Not all candle lovers are the same. Some of us burn them all day, every day, while others save them like they’re fine china, saving them for just the right moment. Whether you’re the type to power burn from morning ‘til night or the type who waits until the house is quiet and the tea is steeped, how you burn says a lot about you.
This guide is here to help you fully own your candle personality and find your perfect CarteHaus match. It’ll make shopping (for yourself or someone else) easier, with scent picks that align with your habits, space, and vibe.
So, what kind of candle burner are you?
The Chronic Candle Burner
AKA: Always Lit
You’ve got one in every room, maybe even two. Lighting a candle the moment you get home is second nature, after all, ambiance is essential. You have your tried-and-trues (with backups, of course), but you’re not afraid to branch out, especially if the scent sounds a little bit weird…in a good way.
You gravitate toward candles that can keep up with your pace. Scents that feel layered, lived-in, and add a little something extra to your space, like your signature fragrance in candle form.
Your best scent matches:
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Ten Sixth: An unexpected twist on a floral favorite. A lavender matcha latte in candle form, grounded by nutty toasted sesame.
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Meadow Harvest: Herbal and bright with a subtle complexity. You catch something different every time you burn it.
The Zen Burner
Candles are a ritual
You see candles as part of your unwinding ritual. You light one when it’s time to drop your shoulders and exhale. Maybe it’s part of your bedtime wind-down, your journaling time, or your yoga glow. This is how you reset.
You’re drawn to clean, comforting scents that don’t shout and are more of a background piece. Soothing, soft, and noticeable enough for you to focus on your breathing.
Your best scent match:
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Hygge: Inviting, neutral and calming, like a soft blanket. Hygge wraps you in the cozy warmth of your favorite sweater with notes of cocoa butter and white tea.
The Hostess
Candles are to impress
You’ve got your dinner playlist queued, the bar cart stocked, and a signature scent wafting through the air before anyone even knocks. For you, candles are like that special dress you only pull out for guests, an essential part of the atmosphere.
You want your home to feel thoughtful, elevated, and totally inviting so you pick scents that you know will be crowd-pleasers.
Your best scent matches:
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Black Pearl: Crisp, coastal and clean. Perfect for breezy brunches and daytime hosting.
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Nightcap: Deep, moody and elegant, ideal for dinner parties or winding down with wine after the guests are gone.
Pssst, Hostess: you don’t need an occasion to light a candle. Try burning one just for you. You are the moment.
The Seasonal Burner
Candles are for sweater weather
You wait for the leaves to turn and the PSLs to drop before lighting your first candle of the year. It’s all part of your cozy ritual: Gilmore Girls reruns, warm socks, and movie nights under a blanket. But once spring hits and the sweaters go into storage, the candles do too.
Did you know you don’t have to wait for fall? Just trade in your spiced, smoky blends for something lighter. Florals, citrus, and breezy notes can make warm days feel even more special. Yes, candles in summer are a thing; you just have to find the right one.
Your best scent matches:
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Winchester: All the fall vibes you love in a scent that works year-round. Smoky, woody, and perfect for evenings in.
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London Fog: With notes of bergamot, black tea, and cream, this calming scent exudes the coziness of a rainy day in the heart of spring.
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Summer Collection: Our seasonal scents like Island Glow and Shades of Gold are made for golden hour and hot summer mornings.
Let your candle obsession evolve with the seasons.
The Escapist
Scent as time travel
Candles do more for you than smell nice, they make you feel something. They’re a portal. One sniff and you’re somewhere else entirely. Maybe it’s a beach to the Amalfi Coast, a misty mountain cabin, or your grandmother’s garden. Scent is memory, nostalgia, and escapism all rolled into one.
You gravitate toward moody, transportive scents. The ones that take you somewhere new or anchor you to a favorite place in time.
Your best scent matches:
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Winchester: Smoky, rich, and grounding. Feels like sinking into a leather chair in a forest hideaway.
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Coastal Escape Discovery Set: A trio of beach-inspired scents designed to whisk you away to the salt-sprayed charm of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts.
No rulebook for candle burning
The reality is you don’t need a special occasion, a change in weather, or a dinner guest to light one. Wanting your space to smell good just because you’re in it? We think that’s the best reason of all. Remember, selfish is not a dirty word.
So whether you’re an everyday burner or a once-a-week ritualist, you do you. There’s a CarteHaus ready for you.
Ready to find your match?
Explore our Essentials Collection →