Q: I once purchased a votive chandelier that came with great candles that smell like men's cologne. I really prefer the scent to the floral or food scents that are so easy to find. Unfortunately, it came from a random discount store, has no brand or manufacturer names on it, and I've never been able to locate similar candles....
Sent by Amanda
Do any of the home fragrance junkies out there know of brands, stores, scents, or fragrance notes I should look into?Yankee Candle is definitely a bust. Based on my amateur investigatory smelling, cedar, cardamom, thyme, musk, or oak seem like they could be likely candidates in such a scent.
Editor: Have any good suggestions for Amanda? Please let her know in the comments below...
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)

Nomade Express Slee...
I have been purchasing the "spiced fig" candles from Pier One lately, and I swear they smell like mens cologne. I have had many friends make the same comment. They smell nothing at all like I would imagine with a name "spiced fig". I totally recommend them.
I have been very happy with the candles from Pacifica.
I am very sensitive to fake scent, and find their candles enjoyable rather than cloying. One of the scents in their "wood and resin" line might be something like what you are looking for. Our local natural food store, New Seasons, carries this line, so I can buy single mini-votives.
There is a scent called "Fireside" in the Henri Bendel candle line that smells like a man. I got it at Bath & Body Works.
Rainforest by Aveda has a crisp, outdoorsy scent.
Years ago the Root Candles line carried men's cologne scents. I don't know if Root is still around but they were really nice candles.
I searched online and the best bet would be Candle Delirium where they have Votivo candles in such scents as cedar & sage, www.candledelirium.com. Good Luck!
Yankee Candle's A Midsummer Night smells exactly like a men's cologne.
I am also a big fan of Voluspa Clove Pomander.
Diptyque "Figuier" maybe?
I second "Fireside" by Henri Bendel. It's soooo sexy.
Try Banana Republic's 'Night Cap' or 'Fireside'.
I second Yankee Candle's A Midsummer Night. A few friends of mine own it, and we all call it the 'Man Candle'. But to me it's not pleasant, it smells like old spice or cheap cologne. They seem to love it though!
I'm a big fan of Tocca candle, and they have scents like 007, which supposedly smells like leather and dry martinis (I've never smelled that particular scent), though I'm not sure if they make votives.
Alora Ambiance--try 'Cedro'
Archipelago has a couple--not sure of specific names
Banana Republic has mens cologne candles. If Pier 1 still carries it, zanzibar clove is a great one too.
I agree with the Henri Bendel comment, both his "Firewood" and "Amber" candles have distinctly manly scents to them. I'm quite enjoying them.
jo malone of london offers her signature men's fragrance "amber and lavender" in candle form. available at sak's for around $100. also consider the room spray "grapefruit and rosemary." votivo has amazing offerings. i'm particularly fond of "teak."
I second the Midsummer's Night from Yankee Candle, it def. smells like a mens cologne.
I can't resist posting this, as it was the first thing that came up in the search:
http://www.originalmancandle.com/
While you might laugh at this group too, apparently they do smell like men's cologne:
http://www.ecocandleco.com/mandle.html
Biker smells like leather. Italian Stallion smells like Tommy Hilfiger. Old Geezer like cherry pipe tobacco.
More funny and perhaps usable scents (not loading well):
http://www.mandleco.com/
Under construction:
http://www.manlymancandlecompany.com/
Five men's cologne scents here:
http://www.sierramtncandles.com/-c-52.html
A few more scents here:
http://www.candlesofjoy.com/MENSCOLOGNECANDLES.html
That should be enough to try out!
i third the Midsummer's Night yankee candle - my wife wont let me buy it because she doenst want the house to smell like the men's section in a department store.
I also like the sage and citrus - not quite as "musky" as the other one, but certainly a manly scent.
Check out www.shoplondons.com for candles scented with classic British men's fragrances. A personal favorite and popular fragrance is Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet.
http://agrariahome.com/
Archipelago Botanicals makes really nice "man" smelling candles.
http://www.archipelago-usa.com/
I recommend the Madagascar and Havana travel candles.
