21 Candles That ~Light Up~ The Life Of The BuzzFeed Shopping Team

...and one awesome lighter you'll probably want to go with 'em.

1. Evil Queen's candles will literally become the *light of your life* thanks to their sassy labels and delicious scents.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, evilqueen / Via instagram.com

When I tell you I am wholeheartedly committed to this candle brand I mean it. I was first introduced to them when I discovered their "OMG You're Engaged" candle in a boutique near by NYC apartment a few years ago. I've been gifting them to everyone I know (and myself) since. This small business is female-owned by an absolute badass who also writes poetry. My all-time favorites are the seasonal options — keep an eye out for the return of "Literally Dead" and other fall scents in late August — but the classics are unbeatable as well. Don't even get me STARTED on the holiday scents. Honestly, If you couldn't already tell, I just really freakin' love these candles!

Get them from Evil Queen Candles: Old Soul for $20 and Do Not Disturb for $25.

2. A hand-poured soy candle from Southern Elegance Candle Co. inspired by the city of Charleston so you can close your eyes and take a quick mental vacay without leaving your couch.

Kayla Boyd / BuzzFeed

"I received this candle as a gift from a friend and it's so lovely! The company is Black woman-owned and the soy candles are hand-poured in North Carolina. The Charleston Sweet Tea scent reminds me of a summer trip I took to Charleston a few years ago with the friend who gifted it. It smells like berries, flowers, and apples. And it's been burning pretty slowly, which is always a plus because I light it almost every day!" —Kayla Boyd

Get it from Southern Elegance Candle Co. for $20.

3. A WoodWick candle to bring the crackling, soothing sounds of an actual fire into your life in case you (like me) live in an apartment that simply isn't conducive to a fireplace.

Amazon

I've been burning WoodWick candles for years and, I must say, you haven't lived until you've lit one of the bad boys up, put on your most snuggly sweats, and curled up with a good book. I'm not the only one who thinks these candles are fantastic, my colleague (and fellow candle fanatic) Elizabeth Lilly agrees. She said:

"I've burned a variety of these mainstream jars over the years, but come back to them every so often because they're indeed that good. I've *also* tried several other brands with wood wicks that seem to either barely work or burn way too fast. But no one does it like Woodwick, which is also very good because of that name (lol). That lil' wick makes such a comforting crackling noise — a la an actual burning fire — without making my hair smell like smoke or tapping into my Girl Scout skills for building a fire. Clearly a lazy win-win."

Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in three sizes and 10 scents).

4. Boy Smells candles, a must-have for anyone who looking for a more musky scent everyone in their household will enjoy.

Amazon, Boy Smells

As you'll discover in this post, my husband cannot comprehend why I need so many candles. And yet, he loooooves Boy Smells. We've burnt through a slew of them — "Kush," "Petal," and "Ash." They were all wonderfully musky and we were disappointed when they flickered out. I even bought the iconic "Slow Burn" by Kacey Musgraves scent, as she is an icon and her candle deserves a spot in my collection. However it sadly is stranded on my desk (I'LL COME BACK FOR YOU I SWEAR!) so I can only say it smelled incredible even unlit. You can pre-order it from Boy Smells' site directly, which I might have to do to replace the one I've left behind.

Get them from Amazon for $36 (available in 12 scents).

5. A homemade candle from AcScented Air on Etsy that'll burn for 60 hours and keep you company while binge-watching the entire series of Schitt's Creek.

Taylor Steele / BuzzFeed

"These AcScented Air candles are made of coconut wax, so no need to worry about harsh chemical smells. I've been using these candles for years, and they never disappoint. Each 8 oz candle has a burn life of an impressive 60 hours, but you'll definitely want to stock up on all their amazing scents. My favorites right now are Country Clothesline and Lavender & Lemongrass." —Taylor Steele

Get it from AcScented Air on Etsy for $10+ (available in two sizes and 13 scents).

6. Pet House candles, a must-have for anyone who owns a dog who loves nothing more than long walks in the rain (resulting in a wet dog scent that tends to linger in your home for far too long).

