I Tested the 12 It Candles of 2026—These Are My Thoughts

Those are some among us who are loyal to a specific candle scent in their homes and will never stray. (I think we all have a Diptyque Baies, Le Labo Santal 26, or Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir devotee in our lives.) And then there are others, such as myself, who are always on the hunt for the buzziest and newest-on-the-scene candles to add to our collections—in addition to the tried-and-true favorites, of course. As someone who purchases pretty much everything I own online, I place a lot of blind candle orders, but you'll typically find me searching far and wide for reviews before doing so. This time, I'm the reviewer.

As a luxury candle aficionado, there have been quite a few standout candles on my radar this year—some brand new, and some that have held onto their buzz. As you can imagine, I was more than happy to be a guinea pig and test them in my house, and in doing so, I have something to back up my recommendations. Among the highly coveted brands I tried IRL were candles from Trudon, Loewe, Diptyque, Flamingo Estate, Le Labo, and LAFCO. So, without further ado, scroll on to read my thoughts on (and shop) some of the chicest, most sought-after candle scents of 2026.

Trudon Figuerie

Having one of the legendary French fragrance houses' candles in your home is a signal of good taste, and the scents are as elegant as the vessels they're housed in. Many brands make their version of a fig-scented candle, but I've yet to encounter one that's anything like Trudon's newest release, Figuerie.

My review: Trudon's Figuerie candle is far from the fruity fig candles you may be familiar with. It's more of an earthy, woody fragrance inspired more by the actual fig tree than the fruit itself. The prominent fig leaf note is mixed with hyacinth, tasuki patchouli, and sandalwood (among other notes), adding depth and more of a powdery fragrance than I expected. This is fancy fig, through and through, and the sage green vessel is stunning—especially when lit. It's a lovely option for the warmer months, especially, and is highly giftable, as everything Trudon makes is.

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Diptyque Shiso and Rhubarbe

We all know and love Diptyque's iconic candle scents—Feu de Bois, Baies, Roses, Figuier, Tuberose—the list goes on. The wildly popular brand releases limited edition scents throughout the year, and occasionally adds to its permanent collection. The two I tested are permanent ones that Diptyque released to coincide with its new ribbed-glass vessels (which are stunning, by the way).

My Shiso review: I wasn't familiar with shiso prior to receiving this candle, but I'm happy to now be. It's a Japanese herb in the mint family that gives off a light, green scent with a hint of spiciness. Diptyque added almond notes to balance out the herbal scent. It's a very refreshing scent, which makes it ideal for summer. Because it's a bit subtle (in a good way), I'd recommend burning it in a room that's on the smaller side.

My Rhubarbe review: Rhubarbe is a bit tricky to describe in a way that does it justice, but I'll do my best. This is a vegetal scent that's inspired by rhubarb stalks, but with a sweetness to it. It's in the green family, similar to Shiso and Diptyque's Figuier, but a bit stronger. It's combined with patchouli notes, which are very subtle. I've enjoyed burning this candle in the kitchen, day or night.

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Loewe Pistachio

I'm not sure that any candle could appeal more to a fashion lover than a Loewe one. The glazed terracotta vessels alone are worth the investment, but the fragrances are equally special. All of Loewe's Home Scents are very pure and concentrated. They're scents you'll notice in the air throughout the day, even when unlit. Pistachio is the latest to join the brand's lineup of found-in-nature candle scents.

My review: If you prefer gourmand candles, you're going to love Loewe Pistachio. It's creamy and sweet, but not overpowering. There's nothing fake or cloying about it. When lit, it gives off a warm, milky scent, which I would've thought I'd prefer during fall and winter, but it hasn't been off-putting in the least on even 95-degree days. The only drawback is that it's almost too pretty to burn.

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Le Labo Cyprès 21 and Ambroxyde 17

I find Le Labo candles to be among those with the best throw and most unique scents on the market, housed in minimal vessels that couldn't be chicer. Every time I try a new one, I claim that it's my new favorite. It's also tricky to know what they're going to smell like, based on their slightly ambiguous names, so you'll have to trust me when I say that Cyprès 21 and Ambroxyde 17 are two you won't regret adding to your collection.

