The 12 Best Romantic Candles of 2023

Whether you’re looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day gift or trying to set the mood for date night, a flickering flame is one of the best ways to dial up the romance. From musky and dramatic to light and floral, candles can help change the vibe—and sometimes even double as massage oils.

And the best part? We found options that are made with natural ingredients, safe waxes, and high-end fragrances, so you can keep things clean even when you’re getting a little naughty.

Here, the best romantic candles.

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Size: 4 ounces | Wax Blend: Jojoba and soybean oil | Burn Time: 30 hours

If sexy is what you're looking for, you can't do much better than the Maude Burn No. 1 candle, which is made with a blend of jojoba and soybeans oils combined with deep, musky notes like amber, cedar, lemongrass, tonka bean, and medjool date. The smoky scents help set the mood, while the melted wax doubles as a massage oil for kicking date night up a notch.

Supernatural Candle .

Nette

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Size: 7.5 ounces | Wax Blend: Coconut and soy | Burn Time: 55-60 hours

Nette's Supernatural Candle is the kind of scent that'll create a mysterious yet romantic vibe in your home. The candle combines notes of cinnamon, patchouli, frankincense, and sandalwood, amongst others, for a spicy and smokey fragrance you're sure to appreciate.

The candle is made with a coconut and soy wax blend and has a burn time of up to 60 hours, so you'll be able to get tons of use out of it. It's poured into a handmade, deep purple vessel that'll stun on a nightstand or coffee table as well—once the candle burns through, you can even repurpose it.

Otherland

View On Otherland.com

Size: 8 ounces | Wax Blend: Coconut and soy | Burn Time: 50 hours

Vintage lipstick, Amarena cherry, and violet are the main notes behind Otherland's Boudoir Rouge scent. The glam candle is part of the Adorned collection, a set of candles inspired by all things downtown discothèque. This candle is made with a coconut and soy wax blend and has a 50-hour burn time. Plus, it's hand-poured into a bold red vessel that'll add a bit of boudoir-inspired glamour to your space, no matter where you place it.

Courtesy of Sunday Riley

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Size: Not listed | Wax Blend: Coconut | Burn Time: Not listed

You might know Sunday Riley best for beauty and skincare products, but the brand also sells this very sexy massage candle. The limited edition candle is scented with linden blossom, honey, vanilla, and sandalwood, which altogether creates a relaxing, sensual vibe that's designed to set the mood. All you have to do is burn the candle until the wax pool reaches the outer edge of the candle, extinguish the flame, and pour onto the skin and massage in once it's cool.

Anecdote

View On Anecdotecandles.com

Size: 7.8 ounces | Wax Blend: Coconut and soy | Burn Time: 40-50 hours

Whether you’re in a new relationship or working on keeping the spark alive in a long-term one, the Young Love Candle from Anecdote Candles helps dial up the romance. Scented with balsamic blackberries, bergamot incense, burgundy rose, amber, and musk, it’s equal parts sweet and intense—just like your first love. Plus, the coconut-soy wax, cotton-core wicks, and phthalate-free fragrance oils ensure a clean burn.

Courtesy of Hotel Lobby Candle

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Size: 9.75 ounces | Wax Blend: Soy | Burn Time: 65 hours

Few places are more romantic than Paris, but if you aren't able to make it there for the evening, this candle is the next best thing. The Paris Nuit Candle—which is made of 100 percent soy wax—has notes of black musk, wood, rum, and mahogany, and is intended to transport you to "a dimly-lit hotel lobby cocktail lounge." The vessel is designed to be reused, so once you've gone through the 65-hour burn time you'll have a chic container for your vanity.

FORVR Mood

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Size: 10 ounces | Wax Blend: Coconut and soy | Burn Time: 65 hours

FORVR Mood is well-known for cheeky candle names, and there are plenty of romance-inspired scents like Phero-moans, Naughty Nice, and even You Up?. One of the best options, though, is Cuffing Season, which combines notes of citrus, violet, jasmine, and cedar for a warm scent that works all year round. And, with a sizable 10-ounce size and impressive 65-hour burn time, you really can light this candle through the seasons.

Homesick

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Size: 13.75 ounces | Wax Blend: Soy | Burn Time: 60-80 hours

If you’re not the best with words, let the Love Letters candle from Homesick do the talking for you. The clean-burning, soy wax blend has notes of lemon and sandalwood, softened with floral finishes from rose petals, peonies, and jasmine—a striking contrast that warms up the room while also setting the tone. Of course, you could also pair it with a love letter of your own to really increase the romance.

Brooklyn Candle Studio Love Potion Minimalist Candle

Nordstrom

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Size: 7.5 ounces | Wax Blend: Soy | Burn Time: 50 hours

With everything you want and nothing you don’t, this 100 percent soy wax, essential oil-infused candle may be the closest you’ll get to an actual love potion. Calming and brightening, it combines notes of jasmine, lavender, and mandarin for a scent profile that will make you feel like you’re nose deep in a bouquet of wildflowers. It'll complement another gift nicely, and pairs especially well with a vase full of fresh blooms.

Harlem Candle Co. Josephine Luxury Candle

Bloomingdales

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Size: 12 ounces | Wax Blend: Soy | Burn Time: 80 hours

If there’s such a thing as a luxurious scent, the Josephine Candle from Harlem Candle Co. is it. It starts out with citrusy notes, then throws floral scents that come from Moroccan rose and Indian jasmine, only to finish off with deep and woody amber and sandalwood, hitting all your senses. And everything comes neatly contained in a deep red jar, perfect for giving off a high-end Valentine’s Day vibe.

P.F. Candle

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Size: 7.2 ounces | Wax Blend: Soy | Burn Time: 40-50 hours

Another woodsy option, the cult-favorite Teakwood & Tobacco Candle from P.F. Candle Co. is arguably one of the best-smelling candles on the planet. With notes of leather, teak, and orange, it features a delicate balance of musk and citrus, giving all of the "curl up in a blanket and cuddle with a special someone" vibes. It's nicknamed the "boyfriend candle" for a reason, and is guaranteed to set the right vibe for date night.

View On Nordstrom View On Lelabofragrances.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Size: 8.6 ounces | Wax Blend: Soy | Burn Time: 60 hours

Le Labo's fragrances are legendary—and while Santal 33 tends to get all the attention, you shouldn't sleep on the brand's other scents. Cedre 11 combines cedar, birchwood, and gaiac (a scent formulated by Le Labo), giving off dark, smoky, and musky undertones that scream romance. Each candle comes labeled with your name and the date, making it a thoughtful gift to celebrate special occasions, from anniversaries and birthdays to, of course, Valentine's Day.

Why Trust MyDomaine?

This article was written by Lindsay Boyers, a writer and editor who specializes in lifestyle content. To write this article, she considered candles made with natural, clean ingredients across a range of price points.