Elizabeth Lilly/BuzzFeed

"It's been a few years since I first experienced the powerful-but-lovely waft of a Pet House candle and back then I had a dog roommate (who's quite slobbery). But even a few years later living solo, sans pets, I burn them quite often. They're amazing at quickly canceling out my downstairs neighbor's nightly weed smells (to each their own, buddy) and basically any cooking smell on earth, including onions, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and more. My kitchen is *right* by my closet so canceling out weird food smells is vital. These will forever be my GOAT candle and there are so many scents to keep some variety going." —Elizabeth Lilly

Check out Elizabeth's full review of Pet House candles here.

Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in 26 scents).

7. Otherland candles, whose scents are as fantastic as the designs of their jars — you'll likely find yourself hoarding them because they're so beautiful (guilty).

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, otherlandco / Via instagram.com

As previously mentioned, I have quite the affinity for candles. When I'm in the mood to treat myself, one of the first places I turn (aside from my local coffee shop) is Otherland. They release different collections for each season, so I enjoy the *rush* of having to pick 'em up before they're retired. Apologies that some of the ones in my personal stash (pictured above) are no longer available, but you can grab the "Core Collection" at any time and indulge in the current "Beach Club Collection" which has me swooning and eyeing my wallet.

Get them from Otherland for $36 each (currently available in eight scents).

8. Bath and Body Works' aromatherapy line to fill your home with serene scents that'll help you unwind at the end of a long day.

Bath and Body Works

"I know it’s basic, but I absolutely LIVE for the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy line. I have bought the 'Relax' candle probably upwards of 20 times — not joking. And while I still haven’t quite learned how to relax, it leaves my room smelling so good and clean. The scent works well year round and spreads quite far, while not being too strong and intrusive. I love it for a night-in with a face mask and watching TV. It’s definitely very calming. I also love the 'Stress Relief' scent that I was gifted as an apartment warming gift! I burned through it in a matter of weeks." —Samantha Tomaszewski

Get them from Bath and Body Works: 'Relax' for $14.50 and a three-wick 'Stress Relief' for $24.90.

9. Or their iconic three-wick candles, with a cult-following that has shoppers racing into stores and the website anytime there's a sale.

Bath and Body Works, bathandbodyworks / Via instagram.com

Guilty. During their most recent sale I snagged two of their fall scents, "Leaves" and "Crisp Morning Air," and literally mailed them to myself as a gift "from my cousin" in hopes my husband won't realize I willingly brought more candles into our apartment despite having an overflowing drawer of them. Boy, I hope he's not reading this. Within the same hour I convinced my cousin to buy "Vampire Blood" and my sister to restock on her favorite "Lavender Vanilla." You simply can't go wrong with Bath and Body Work candles — there's truly a scent for everyone. Let's not mess with a good thing.

Get them from Bath and Body Works for $24.50 each (available in 90 scents).

10. A stunning crystal candle made by The Astral Boutique infused with glitter, lavender buds, and blue cornflowers, a must-have for anyone looking to take their *mystical vibes* to the next level.

The Astral Boutique

I have this candle and it's almost too pretty to burn! It smells fantastic and will surely impress any fellow crystal-lovers that visit your home. They also have a full moon ritual candle complete with moonstone inside of it or a sea goddess water crystal candle scented by lavender and jasmine.

Get it from The Astral Boutique for $19.50.

11. A west coast-scented candle from P.F. Candle Co. to light up on days you'd rather be cruising along the coast instead of clicking through work emails.

P.F. Candle Co.

"I have several P.F. Candle Co. scents but my favorite is probably Golden Coast. The design of the jars are really cute for your next IG photo and add to any home-design aesthetic. I keep one on my entryway table for when guests come over and one in my bathroom to use after I clean for a final touch. I love that they are small enough to put on a bathroom sink along with other items, but still keep the whole room smelling fresh after I use lots of bleach/strong cleaning products. It’s a subtle but clean scent!" —Samantha Tomaszewski

Get it from P.F. Candle Co. for $20.

12. A lavender and rosemary-scented candle made by Cadence Candle Co., complete with a complementary curated playlist (scan the QR code on the packaging!) that'll really take your me-time to the next level.

Cadence Candle Co.