My Cyprès 21 review: Based on the name and description of the candle alone, I assumed that Cyprès 21 would be undoubtedly wintery, but it's the freshest woodsy candle I've yet to come across, making it perfect for every season of the year. There's a bit of spice to it, but with less of the usual smokiness of woodsy candles. It's an incredibly relaxing scent, and has turned out to be the one my husband keeps requesting we light. (FYI: There's also a limited edition version of the candle in a blue glass vessel, which is very giftable.)

My Ambroxyde 17 review: I'm a huge fan of Le Labo's Another 13 perfume, and Ambroxyde 17 is said to be the candle version of that scent, so I ordered it sight unseen. It's almost impossible to describe the mesmerizing, complex scent, but the primary note is ambroxide, which is a synthetic version of musky ambergris. You'll also smell subtle notes of jasmine and woods. Trust me—it's intoxicating.

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LAFCO Midnight Cactus and Tomato Season

LAFCO is known for its distinctive hand-blown glass vessels and candle scents designed for every corner of your living space and every occasion. You'll get many hours (90, in fact) out of the clean-burning, high-quality candles. LAFCO routinely adds new scents into the mix, and I opted to try two popular recent additions: Midnight Cactus and Tomato Season, which couldn't be more different from each other.

My Midnight Cactus review: With top notes of pricky pear and wild raspberry, Midnight Cactus is subtly fruity. I say subtly because it's balanced out by notes of amber, cactus blossom, rose, cedar, and musk. It's a highly versatile scent that makes sense for any season of the year and any time of day. It's a calming, well-balanced scent that's more creamy than most fruit-forward candles. A+.

My Tomato Season review: First of all, a moment for this stunning red-and-white vessel. Tomato candles are certainly having a moment, but a few that I've are just too vegetal and, well, literal for me. That's not the case with Tomato Season. It greatly benefits from the addition of basil, citrus zest, sage, and cucumber. The herbal notes add depth to the fresh tomato scent. It's the perfect candle for a hot summer day.

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Malin + Goetz Strawberry

I find something very appealing about candles named simply after a single fragrance note, as Malin + Goetz's are. But all contain complementary notes that enhance the primary one.

My review: There's nothing cloying or artificial about this strawberry candle, which is a far cry from the fruity ones I favored at the start of my candle obsession many years ago. In the minimal, classic glass vessel is a fresh, reimagined version of strawberry, with notes of bergamot, jasmine, musk, and pink pepper. The resulting scent, is bright, happy, and undoubtedly unique.

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Flamingo Estate Prinsesstårta

Flamingo Estate is a newer entry on the luxury candle scene, but has quickly risen the ranks, thanks to the array of lovely, garden-inspired scents that'll transport you to another place. I've tried a few candles from the Los Angeles-based brand, all of which are exceedingly lovely, but Prinsesstårta most intrigued me.

My review: Prinsesstårta is a departure from the aforementioned garden-inspired scents that Flamingo Estate is known for. The limited-edition candle is actually inspired by the famous Swedish Prinsesstårta cake from Sant Ambroeus in New York. To create the scent reminiscent of the lemon, almond, and vanilla flavors of the cake, Flamingo Estate used notes of amber oakmoss, cinnamon, heliotrope flower, and lemon peel, to name a few. It's a decadent scent that isn't heavy or overly sweet. It's one you just need to smell to truly understand it.

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Sidia Braless

I kept coming across Sidia Braless products and obviously needed to see what the hype was all about. Sidia's fragrances are named for states of being, so that should tell you something about Braless before your nose even does.

My review: The name of this candle may be slightly vague, but the scent certainly is not. If you like warm, smoky, woodsy scents, you'll love Braless. With notes of leather, musk, patchouli, vanilla, and black pepper, among others, it's an excellent candle to enjoy with the beverage of your choice at the end of a long day. It's a sexy scent that truly thrives during cozy fall and winter nights.

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Baobab Collection Tournesol Girasol

Baobab Collection makes some of the most beautiful candles on the market, hands down. Each of its vessels is practically a work of art. Each year leading up to summer, the brand introduces a highly anticipated hand-crocheted raffia-wrapped candle. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this year's iteration, Girasol.

My review: With notes of orchid, sea salt, and ylang-ylang, Girasol is one of the most floral-forward candles I tried. It's exactly what a floral summer candle should look and smell like. It has a strong throw and is successful at eradicating household smells, thanks to its refreshing aquatic notes. A word of warning: It's quickly selling out.

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