More than citrus and citronella.
When you conjure up your favorite summer memories, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s seaside vacations with family, a crowded music festival with your favorite people, or a quiet solo weekend in a mountain cabin.
Did you know that your brain processes emotion and scent as one? That’s because smells are processed by the olfactory bulb, a structure in the front of the brain that connects to the limbic system, the areas responsible for emotion and memory. So whether you want to remember the waves or the tranquil mountainside creek or the sweet smell of popcorn and cotton candy, these summer candle scents will awaken your best feelings through fragrance. Our experts weigh in to help you find a new favorite.
The subdued charm of honeysuckle
If you’re from the eastern areas of the United States, you know the sweet, unassuming scent of summer – the honeysuckle. Some people love the smell so much that they add the flowers to consumables like tea and pastries to savor it fully.
“Our honeysuckle candle will transport you to a time of running through the beautiful lush, blooming honeysuckle fields with hints of citrus and dewy notes of honeysuckle and blooming jasmine with undertones of wood adding texture and balance to this beautiful candle fragrance. You cannot go wrong with this best-smelling candle.” says Tanisha of Malaysian Lights Candle Company.
Or, as Dr. Liz Lehman of Aluminate Life, adds, “The scent of honeysuckle immediately takes me back to childhood summers in upstate New York, where hot days were spent skipping rocks in rivers edged with fragrant white and yellow honeysuckle. Those warm nights, running barefoot through dewy grass to catch lightning bugs, were enveloped in honeysuckle’s lush, sweet aroma. This fragrance truly captures the essence of a summer vacation — warm, sweet, and joyously carefree.”
Scents of the sea
A beach vacation has become the standard summer getaway for many reasons. Capturing the essence of both the beach breeze and the floral and wood notes surrounding you when you visit the shoreline, these candles transport you with the light of a match, whether you dream of finding rental homes in Cape May, NJ, or apartments in San Diego.
“Our sea salt and orchid candle scent is blissfully fragrant, inspiring dreams of coastal landscapes we’re salty and floral magically unite in the purest most intricate way,” says Jessy from Seaside Candle Company. “It creates the perfect balance of complexity yet a flawless aromatic fragrance bringing serenity to your space.
If you’ve ever been to a high-end resort, you know the feeling that scent evokes – ultimate relaxation. It’s the scent of “I’m worth it.” And as we learned from The Candle Lab Cincy, “Vacation means different things to everyone, but our favorite summer vacation scent has to be our sea minerals-inspired candle! Not only is it beachy and fresh, but it reminds us of the most relaxing, luxurious spa as well. The soothing notes of sea salt, eucalyptus, and freesia will have you feeling like you just stepped into a 5-star beach resort!”
Similarly, Zachary Hylton, senior account executive at Aromatic Fragrance International mentions a personal favorite candle: “One of my favorite scents is made by Sea Love and their candle is called Tan Lines. It makes me want to book a ticket straight to the beach and unwind for the week.”
Meet me in Montauk
Montauk, a beloved inlet on the east side of Long Island, attracts vacationers from NYC and beyond, especially in the summer. This destination has become well known for being a popular fishing and surfing spot but also has charming seaside spots to stop in to rest, eat and shop.
“The perfect summer vacation scent for me will remind me of grabbing brunch with my friends in Montauk. That’s why I’m going to burn a mandarin/orange candle to give me refreshing mimosa vibes. I love citrus candles and I want people to get into them more!” says Cristian of Nose Best Candles.
Backyard barbecue with loved ones
For many, a staycation or a lively weekend with friends is the best recipe for summer fun. Maria Schiering of candlespice co. seems to agree. “If a summer anthem could be summed up to a single scent, it would be candlespice co.’s citrus and garden herb candle! The invigorating notes of clementine and lemon blended with the herbal elements of garden lavender and fresh-cut basil make this scent a perfect conversationist for your next backyard barbecue!”
The sweet rush of a summer street fair
State and county fairs – with their questionably safe rides, fried food and impossible-to-win prizes – have become a staple of nostalgic summer fun for many. “My favorite summer scent is cotton candy. Its airy sweetness and sugary aroma instantly bring back memories of summer fairs and carefree childhood days. This whimsical scent fills any space with a dreamy, joyful vibe, making every moment feel like a delightful summer adventure.” says Rochelle Campbell of Pure Intentions Candle Company.
Cozy up to coconuts and woods
Sweetness and woods combine to create the ultimate cozy scent that’s still fresh enough for a hot summer day. Who says you have to save the woody hotels for winter? According to Will Diedrich, who co-owns Diedrich Candle Company with his wife, “Rachel and I have built our business, Diedrich Candle Company, around the idea that fragrances provide comfort and enrich people’s lives. Our favorite scent for summer is coconut and mahogany. When summer rolls around, you can find us at Panama City Beach sipping on a tropical drink, warm sand between our toes as the fresh ocean air blows through our hair. Coconut and mahogany capture all these wonderful scents in a jar and bring the beach vacation to you, wherever you are.”
Earthy, garden scents reminiscent of SoCal
California is a popular vacation spot for travelers hoping to catch sun and surf. As Ericka Anderson, CEO of The New Savant, so poetically adds, “Sunny, verdant, and endlessly dreamy, we have an energizing fragrance that centers one of our founder’s favorite smells and an unusual note to find in candles: fresh dill. Combined with cucumber, juicy peaches and wet earth, our Heatwave candle is balanced, unique and the perfect scent to burn for a little mood boost.”
A run to the ice cream truck
When you look back to your childhood, do you remember the joy you experienced at the musical ice cream truck cruising through your neighborhood? Catching it just in time and buying a sweet treat is a happiness that’s hard to replicate in adulthood.
Take yourself back to those blissful moments just by lighting a candle. Tanisha from Malaysian Lights Candles describes this gorgeous scent: “The first stop on our trip is our orange dreamsickle cupcake candle! Bursting with zesty orange notes and exotic Hawaiian pineapple swirled in creamy, sweet vanilla. This cupcake candle will make you feel as excited as you were when standing at the ice cream truck as a child.”
Summer candle scents for every home and memory
As you’ve seen here, if you can dream it, you’ll find a candle for it. Whether you want to find yourself somewhere less landlocked or transport yourself to the county fair, we’ve captured the best of summer in candle scents. Light a match or flick a lighter, and you’re off to the best vacation or staycation you’ve ever had. What are you waiting for?
Source: rent.com