Happy fall! Amongst the chaos, I hope you're finding ways to make your home space feel comfortable and relaxing. After all, this is where you reset and recharge. God, can you tell I'm an overindulgent Taurus?
While I know fall is considered by many as the pumpkin spice season, not in this house, sweetheart. It's oud, tobacco, leather, and spices. Now, was I kind and gracious and included one that I think is nice for a pumpkin spice candle? Yes, I did. I don't know—for me, pumpkin spice just always goes too... on the nose. But I get it.
So there's something here for everyone. If you're into fashion or fragrance, you can also find my recommendations. Until then, enjoy your space!
Hellbound Heart by The New Savant
Originally inspired by female anger, this candle features notes of roasted blood orange, bottled tears, and rosemary sprigs in the top; torched paper, violet petals, and patchouli roots in the middle; and charred wood, warm amber, and guaiacwood in the base. While for me it is a bit more, moody than angry, I still quite like it. In fact, it's in my top two from the line. I think it's very evolved and changes quite a bit as you burn it. Overwhelmingly though, I do get that blood orange and charred wood. It has nice projection that kind of grows on you over time. The cold throw isn't great, but once you've got it burning, it's much better.
Bloodroses by Blackbird Goods
If I wanted to feel like I was in a H.I.M. album, this would be the candle for that. It's very dark and romantic. It's got this really moody maroon wax that's inspired by Kevyn Aucoin's Bloodroses lipstick. I mean, can you get more goth femme than that? Its notes include black cherry liqueur, musk, leather jacket, violet accord, and iris stems. It's quite intriguing, and while I don't own it, it will be one of the candles I pick up this fall. I own several others from the brand and really like them—they don't have tunneling issues and are a really nice option for the price point.
Drawing Room by Kishmish
The way that this candle just fills a space and instantly turns it into something comforting and familiar is so beautiful. It's deep and warm. Its notes include sandalwood, patchouli, oud, and cardamom. It ends up coming out somewhat creamy in a way, but not lactonic—just very familiar. This is something I'm really excited to burn as the temperature drops, and I think it would make for a really nice transition into winter. The brand, which was founded by Fatima Aslam and Zareen Abbasi, is based in San Francisco with the mission to preserve the charms of South Asian culture by curating items that speak to people like them. They focus on soy wax candles but also make some room sprays, including one for Drawing Room.
Rotano by Maison d'Etto
This would be my overall splurge pick. It's kind of... horse girl? Like a powerful stallion or equestrian in the countryside. Very different than some of the others on this list, with notes of cypriol, suede, myrrh olibanum, and cedarwood. It's got a really nice cold throw and a plant and mineral-derived wax blend. Considering the quality of the fragrance house and the rigor with which they put their formulations and fragrances through testing, it does make for exceptional quality.
Replica Jazz Club by Maison Margiela
This wouldn't be fall without me mentioning Jazz Club, my unequivocal favorite of the season. It's romantic, dizzying (in the good way), and fully engulfing—the kind of candle that makes you want to stay at home locked in with someone all day. Or, you know... by yourself. Notes include rum absolute, tobacco leaf, pink pepper, and vanilla. I particularly love the way this candle fills a space and just totally transforms it. I can smell it throughout my apartment when I burn it. It certainly does capture the energy of a jazz club, minus the heavy smoke, which is probably for the best.
Black Tux by Hyde and Co
I will always shout about the amazing quality of Hyde and Co. Black Tux certainly does not disappoint. It's sophisticated and sleek, very streamlined. It doesn't get overly heavy or one-note. It's got pear, pink pepper, and orange blossom in the top; coffee, jasmine, bitter almond, and licorice in the middle; and vanilla, patchouli, cedar, and cashmere wood in the bottom. While it does certainly have a heavy cashmere wood and vanilla presence, I think the orange blossom and pear really keep it from going overly sweet or warm. It's a much-needed lightness. I also don't find the coffee to be too pronounced to the point of being annoying. Very excited to be burning this throughout the season—I've been waiting since I purchased it earlier in spring.
In Season by Glasshouse
Now, am I a pumpkin candle person? No. But it's the season, and I understand why people may want one. So let me make a humble suggestion. This one still scratches that pumpkin itch without being overwhelming. Instead, it's like a moody crisp air with notes of coconut, orange, and pumpkin in the top; nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cumin, and maple in the middle; and caramelized sugar, musk, and vanilla in the base. It feels like someone is distantly baking pumpkin pies and caramel apples—you get that cozy autumn feeling without it hitting you over the head. There's still this lovely warmth to it without being overpowering. Glasshouse also has some of the most tremendous products on the market. Amazing burn times and never any tunneling.
Happy fall! May your space be filled with abundance and beautiful scents.
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