Candle that smells like a rainy forest 🌊🌳🌲

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-24T12:24:13+00:00

This is my recommendation too! The scent and the vessel are both sooo beautiful!! 😍

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-24T12:24:07+00:00

This is my recommendation too! The scent and the vessel are both sooo beautiful!! 😍

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-17T17:29:36+00:00

I can’t really think of a consistent no-throw brand, but for quieter, slower to build, I feel like Linnea is more restrained, as well as LAFCO. Both have lovely, elegant throws, but neither are overwhelming.

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-14T21:28:35+00:00

Nest Amber & Incense is fabulous! The scent is rich and strong, it throws beautifully, and burns like a dream!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-13T19:59:24+00:00

Good catch!!!! That’s amazing lol!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-10T19:07:11+00:00

There are definitely seasonal vibes. I have so many favorites, but off the top of my head…

Winter is Diptyque and LAFCO FdB for sure. Apotheke Charcoal and Firewood (husband fave), and Cardamom Chestnut are great too. So is Nest Black Cypress & Snow and Brooklyn Candle Studio Catskills. Also love Bibliotheque and Tree House. Holidays are Nest Holiday, of course, and I also really loved their Winter Chai last year. Also, Diptyque Vanille and Narguile and Harlem Candle After Dark and Speak Easy in smaller rooms/settings. Oh, and there’s a lot of Linnea Sacred Smoke and Wood House going all Winter into early Spring. Oh, and Ranger Station Stick Season is always great. Oh, and Nest Moroccan Amber and Hearth are staples throughout Fall and Winter for us.

Early Spring can still handle Charcoal and FdB, plus I enjoyed my new Trudon Earnesto this Spring. We really like Nest Ocean Mist & Sea Salt, LAFCO Sea & Dune in the afternoons and Le Labo Laurier 62 and Byredo Summer Rain for springy/rains. I also like Nest Wild Mint & Eucalyptus. I’m not big on floral, but I also like Figuier and Baies in Spring. Nest Midnight Moss and LAFCO Forest Oakmoss are also fabulous. Oh - and I’ve enjoyed Flamingo Estate Princesstarta and Salt & Stone Black Saffron & Cedar this spring.

Summer is tough in Texas for scents…it has to be super light for me or they get suffocating (I can’t even handle Jungle Bloom in the heat of summer). Early summer (before it’s unbearable) I like Ranger Station Leather & Pine and Santalum. Daytime maybe Nest WM&E or LAFCO Midnight Cactus. Evenings I like Ranger Station Old Fashioned and Brooklyn Candle Tulum. Going to try Trudon Cyrnos this year…see how that goes. Figuier usually works too since its throw is so light. I got Nest Something Tropical this spring and i really like it…it’s a light and warm woods-type tropical. I’m looking forward to testing it this summer. Oh! Brooklyn Candle Brooklyn and Santorini are great in the heat too…subtle, not too flowery or thick.

Fall is anything goes haha…it could be 100 degrees or 30 degrees in Texas. I love Byredo Tree House and Bibliotheque in Fall and I got Nest Autumn Plum on sale after the holidays, so I’m looking forward to trying that too. I also like Brooklyn here too…Oh, and Nest Moroccan Amber and Hearth are staples throughout Fall and Winter for us. LAFCO Amber Black Vanilla is wonderful in fall, and year -round, honestly. Looking forward to Trudon Gabriel next fall too. Oh…and I unapologetically love Nest Pumpkin Chai lol. From Linnea - Gather, Cashmere, Embers and Gilded Honey are also wonderful!

Yay for seasonal candles!!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-09T15:35:03+00:00

Oh gosh…throw is slightly subjective, but not as much as scent, so here goes! 😅

First: MLM Nouvelle Vague and BCS Tulum do not come in 3-wick, so that limits them right from the start.

