Lean Into Spooky Season By Lighting a Bunch of Scary But Chic Candles
Evoke the spirit of Halloween and think terrifying thoughts!
Welcome to What’s That Smell?, a monthly roundup of the newest and the best in home scent solutions, from a dedicated home scent enthusiast to you.
Boo! Did I scare you? I’m so sorry if I did, I was simply indulging in one of the many delights of "spooky season." Other delights include but are not limited to: dressing as the internet’s most topical meme (currently the guy who sings "sitting is the opposite of standing"), eating candy, and elevating your abode with ghoulish home scents. Of course, we’re gathered here together exclusively for that final delight. So read on and find some absolutely chilling olfactory Halloween decoration inspiration … if you dare!
It’s the end of the world!
Byredo Apocalyptic
You know the Twilight Zone episode "Time Enough At Last," in which a nebbish bank teller manages to survive a nuclear blast and, as the only human left on the planet, finally has enough time to read a big stack of books? Until he breaks his glasses, and then he’s just screwed? That’s what this Byredo candle smells like, with smokey woods, a bit of burnt berry, and papyrus. It will transport you to the end of the world—just you, all alone with your weird little hobby. And I guess that weird little hobby might just be "candles." Very spooky, and relaxing. (Until you break your matches.)
It’s a Memento mori!
West Elm Molded Skull Candle
These candles are not scented, which is possibly a "What’s That Smell?" column first. (I think you’d agree that it would be abnormal to light an unscented candle that prompted someone to ask "what’s that smell?," unless that candle had accidentally lit something on fire.) But I think we can bend the rules a bit for these beautiful skulls. They’re the kind of skulls that say, "We acknowledge that it is Halloween, however we do not do so at the expense of our tasteful decor." The kind of skulls that say, "We are chic." The kind of skulls that prompt their owner to ask, "AHHH did that skull just say it was chic??"
Oh no, it’s bleeding!
Vampire Tears Candles
Now here is a less tasteful version of a spooky unscented candle, which we love just as much. These black taper candles "bleed" when you light them. "Nooo nooOoooooOotes," as an approving ghost might say.
This candle was a movie, bro—a scary movie!
Joya A24 Horror Candle
Brooklyn candle brand Joya partnered with A24 for a line of film-genre inspired candles, and their "Horror" offering pairs perfectly with the scary indie movie you’re going to regret having watched the instant you attempt to fall asleep. The warming autumnal candle is housed in a black and red vessel, and has notes of mandarin, clove leaf, cypress, suede, and cinnamon bark.
It’s Frankenstein’s mother!
Trudon Mary Candle
I love this candle from Trudon. An ode to Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, the candle is the olfactory equivalent of hunkering down indoors while a storm rages outside. Notes of guaiac wood, spices, and moss wrap you up in a spooky blanket, and allow you to feel like you’re indulging in a day off from work, but only because there are too many felled trees on the road to get there (and the internet has also been knocked out so you can’t "WFH"). The matte black candle rounds out the vibe. Pair with a spooky book and a growing sense that something is amiss.
It’s a friendly little ghost!
Ghost Plug-in Scent Diffuser
This diffuser only works with Yankee Candle ScentPlug? branded scent diffusers, which may or may not be your thing. You’ll see no judgment from me either way. (I’ll reserve that for later, when I’m alone.) But even if Yankee Candle isn’t typically your go-to brand, I thought this little ghost, with his trick-or-treating pumpkin and his little sign that says "boo," was cute enough to consider changing your mind. (If you go for it, I recommend the "Balsam & Cedar" plug-in scent, even if it’s not necessarily seasonally appropriate yet.)
It’s a witch’s brew, sort of!
Vyrao Ember Candle
A customer review of this candle says, "This is the best candle for my witchy girlies. An hour of burning this candle will take all the bad energy out of your house forever." While I can’t verify that this candle will prompt bad energy to vacate your house, I can verify that lighting it will cause an incredible scent to emanate from the candle. Cedarwood and frankincense anchor the scent pyramid, which leans woody, slightly floral, and a bit industrial. As a bonus, the vessel comes with an embedded "V" (for Vyrao) talisman, which has apparently been "supercharged" by the brand’s "Quantum Energist." I don’t know what that means, but I believe it!
It’s supernatural, but not in a Katy Perry way!
Nette Supernatural Candle
Nette’s "Supernatural" is the perfect candle to burn during a Halloween party. The scent is smokey but fresh; it’ll keep you interested but wary. Warm amber and cinnamon mix with some light sweetness, and sit on a base of campfire, moss, and Patchouli. Whether you’re playing flip-cup in costume, or you’re gathered around a Ouija board trying to conjure the spirit of Jim Morrison, the candle will provide the correct supernatural vibe.
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