What Fragrances Go Well Together For Candles?

Fragrance pairing refers to combining scents in a candle to create compelling and harmonious aroma profiles. Getting the right scent combinations is crucial for candle makers, as the way fragrances interact can make or break the overall experience. The art of fragrance pairing allows candle makers to construct multi-dimensional scents that tell a story and transport the mind. It grabs the attention of customers seeking not just a candle, but an experience through scent. When done skillfully, fragrance pairing elevates simple scented candles into artisanal olfactory masterpieces.

This article will explore the intricacies of pairing fragrance notes and families to create spellbinding scented candles. We’ll cover complementary pairings like florals with herbs or woods, contrasts like citrus with spice, and everything in between. Read on to learn the secrets of scent pairing success!

Table of Contents

Citrus Scents

Some of the most popular citrus candle scents include:

Lemon: Lemon candles have a bright, zesty scent reminiscent of freshly sliced lemons. The aroma is refreshing and uplifting.

Orange: Orange candle scents are sweet and tangy, like fresh orange zest. They provide an energizing and cheerful aroma.

Grapefruit: Grapefruit candles have a bold, tangy scent like the citrusy fruit. The aroma is invigorating and crisp.

Lime: Lime scented candles evoke the aroma of freshly cut limes. The scent is sharp, tart, and refreshing.

The citrus aromas are bright, uplifting, and energizing. They help create an atmosphere that feels clean, fresh, and positive.

Floral Scents

Some of the most popular floral scents for candles include lavender, jasmine, and rose. These floral aromas can evoke feelings of relaxation, romance, and femininity.

Lavender is known for its soothing, calming scent that can help reduce stress and anxiety. It has a sweet, herbaceous aroma with hints of wood and citrus. Lavender is one of the most versatile floral scents and pairs well with many other notes. Some great lavender candle blend ideas are lavender-vanilla, lavender-patchouli, and lavender-bergamot.

Jasmine is an exotic floral scent that is soft, sweet, and romantic. It has an intoxicating fragrance that conjures up imagery of moonlit gardens. Jasmine blends well with citrus notes like grapefruit and neroli. It also pairs nicely with sandalwood, vanilla, and peach.

Rose is a timeless floral fragrance that has an elegant, feminine scent. It ranges from sweet and jammy like Turkish rose to green and crisp like rose geranium. Rose pairs beautifully with gourmand notes. Some examples are rose-honey, rose-lychee, and rose-vanilla. Rose also complements woodsy scents like cedar and sandalwood.

Floral scented candles can help create an inviting atmosphere in any room. Their sweet, delicate fragrance is perfect for relaxation or setting a romantic mood. Combining florals like lavender, jasmine, and rose allows you to craft a beautifully complex floral bouquet in candle form.

Source: https://houseofaroma.in/natural-wax-pink-bloom-3-wick-candles/

Herbal Scents

Herbal scents like basil, sage, and mint add a fresh, botanical element to candle fragrances. These scents are derived from the leaves, stems, flowers, and oils of aromatic herbs and plants. Here are some popular herbal fragrances for candles:

Basil – The scent of basil has a sweet yet peppery-spicy aroma. It’s an invigorating and refreshing fragrance. When blended with citrus like lemon or bergamot, it makes for an energizing scent.

Sage – With its woodsy, herbaceous notes, sage adds a soothing, earthy quality. Its aroma is crisp and evokes feelings of the outdoors. Combining sage with floral notes can create a beautiful, balanced blend.

Mint – Cooling mint is instantly recognizable for its sharp, menthol aroma. It smells clean, fresh, and awakening. When paired with sweet gourmand scents like vanilla, mint provides an extra pop of freshness.

Herbal fragrances like these add complexity and a light green aspect to candle blends. A touch of basil, sage, or mint balances out sweet, heavy, or spicy scent notes.

Spicy Scents

Popular spicy candle scents include cinnamon, vanilla, and clove. These scents are perfect for the fall and winter seasons, as they add a warm, cozy feeling to any space. Cinnamon is known for its sweet, spicy aroma that evokes feelings of home and the holidays. It has a mild spice note and is often blended with complementary scents like orange. Clove is more pungent, with an intense, spicy-sweet scent profile. Cardamom also has a sweet yet spicy fragrance, with hints of fruitiness. When used in candles, these spicy scents create a welcoming ambiance and their aromas linger pleasingly in the air.

Source: https://www.cnbcposts.com/lifestyle/from-floral-to-earthy-a-look-at-diverse-types-of-candle-scents/

Woodsy Scents

Woodsy scents like cedarwood, sandalwood, and pine can add a natural, earthy aroma to candles. Cedarwood has a warm, woody aroma that is often described as clean and refreshing. Sandalwood is known for its rich, creamy, sweet wood scent with subtle balsamic undertones. Pine can provide a crisp, piney fragrance reminiscent of evergreen forests. These woodsy essential oils create a grounded, rustic ambiance perfect for cabins, nature-inspired spaces, or just providing a sense of the great outdoors.

