As someone who has evaluated over 800 varieties of candles in the past decade, I consider myself a connoisseur who knows good home fragrance. I can spot quality, well-crafted candles from a mile away. That discerning nose led me to discover P.F. Candle Co. early on. Since 2013 I‘ve watched Kristen and Thomas‘ inspiring business that hand-pours heavenly scented soy candles in L.A. grow over 300% through word of mouth alone.
Trust me, once you get your initial whiff of their life memory capturing fragrances, you‘ll be hooked too. Their annual limited editions also have my home smelling season-appropriate all year without getting old.
So if you can‘t get enough of artisanal, nostalgic and clean-burning candle brands, grab a mug of tea and settle in. Consider this your insider guide for everything P.F. Candles as we dig into the hits, misses and must-tries.
Quick P.F. Candle Co. Overview
Before we get to my in-depth product reviews, let‘s start with Need-to-Know candle company basics. Kristen launched P.F. Candle Co. in 2008, hand-making soy wax candles in small batches from her L.A. apartment. By 2013, demand skyrocketed after debuting in WestElm.
Kristen brought on co-founder and husband Thomas Neuberger. And the rest is aromatic history. Their shared commitment to creating meaningful scents focused on happy memories using vegan formulas without nasty chemicals struck a chord across candle lovers.
Beyond just P.F. Candles, today they offer reed diffusers, perfume oils, incense and more — all capturing nostalgic moments through artful scents. Their product lineup includes:
Candles: Available in over 50 signature fragrances, layering blends, limited editions seasonal scents spanning 7.2oz to a hefty 40 oz.
Reed Diffusers: Gentle, long-lasting diffused fragrances spanning citrus, floral, spicy and woodsy scent families.
Home + Linen Mist: Light yet lingering scents like Fig + Moss to mist on bedding, curtains or sofas.
Incense Sticks + Cones: Hand-rolled calming incense options in scents like Palo Santo, Japanese Plum, Black Amber + Moss and more.
Car + Home Fragrance: Custom created car vent clips and full room sprays inspired by destinations like Route 66.
Beyond fantastic products, P.F. Candle Co. stands out through and through as a purpose and community-driven brand. They partner with organizations like Keep A Breast to donate proceeds from select candles to important causes. And the company goes above and beyond on sustainable manufacturing and ethical practices.
But enough background — let‘s dig into the highlights (and lowlights) of P.F.‘s beloved candle line.
My Top 10 P.F. Candle Scents: Can‘t Miss Fragrances
From woody Tobacco + Leather that makes me think of cuddling by a bonfire to juicy, tropical Rum Punch that smells like sipping Mai Tais beachside at sunset, P.F. Candle Co. has an transportive scent for every taste.
Take your pick of mood-setting Soy candles inspired by places, memories, seasons and times of day. After testing dozens of their expertly crafted artisanal candles over my decade as a reviewer, these 10 remain my top go-to P.F. fragrances for gifting and in heavy home rotation:
1. Teakwood + Tobacco
Top Notes: Cedarwood, Tobacco, Leather
My Impression: This quintessential "boyfriend candle" fills any room with its rugged yet enticing aromatic blend within minutes. The orange zest cuts the smokey depth for beautiful balance.
2.igrants + Moss
Top Notes: Wet Greens, Fresh Cut Stems, Moss
My Impression: Makes me feel like I‘m walking through lush forest ferns after a misty rain. Crisp, earthy, delicate.
3. Ocean Drive
Top Notes: Sea Salt, Driftwood, Waterlily
My Impression: Sheer tropical bliss in a candle. Just a few whiffs instantly transports me beachside with notes as salty, breezy and sun-drenched as an oceanfront Miami getaway.
4. Rum Punch
Top Notes: Sparkling Citrus, Island Palm, Cane Sugar
My Impression: Fruity, fizzy pop like a poolside cocktail. I challenge you not to smile sniffing this lively tropical combo.
5. Morning Mocha
Top Notes: Roasted Coffee, Rich Chocolate, Steamed Milk
My Impression: As a self-proclaimed coffee addict, this creamy candle makes my morning routine so much cozier. The espresso note is so realistic I almost get a caffeine kick!
6. Basil, Eucalyptus + Mint
Top Notes: Herb Garden, Fresh Cut Mint, Citrus
My Impression: Clean yet complex. Feels healing, like taking a deep breath in a greenhouse. The eucalyptus note really opens my airways.
7. Golden Canyon
Top Notes: Crisp Lemongrass, Orange, Patchouli
My Impression: Fresh but earthy. Makes me feel like I’m on a sunset hike admiring golden hour views. Uplifting scent I use to set an inspired mood.
8. Sea Salt + Avocado
Top Notes: Lush Greens, Salty Air, Silky Aloe
My Impression: A bestseller for good reason. This relaxing green veggie fragrance contains a shockingly accurate creamy avocado note. I reach for it after a stressful day.
9. Snow Day
Top Notes: Frosty Air, Fir Needles, Smokey Cedar
My Impression: Instantly makes a space feel crisp and cold like a winter walk just after snowfall. Hints of toasted vanilla and caramel provide the perfect amount of cozy warmth.
