Homesick Candles Review: Scents That Transport You
Hey there, fellow candle lover! It‘s your resident fashionista here, ready to dish on my latest obsession: Homesick candles. If you haven‘t heard of this brand yet, you‘re in for a real treat. Homesick crafts soy wax blend candles that are inspired by the scents of states, cities, and even memories. As someone who‘s always on the hunt for unique fragrances (and chic decor to match), I couldn‘t resist giving them a try.
In this comprehensive Homesick candles review, I‘ll be sharing my first-hand experience with some of their most popular scents, as well as diving into the story behind the brand, customer reviews, and how they compare to other candle companies. Trust me, by the end of this post, you‘ll be ready to find your own little piece of home in a candle. Let‘s get glowing!
Why Homesick Candles Are Worth the Hype
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of each scent, let‘s talk about what makes Homesick candles so special. Founded in 2016 by a group of friends who wanted to capture the essence of the places and memories they missed most, Homesick has quickly become a cult-favorite brand among candle enthusiasts.
One of the things I love most about Homesick is their commitment to quality. All of their candles are hand-poured in the USA using a natural soy wax blend and 100% organic cotton wicks. They‘re also cruelty-free and contain no icky stuff like parabens, phthalates, or synthetic dyes. As someone who prefers to shop eco-friendly and support small businesses, this is a big plus in my book.
But let‘s be real – the real draw of Homesick candles is their ability to transport you to another place or time through scent. There‘s just something so comforting about striking a match and instantly being enveloped in the fragrance of your hometown, favorite vacation spot, or a cherished memory. And I‘m not the only one who thinks so – according to recent data from the National Candle Association, nearly 80% of US consumers scent their homes with candles, with nostalgia-inspired fragrances being a top trend.
"Scent is the strongest tie to memory, and candles are a way to bring those memories to life in your home. Homesick taps into that power of scent to offer a unique and meaningful product." – Sarah Duff, Homesick Co-Founder
Alright, now that you know why I‘m head over heels for Homesick, let‘s get into the good stuff – the candles themselves!
Homesick Candle Scent Reviews
Over the past few months, I‘ve been lucky enough to try out a handful of Homesick‘s bestselling candle scents. And let me tell you, narrowing it down to just a few favorites was no easy feat. But for the sake of brevity (and my wallet), I‘ve chosen four standout scents to highlight for you today:
Southern California Candle Review
As a born-and-raised SoCal girl, I knew I had to get my hands on Homesick‘s Southern California candle. With notes of orange, sea breeze, jasmine, and musk, this scent is like a beach day in a jar. The second I lit the wick, I was transported back to childhood summers spent riding bikes down the boardwalk and eating my weight in fish tacos.
What I love about this candle is how well-balanced it is. The bright citrus and floral notes are grounded by a subtle saltiness that captures the essence of the ocean air. It‘s the perfect scent for creating a laidback, sunny vibe in your home year-round.
Scent Throw: 5/5 (fills a large room quickly without being overwhelmingly strong)
Burn Time: 60-80 hours
Ideal For: Beach lovers, golden hour enthusiasts, anyone who wishes they were on perpetual vacation
New York City Candle Review
Having spent a few years living in the Big Apple myself, I was so excited to see how Homesick would capture the essence of the city in a candle. The New York City scent features notes of bergamot, musk, concrete, and oakmoss for a sophisticated, urban-inspired fragrance.
When I first lit this candle, I was immediately hit with a rush of crisp citrus that reminded me of grabbing a morning coffee and bagel from my favorite Brooklyn bodega. As it burned, the scent mellowed into something a bit headier and more complex, with hints of damp pavement after a rainstorm.
What I appreciate about this candle is that it doesn‘t rely on clichéd "taxi cab air freshener" vibes to convey NYC. Instead, it‘s a nuanced, atmospheric scent that captures the edgy energy and unapologetic attitude of the city.
Scent Throw: 4/5 (creates a cozy ambiance in a living room or bedroom)
Burn Time: 60-80 hours
Ideal For: City slickers, Gossip Girl fans, anyone who has a closet full of black clothing
Book Club Candle Review
As an avid reader, I‘m always looking for ways to make my reading nook feel extra cozy. So when I spotted the Book Club candle on Homesick‘s site, it was an instant add to cart. With notes of nutmeg, sandalwood, and vanilla, this scent is basically hygge in candle form.
Lighting this candle instantly makes me want to curl up with a good book and a steaming mug of tea. The warm, spicy fragrance reminds me of spending rainy afternoons browsing the stacks at my local library as a kid. I especially love how the sweetness of the vanilla rounds out the earthier notes for a scent that‘s comforting but not cloying.
Scent Throw: 3.5/5 (creates an inviting ambiance in a small to medium room)
Burn Time: 60-80 hours
Ideal For: Bookworms, sweater weather enthusiasts, anyone who has a stack of unread novels on their nightstand
Thank You, Mom Candle Review
With Mother‘s Day coming up, I knew I wanted to include one of Homesick‘s bestselling candles designed for gifting in this review. The Thank You, Mom candle features a heartwarming blend of bergamot, lavender, sage, and sandalwood that‘s meant to capture the feeling of a warm hug from mom.
When I first smelled this candle, it instantly brought me back to childhood memories of watching my mother get ready for a night out, sneaking spritzes of her expensive perfume when she wasn‘t looking. The floral notes are soft and powdery, balanced by the herbal freshness of the sage and the coziness of the sandalwood.
