A Candle Influencer’s Favorite Candles Under $50

By Kudzi Chikumbu as told to Tembe Denton-Hurst

What makes a good candle? It’s a question I often ask myself while rifling through my candle shelf (which has recently expanded to the shelf plus a drawer). My collection is sizable — I estimate that I own at least 45 at this point — and runs the gamut of scents, brands, and price points. As I’ve gotten more familiar with candles, I’ve become interested in what makes a candle truly excellent. I reached out to candle expert and influencer Kudzi Chikumbu (known on the internet as @sircandleman) to find out.

A candle that smells like slow-dancing in back rooms

Harlem Candle Company Speakeasy Luxury Candle, $45

This is my favorite scent from the brand. It’s bourbon palo santo, but it also has smoked incense, which is one of my favorite notes in candles. It also has berry, which makes it a little sweet. It feels a bit decadent. It’s a fun candle and it’s gorgeous. Their vessels are beautiful, and it comes with two wicks, which I think is unusual for a candle that size. It feels and looks luxury, even from the box. It’s gorgeous and embossed and the glass is really nice. It’s definitely decorative — it’s the kind of candle you would want to have out.

Read the full story here.

New York Magazine: The Strategist

A Candle Influencer’s Favorite Candles Under $50

A candle that smells like slow-dancing in back rooms

Read more