We might be jumping the gun here, but vanilla candles are top tier, and deserve a starring spot in your candle rotation. Yep, it’s a big call. But there’s something about the inviting, warming gourmand scent.
And while the sweet scents of vanilla perfumes wrap around you in a warm embrace, the homely scents aren’t just for the cooler months (although we reckon they deserve a top winter candle spot). In fact, many vanilla candles opting for a more complex layered scent.
So, let’s see what vanilla candles are going to light up your life (pun intended)…
2024’s Top 3 Vanilla Candles
- CIRCA Vanilla Bean & Allspice Scented Soy Candle, $39.95, Myer
- Ecoya Vanilla & Tonka Bean Candle, $49.95, Myer
- Glasshouse A Tahaa Affair Candle, $55, Sephora
CIRCA Vanilla Bean & Allspice Scented Soy Candle
From $39.95 at Myer
Don’t mind us, we’re just assembling our perfect candle checklist. Okay so, cute, reusable jar? Tick. Aussie made? Tick. Made on high quality soy-wax? Yep. Incredible scent you want to burn for hours? Got it! We don’t mean to alarm you, but we think we might’ve just found the perfect candle. It’s quite literally checking all our boxes. Not to mention the aroma that opens up into an inviting, warming blend of spices, wood and of course, vanilla. Give it a whiff and see what we mean.
Want to read more? Read CIRCA Vanilla Bean & Allspice Scented Soy Candle Reviews here…
Key features:
- Lead-free cotton wicks
- 70 hours of burn time
- Recyclable glass jar
Available at:
- $39.95 from Myer
- $40 from Sephora
- $39.95 from Adore Beauty
Ecoya Vanilla & Tonka Bean Candle
From $49.95 at Myer
If there’s one way to make a classic vanilla candle even better, it’s to layer it with a spicier undertone. And the perfect accompanying note? Tonka bean! This woody-meets-spicy cousin to vanilla allows for the sweetness to sing through, but gives off a deeper, more intriguing scent.
Key features:
- Layered sweet and spicy scents
- Made in Australia
- Stylish jar with luxe silver lid
Available at:
- $49.95 from Myer
- $49.95 from Ecoya
- $49.95 from David Jones
Glasshouse A Tahaa Affair Candle
From $55 at Sephora
Undoubtedly you’ve walked into Peter Alexander and been hit with an intoxicatingly sweet scent. But what inviting aroma waits for you? More often than not, it’s this sweet-meets-tropical vase from Glasshouse. Setting itself a part from other classic ‘sweet’ vanilla candles, A Tahaa Affair opts for (almost juxtaposing) opening tropical fruity notes. But you know what? It just works; even earning itself a top spot in our rotation of vanilla candles.
Want to read more? Read Glasshouse A Tahaa Affair Candle Reviews here…
Key features:
- Non-toxic, soy blend wax
- 65 hours of burn time
- Triple scented for longer lasting fragrance
Available at:
- $55 from Sephora
- $54.95 from Adore Beauty
- $42.85 (usually $54.95) from Look Fantastic
Maison Blanche 005 Vanilla & Cacao
From $62 at Hard To Find
Basically artisanal, Maison Blanche might be a fragrance powerhouse, but they still ensure every candle (and nourishing body care item) is hand-poured on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. With a lusciously long burn time of 80 hours, this balanced sweet scent features gorgeously velvety aromas. They even come boasting major fragrance strength, so you’ll be able to smell this soy wax candle long after you’ve blown it out.
Key features:
- 80 hours of burn time
- Hand-poured
- Made in Sydney
Available at:
- $62 from Hard To Find
- $59 from The Iconic
- $58 from Maison Blanche
Buckley & Phillips Vanilla Soy Jar Candle
From $34.95 at Buckley & Phillips
If holistically-based candles are more your vibe, then this elegant-yet-natural candle is for you. Made with the environment (and your health) in mind, this candle features a lead-free wick and a blend of natural soy and coconut waxes. Created with cosmetic-grade fragrances, this vanilla candle features a long-lasting burn time meaning your new fave scent isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
Want to read more? Read Buckley & Phillips Reviews here…
Key features:
- Combination of soy and coconut wax base
- Cosmetic-grade fragrance
- Elegant matte black jar
Available at:
- $34.95 from Buckley & Phillips
Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean
From $57.93 at Amazon Australia
There’s just something about this candle that’s giving us major America in ‘fall’ vibes. Whether it’s the cosy scent, the ceramic-esque jar or just the Bath & Body Works vibe in general, we’re totally sold on this scent. This delightful fragrance errs on the deliciously vanilla ice-cream side of the scent. We think this cosy scent will be on repeat all autumn long.
Key features:
- Triple wick
- Decorative, flame-extinguishing lid
- Cosy, sweet vanilla fragrance
Available at:
- $57.93 from Amazon Australia
- $26 (usually $53.95) from Bath and Body Works
Diptyque Vanille Candle
From $110.41 at Amazon Australia
This candle might be on the exxy side, but we promise the splurge is worth the investment. Diptyque are known for creating incredibly elevated, well thought out scents. And their vanille option is absolutely no different. Lighting this candle will see a deeper layer of woody, natural vanilla scent open up.
Key features:
- Deep, woody notes
- Classic glass jar
- Elevated, not overly ‘sweet’ scent
Available at:
- $110.41 from Amazon Australia
- $107 from MECCA
What are vanilla candles good for?
If you’re picking up a vanilla candle, it’s likely that you’re just a big fan of the sultry-sweet aroma of the note. But did you know that certain scents can adjust your mood? Yep. Your olfactory senses are able to shift how you’re feeling. So, what do vanilla candles do for you? Well, maybe it’s the nostalgic reminiscence (fresh baked cookies anyone?) but vanilla is known to increase happiness. Not only that but the aroma of vanilla is a powerful aphrodisiac, so no matter what mood you’re trying to set, turning to a vanilla candle will help you get there.
What candles smell the most?
Scent is one of those arguably subjective things. What smells incredible to one can be completely overwhelming to another. But for the most part the hard-hitting aroma of sweet vanilla is one of those long-lasting, hard to go past scents. Why? Because who doesn’t want a lingering smell of sweetness coming from your vanilla candle?
Related links:
- Love lighting a candle but on a tight budget? These candles still pack a punch without breaking the bank…
- Want year-round festivities? Don’t we all. These are the best Christmas candles to put you in the jolly mood…
- Lighting a candle and cosy winter weather go hand-in-hand, so why not check out the best winter candles for a warm glow?
Main Image Credit: @maisonblanche
What’s your favourite candle scent? Do you have a go-to vanilla candle?
I absolutely love vanilla candles
Me too, I have one burning right now
I prefer the fresh scents, vanilla is too sweet for me
I had no idea they were an aphrodisiac
No i always think of baking when I smell vanilla
I love glass hose candles but some of these sound so good too.
Love a good vanilla candle
Lighting one of these frangrant candles is a lot cheaper and easier than buy an expensive perfume. Maybe perfume is better when you leave home and can still smell it on your skin?