If there's one gift I'm always open to receiving, it's definitely a candle. If the scent is amazing, I'll probably end up buying more — and if it's not great, well, I can always regift it. When I heard that Snif [1], the company behind some of my favourite fragrances [2], was coming out with a line of candles, I knew I had to get my hands on them immediately.
The candles, just like Snif's fragrances, are part of a try-before-you-buy program, so you can sample the scents before making a commitment. You can choose a Single Candle Kit (one for $49), or a Candle Bundle Kit [3] (three for $120). Both options include a small-sized "sample" candle so you can test out the product, and a full-sized candle if you decide you want to keep it. Once your Candle Kit arrives, you have a full seven days to test out your options and decide what's worth keeping. If you love it all, no need to send anything back. If there's anything you don't love, you can mail it back, the brand even covers return shipping.
Currently, it offers three different scents that you can try before you buy: Birds and the Breeze, Off the Grid, and Instant Karma. Snif's candles are non-toxic, paraffin-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. They're also made with the same premium quality fragrance used in their perfumes, as well as soy and vegetable wax. Each of the candles available for the Bundle Kit is 8.5oz, and has 60 hours of burn time.
I received my Bundle Kit a little over a week ago, and I've spent the time since then testing out the candles and picking a favourite. Spoiler alert: I loved all of them, but keep scrolling to shop my favourites.
Instant Karma Candle
I tested the Instant Karma Candle [5] ($49) upstairs in my living room while I was watching TV one night. When my boyfriend came upstairs, his first words to me were, "What smells so good up here?" When I told him it was a new candle I was "trying-before-buying", his response was, "Well, if you don't buy it — I will." Consider this candle — with its scent a mix of cardamom, nashi pear, black plum, cedarwood, and black tea. It's officially boyfriend approved.
Off The Grid Candle
The Off the Grid Candle [6] ($49) was absolutely my favourite of the bunch. I lit it for the first time while I read a book in bed, and I immediately knew it was going to be a keeper. The scent is a mix of lily of the valley, moss, cypress, cedar, tuberose, and sandalwood, and it's unlike anything I've ever smelled. I'm already planning on purchasing a few more of these as gifts, they're that good.
Birds And The Breeze Candle
Snif's Birds and the Breeze Candle [7] ($49) has a scent that blends together mimosa petals, galbanum, jasmine, and cedarwood. I burned this candle during the day while I was working from home, and the scent was a total pick-me-up. I'm planning on keeping this candle at my desk for the foreseeable future, because I love knowing that its refreshing scent is just a match away.