A Diptyque Ambre Candle review: A+
In short: A beautiful, warm, sexy candle — the fastest way to a romantic space. [Buy it here]
The scent according to Diptyque: “Wafting out of a treasure box come the intoxicating scents of a few amber spheres. The fragrance of the priceless resin mingles with the scents balms, spices and precious woods.”
The scent according to me: Galinda would burn this if she suddenly wanted an extremely “romantic” vibe in her already very girly room.
This is a candle made for: Anyone who loved going to Morocco so much but can’t go back right now for a variety of reasons and still wants to soak in the smell of their very fancy riad.
The full Diptyque Ambre candle review: I love this candle. I bought it scent-unknown, along with Fleur de Cerisier, looking for a change from my usual florals et fleurs. Ambre is warm, sexy, and glamorous. It could make a utilitarian room soft and inviting, and it could make a sophisticated space smell — well, like the owner had excellent taste in candles.
Officially, the notes here involve “woods, vetiver and patchouli elevated by notes of spice, rockrose and tonka bean.” On a cold throw: It’s almost like a frosty smell. I’m smelling, I swear to God, root beer Life Saver?
But on a hot throw — oh, this candle just excels when burned. It transforms that hot sarsaparilla into something warm and enveloping — I can think of no other candle that transforms quite as much as this one does when lit. Suddenly it’s spicy and warm, to such an extent that you cannot help but think of places like the Morocco I mentioned above. It smells like travel, and adventure, at least to someone who grew up far away from the scents of what we might once have called “Oriental” fragrances.
I’ve seen several references to “rich old lady” vibes, and I absolutely get this: When I picture this smell as an object, what I think of is lace and pillowcases and not precisely an antique shop but well-cared for antiques, in someone’s home (possibly but not necessarily a wealthy old aunt). But lived in and inviting, which is sort of at odds with the antiques of it all. Ambre smells like the past, but a wonderful version of it. And somehow this is not at all at odds with it being quite a glamorous scent. Old money!!! That’s what it is — rich, quiet, successful, sophisticated, but still alive, so old money, but kind. An impossible contradiction, perhaps with everything but this candle.
My final Diptyque Ambre candle review: This is a really beautiful candle, and one that I truly believe would be extremely appealing to most people.
Buy it here: At Diptyque ($76 for classic size) or Nordstrom (same price)
See all our Diptyque stories here and see 34 shoppers’ choice for their favorite-ever Diptyque candles.