Cedarwood is one of the most popular woodsy scents for candles. Its subtle woody aroma has hints of sweet resin that smell clean yet masculine. Cedarwood blends well with citrus, spice, and floral scents. For example, mixing cedarwood with orange can create an invigorating scent, while pairing it with vanilla makes a warmer, creamier fragrance.

Sandalwood is prized in perfumery for its soft woody notes and balsamic character. It has a sweet, warm, creamy aroma that is both mild and diffusive. Sandalwood mixes well with violet, rose, and citrus notes like bergamot. Combining sandalwood with a light floral like jasmine can create a beautifully balanced, sophisticated scent.

Pine scents like Scotch pine add a crisp, resinous aroma reminiscent of evergreen forests. Its bright, fresh pine scent works well blended with citrus, herbs, and spices. Mixing pine with tangerine can create an energizing winter fragrance, while adding cloves produces a warmer, cozier scent perfect for the holidays.

Gourmand Scents

Gourmand scents evoke delicious edible treats like desserts, baked goods, and candy. These sweet fragrances can lend a mouthwatering aroma to candles. Some popular gourmand scent notes include:

Vanilla – With its warm, sweet, and comforting aroma, vanilla is one of the most universally beloved gourmand scents. Vanilla candle fragrances capture the essence of fresh vanilla beans, vanilla extract, or sweet vanilla desserts.

Coffee – The invigorating, rich scent of freshly brewed coffee is a gourmand fragrance that perks up the senses. Coffee-scented candles contain fragrance notes like roasted coffee beans, espresso, or vanilla lattes.

Caramel – With aromas similar to melting butterscotch candies or sweet maple syrup, caramel fragrances are mouthwatering additions to candles. They evoke creamy, buttery caramel treats and desserts.

Honey – While subtly sweet and slightly floral, the golden honey aroma is an appetizing gourmand scent for candles. It calls to mind honey drizzled on pastries or mixed into tea.

Brown Sugar – Recalling the aroma of baked goods like cinnamon rolls or oatmeal cookies, brown sugar is a beloved candle scent. It has a sweet maple and molasses aroma.

Cake – Sugary cake candle scents capture the essence of freshly baked cakes like vanilla cake, cinnamon coffee cake, or rich chocolate cake.

Citrus Pairings

Citrus scents pair wonderfully with herbal, floral, and spicy notes. Some delightful citrus pairings for candles include:

Citrus + Herbal:

Lemon + basil
Grapefruit + rosemary
Orange + thyme

The bright, uplifting citrus complements the fresh, earthy herbs beautifully.

Citrus + Floral:

Lemongrass + jasmine
Bergamot + lavender
Lime + magnolia

The zesty citrus uplifts the delicate floral notes, creating a light, spring-like bouquet.

Citrus + Spicy:

Grapefruit + cinnamon
Lemon + nutmeg
Orange + clove

The vibrant citrus really makes the warming spices sparkle and come alive.

Floral Pairings

Floral scents pair nicely with herbal, spicy, and woodsy notes. Some examples of great floral pairings include:

Floral + Herbal

Jasmine and chamomile create a relaxing, spa-like scent. The sweetness of jasmine balances nicely with the soothing herbal aroma of chamomile (source).

Lavender and geranium is a classic blend. The soft floral lavender mingles with the tangy, grassy geranium for a sophisticated, elegant scent.

Floral + Spicy

Rose and cinnamon is a surprisingly delightful pairing. The spicy warmth of cinnamon accentuates the rich, voluptuous rose notes (source).

Jasmine and cardamom create an exotic, mysterious aroma. The spicy cardamom brightens up the heady sweet jasmine.

Floral + Woodsy

Gardenia and sandalwood is a heavenly blend. The creamy gardenia florals soften the earthy, musky sandalwood for a sophisticated perfume-like scent.

Lilac and cedarwood is a fresh, delightful spring pairing. The woodsy cedar notes highlight the light, sweet lilac bouquet.

Conclusion

In summary, when pairing fragrances for candles, it is important to consider complementary scents within the same family, such as florals with florals or citrus with citrus. However, contrasting scents from different families can also make interesting combinations, such as lavender and lemon or pine and cinnamon. The key is finding the right balance through testing so that the scents complement each other instead of competing. While there are suggested pairings, don’t be afraid to get creative and try unique scent combinations too. The mixing possibilities are endless. With some trial and error, you can find signature scent blends that your customers will love. The most important takeaway is to have fun experimenting with different fragrance oils to find those special, aromatic candles combinations.