3 min readI have a confession to make: I hate fall candles. Don’t get me wrong—the scent of pumpkins and apples is as enticing to me as it is to anyone else, but once it’s converted to candle form, things tend to go awry. The problem is that fall candles smell a little too fake for my liking. I’m not much of a gourmand fan, and I tend to prefer scents packed with citrus, floral, or woody notes, which means that most autumn fragrances I’ve sniffed are just too sweet. That is, until I got my hands on Quince’s line of fall candles.
SHOP QUINCE LIMITED EDITION FALL CANDLES
It’s no secret that House Beautiful editors—myself included—are big fans of Quince's $24 candles, but my inner skeptic was still worried that these fall scents would skew a little too saccharine for my liking. I was dead wrong. Much to my delight, these five scents are elevated, layered, and provide the perfect dose of room-filling seasonal fragrance.
Perhaps the best of the bunch is the Thé Chaï candle, which reminds me of exactly the way I hope my house smells on Thanksgiving. The notes of cinnamon, tea leaves, and ginger milk create a cozy, relaxing vibe, while hints of cardamom and incense add a hint of grounding spice. This is a candle I’ll burn all autumn long, especially during lazy mornings spent with a coffee and book in bed, or when I need a pleasant yet subtle scent while hosting friends on football Sundays.
The scent I was most curious to try was Les Cerises, a juicy, cherry-forward candle wrapped in burgundy packaging. At first sniff, it reminded me a lot of Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry perfume; the fruity sweetness is tinged with almond, cedar, and sandalwood for an effect that feels like a sultry night out at a dark cocktail lounge. That being said, it doesn’t smell overtly fall to me—I could see myself burning this through the holidays.
For those who prefer smokier scents, opt for Cashmere Embers, which a fellow editor described as “the way your clothes smell after you’ve been at a bonfire.” While the woody notes certainly dominate, it’s layered with candied chestnuts and amber to add complexity.
Of course, Quince had to try their hand at the classic pumpkin and apple scents with this limited drop. Harvest Cider blends seasonal notes of apple cider, cinnamon sugar, and vanilla for a result that truly feels like a day spent at the orchard. And although Pumpkin Cardamom is perhaps the most straightforward of the bunch, the hints of clove prevent it from smelling too fake. Instead, its room-filling aroma smells like freshly baked pumpkin bread, thanks to hints of vanilla and nutmeg.
The Verdict?
What impresses me most about Quince’s fall candles is their depth. Unlike the many single-note candles I’ve sampled at similar price points, the fall-forward notes in Quince’s versions are layered with hints of spice and smoke that add a level of sophistication I can rarely find in other autumnal fragrances.
Plus, I love how Quince’s line offers a nice variety of seasonal scent profiles, whether you prefer sweet, gourmand scents or aren’t into pumpkin spice but still want a candle that evokes cozy fall vibes (In that case, I’d recommend Cashmere Embers or Thé Chaï!).
Unlike Quince’s mainstay candles, each fall scent comes in a colored vessel, lending it a slightly more luxe look that would make these excellent hostess gifts for any seasonal bashes on your calendar. And of course, it’s hard to beat the price. Each candle is only $24, although if you buy two or more, each costs just $20.
Quince’s fall candles are only available for a limited time, and the brand has sold out of its selection in past seasons, so there’s no telling how long they’ll remain in stock.
