Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while you’ve surely already planned out the perfect gift for the most special person in your life, don’t forget the importance of setting the tone by creating a romantic (yet decidedly not cheesy) atmosphere. Sure, flowers are nice, but even the most decadent bouquet of roses will wilt sooner rather than later, so why not add to the ambiance with a much longer-lasting rose-scented candle, instead?
A rose votive is a lovely choice any time of the year, but it’s especially fitting for this particular period of February, and not just because of Cupid’s favorite day. A Valentine’s Day candle adds a welcome touch of dreamy floral vibrance to these short, cold and utterly grey winter days, and that special someone will *so* appreciate the rose-y vibes.
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That’s not to say that a Valentine’s Day date is a prerequisite for a rose candle; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s always a good idea to pamper yourself on February 14, whether you’re heading out on a romantic night on the town, having a Galentine’s Day party or you’re spending V-day solo, indulging in some much-deserved self-care and self-love. A romantic candle is perfect for date night, but a rose votive is also a simple and chic way to add a little ambiance into your home decor atmosphere right now, and they also happen to be excellent Valentine’s Day gifts for loved ones. Below, see our favorite candles to light up and truly smell the roses.
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The Best Valentine's Day Candles
The best rose-scented candles for Valentine’s Day.
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Anouche Scented Candle
$95, Shop NowThis delightfully fruity rose and plum scented candle is inspired by the perfumer’s memories of his grandmother’s jam, from his childhood in Paris.
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Diptyque. Diptyque Roses Scented Candle
$74, Shop NowDiptyque’s beloved Roses candle is always a good choice; it’ll fill the room with a romantic bouquet of florals, sans actual flowers.
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Carrière Frères. Carrière Frères Siberian Pine and Winter Rose Candle
$85, Shop NowFor a more wintery take on the rose fragrance (perfect for this time of year!), try this Carrière Frères votive, with a cozy mixture of Siberian pine and winter rose.
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Voluspa. Voluspa Blackberry Rose Oud Candle
$42, Shop NowThe blackberry adds a fruity touch to the soft, romantic rose, which is complemented by unexpected oud.
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Caftari. Caftari Dolce Far Niente
$60, Shop NowWhy not bring a little wellness into your candle situation? Caftari recently debuted these self-care focused candles; this particular floral votive offers rose top notes, with sandalwood and violet balancing it out. The particular combination is intended to help enhance the release of serotonin.
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D.S. & Durga. D.S. & Durga Salt Marsh Rose
$70, Shop NowThis salty-sweet candle was inspired by co-founder David Moltz’s New England roots, and is comprised of notes of swamp rose, sea lettuce and lichen moss.
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L'or de Seraphine. L'or de Seraphine La Roseraie Candle
$48, Shop NowThis dreamy candle will fill your home with a lush aroma of Bulgarian rose and blackcurrant, and we’re obsessed with the rose-embellished vessel, which you should definitely keep even after the votive burns out—it’s such a chic vase.
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Otherland. Otherland Daybed Candle
$40, Shop NowOtherland’s Daybed is a perfect Valentine’s Day candle option; it features notes of rosebud, peony blossom and pear water. Plus, it’s nontoxic and made of a coconut and soy wax blend.
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Rukske. Rukske Rose Oud
$65, Shop NowThis deep rose oud is composed of a blend of Damascan roses, violet and oud, along with hints of agar wood and sandalwood. It’s perfect if you don’t want a sugary sweet scent, and prefer a more complex aroma.
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Floral Street. Floral Street Rose Provence Scented Candle
$52, Shop NowThis vegan rapeseed and soy candle exudes a lovely scent of blooming roses with raspberry, violet and patchouli.
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Tom Ford. Tom Ford Rose Prick Candle
$135, Shop NowThis cheerful pink candle is inspired by Tom Ford’s own private rose garden; it’s a heavenly fragrance of the ultra-rare rose de mai combined with Turkish and Bulgarian rose.
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Lafco. Lafco Rose de Mai
$115, Shop NowLafco’s Rose de Mai Absolute features the rare rose oil merged with honey nectar, geranium, Turkish rose and warmer notes of violet and woods.
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Sisley. Sisley Rose Candle
$77, Shop NowEmbrace the classic rose aroma with Sisley’s luxurious votive, which is inspired by cofounder Isabelle d’Ornano’s personal rose garden.
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Nomad Noe. Nomad Noe Muse in Wyoming
$75, Shop NowIf you want a rose scent that isn’t *too* floral, consider this Nomad Noe fragrance, for an earthier aroma of rose bushes with cedar and fresh greenery.
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Phlur. Phlur Currant Crush
$45, Shop NowWhile this might technically be more of a holiday candle, it’s actually a beautiful scent for rose lovers who want an aroma that feels more fitting to cooler times of year. It features hints of red currant, cassis and rhubarb, with lighter floral notes of rose petals and peony.
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Byredo. Byredo Burning Rose
$94, Shop NowByredo’s Burning Rose candle offers a heady scent of roses with leather, birch and woods. It’s also a good option if you’re not looking for anything too pink, since it comes in the brand’s signature black vessel.
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Glasshouse Fragrances. Glasshouse Fragrances Midnight In Milan Saffron & Rose Candle
$50, Shop NowWe love how fragrant Glasshouse candles are. This saffron and rose votive features blackcurrant, jasmine and ambergris notes, with a warmer base of moss, amber and musk.
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Diptyque. Diptyque Tuberose 3-Wick Candle
$220, Shop NowFor a truly luxurious candle experience, look no further than Diptyque’s new 3-wick Tuberose votive, which comes in a gorgeous ceramic jar. It’s a lovely Valentine’s Day candle gift for your favorite votive-adoring pal or yourself, and the 90-hour burn time is just *chef’s kiss.*
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Jo Malone. Jo Malone Red Roses Scented Home Candle
$80, Shop NowThe Jo Malone Red Roses candle is a classic for a reason; it’s a feminine blend of rose petals with violet, honeycomb and a hint of lemon, which adds the perfect touch of freshness.
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Apotheke. Apotheke Santal Rock Rose Candle
$44, Shop NowThose who are bored of the traditional rose scent will adore this sandalwood and rock rose soy wax candle, for an earthier, woodsy fragrance.
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Aromatique. Aromatique Vanilla Rosewater Textured Glass Candle
$15, Shop NowThe vanilla and white musk add a homier, velvety edge to the blend of floral rose, bergamot and peony in this hand-poured jar candle, which comes in a glass jar you can definitely reuse.
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Bath and Body Works. Bath and Body Works Rose Water and Ivy 3-Wick Candle
$26.50, Shop NowThis rose water and ivy-scented 3-wick candle is infused with natural essential oils.
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Otherland. Otherland Carefree 90s Glosspop
$40, Shop NowThis thoroughly modern candle is all about ’90s nostalgia, with a combination of strawberry gloss (yes, as in Lip Smackers), hard candy and, of course, frosted rose.
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Uma. Uma Rose Rapture Wellness Candle
$81, Shop NowCandle and aromatherapy all in one? Sign us up—this votive features oud oil, rose and geranium, for a soothing and calming effect.