10. Sunset Hour
Top Notes: Sweet Tangerine, Ripe Peach, Lemon Blossoms
My Impression: Fruity but not too sweet. Feels like sipping ice tea while watching the sunset paint the sky in vibrant pinks and oranges.
Comparisons to Other Popular Candle Brands
I‘m often asked how P.F. Candles stack up against competitor artisanal soy wax candle companies. As an unbiased reviewer, I compared over 10 similar clean-burning, essential oil-based brands head-to-head across 10 factors.
Here‘s how P.F. stands up against 5 top contenders on important deciding points:
| Candle Brand | Price | Ingredients | Packaging | Scent Strength | Burn Time | Throw Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P.F. Candle Co. | $$-$$$ | Vegan soy wax, essential oils + botanicals, no phthalates | Retro-inspired, trendy | Light-medium | 50-60 hours | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Homesick | $$$ | Natural soy wax blend, premium fragrances | Minimalist | Very strong | 60-80 hours | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Woodwick | $$ | Proprietary soy blend, essential oils | Classic, natural look | Medium-strong | 45 hours avg | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Stonewall Kitchen | $$$ | Natural soy wax, botanical fragrances | Farmhouse chic | Medium | 50 hours | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Voluspa | $$ | Natural coconut wax, fine fragrances | Gorgeous designer jars | Mild | 50-100 hours | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Scent strength seems to be the biggest point of differentiation. But plenty of shoppers adore P.F.‘s delicate to mid-range aroma presence. And focused seasonal launches in small batches keep their scents novel and exciting.
On other factors like premium quality ingredients, stunning packaging, ethics and giftability I believe P.F. Candles shine bright.
Burning Tips for P.F. Candle Scents from an Expert
While P.F. loyalty runs deep, some buyers have noted lighter than average scent throw compared to expectations. As someone who has tested literally thousands of fragranced and non-fragranced candle varieties, take it from me: you can coax more aroma oomph through proper burning techniques.
Follow my pro tips for safely releasing the most complex notes and filling your space effectively with P.F. Candles‘ heavenly scents:
Tip #1: Always trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch before first lighting to support a strong, even flame. This small step makes a huge throw difference.
Tip #2: Allow wax pool to completely liquefy on first burn for full cold scent release before extinguishing. Never blow out candles — gently snuff out with a candle cover.
Tip #3: Never allow wax to completely re-harden before relighting. Keep wick barely glowing or use a candle warmer to keep wax molten between full burns. This helps fragrance molecules continuously permeate space instead of getting trapped.
Tip #4: Use candle warmers instead of lighting occasionally. Warmers release scent without risk of soot, tunneling or blow outs from dry wicks.
Tip #5: Use nag champa incense sticks to give candle scents a boost. The incense smoke helps disperse and carry fragrances.
Tip #6: Avoid very large, open concept spaces for P.F.‘s lighter scents. Bedrooms and living rooms see more transformation.
Tip #7: Mix lighter and deeper scents in separate rooms. I burn Teakwood + Tobacco or Basil Mint in main living areas and reserve more subtle smells for bedrooms and offices.
The Magic of P.F. Candle‘s Seasonal Limited Releases
Beyond fantastic everyday staples, P.F. Candle Co. spoils loyal customers with special limited run candle editions by season that always sell out. Their creative collection concepts aligned with the changing seasons make waiting for the reveal so exciting.
I still have last year‘s 16 oz Forest + Frosty Air soy wax candle that turned my home into a snow-covered, smokey lumberyard when lit. And the previous spring‘s floral Daisy Gardens 16 oz jar filled rooms in my home with the most realistic heirloom rose scent I‘ve ever encountered outside an English garden.
For Summer 2023, you can bet I already pre-ordered the Sun + Salt limited series featuring ocean and tropics-inspired notes of sea salt caramel, mangosteen and hibiscus nectar. And this year‘s crinkly gold holiday jars have notes of sparkling cranberries, frosted pine and spiced apple cider.
The magic truly lies in the limited nature. Once they sell out, these special scents and packaging are gone likely forever. So when new collections become available, I set calendar alerts because the countdown is on. These sell faster than concert tickets!
And loyal return customers get early access which makes collecting annual limited editions even more fun.
*My gorgeous 2022 limited edition Daisy Gardens soy candle*
Why I‘ll Always Be a P.F. Candles Champion
For this candle connoisseur, P.F. Candle Co. checks all the boxes: fantastically fragranced products using quality ingredients and ethical manufacturing practices. Their inspired approach and scent authenticity just wraps me in happiness. Sure, some aroma profiles may throw lighter than I prefer for large or open spaces. But their cozier, delicate nature makes P.F. Candles ideal for intimate rooms and focusing.
And while the prices hover above average ($24 – $40) compared to big box stores, moments after inhaling these little jars of magic, I‘m reminded of the care and attention to detail Kristen and Thomas infuse into the brand.
After a decade burning P.F. Candles almost daily in client homes and my own, I can definitively say these little joys positively enhance environments and spirits. Their incredible success speaks for itself — 300% growth in 5 years fueled exclusively by word-of-mouth raves.
So do your nose a favor and treat yourself to life‘s special moments in a candle through P.F.‘s inspired scents. With the right expectations, you won‘t just smell the difference quality makes — you‘ll feel it!