I recently received one of these to test and I am *so* into this entire concept. I live for both candles and my evening bath, so the fact this was able to really add something to the experience made it a 10/10 for me. Cadence Candle Co. is a Black- and female-owned business who, IMO, has come up with a genius product. I won't spoil any of the songs that are on the playlist, but know that the founder Taelor has a true gift for curating soothing sounds that go great with the flickering of a candle.

Get it from Cadence Candle Co. for $32 (and check out their other scents here).

13. A Vellabox candle subscription you can count on to deliver natural candles to your doorstep featuring irresistible scents you'll probably hope last forever.

Vellabox

"I really love the Vellabox candles! They smell so lovely and the containers are so aesthetic, and I love putting them on top of a pile of books or on my table, wherever, because they just spruce up the room and make it look Tumblr-esque lol. Lighting one also makes the whole room smell great in a few minutes. If you're wondering, my favorite scent is the mandarin and mimosa! I've got my eye on the eucalyptus rain next." —Nusrat Sultana

Get the subscription from Vellabox for $10+/month (available in three sizes); individuals candles start at $12+ (available in more than 20 scents).

14. A Voluspa candle in a gorgeous jar you can count on to make your home smell divine while also adding a pretty piece of decor to the room.

volupsacandles / Via instagram.com

I would sell my soul for a French Cade Lavender Voluspa candle — no joke. It's absolutely one of my all time favorite candles. I typically buy one for my sister once a year because they're easily her number one fave. There's something that feels so elegant about the design of the glass jars and scents of these candles that keeps me coming back to them time after time. They're known for being a bit pricey but, honestly, they're worth it.

Get it from Anthropologie for $30 (available in eight scents).

15. A crystal energy-infused candle from Chiji to add some positive feelings (and delicious scents) into your workspace, bedroom, bathroom, or wherever you're happiest hangin' out.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Chiji

I've already burnt through my beloved "Positive Vibes" Chiji candle — that's how much I loved it right off the bat. I was a big fan of the soothing lemongrass and lavender combo and now I use the larger purple fluorite crystal during my evening meditations. But even if crystals and meditation are *not* your thing, you'll still enjoy this candle. My colleague Elizabeth Lilly bought the "Abundance" candle and was also a fan:

"So I'm not a crystal head, but I'm also not against them because dang if they aren't gorgeous. Oh hey and if having a crystal around promotes something positive, then BY ALL MEANS. That was my thought when I chose this 'Abundance' candle with little crystal bits and then a larger Citrine crystal you can fish out of the melted wax and use. Now that I'm WFH for the rest of the year, I like to light this bb on the end table beside my spot on the couch. It has an incredibly pleasant smell that also isn't so overpowering. I even keep it lit during lunch! (Oftentimes I blow out a candle when I'm eating because the smell competes with the food's taste.) I've burned about half of this candle and haven't learned about any large inheritances from long-lost distant relatives *but* I'll hold out for the possibility."

Get them from Chiji: "Positive Vibes" for $39.99 or "Abundance" for $49.99.

16. A customizable or pre-made motivational candle from Shanti Creations that'll flow perfectly with your carefully curated home decor.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, shanticreationsnyc / Via instagram.com

The sweet owner of this shop reached out and sent me the above candle after my beloved pup passed away. Not only only was the sentiment much appreciated, but the candle smells incredible! It was customized with the "refresh" scent, which is filled with calming notes of jasmine, lily and sweet cream. I also personally love that this small woman-owned business has an array of motivational candle designs — I definitely could use a reminder to take some time for myself in the form of the "Sundays Are For Loving You" candle.

Get them from Shanti Creations: customized dog candle for $35 (available in nine scents) or the Sundays candle for $30 (available in eight scents).

17. Hudson Naturals' Fresh Fog because the name of the scent alone sounds like it’ll wrap you up in a plush throw blanket and direct you to the couch to have the coziest movie marathon of your life.