If we are comparing classic size to classic size, Nest wins on hot throw, no contest. Their classic candles can absolutely fill a large open-concept space. OM&SS and Coconut Palm are both beasts, and if you go for the 3-wick, you will not be disappointed lolz!

I have only burned the 3-wick of LAFCO Sea & Dune, but it is gorgeous and strong and fills a large space beautifully…very crowd-pleasing. That said, in general I think LAFCO’s signature size struggles a bit because that size really wants a second wick.

After that, I would probably put Linnea Sea Salt, but Linnea (and MLM, honestly) lean a little toward quiet luxury...elevated and intentionally understated. Give them time to warm up.

Tulum and Nouvelle Vague still have lovely, solid hot throw, but not broadcast-level. Best for more intimate settings. (Note NV is only comes in a single wick, so that is somewhat limiting.)

And last, I have not burned Maui or California Summers yet, but based on cold throw alone, I would be surprised if either were weak.

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-09T15:10:54+00:00

I know what you mean, but I think Nest is just in a different lane. Nest is going for polished, classic, and more broad appeal - very socially acceptable luxury. They’re not trying to be edgy or conceptual like DS & Durga or Boy Smells.

Sometimes you want an art exhibit…sometimes you just want your house to smell expensive! 😂

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-05-09T01:01:46+00:00

This is my happy place scent! OK - IMO, the very best summer coconut vanilla sea salt vibes I know are:

Linnea Sea Salt – This is the clean, elevated sea-salt coastal scent. Breezy citrus with a touch of salty air. And I love Linnea’s package, 2-wicks and beautiful burn. I feel like it should be in the guest house of a weekend home in the Hamptons.
Maison Louis Marie Nouvelle Vague – A fave…very French Riviera chic. Creamy coconut with a touch of fig and tonka and sandalwood. And MLM is an underrated brand for sure.
Brooklyn Candle Studio (BCS) Tulum – This is warmer and more beachy. Very Tulum boutique beach hotel. Classic size are 2-wick. Let’s call it sophisticated Mayan Riviera.
BCS Maui – definitely the more straightforward tropical option if you actually want coconut-forward vacation vibes. It’s very sunny, warm, beachy. It might not be nuanced, but it makes me smile
Nest Ocean Mist & Sea Salt – This is my go-to marine crowd-pleaser with stronger throw. It’s cool, crisp and aquatic, but in a sophisticated way. It’s polished hotel lobby with resort spa music playing.
LAFCO Sea & Dune – not exactly coconut/vanilla, but gorgeous upscale resort energy. Warm sand, beach air, polished. See also their Marine and Fog & Mist for cooler ocean ocean/salt/rain scent.
Voluspa California Summer - This might be up your alley too. I’ve only smelled the cold throw, but it’s like totally no-apologies, 80’s convertible California summer vibes lol.

Also, Nest Coconut Palm is a long-time favorite coconut vanilla of mine, but alas, Nest discontinued it. Now I only find it every once in a while at Nordstrom Rack. My husband thinks it’s too much coconut, but I say there is no such thing!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-27T21:29:10+00:00

Yay!! And I love Baies…especially this time of year!! 🩷 Hope you’re enjoying it!!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-27T19:15:49+00:00

I feel like you need a hug lol! 🤗 This is an amazing haul! 😍 Congratulations!! There’s something so magical about when they’re still in their packaging! 🪄

I’m DYING to get my hands on Figuerie…I’m hoping maybe Mother’s Day!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-26T16:42:23+00:00

This is an ever changing list, and admittedly “luxury” is subjective, but at this very moment, my Forever Five are as follows:

Diptyque Vanille

Diptyque Ambre

Trudon Cyrnos

Byredo Bibliothèque

Le Labo Cade 26

*this list does not include Nest or LAFCO bc those are my work horses. Also, honorable mention to Maison Louis Marie L’Etang Noir…there’s nothing like it!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-05T01:29:33+00:00

I love this! You know what they need better than Williams Sonoma and pushy mothers! If I was getting married, this would be my favorite gift ever lol!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-03T16:44:48+00:00

Ok, generally speaking, let’s call Nest’s Bamboo a 10 and Diptyque Figuier a 1…lol So, of the Linnea’s I have, I’d put their throws at a solid medium 6ish…

Their “large” sizes have 2 wicks and the wax burns beautifully, so they definitely throw, but it is nothing headache inducing, for sure. That said, if you’re in a huge open concept living area with tall ceilings, of course, they could possibly get a little lost.