Jo Malone has several that are cologne-esque without smelling too much like a department store.
Tyler Candle Company makes great affordable high smelling long burning candles, I used to sell them at a retail store "back in the day." One particular scent stood out to me as very masculine, "Icon." Give it a try! For the price of a votive to sample it, you can't go wrong.
Aqua di Parma makes a very manly candle...though you won't find it in the discount section.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm sure I'll find something!
I used to love Yankee Candle's "Midsummer Night." Reminded me of the men's cologne "Curve."
Have you considered making some candles? You could use a cologne recipe but omit the alcohol part and use the essential oils with your wax. (I've never made candles but I think that sounds about right.) I did a quick search and it looks like there's a decent recipe at Aroma Web and a simple one at Pioneer Thinking.
I second Teak by Votivo. It smells like men's cologne, but isn't overpowering. It's woodsy and clean.
Amanda, I make candles using 100% pure soy wax. Asian Cedar may be exactly what you're looking for (masculine, sexy). Please take a peek: http://purelypoured.blogspot.com/ ... the site is new, no online store yet. Shoot me an email (in code in the right-hand column) with your mailing address and I'll send you a sample tea light! :)
Try Partylite's Teakwood & Cardamom or Tamboti Safari. Both are gorgeous masculine scents.
This one is THE BEST. Smells amazing. Not too manly, just - yum.
http://www.burkedecor.com/Leather_Mahogany_Candle_by_Kobo_p/631404.htm
L'artisan parfumer makes great candles.
one of which, Bottega Veneta Intreccio #1 is fab.
Also, Cire Trudon has some great, manly candles...
both at Barney's NY or their site...
one, truly amazing-smelling candle I always splurge on is Aedes de venustas... sexy, dark just perfect to set the mood.
I second the checking out Root candles. I also do not like food or floral smells. I find wood, oriental, and herbal smells the most appealing. From Root I like ginger patchouli and wooded olive (if you can find it). I also like Archipelago's ebonywood. Enjoy the search!
A Canandian company called Country Home Candles has a great scent called Flannel Sheets, and Slatkin & Co. HAD one called Winter recently replaced by something called Log Fire; both absolutely smell like...well...a log fire.
I have one I believe is from Archipelago and I would describe it as "men's cologne" smell. I definitely need to find some more like it!
This is what you've been looking for (TRUST me)... Our #27 MUSK ~ Infatuation candle smells just like Drakkar Noir! We call it "The Man Candle". (60 Hrs. of glorious manly scent for just $13!)
http://www.paulrobinett.com/MUSK_Infatuation_p/27mi.htm
You could always make your own. Purchase the colognes you like at a place that sells discounted fragrances. You just add a few drops to unscented wax, add a wick & let it dry. You can use any shape or size container you like. Also makes great gifts!
Hi Amanda,
We have quite a few more masculine candle fragrances available, including an Acqua type, Light Blue type, Nag Champa, and more. They can be found at http://www.NorthWoodCandleCompany.com
Candles-n-Creations.com offers a great men's line of fragrances. If you don't see a fragrance that you would like, I can probably find it for you. I own Candles-n-Creations and am very proud of our products. Our company has grown so fast that I am adding an independent consultant program to our business. If you are interested in selling candles-n-creations products please email me through my website at Candles-n-Creations.com. We also offer fundraising, wholesale and home/online party opportunities. Our men's line is one of our most popular!! Our customers also like our bakery fragrances and our primitive/country line of products.
OOOOOO just found this new candle company called Kringle Candle and they have a new mens line!!! check it out https://www.kringlecandle.com/collections/group/the-gentlemens-line/
www.valorcandles.com has a line of masculine scented candles as well. Humidor and Leather are both great, Parlor smells like a classic barbershop and is also awesome.