Summer is in full swing this year, and I’ve been adding to the heat with some home scents. I’ve really been quite into herby candles and home scents this summer, but also very into anything earthy—after all, I’m a Taurus. Duh. So here are some of my favs in the rotation, as well as some other stellar picks.
Perfect Palm Springs by Glasshouse
This is my official candle for the summer. It’s seriously one of my favs of all time. I ended up buying it on a bit of a blind buy, but turns out it’s really good. The throw is wild—I can smell it all throughout my apartment. The burn is super clean, no tunneling.
It’s got notes of Wild Mint, Bergamot, White Tea, Fig, and Blonde Woods. Make no mistake, it is overwhelmingly mint—but in a really crisp and almost clean-but-sweet way. It’s hard to fully describe, but it’s simply wonderful. Very escapist but elevated, rather luxe. It’s perfection.
Ancient Agrigento Olive Tree by Flamingo Estate
This is the candle to meditate with. It’s very herbal, and it’s somewhat transportive. It feels very ancient and healing. I smelled this by chance in-store a couple months ago and knew I had to have it for the warmer months. It particularly reminds me of a very dry heat.
It’s got notes of Galbanum, Violet Leaf, Eucalyptus, and Sandalwood. I really get that typical olive scent—like, not briny—it’s definitely olive tree, so it’s green and woody. There’s some musk in there too, so it feels warm. Just really lovely.
Wild Tomato Vine by Kobo
Tomato candles are hands down my favorite type of summer scent. There’s something so refreshing and green about them. They fill a space and really just make it feel lighter. It’s a day in the garden, making mischief.
I especially love Kobo’s tomato candle—I received it as a gift last year and fell in love. The throw on this is pretty nice; it fills my dining room and kitchen quite well. It has notes of tomato leaf at the top, peppery spice in the middle, and garden clippings at the base. It’s an overwhelmingly green type of tomato candle, so if you’re looking for something savory… this probably isn’t it.
I also really appreciate the packaging—it’s seed-infused and will grow tomatoes. Although I haven’t attempted it myself, since I don’t have a green thumb beyond basic herbs.
Choisya (Orange Blossom) by Diptyque
Splurge alert, splurge alert. This is by far my luxe pick. The Choisya (Orange Blossom) candle is named after a Mexican orange tree that’s livelier and greener than its Mediterranean counterpart. It’s definitely green, but also citrusy—a very nice blend. I find it to be somewhat romantic and sweet, like walking through a flower market in the heart of summer, looking for flowers for your sweetheart… or yourself.
Now, transparently, I do think Diptyque has some quality control issues with some of their wicks—particularly with tunneling. That said, I still appreciate them for the sense of luxury I feel when burning them, and I do think proper care helps alleviate the issue.
Citronella Hibi Incense Matches
I found these matches while shopping in Brooklyn (the oakmoss ones), and I rather quickly fell in love and burned through them in a week. Now for summer, I’m leaning into the citronella ones, which are far more lemony with some woody undernotes. Citronella does happen to be insect repellent.
This scent—and these in particular—always remind me of childhood summer nights. Playing on the steps in my front yard, trying to collect lightning bugs, and challenging my neighborhood friends to races. It’s nostalgia. It’s late '90s summer.
I don’t think the throw is particularly strong, but rather soft and lingering—which is all I want sometimes. If you aren’t familiar with these, you strike it, blow it out, and it burns for about 10 minutes.
Nectar Pop by Otherland
Let’s go somewhere a little different. Let’s escape—a true vacation. I love how lively, ripe, and punchy this candle is. It’s got golden mango, coconut cream, and chili salt, although overwhelmingly I feel like it’s just a really good ripe mango candle.
With most Otherland candles, I find the projection to be very nice, and the burn is clean. Honestly, a steal for $20. Burn this when you want to feel like you’re on vacation with your sugar daddy, and he’s too tired to actually do much of anything with you.
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Lycee by Emme NYC
I have to say, I think this is by far the sweetest candle of the bunch. It’s rather fruity, with notes of lychee, red tea, and rock sugar. It feels like a daydream—a sweet fantasy. Mariah Carey.
I smelled this by chance while shopping in LA and knew it had to go on the list. It’s just so different, and it really thrives during summer. It’s warm, strong, and playful. I smell it and immediately feel like going out and being a little social butterfly. It’s a hype candle for getting ready for an evening on the town.
First Kiss by Moodcast
So this is the candle for after you’ve gone out—for when you’re back home from a night out and a party of one is now a party of two… or three or four, depending on how you get down. Do I love the name? No, but you know, it’s a fine cable, one that you just turn the label backwards.
This candle is the hot-heat summer romance you’ve maybe been craving. It’s a rather floral scent with notes of jasmine and raspberry. Both balance it out pretty nicely, preventing it from being too fruity or too floral. A nice balance for your partnership. Nice projection as well. It comes in both a room spray and candle form, and the candle has a lovely cold throw.
Summer Splendor by The New Savant
Babes, did you think this wouldn’t be a list without The New Savant? This was my summer candle that I burned nonstop last year. It’s quite perfect for hosting. So familiar but so elevated—the exact kind of intention I want to set for my space. And maybe you do too.
It’s a bit savory, almost briney. It has charred artichoke, salty green olives, and creamy avocado. I mostly get the artichoke and olive notes, though I think the avocado keeps it from getting too salty. It’s pretty impressive—a wonderful encapsulation of summer.
As with all of their products, the burn is very nice. I never have any issues with tunneling or soot, and I really appreciate their commitment to their craft.
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