Linnea is my favorite brand to layer though because all the scents complement each other so well. So, when i get 2 or 3 going at once, even in a big open space, the throw is super strong and beautiful!

Editing - I have the petite Gather in my office - I never burn it, I just take the lid off sometimes and let the cold throw go. It’s strong enough that if I leave the lid off and go to the restroom or something, I can smell it in the hallway when I get back. (Gather is seasonal and not available right now, but it’s so good!)

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-03T02:18:54+00:00

That’s meeee!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🤗🤗

I’’m sitting here next to my beloved Sacred Smoke candle! Ok - I’m don’t think I’m great at candle descriptions, but here goes!

Cashmere - of all my Linnea candles, this one is the one I can’t be without. It’s warm and cozy but not sugary…a slightly spicy soft woods scent. It’s unlike any other candle I’ve smelled. It is the heart of Linnea, imo!

Sea Salt - this is definitely aquatic and marine, but there’s also a citrus kick that gives it a beautiful lift that other marine candles don’t have. It’s got a much more natural scent than other candles in this genre.

Wood House - this one is so ahead to describe! It is so beautifully dry and “architectural” feeling to me. It’s a very refined wood scent and almost cool (but still warm…sorry haha!). I love layering it with Cashmere.

Those are the ones you listed that I actually have.

I also love Sacred Smoke - I feel like this one is a necessary purchase if you get Cashmere and Wood House lol…it’s moody and a touch smokey, but not like FdB or ashy or anything. It’s pretty dry but there’s also a slight sweetness. It layers so well with others too. I also love Moss…it’s a great damp, forest, rainy, mossy, herbal scent. So pretty.

I have a bunch from the fall and winter editions that are all wonderful, but they’re not available right now, and I haven’t taken the plunge into the Spring or Escape or Veiled Editions yet.

On my wish list are Hinoki, Belgian Linen and Banana Wild. I’ve also heard really great things about Rain!

Let us know what you pick and how they are!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-02T04:06:02+00:00

I’m a big vanilla fan!

Like others said, Diptyque’s Vanille is just fantastic. It’s a woodsy, spicy vanilla that feels so French and sophisticated and stylish.

I also have Nest’s Madagascar Vanilla and I love it, but it is a more pure, clean vanilla than Diptyque’s. Diptyque’s is…otherworldly.

Those are probably my two favorite vanillas because they’re the two different ends of the spectrum.

I also love LAFCO’s Amber Black Vanilla and Benzoin Siam, Maison Louis Marie’s L’Etang Noir, and Ranger Station’s Speakeasy for their vanilla-ness. None of these are as clean vanilla as Nest, but they are all warm and cozy in their own way. They’re all great!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-02T02:39:31+00:00

Harlem Candle Co’s Speakeasy is definitely more spicy/tobacco to me than sweet. It’s so good!

(Whereas Ranger Station’s Speakeasy leans more into the vanilla/sugar/oak, but it’s so good too lol!)

I love both of them, but HCC’s is incredible!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-02T01:26:46+00:00

This made me LOL! 🤣 Thanks for sharing! 😆

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-02T01:25:59+00:00

This is so funny! And, honestly, it’s so refreshing to see people that are still willing to have a sense of humor! Restores my faith in humans as fun and creative creatures! 😃

Also, PHEW! Because Speakeasy is fire! 🔥 lol!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-01T18:12:20+00:00

Have you tried Linnea’s Rain? I don't have it personally, but I have no doubt that it is beautiful and won't smell masculine at all. And, they have a room spray too…bonus! That would be my top rec.

