It’s a very exciting time of year: Diptyque City Candle time!
Much like Le Labo’s City Editions, Diptyque City Candles come in 12 different scents, inspired by 12 different places. Most of the year, you can only buy Paris in Paris — and Miami in Miami. But for 10 days in March, anyone, anywhere, can pick up one of these exquisite candles, with place-specific scents and some of the most absolutely gorgeous vessels in the Diptyque universe.
But how to choose? Some are perfection, some are just OK, and some are not worth your time. I have burned all of them, and own three of them, with a fourth on the way. Here’s my ranking.
Paris
According to Diptyque: “Chypre accord, lavender. The very essence of Parisian chic.”
You want to smell like: A Paris-based world traveler, who has a bookshelf of novels from across the world. In their original languages. And you read all of them. You have a window in your rooftop apartment, and it looks over the city of Paris to the Seine. You have had many affairs, and were very cool about all of them, in both senses of the word.
Review: Number one for a reason! This is the most beautiful candle. The best thing about it: It’s the most delicate scent, but it throws so well — it’s the best mix of strong and delicate.
Pekin
According to Diptyque: “Sandalwood, magnolia, green tea. A stroll through the heart of an imperial temple.”
You want to smell like: You’re staying in a hotel above the Huangpu River, paid for by your job as host of Love Island. You have a public reputation for being dramatic and cruel, but IRL you are domestic and kind.
Review: A must if you like sandalwood but want something more complicated than Santal — it’s sandalwood threaded with magnolia, which is beautiful. The vessel reads a little Thanksgiving to me, so the fact that it ranks this highly reflects how lovely and unique the scent is — in part due to the strong and lovely green tea.
Seoul
According to Diptyque: “Hibiscus, incense. Ode to the emblematic flower of Korea.”
You want to smell like: You’re moving to Bali, after many years in customer service at a small Dollar General in the middle of the desert. You have decided to live in the jungle for the rest of your life. You want rich scents, citrus baths, fruitiness and jamminess and the best life has to offer 24-7-365.
Review: Floral, rich, intense — in addition to the hibiscus, you’ll find deep jasmine notes and incense. It reminds me of living on a tropical island, where the smell of tropical flowers mixed with incense from the temples nearby.
Tokyo
According to Diptyque: “A scent inspired by the serene harmony of Japanese gardens, where paths wind beneath the shade of cypress trees and temples release a veil fragrant smoke.”
You want to smell like: Until recently you were a pop star but you gave it all up to move to Japan and tend the garden on a beautiful mountain estate. It’s November. It’s raining. There’s snow in the forecast. You burn this and read Ulysses in the most comfortable chair you’ve ever owned.
Review: In a small space, Tokyo is divine, but it’s light, slight, and disappears in a larger room.
London
According to Diptyque: “A walk down Columbia Road on the day of the flower market. Delicate blossoms echo the city’s quiet elegance.”
You want to smell like: You live in a five-million-pound apartment on the South Bank…but really want to have a little flower shop in Brighton.
Review: This would be higher up — it’s a lovely little floral candle from Diptyque! what’s not to like! — but (a) it feels familiar to other candles in the line, and this one is personal, and I accept the English superiority in all things gardening, but it just doesn’t smell like London. The Big Smoke!!
New York
According to Diptyque: “The nocturnal spirit of New York, echoing both the golden age of hidden speakeasies and the city’s contemporary energy. Cedar, vetiver and patchouli mingle with a trace of incense, conjuring the warmth and mystery of New York at night.”
You want to smell like: You’re actually living in Manhattan before it was overrun by the richest people on Earth.
Review: Woody, weird, intense, dark, brooding — it’s not my Manhattan (it might be my London!!) but it is beautiful and rich and distinctive. Very strong!
Miami
According to Diptyque: “Magnolia, lemon. A city by the sea, sunlit and vibrant.”
You want to smell like: A tech founder who’s realized the errors of her ways. She lives in a giant Miami skyscraper but now she just wants a little cottage, by the ocean, in an affordable place where everyone has a job they like and flowers in their garden.
Review: I should love this more, as I love magnolia and lemon. Ultimately, this reads to me too much like Citronelle, vibes wise: Something I only burn when I’m cleaning.
Hong Kong
According to Diptyque: “Orchid, vanilla… Nature intertwined with the city.”
You want to smell like: You just want peace, and freedom, and to live in the city where you’ve always lived, which smells like perfection.
Review: Warm-weather florals — some florals smell like a bouquet, others smell like flowers blooming outside, and Hong Kong is definitely among the latter. I like it, don’t love it, and it got knocked down a few spots because the scent is quite soft.
Berlin
According to Diptyque: “A candle inspired by Berlin’s most iconic boulevard, where linden trees bloom in summer.”
You want to smell like: You have three Tilleuls in your bathroom and wanted something just like it…but slightly not.
Review: Seen it (smelled it) before.
Shanghai
According to Diptyque: “Osmanthus petals and fresh tea leaves mingle in gentle accord, evoking moments of calm refinement.”
You want to smell like:
Review:
Milan
According to Diptyque: “Geranium and lemon zest meet cedar and patchouli, evoking the city’s golden warmth beneath radiant sun.”
You want to smell like: It’s the first day of summer vacation, after a semester studying in Rome, and you’ve just arrived in Milan.
Review: Oof, this is a weak one. The dominant smell — geranium — is inoffensive, but it’s also lost in any room bigger than a closet. A thousand points, however, for the vessel, which is the perfect shade of cream and green.
Beverly Hills
According to Diptyque: “Kissed by mint and lemon, freesia glows with golden warmth.”
You want to smell like:
Review:
You must be logged in to post a comment.