The 12 Best Luxury Candles, According to Fragrance-Obsessed Editors

The first candle on Marie Claire editors' list makes every day feel like vacation. "There is no worse feeling than post-vacation blues, but thanks to Lindsay Silberman, it's possible to bring a little bit of your travels home with you with her Hotel Lobby collection," says Neha Prakash, Entertainment Director. "Taking inspiration from the scents of the poshest resorts worldwide, the candles will infuse your own space with the designer smells of Miami, Paris, and beyond. Now you can pretend to be sipping martinis in a dimly-lit Parisian bar—no pricey planet ticket needed."

Burn Time: 65 Hours

Customer Review: "Sophisticated and luxurious scenting that travels through my home. Burn slowly and evenly (I've changed my own life with a candle warmer). Beautiful packaging, such a great gift. Purchased Linen & Paris Nuit and am obsessed with both." — Neiman Marcus

Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla calls this Maison Margiela scent the epitome of fall coziness. "It has a smoky undertone but also includes notes like vanilla and pink pepper to round it out. Keeping it lit for even a little while will make your entire space feel like you’re sitting next to a woodsy fire just as the weather begins to change," she attests. "It's one of those scents that signals the change in seasons, and it’s one that my family knows to give me as a gift year after year.”

Burn Time: 40 Hours

Customer Review: "We recently replaced our wood-burning fireplace with a gas one and I got this candle to have a fireplace smell. Though it does not smell like our wood-burning fireplace did, I nevertheless like the smell, which is a wintery, spicy smell. This is my fourth candle and as long as they keep making them I will buy more!" — Nordstrom

Maybe you're just starting your luxury candle journey. Marie Claire Social Media Director Lucia Tonelli has the perfect pick: Jo Malone's Blackberry and Bay candle, her very first luxury scent. "The fact that I remember this detail with such clarity should be enough of a testament to its quality," she says, "but if not, I'll add this: It's my most frequently-complimented candle (a universally beloved scent!), it's the candle I've re-purchased more than any other (which says a lot, because it burns slow!), and it's the only scent that manages to fill a big, open space (but doesn't overwhelm a small room)." Sold.

Burn Time: 45 hours

Customer Review: "This candle and scent smells so good, your entire house will smell amazing. It is not too strong but certainly makes its scent known. Definitely recommend." — Nordstrom

Every candle hoarder has heard of Diptyque candles, but few have actually made the investment into one of the bigger sizes with five wicks, handmade in the South of France. Earth signs will appreciate the beloved Figuier scent emulating the smell of figs and fresh leaves. Close celebrity interiors followers will appreciate this candle's co-signers: Both Zoey Deutch and Victoria Beckham have professed their love of the Figuier scent to New York Magazine. "I love the warmth of fig wood so much that I often have one for my office," Posh told the outlet.

Burn Time: 30 Hours

Customer Review: "It’s a really nice creamy fig scent that has pretty good projection when lit. The glass container looks so nice to reuse as well. Definitely a splurge but great for a gift or a special occasion. Bought the small size but will be looking to buy the bigger size." — Bloomingdales

A candle that smells like tomato leaves may not sound all that luxurious, but it's safe to say MC's Editor-in-Chief, Nikki Ogunnaike, is obsessed nonetheless. "I will tell anyone who will listen about the Loewe tomato leaves candle," she says. "It's pricey, yes, but you only have to burn it for a little while for the scent to fill your home, so it lasts a long time. I truly can't get enough of it!"

Burn time: 30 hours

Love dates at fancy cocktail bars, but strongly prefer to stay at home?Harlem Candle Co. makes a gorgeous candle that releases a blend of vanilla, dark chocolate, palo santo, bourbon, and tobacco—in a jar that doubles as its own cocktail glass after it's fully used. 

Burn Time: 80 hours

Customer Review: "This is the most incredible scent you have ever smelled. It evokes wonderful memories." — Bloomingdales

If you haven't smelled this classic candle, you're majorly missing out. Trudon created Abd El Kader for one important reason: to allow users to enjoy the green scents of fresh mint in every room. Mission accomplished. It's warm,  fragrant, enticing, and if you fancy a pretty bottle, you'll drool over this one. 

Burn Time: 60 Hours

Customer Review: "This is so luxurious and smells minty. It's such a classic and elegant candle—a must have." — Neiman Marcus

With 100 (!) hours of burn time, Voluspa's paraben-free and sulfate-free candle smells like summer flowers in a glass. It's a clean scent made of orchid, lily, and moss that will become a part of your aromatherapy routine moving forward. Also, don't forget to peep the gorgeous design of the jar and lid—it's covered in a floral latticework inspired by Japanese art.

Burn Time: 100 Hours

Customer Review: "Bamboo, musk, and cypress really balance so well to create such a dramatic and elegant scent. The onyx vessel adds the perfect scent to any environment and this is a perfect gift for men and women alike." — Nordstrom

White jungle flora. Patchouli. Sandalwood. Vetiver. Costa Brazil's vela jungle candle basically screams "a trip to the rainforest" without having to leave your living room. It's also made of natural plant-based waxes and is sustainably sourced, so you can feel good about enhancing your mood.

Burn Time: 60 Hours

Customer Review: "It's a very different smell. It fills the room, even when it's not lit. I smell a hit of cinnamon with a very floral, jungle feel. Chrome Candle holder feels expensive, too." — Bluemercury

Part of the luxury experience for beauty editors is the product's packaging, and Cartier absolutely nails it on the head. This candle comes in a gorgeous box in Cartier's signature gold and red, while the candle itself is housed in heavy reusable ceramic, making it the ideal gift for a loved one. Packaging aside, this Neige scent quite literally smells like a picturesque winter landscape. Fresh and musky notes immediately imbue an image of a snow-covered forest. It's a complex, strong scent, but so heavenly.

Burn time: 60 hours

Deena Campbell, Marie Claire's Beauty Director, has a sentimental reason to love this fragrance: Its scent brings back memories of camping in Maryland. "Whenever I catch a whiff of the oud, woody, and peppercorn notes of this candle, I’m instantly reminded of the laughs my family shared by the warm fireplaces," she says. Anyone who tries it will be transported somewhere cozy and warm the moment the wick ignites.

Burn time: 65 hours

Customer Review: "I literally crave the scent of this candle and look forward to lighting it. It smells like a cozy, warm evening inside an upscale cabin with a fire going, while it snows outside! Throw is good without being overwhelming." – Neiman Marcus

For a luxury candle that's not so in-your-face, might we suggest Acqua di Parma's Luce Di Colonia? Its yellow glass jar is like a ray of sunshine for your bookcase, shelf, or bedside table. Scent-wise, this candle is a summer fragrance with citrus top notes and woody base notes. Light it, and your day will be brighter in more than one way.

Burn time: 50 hours

Customer review: "Beautiful fragrance. Lovely burn." – Neiman Marcus