Gone are the days when the only candles we would stock were the old, white, store-bought ones. The emergency mombati has now gotten a fancy makeover and we are all for it!
Artisanal candles have gained much ground in the last couple of years, with self-care rituals hogging so much of our attention. Hand-poured candles saw a spike in sales since they burn cleaner and release less soot. Plus, natural waxes have a lower melting point, so the candles last longer.
Independent labels allow buyers to customise their own scents and are also coming up with breathtaking sculpture candles that double up as art. Here are My Kolkata’s top picks for hand-poured, artisanal candles…
BumbleBee Candles
This Kolkata label’s candles are hand-poured in small batches. They just introduced chic candle gift boxes under Rs 500, featuring trendy mini bubble candles. Their line of pastel candles, daisies and rose pillar candles make for great accent pieces.
illumii candles
This Chennai-based vegan brand makes 100 per cent soy wax candles in pastel colours like white, peach and pink. Besides elaborate flower and cake candles, you’ll also spot sculpture candles. The curvy woman candle is by far the most creative. Their candles are available in six fragrances — vanilla, strawberry, lavender, lily, watermelon and white floral.
Lumierly Candles India
Lumierly’s ying-yang candles can be a delightful addition to your bedside table. Their clam and Fleur candles should be your pick if you want to go for a straight-out-of-Pinterest aesthetic.
La Lumiere
La Lumiere offers the most heavenly scented candles — from rose bergamot patchouli, coffee bean, coconut vanilla to lavender chamomile and chocolate fudge. Their Venus (15 cm) and Eros (10 cm and 15 cm) candles are self-love must-haves and their Venus Expecting series can be a great gift for mums-to-be. The brand also offers the trending bubble candles. All their soy wax candles are biodegradable, non-toxic and hand-poured in Goa.
Lumos Candles
Lumos creates Instagram’s favourite knot candles in 11 colours and they are available in fragrances like green apple, coffee, lime and strawberry, to name a few. But some of their quirkiest creations are the fruit loop and cheesecake candles!
DOFT Candles
If luxury is what you crave, dive into the world of luxe candles that will make you feel like a million bucks. DOFT’s candles come in gorgeous cut-glass crystal bowls and immaculate glass jars. With glass and gold accents, these candles are a classic that complements every aesthetic.
Whispering Flames by Afia
Afia Vasaiwala’s brand is the first bookish candle store in India. They blend fragrances and colours inspired by fiction, with quotes from favourite characters and motivating self-care stickers. With fragrances like Pina Colada and Lemon Verbena, these candles are as pretty as they are aromatic.
Moonbow Candles
Moonbow’s anti-anxiety candles have flowers, citrus, herbs and crystals like Dalmatian jasper, palo santo, lemon and lavender. Their candles come with positive affirmation labels that will help you calm and centre your mind to remain positive.