How to Choose the Best Candle Scents for You

When it comes to buying, gifting, or making candles, the most important factor is typically choosing the best candle scents. How often have you raised a candle to your nose to smell the scent? 

Truth be told, scents play an important role in our lives. And we are often drawn to a particular type of scent.

It all begins in our olfactory system, where our brain makes fascinating connections between scent, memory, and emotions. Did you know that, on average, we can discriminate a scent among more than a trillion different scents?

With this capability, it’s not surprising that candle fragrance is one of the most defining characteristics of a candle. And why so many of us enjoy filling our homes with candles.

Scented candles can pull from our memories and build on our emotions, adding to the mood in our space just as much or more than music and color (source). This makes finding your signature candles scents all the more worthwhile.

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How do you go about finding the best candle scents? 

While you can go about sniffing unlit candles until you’ve overloaded your olfactory system, there is a better way. You see, choosing a scented candle is similar to choosing a personal fragrance such as perfume, body spray, or cologne. 

It truly is a personal choice based on your experiences, and as a matter of fact, where your nose has been… 

Yet, all things considered, there are certain scents you will always find more appealing than others. That’s why I’ve broken down how to find the best candle scents for you into 4 steps – including a printable candle scent list and candle scents quiz! 

Step 1: Consider Your Space

The first thing to consider when choosing a candle scent is where you plan to use it. Take, for example, the size of the space you plan to use a candle in. You wouldn’t want to use a big overpowering scent in a small space, such as a powder room, but in a large family room, the same scent might smell quite nice. 

This can also be said for types of candle scents. A soft, floral-scented candle, such as my homemade lavender mason jar candles, can be relaxing in the bedroom, but in the kitchen, it could interfere with food aromas, creating an unappealing smell. Yet, a DIY rosemary lemon candle would be fitting in the kitchen.

So if you are wondering if it’s OKAY to have a different candle in every room, the answer is: of course you can! 

Step 2: Choose Your Candle Purpose

Candle Scents for Ambiance

Scented candles undoubtedly are one of the fastest ways to create ambiance. They can introduce a warm glow into any space, but it’s the candle scent that often gives the room a heightened ambiance.

So consider your purpose when choosing a candle scent for ambiance. A zingy, citrus scent is perfect for energizing a workspace. While an exotic scent, such as sandalwood, can be stress-relieving in the bath. 

Odor Neutralizing Candle Scents

Many times, the purpose of a candle is to mask odors. Fresh citrus and woody candle scents are often excellent at covering up odors.

Yet there’s always one aroma that stands out to me for masking any odor. That’s coffee! The irresistible smell of roasted coffee beans is one that just about any nose is drawn to. And its bold, unique aroma is helpful for banishing odors such as pets, seafood, garlic, or even bathroom odors.

They are no match for a coffee-scented candle. Use my tips to make a coffee mug candle or a wood wick coffee candle. 

Step 3: Choose Your Candle Fragrance Type

Once you’ve chosen your space and purpose, the next thing to consider is the type of candle scent. As a candle maker, I’ve been asked many times over, “What is the best candle fragrance type? or “What is the best fragrance oil for candles?”

Well, there are three options when it comes to candle fragrance types, and each has its own pros and cons. I’ve briefly summarized each below, but you can read more in great detail here about each fragrance type. 

Standard Fragrance Oils: 

This candle fragrance type is most commonly used for scented candles. Often listed as broad terms such as perfume or fragrance to hold the trade secret of a candle maker’s scent.

Standard fragrance oils give a great cold and hot scent throw. And the choices of candle scents are basically unlimited. However, many are not made cruelty-free, and some contain chemicals such as phthalates and parabens that can cause all types of health issues, as I shared here. I personally do not buy or make candles with standard fragrance oils, but the choice is yours. 

Essential Oils:

Essential oils have become incredibly popular for all kinds of things, candles included. Each is 100% natural and made from plant material – who doesn’t want that?

Essential oils are loved for their therapeutic capabilities and are the most common way to experience aromatherapy. But, they are limited to a selection of scents derived from specific plants, and they are the most expensive option. Nonetheless, I enjoy using essential oils to make scented beeswax candles. 

Natural Fragrance Oils:

I didn’t come across natural fragrance oils until years after I began making candles. Each is composed of aromatic isolates from nature and essential oils. Quite similar to the way the French have been making perfume for centuries, extracting scents from nature – pretty cool, right!

Unlike standard fragrance oils, these are phthalate and paraben-free. And many are made cruelty-free as well, like this collection from Makesy. They are more cost-effective than using pure essential oils, too. The only downside is that they can be hard to find, unless you know where to shop. 

Related To: Candle Making Supplies Index

Step 4: Choose Your Best Candle Scents Category

Now onto the part you’ve been waiting for – choosing your best candle scents!!

All scents can be broken into scent category types. What are the different types of scents? Fresh, Woody, Floral, and Exotic are the four main scent categories that match up with our four primary olfactory groups. Each group has a distinct list of characteristics that I share below. 

Interestingly, everyone tends to have a scent category that they gravitate to over all other scents. This scent category more often than not reminds someone of a certain time in their life or evokes their sense of style almost perfectly. 

These scent categories are a great way to uncover what the best candle scents for you are. Then you can look for candles that fall under that category. While some companies do sell their candles in scent categories, others that do not can be easily revealed by reading the descriptions of the fragrance.  And if you’re making candles, now you’ll know what oils to look for! 

Let’s dive into each candle scent category and see if you can guess yours. Then we’ll take a fun quiz to find out if you’re right.

Candle Scent Categories:

FRESH 

The candle scents in this category encompass all things bright and invigorating, like sunshine and summer. Think fresh citrus, herbal, and clean aromas that speak cool, light, breezy, and fun. Each is vibrant and creates an uplifting, energizing atmosphere.  

WOODY

In this category, you’ll find all the earthy notes of coniferous, bitters, and moss found in woodlands and mountainsides. Earthy, smoky, and warm notes of cedar, sandalwood, and pine come to mind. Each gives way to feelings of grounding, courage, and coziness – like a big bear hug! 

FLORAL 

This category is made up of scents from flowers. It is the most common of all the scent categories and has been used to mask odors, clean, and provide personal fragrance since the times of the Egyptian and Roman Empires. Lavender and rose are the most widely used floral scents. Each scent in this category is soft, romantic, and calming to the mind. 

EXOTIC

The exotic scent category is all about warmth, comfort, and indulgence. They are often the scents you want to eat – vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel. While others are resin notes that offer feelings of relaxation. Altogether, each is heady, rich, and luxurious.

So, which are the best candle scents for you?

If you’ve gone through each step, you’ve likely gained a good grasp on what candle fragrances you gravitate to most. But, if you’re still unclear, take our Candle Scent Quiz to discover which candle scents are right for you! 

What candle scents are you drawn too? Share it in the comments below or tag #lifenreflection on Instagram to share it with us. Don’t forget to pin this, so others can find their best candle fragrance too!