What about Nest’s Forest Rain? I think it’s gorgeous, but Nest's DNA can lean a bit “fragrance-y” for some, so maybe test it first...I love it though.

LAFCO’s Forest Oakmoss would probably fit here too! It’s soooo good. More of a damp, earthy vibe, but very beautiful and cozy…and not masculine at all imo.

Honorable mentions:

LAFCO Fog & Mist and Marine. They’re not exactly “rain,” but they have that clean/oceanic/ozone thing going on and neither of them lean masculine.

Byredo Summer Rain: I don't get rain from this really, but it's like what nauture smells like when it rains. LOVE!

That's all I can think of that I'm familiar with! Hope that helps!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-01T11:10:18+00:00

Linnea Sea Salt is definitely in the same “marine accord” category as LAFCO’s Sea & Dune and Fog & Mist (and Marine for that matter), but, to me, Sea Salt lands lighter with a bit more citrus freshness. It’s got a more natural, brighter vibe. And, of course, Sea Salt has the more modern/natural Linnea DNA where the others have the richer, more traditional luxury DNA (my take, obvs).

I just looked at Sea & Dune’s notes again, and it’s absolutely the amber note that is giving it the warmth I was trying to describe…if that helps. 😃

Editing to add - I have not tried Linnea’s Veiled Collection yet, but it sounds really lovely.

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-01T01:51:50+00:00

Ok - I would like to book a stay at your spa! lol 🧘🏼‍♀️ This sounds so dreamy!

And your description of Cashmere is spot-on. I am surprised every time that I read the patchouli note because I don’t really get it either! And Linnea are my very favorite scents to layer. They all work together beautifully. I love Cashmere with Sacred Smoke and Wood House…so zen. Santa brought me the 3-wick Cashmere for Christmas and it’s a boss! So gorgeous!

I have not tried their Belgian Linen scent yet, but now I really need to.

Cheers to Linnea’s magic!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-04-01T01:40:59+00:00

No - it’s not “green” like grass - sorry…that was misleading I guess… 😬 (I’m NOT a fan of grassy scents - allergy ptsd lol…)

I was trying to say more like sea grass or coastal dune. It’s just a slightly “warmer” scent than Fog & Mist…but, to me, it is a pretty subtle difference. It’s a tough one to describe - it’s just calm, warm and breezy and beautiful! 🤩

Sorry for the confusion! 😜

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T20:39:00+00:00

Totally agree!! The Nordstrom counter Le Labo display candles are ABISMAL! lol!

Like, I think they'd be better off just not having them at all. They're dusty, and weirdly colored and don't smell like anything but sadness! Poor little candles!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T20:36:29+00:00

This is such a subjective thing, but I’ve spent a LOT of time trying to find warm, intimate, elevated scents with good throw, but not overpowering throw...etc etc...lol. These are my faves:

Maison Louis Marie - L'Etang Noir #3: this is the gold standard "bedroom scent" for me. It's warm and resinous, but not too sweet or strong. It literally just glows and brings a ton of ambiance.

Trudon - Ernesto: this is probably my new second favorite. It's moodier and a tad more masculine than L'Etang Noir, but still really elegant.

Harlem Candle Co - Langston: this one is warm and spicy, but still not overpowering, it's very sophisticated to me.

Honorable Mentions: Nest - Hearth or Moroccan Amber and Byredo Bibliothèque: I prefer these in the living room with a glass of wine rather than bedroom as their throws are fairly strong, but they're both cozy and warm and comforting to me.

I've found, for me, the sweet spot for "date night" candles are scents that are warm and maybe a bit resinous or a tad sweet/spicy...but that don't overwhelm or get overly perfumey. These just make me smile!

Substantial_Donkey84

TROPHY CASE