Come on baby, light my fire. Little needs to be introduced about the scented candle. A space setter, a mood maker, an all-round good time. Candles are the kind of things we buy for ourselves and never regret. A delightful smell, a warm, moody, light. We all know how candles work. The best candles? Subjective, but if you're in the mood to spend and explore, below are the best candle brands, according to the RUSSH editors.

1. Boy Smells

Very little not to love about the accessible, sensory delight that is Boy Smells. Affordable, quality candles presented in the most display-able of packaging, Los Angeles based Boy Smells candles are created from natural oils, all-natural coconut wax and beeswax blend, and you can count on them to always smell perfect.

2. Diptyque

This would never be a trustworthy candle round up without the inclusion of cult favourite, Diptyque. A French name that we all know so well, and for good reason, too. Scents that cover your wildest sensory dreams in packaging so iconic, that every beauty blogger of the 2010s kept their makeup brushes in the recycled vessels. With a lengthy burn time and fragrances that pay off and fill the home, Diptyque will always be a faithful.

 

3. Maison Balzac

Australian readers will understand the allure Maison Balzac boasts. Mellow, yet impactful scents encapsulated in a soy wax blend which is then poured into the most visually pleasing of glassware leaves us returning to Maison Balzac time and time again.

 

4. Byredo

Another house candle name we would be rather remiss not to mention, for Byredo's visual representation is so strong, hundreds, if not thousands of copycat brands have emerged to capitalise on the aesthetic success that is Byredo. Looks aside, it's inside that always counts most, and Byredo's expertly crafted fragrances are what makes a nice looking candle into a really nice candle.

5. Coqui Coqui

Transport yourself to the coastline of Mexico with Coqui Coqui's tranquil home fragrances. Hand-poured in Mexico using a pure beeswax base, housed in a clear glass jar, Coqui Coqui is the RUSSH choice for moments where we just want to get away.

 

6. Trudon

Is there anything more historic than a Trudon candle? The height of luxury, from the thick, green glass vessels, gold, embossed labels, and sensuous fragrances, Trudon candles are produced in Normandy by expertly trained candlemakers, offering the best there is.

 

7. Le Labo

At least every wealthy New Yorker of your dreams owns a Le Labo candle, and we don't blame them. Gritty scents elevated by elegant packaging leaves little room for error with Le Labo candles. A crowd favourite for a reason, burn Santal 26 and have everyone love and hate you at the same time.

 

8. The Ayu

Local favourite The Ayu is not one to miss if you are into earthy scents. Locally made and intuitively blended by hand, their aromatic formulas are curated to balance the mind, body and spirit with each scent deeply rooted in the sacred science of Ayurveda. But one now, thank us later.

 

9. Aesop

Minimalists rejoice. The Aesop candle collection is not one to miss. Earthy, vibrant scents grounded in exploration is the best way to describe Aesop's unique candle fragrances. The bone-white unglazed ceramic vessel only adds to the experience.

 

10. Henry Rose

The coolest candle brand on the block. Henry Rose lures you in with minimal, elevated packaging, and keeps you there with imaginative, unique scents that make you think. Formulated using a clean blend of coconut, soy and vegetable waxes with a 100% cotton wick, each candle is manufactured in small batches and hand-poured in California. Also Michelle Pfeiffer made them.