I especially love the meaning behind this scent. Homesick donates a portion of proceeds from the Thank You, Mom candle to organizations that support children impacted by the crisis at the US border, so you can feel good knowing your purchase is making a difference.
Scent Throw: 4/5 (perfect for a bedroom or home office)
Burn Time: 60-80 hours
Ideal For: Mother‘s Day gifting, anyone who could use a little extra TLC
Customer Reviews & Feedback
Of course, you don‘t just have to take my word for it when it comes to Homesick candles. I scoured the web for customer reviews to see what other candle lovers had to say about their experience with the brand. Here‘s what I found:
| Review Source | Average Rating | # of Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Homesick Website | 4.8/5 | 18,603 |
| Amazon | 4.5/5 | 2,712 |
| Google Shopping | 4.6/5 | 934 |
As you can see, the vast majority of Homesick reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with customers raving about the strong throw, long burn time, and nostalgia-inducing scents. In fact, many reviewers mentioned purchasing Homesick candles as gifts for loved ones who had moved away or were feeling homesick themselves.
"I bought this candle for my sister who moved across the country last year and has been really missing home. When she opened it, she burst into tears! The scent is spot on and brings back so many happy memories for her." – Maggie S., Homesick website reviewer
That being said, no brand is immune to criticism. A small minority of customers mentioned issues with tunneling (when the candle burns down the middle, leaving a rim of unmelted wax around the edge) or scents that weren‘t as strong as they‘d hoped. Homesick does have a page on their website devoted to candle care tips to help prevent tunneling, but it‘s worth noting that soy candles in general can be a bit finicky.
Overall though, I feel confident recommending Homesick candles based on both my own experience and the thousands of glowing reviews from happy customers.
How Homesick Candles Compare
Alright, I know what you‘re probably thinking – $34 for a candle? Is it really worth it? As someone who‘s tried my fair share of budget and bougie candle brands, I can confidently say that Homesick is one of the best values out there when it comes to scent quality and burn time. But don‘t just take my word for it – let‘s see how they stack up to some other popular candle brands:
| Brand | Price (Large Jar) | Burn Time | Wax Type | Scent Throw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homesick | $34 (13.75 oz) | 60-80 hours | Soy blend | Strong |
| Yankee Candle | $29.50 (22 oz) | 110-150 hours | Paraffin | Medium |
| Bath & Body Works | $24.50 (14.5 oz) | 45-60 hours | Soy blend | Strong |
| Capri Blue | $32 (19 oz) | 85 hours | Soy blend | Medium |
| Diptyque | $68 (6.5 oz) | 60 hours | Soy blend | Strong |
As you can see, Homesick falls somewhere in the middle of the pack price-wise, but outperforms many of its competitors in terms of scent throw and using a clean-burning soy wax blend. And while Yankee Candle may offer the most burn time for your buck, I personally prefer the more complex, nuanced fragrances of Homesick.
At the end of the day, I think it comes down to what you value most in a candle. If you‘re looking for something that will make your whole house smell amazing for hours on end and evoke specific memories or places, Homesick is absolutely worth the investment. But if you‘re just looking for a basic scent to freshen up a room, there are certainly more budget-friendly options out there.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Homesick Candle
Before I wrap up this review, I wanted to share a few tips I‘ve learned for getting the most out of your Homesick candles:
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Trim the wick before each burn. Keeping your wick trimmed to about 1/4 inch will help prevent smoking and ensure a cleaner, more even burn.
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Allow the candle to burn for at least 2 hours before extinguishing. This will help the wax melt all the way to the edges of the jar and prevent tunneling.
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Reuse the jar once you‘ve finished the candle. Homesick‘s minimalist jar design is perfect for repurposing as a makeup brush holder, succulent planter, or even a cocktail glass!
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Store your candles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will help preserve the scent and color of the wax.
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Consider signing up for a Homesick subscription. If you find yourself burning through Homesick candles on the regular, you can save 15% and get free shipping by subscribing to receive a new candle every 1, 2, or 3 months.
Final Thoughts
Well folks, there you have it – my completely unsponsored, unbiased, and unfiltered review of Homesick candles. As someone who‘s always on the hunt for home decor that‘s equal parts stylish and sentimental, I can honestly say that Homesick ticks all the boxes.
From the eco-friendly soy wax blend to the carefully crafted fragrances that transport you to another place and time, it‘s clear that a lot of thought and care goes into every candle. And while the price point may be a bit higher than your average drugstore candle, I truly believe the quality and uniqueness of the scents is worth it.
Whether you‘re looking to add a touch of nostalgia to your own home or gift a loved one a little piece of the place they miss most, I can‘t recommend Homesick enough. Trust me, once you get a whiff of these babies, you‘ll be hooked.
So go ahead, treat yourself to a Homesick candle (or three) and let yourself be transported. Your nose (and your inner homebody) will thank you.
Well my loves, that‘s all from me for now. Until next time, stay cozy and keep spreading that candlelight magic!
XOXO,
Your Resident Fashionista
P.S. Have you tried Homesick candles before? I‘d love to hear your thoughts and favorite scents in the comments below! And if you found this review helpful, don‘t forget to share it with a friend who could use a little extra coziness in their life.
