Whether your apartment still reeks of the pepperoni pizza you impulsively ordered last night at 2 a.m., or you’ve just had a draining, deadline-ridden day at work, the thing you need, my friend, is a candle. A candle! Yes, it’s that simple. We may not have the answer to world peace, but the answer to your space smelling truly amazing is a quick online search away.
See, a candle is a wonderfully magical item. The right candle can help you de-stress and unwind, clear away funky odors, and even set the mood if you have, erm, more ~sexy~ things in mind. But as you probably know all too well, candles often cost a small fortune—plus an arm, a leg, and your firstborn child, especially if you’re going for that SoulCycle-esque massive candle display look. Why does it seem like all the good things in life require a friggin’ down payment?!
And while I totally understand the appeal of treating yourself to a high-end, ultra-luxe product every once in a while, you really don’t need to drain your bank account for an expensive candle. In fact, these days, there are plenty of candles that A) smell like paradise and B) won’t make you go bankrupt. So here are 20 extremely chic (and, crucially, extremely cost-effective) candle options that won’t cost you a penny over $40. They smell great and are guaranteed to make your space feel cozy, warm, and oh-so aromatic. Plus: They’ll look quite ~aesthetic~ on your Instagram, just sayin’.
1
the energy cleansing one
MyLuminaCreations Purification Candle with Sage Lavender
1
the energy cleansing one
MyLuminaCreations Purification Candle with Sage Lavender
If a stylish container is just as important to you as the scent itself, this floral jasmine and ylang-ylang candle with a copper finish is the perfect choice.
Because sometimes you need to take lush scents with you on the road. This one's got us lusting after its sensual flavors of vanilla and dark chocolate.
Tobacco probably isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of nice scents, but trust, this candle smells warm, spicy, and just generally amazing.
Eucalyptus is so therapeutic—especially if you’re dealing with stuffy sinuses. Even if you’re not, this invigorating fragrance will make your room smell like a straight-up spa...and who doesn’t want that? This guy also lasts up to 45 hours.
A candle that reminds you of warm, sunny days is one you’ll want to light 24/7. This jasmine and citrus situation smells like a summer breeze in Los Angeles and can burn for up to a whopping 80 hours.
Speaking of summer, here’s another one that channels the season. It features notes of bright amber and earthy moss, and all your friends will ask, “OMG, what candle is that?!” when they come over. It’s really *that* good.
The smell of clean sheets fresh out of the dryer is heavenly, and if you want to enjoy the smell without the pain of actually doing laundry, you gotta get yourself this candle instead.
This pristinely white candle has an intoxicating musky smell with notes of saffron, vetivert, patchouli, and whiskey—perfect for people who don’t love sweeter scents.
Keep the peaceful vibes going with a fragrant santal candle that's only 15 bucks. That gold tin is cute enough to keep (maybe as a jewelry holder?) even after the candle burns out.
Vanilla is a standard scent for a reason. It's a year-round favorite that pairs well with many other scents, including cream and cinnamon, like in this delicious-smelling candle.
All about that ocean breeze smell? Get yourself this popular fragrance that’ll make you feel like you’re walking along a seaside boardwalk. Sign. Me. Up.
Mekita Rivas is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. She writes about everything from the best leather totes and books she can't put down to plants, podcasts, and politics. Prior to joining Cosmopolitan, she was a senior contributing fashion editor at PopSugar and Bustle. Her writing has been published in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Women's Health, Refinery29, and others. She currently splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Follow Mekita on Instagram, where you'll typically find a mix of her snapshots from fashion week and various editor travels.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.