can basically find Boy Smell candles anywhere now, but you can check your local boutiques to see if they carry it – great scents, great packaging, great team behind the brand. Cashmere Kush is my all time favorite scent from Boy Smells, though I doubt you can go wrong with any of them. It even comes in a large size!
*BIPOC-owned
Local to Chicago and OMG that BRANDING. You gotta have them all.
*Female-Owned, Chicago-local
Candles poured in a whiskey glass holder. For all my dudes around here (or ladies who love whiskey glasses). Also love the City Series where you can add a little customization here.
Thoughtfully + ethically packaged in a concrete vessel with a metal copper lid – the container is also a 100% biodegradable packaging. Meet the owner Jade, here.
*Female-owned
For the nature lover in your life. Purchases help fund a project in a National Park. Love the Joshua Tree candle, here.
8 cult favorite candles worth the hype
I love the Frasier Fir scent in this holder, but it also comes in this and this – same scent, different holder! G.O.A. T holiday candle if you love the smell of Christmas + pine trees. Honestly I can burn this year-round and still love it. If you’re in Chicago, try to support your local shops – you can find this at Foxtrot! The code “NUTRITION” gets you $5 off any order.
Partial to the Roses, baies, and Mimosa scents in the black holder.
Top picks: Woods or Burning Rose.
My favorite fragrances of all time. You can’t go wrong with Santal 26 (smells like leather books). Also customizable, and we love that around here – the perfect detail to make a gift a little more special.
The perfect shade of millennial pastel. Or is it Gen Z? Can’t tell time anymore, apparently.
Top pick: Portable Fireplace. Because duh, portable. fireplace.
Two words, Tom Ford. And Fucking Fabulous. Almost too cliche to include but it’s too chic not to.
Top picks: Silk Pajamas + Fallen Fir