I’m a huge candle user and I burn at least one a day. I typically purchase candles at Homegoods or TJ Maxx because they have a variety of brands and scents for a relatively low price. However, in an effort to buy black I decided to use my dollars to support black candlemakers. I tried three Black-owned candle companies, Harlem Candle Company, Posh Candle Co., and Southern Elegance Candle Co. See my review on each below.
Posh Candle Co. $15/ 8oz https://poshcandleco.com/
Posh Candle Co. uses 100% soy wax with premium fragrance oils for their hand-poured cruelty and vegan free candles. On each candle you’ll find catchy and trendy phrases and statements that encourage a positive mindset, promote self-love and spark laughter. In addition to the candles, they have wax melts, incense, and room sprays. It’s been my experience that these candles usually sell out quickly and the scent you probably want won’t be available. In fact when I made my purchase only the jumbo tea light set and BDay Cake was available for purchase. I did enjoy the tea light set because it gave me the opportunity to test a variety of scents. Within that set I liked Good Vibes and Boss Lady. They gave off a nice aroma that is strong and long-lasting. I’d rate it 7/10. However, I wasn’t a fan of BDay Cake and I especially did not appreciate the burn it left on my wooden desk. I know you are not supposed to burn candles for more than 4 hours, so I will take partial blame for the damage done. But I’d never had a candle burn to the surface, melt the label, and blacken the jar as much as this candle did. Because of this and the fact that they’re always sold out, I don’t think I will be making another purchase. 
Harlem Candle Company $45 /12oz https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/
The Harlem Candle Company is a luxury fragrance candle inspired by Harlem’s rich and vibrant past. The candles are named after iconic Harlem legends and places like Hughes, Ellington, Lenox Ave, and Sugar Hill to name a few. I’d never thought I’d pay this much for a single candle. In my opinion, “luxury” candles like Jo Malone are not worth the price point when you can find perfectly great candles in Marshalls. But I figured if I’d try an expensive ass candle it might as well be with a Black company. I ordered Lenox and I had high hopes for this candle because of the price and the reviews. On top of that when I opened the packaging I could smell the fragrance from outside the box and I just knew my bedroom was going to smell of decadence. However, I was disappointed shortly thereafter. It does take a minute for the candle to get to the melting point to where the fragrance is noticeable. But after a 40-minute burn, I could no longer smell it and for $45 I need that thang to be potent. I really enjoyed the aroma but the burn is faint and for that I’d rate it 5/10.
Southern Elegance Candle Company varied/$10-20 https://www.secandleco.com/
Southern Elegance Candle Company is a woman-owned business out of North Carolina. Their signature and seasonal candles are curated to evoke the feelings of comfort and joy of Black southern living. For this current season, you’ll find such scents as Sweet Potato and Brown Sugar, Vanilla Noel, Orange Spice, and Creme Brule. Candles come in cute mason jars and in a variety of sizes. I ordered the 12oz Peaches and Champagne and a set of variety wax melt. I am a huge fan of this candle company. It’s been the only one in which I have made repeat purchases. I’ll rate these candles 9/10 because they are powerful and long-lasting. But my favorite is the jumbo melt waxes. No joke if I burn it in my bedroom room which is on the second floor I can smell the scent in the kitchen which is on the first. I suggest you’d purchase the bundle wax melts and candles for $30 to get a variety of scents.
Have you tried any of these brands? If so let me know your thoughts. There are tons of Black candle companies, in fact, we reviewed and interview Isabis Candles here on the blog before. I intend to purchase more candles from Black-owned companies, so if you have any recommendations please let me know. I’d love to try and support them.
One comment