It's a thing: the office candle. Not only does it provide glowing inspiration in the heat of crushing deadlines and a heady scent to overpower noxious lunch smells, the workplace candle also makes a statement about your personality and, by association, the quality of your work.
Are your legal arguments complex and flowery? Are your spreadsheets fresh and outdoorsy? No matter what you do, there's a candle out there that says "promote me." Burning down the office would send the opposite message, so please proceed with caution and full understanding of your office fire-safety rules.
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Here are some office candles we tried and liked:
Paddywax Cosmic Grapefruit
Warm, yet citrusy and clean, like a grapefruit tart.
BEST FOR: Work-from-home healthy food blogger.
Catbird Neighbor's Fig Tree
Earthy, assertive, and literary (comes with suggested N.Y.C. reading list).
BEST FOR: Stylish feminist studies prof who does / should / wants to live in Brooklyn.
Dyptique Baies
Roses, black currants, and attitude. This candle will NOT sit in the second row.
BEST FOR: Fashion editors.
Molton Brown Gingerlily
Fresh, feminine, soothing, not too overpowering for a small room.
BEST FOR: Aesthetician at an upscale waxing salon.
Dyptique Oyedo
Citrusy and energizing but calming and sophisticated too.
BEST FOR: Senior partner at a graphic design firm.
TO112 Lime Clove
Woodsy, rugged, and virile, this candle suggests a cabin more than a cubicle.
BEST FOR: Creative director for online camping gear retailer.
Cortereno Break the Rules
Big on attitude but light on output. More of a desk statement than a room scent.
BEST FOR: Assistant at a feminist lady products startup.
Malin & Goetz Cannabis
Less actual reefer smell than your average N.Y.C. street, but pleasingly transgressive nevertheless.
BEST FOR: Portland furniture designer.
Molton Brown Dewey Lily of the Valley & Star Anise
Springy, delicate, pleasantly unobtrusive.
BEST FOR: Life coach for affluent women who are returning to work.
Molton Brown Tobacco Absolute
Masculine, woodsy, smoky, chic.
BEST FOR: Boutique hotelier who just came from a shave with a straight razor.
Dyptique Jasmin
Aggressive, traditional floral requires a big, airy office to waft about.
BEST FOR: Marketing exec at legacy beauty brand.
Malin & Goetz Tobacco
Cozy and warm, it smells more like brownies than cigarettes.
BEST FOR: Tech freelancer at a co-working space.
