Some Uncommon Fragrances I Love (Part 1)

When you think of candle scents, you probably imagine things like lavender, vanilla, or pumpkin spice. But some of my favorite fragrance notes are a little less common—and a lot more interesting. These are the quiet stars that add richness, depth, and soul to a candle. Let me introduce you to a few of the unique fragrance notes I use in my handmade coconut wax candles.

Vetiver

Warm, earthy, and grounding—vetiver is one of the best candle notes for creating calm. It’s often described as woody, smoky, and dry, with just a hint of leather. It adds a meditative tone to a fragrance that’s perfect for slow evenings or emotional grounding.

If you’re looking for an earthy vetiver candle for grounding rituals, this is one of my go-to notes in blends like Meditation and Grounded.

Tonka Bean

Tonka bean is sweet, spicy, and complex—like vanilla with a bit of edge. It carries notes of almond, spice, and a soft hint of tobacco that adds warmth and coziness to any fragrance. I love using it in my warm tonka bean candles with sweet tobacco notes to create that comforting, slightly mysterious scent that lingers in the air.

Amber

Amber is one of my favorite ways to create a soft, glowing base in a fragrance. It’s resinous, slightly sweet, and sometimes compared to pine, leather, or balsam. I use it when I want a scent to feel sensual, warm, and grounding.

If you’re drawn to that soft, glowing vibe, try a resinous amber candle with a touch of smoky sweetness—it’s a staple in scents like Tree Hugger and In Love.

Ozone

Ozone captures that unmistakable clean, rain-kissed scent—the kind you notice right after a thunderstorm or in the breeze just before it starts to pour. It’s fresh, airy, and open. I use it in candles that evoke wide-open spaces, emotional clarity, or the gentle pause that follows a storm.

For those who love clean candles with ozone and rainy air notes, scents like Rainy Day and Ocean Breeze will speak to your soul.

Why I Use These Uncommon Candle Notes

I choose these fragrances because they do more than smell good—they make you feel something. They ground you. Calm you. Remind you to pause. These unique scent notes help turn a simple candle into a full sensory experience and a meaningful self-care ritual.

So if you’ve ever caught a scent in a Ritual candle that feels unexpected or a little hard to describe—that’s probably one of these quiet stars doing their work in the background.