Hudson Naturals / Etsy

"I'm a sucker for a boutique that has a lineup of candles, will always sniff each and every one. That's how I found this line at a shop in Newburgh, New York, (where the brand is based!) while on a bachelorette trip in town. I picked up a 'Fresh Fog' scent that smells SO fantastic (it's available on the Etsy shop but sold out on the brand site that has more scents) in a super relaxing combo of sea salt, jasmine, lily of the valley, and tonka. Just removing the lid and taking in a whiff calms me and transports me to crisp fall activities, specifically at my friend's lake house where we've spent many a girls' fall weekend. I just imagine fog rolling in over the lake surrounded by trees in varying degrees of yellow, orange, and red. OK fog could happen any season (I think, I'm not a meteorologist, y'all) but it just feels inherently 'fall' to me." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Hudson Naturals on Etsy for $18.

18. A lavender and Earl Grey Paddywax candle that'll remind you of snuggling up with a warm cup of tea on a cold winter day.

paddywaxcandles / Via instagram.com, Paddy Wax

I have had a few of these over the years and love to reuse the ceramic bowls to hold jewelry and other trinkets. I've yet to find another Earl Grey-scented candle that replicates the feeling of actually drinking a freshly steeped mug. My husband often tries to steal this one away from me — it's easily his favorite of all the candles I've hoarded over the years.

Get it from Paddy Wax for $25.

19. Prosperity Candle's Happiness Island because the name of the scent alone sounds like it'll bring a smile to your face and fill your home with joy — which we could all use an extra dosage of these days, right?

Cold Spring Apothecary

"This brand came across my radar when it arrived in a GlobeIn box (I'm 90% sure, if it didn't that box is still great!), which is a monthly subscription box that features really lovely artisan goods. Off the bat its seaside scent smelled so fantastic and then when I dug a bit into the company, it smelled even sweeter. The company's name is no coincidence, as its mission includes candlemakers and artisans who are resettled women from refugee camps through UN, state, and federal programs. They're paid a living wage while perfecting their candle-making skills. So every time I light this candle I think about that! But it isn't *just* about the candle wax at this company. So many of the candles come in amazing containers (like this) that are also handmade by artisans that you'll want to reuse forever once the wax burns dry. " —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Prosperity Candle for $22+ (available in six scents or as a trio).

20. A magical candle from Wishes Candle Co. complete with a surprise enamel pin inside you can add to your ever-growing Disney collection.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

As a diehard Disney fan, I couldn't help myself but order one of these pin-filled candles. I went with their Haunted Mansion-inspired scent (my favorite ride), "Regions Beyond" and can't wait to pull the surprise pin out of the wax once I'm done enjoying the candle! The scent is musky and perfect for fall and winter (or anytime you want a cozy but spooky vibe in your room). I also loved the extra touch of glitter in the top — it looks really magical as it melts. There are so many Disney-themed scents from this company that I already know I'll be back for more (uh yeah, I'm looking at you "Beautiful Tomorrow").

Get it from Wishes Candle Co. on Etsy for $20.50 or their branded shop for $19.

21. Votivo's Red Currant candle, a must-have for anyone who wants their living room to smell like Christmas but isn't into evergreen trees.

Amazon

I actually snagged this candle from a co-worker last holiday season after they received a few samples in the mail — I'll never turn down a candle. I loved it right away because of its packaging (this makes a great gift!) but loved it even more when I lit it and fully experienced the tart but savory scent. I gave one to my mom as well and it's the only candle she's actually asked me to buy her another of (she's very particular about her scents).

Get it from Amazon for $28 (available in 21 scents).

22. And a rechargeable lighter, which I know is *not* a candle but you'll need it to light every candle in your house and create the *perfect* ambience without concern you'll run out of lighter fluid.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon

I'm obsessed with candles, so it was a no-brainer for my husband to gift me this surprisingly super fun gadget for Christmas. It's really simple to use and charge, and it really works! TBH, I haven't had to charge it since December! The batter lasts forever! I'll never have to buy another lighter again.

Promising review: "This is seriously the coolest device of my winter holiday. It makes lighting candles a breeze. Yes, there is a weird crackling noise, but that's a super minor annoyance. It's a super intuitive device. Plug in the lighter with the USB (included), charge for a bit, then pop it open and light ALL THE THINGS; well, candles. I don't know how well it lights cigarettes or whatever. However, for my personal intended use, it's awesome!" —Jee W

Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

Actual footage of me in my apartment trying to decide which candle to light next:

Comedy Central

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.