If you have ever walked past a luxury boutique and caught the faint, dreamy scent of a Maison Francis Kurkdjian candle wafting out, then glanced at the $200-plus price tag and kept walking, today is your day.
CIRCA, one of Australia’s most adored home fragrance brands, has officially relaunched with a sleek, modern makeover, and the results are nothing short of stunning.
The refresh, unveiled today, Monday, August 11, marks more than a packaging tweak.
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It is a complete style shift that feels like a love letter to every homebody who wants a touch of sophistication without emptying their wallet.
We are talking minimalist ceramic vessels that look right at home in an architect-designed apartment, clean botanical-inspired packaging, and fragrances that feel like they belong in the pages of an interior design magazine.
CIRCA’s 300g candles, now with a generous 55-hour burn time, deliver the same clean, chic aesthetic you might find on a high-end Parisian shelf, but for $44.95.
That is well under a quarter of the cost of a Maison Francis Kurkdjian candle, and you still get an indulgent, layered fragrance experience.
Take their Jasmine & Magnolia scent: a romantic, creamy magnolia softened by airy jasmine, perfect for a slow Sunday morning or to add an elegant glow to a guest room.
It is one of those scents that makes people walk into your home and immediately ask, “What is that smell?”.
The relaunch is not just about candles. There is a new 70g mini version for smaller spaces, slimmer hand care bottles for that ‘sink-side upgrade’ moment, and updated diffusers for a continuous hit of fragrance.
CIRCA’s focus on belonging, nature, quality and sustainability runs through every detail, making this a home update you can feel good about.
And because it is the era of ‘bougie on a budget’, we have rounded up some of the most beautiful candles on the market right now, from everyday indulgences to splurge-worthy art pieces, so you can find your perfect match at any price point.
So whether or not you’re after a bougie candle or bougie on a budget, here are our Best Picks at an array of price points.
Best candles to shop right now
1. Ecoya Guava & Lychee Sorbet Madison Candle, $49.95 at Ecoya
One of my personal favourite scents, like a tropical holiday in candle form, this scent bursts open with juicy guava nectar before revealing the fresh sweetness of Queensland lychee, balanced with a cocktail of ripe berries.
Poured into a sophisticated glass jar topped with a silver lid, it offers up to 80 hours of burn time, making it as practical as it is indulgent.
It’s the kind of candle that feels equally at home on your own kitchen bench or as a present for someone you really want to impress.
2. Loewe Home Scents Ivy Medium candle, $440 at MyTheresa
This is not just a candle, it’s a statement piece.
Loewe’s Ivy scent captures the leafy, earthy aroma of a botanical garden after rain, and the fragrance is just the beginning of its charm.
Handcrafted from vegetable wax and housed in a glazed terracotta vessel that looks like it belongs in a gallery, this piece feels sculptural, timeless, and worthy of a permanent spot on display.
With a 50-hour burn time, it offers a sensory escape into nature with every lighting.
3. Fazeek Wave Candle Cedarwood + Saffron, $49 at Fazeek
Both a visual and aromatic delight, this candle comes in a rippled glass jar that catches the light beautifully as the flame flickers.
The Cedarwood + Saffron scent is deep, rich and complex — earthy cedarwood balanced with the warm spice of saffron, and lifted with notes of bergamot, aniseed and eucalyptus.
It’s a fragrance that works year-round, as inviting on a cool night with a book as it is during a balmy evening with a glass of wine.
4. Jo Malone London English Pea & Freesia Home Candle, $116 at Myer
A true classic, this scent is crisp, elegant and full of subtle romance, and one of my favourite Jo Malone scents.
Ripe pears add a luscious sweetness, balanced by the freshness of white freesia and grounded with amber, patchouli and soft woods.
With a burn time of 45 hours, this is the candle you reach for when you want to transform a room into a space that feels effortlessly refined.
5. Glasshouse Chalet Chic, $59.95 at Glasshouse Fragrances
Cosy, rich and intoxicating, this candle wraps you in the scent of a snow-dusted chalet.
Think freesia and jasmine blooming in the crisp alpine air, warmed by layers of caramel and spicy tabac blossom.
The result is an indulgent, comforting fragrance that feels like cashmere for your senses. At 380g, it offers plenty of burn time to see you through the winter season (or at least until your next mountain getaway).
6. Trudon Summer Haze $179 at Adore Beauty
This candle is summer in a jar — vivid, joyful and a little bit decadent.
Created by perfumer Alexandra Carlin, Summer Haze opens with tart red berry macaron notes, blooms into a heart of velvety rose, and settles into a warm tonka bean base.
The fuchsia pink vessel is as striking as the scent itself, making it both a home fragrance and a conversation starter.
Perfect for long lunches, sunlit afternoons and moments you want to feel just a little extra.
7. Hunter candles Australia Candle, $49 at Adore Beauty
If your heart belongs to the Australian bush, this candle is pure nostalgia.
Hand-poured in Sydney, it blends the crispness of blue gum, the lemony brightness of myrtle, and the soft floral warmth of wattle.
The result is grounding, uplifting, and unmistakably Australian.
With a 50-hour burn time, it’s perfect for creating that “doors open, fresh breeze through the house” feeling all year round.
Smell luxe for less
CIRCA’s new look proves you do not need to spend hundreds to get the luxe candle experience.
Your home can smell like a five-star suite and look like it belongs on a design blogger’s Instagram, all without sending your credit card into meltdown.
