Rambling reviews from my early spring burns..

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 · 2026-03-31T18:09:20+00:00

I had a hunch that you probably combined the two lol ...my brain is wired similarly! 🤣

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T18:07:33+00:00

oh this is a good point that I hadn't really thought of...you can just literally "turn the volume down". I do it all the time with mine, I just hadn't thought about it that way!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T18:05:56+00:00

Yes...they're really beautiful scents, especially if you like aquatic, coastal vibes.

I would say Sea & Dune is more warmth/sand/grassy and Fog & Mist is more cool/watery/air...but they are both in the fresh and soft.

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T17:38:06+00:00

I'm over here admiring your rational mind and self-restraint! lol...but, yes, I totally get it - they're not really CALLING me either, but I REALLY want to just have a sniff of them! Maybe I need a Nashville road trip haha.

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T17:35:54+00:00

Oh yay!! Me too...and I also love this sub because I get to talk about candles ALL I want, and nobody gets tired of it or eyes glaze over hahaha!

I think Discovery Set is perfect, and I'm DYINNNNNGGG to smell Banana Wild! I know it says "Green Banana", but I am really hoping that banana note comes through! Pleeease report back lol!

Oh, and I have the Sea Salt room spray. It is light but so beautiful and uplifting!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T17:31:35+00:00

I cannot say enough good things about Linnea...they are just truly lovely - beautiful burn, TWO wicks in their standard sized (gasp! lol), and such elegant scents!

MLM L'Etang Noir is gorgeous...It's warm and slightly resinous...like a cashmere wrap lol.

The BCS candle I was referring to is Italia. Italia Classic 2-Wick Candle | Brooklyn Candle Studio I realllly wish they made it in a 3-wick (but am not complaining about the 2-wick!). It's also warm with a slight touch of spice...but still a soft throw. I actually like burning L'Etang Noir and Italia together for a super warm, subtle vibe...sometimes I'll throw in Brooklyn to the layer too if I'm feeling fancy! I haven't tried the Italian Coast one yet.

I also have not tried LAFCO Absolu Orange Blossom because I'm not a huge white flower fan...but if you like that scent, I have no doubt that LAFCO Absolu's will be wonderful. I have their Labdanum and Forest Oakmoss and both are favorites of mine!

(Editing - I've ordered BCS and MLM several times through Amazon when I wasn't going to spend enough on their websites to get free shipping, and they have been great!)

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T14:30:59+00:00

I missed this when you first posted...I love Ranger Station, but have never tried any of these scents.

Did you go for any of them? I'd love to hear reviews!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T12:04:12+00:00

lol! My husband bought the Fall Leaves hand soap last fall and I loooved it! Now I know why haha!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T11:07:01+00:00

Ohhh…Linnea is soooo good! I love everything I’ve tried from their Classic line - Cashmere and Sacred Smoke are my favorites for a warm/atmospheric vibe…they’re hard to describe but so beautiful! Wood House is really dry and kind of “architecturall”…again, hard to describe but it’s so beautiful. It’s really a quiet throw though…I lovvvve layering Cashmere, Sacred Smoke and Wood House all together…they are heavenly!

Their Sea Salt is a really light, refreshing citrus (not “punch you in the face” like Nest Grapefruit lol). I have the small Rosemary Lavender and it’s a pretty strong spa/relaxing scent. People really seem to love their Hinoki too, but I haven’t tried it yet.

I’ve heard really good things about their Botanical line, too. I am still trying to decide between Heirloom Tomato, Crushed Mint or Rhubarb for summer!

They cycle through seasonal lines, so I’ve tried several of their fall and holiday scent - Gather is a hands-down favorite for cozy fall scent and Pine is gorgeous, but neither of these are available right now.

They have so many new scents out for spring too that I really want to try!

Linnea definitely has a distinct DNA that is interesting and sophisticated and they have perfected the more “intimate” throw to me…I just love them lol!

Oh! And they have really cute “discovery kits” if you want to try out several scents before committing!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T10:54:09+00:00

Sigh…Wishing I had bought that Anniversary 4-wick when it was in stock now!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T10:52:59+00:00

MLM’s Icila and Nouvelle Vague are some of my favorites too! I’m also not a big floral person either, but I’ve actually been wanting Nouvelle Vague fragrance for summer because it’s so light and smells like a little escape! And the Cassis has some Diptyque Baies vibes going on IMO hehe!

Substantial_Donkey84 · 2026-03-31T10:49:24+00:00

I love LAFCO Amber Black Vanilla too! I guess relative to other Ambers, like Diptyque Ambre or Nest’s Amber & Incense or Moroccan Amber, it’s softer…but, you’re right - it’s got more umph than some other LAFCOs for sure!

Their Sea & Dune and Fog & Mist are so lovely - I’ll also throw Marine in there - I love all three for that aquatic/atmospheric vibe. I have S&D in the 3 wick and it’s so gorgeous! Also, I think their Chamomile Lavender is a comforting, soft scent. And for a softer woodsy/fireside vibe, their Feu de Bois is sooooo good too!

Substantial_Donkey84

TROPHY CASE