I’m not sure you could find a more enthusiastic Diptyque fan than me anywhere. Anyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am by beautiful scents (case in point). Because I burn candles almost nightly, I always seem to have a vast Diptyque collection around the house; either favourites I have re-purchased many times over, treasured birthday gifts from friends, or new releases kindly sent to me by the brand from time to time.
A little while ago, Into the Gloss published this ranking of every Diptyque candle on the market. I normally agree with most things they write, but I could not have disagreed with their ranking more. It has plagued me every since, so I thought I should do my own. I should note that this list only recognises the permanent collection that is available everywhere, so some of my all-time favourites (such as the annual limited edition holiday and Valentine’s Day releases, as well as the Beverly Hills, Miami, and Paris candles from the city collection – which is exclusive to the boutiques in each of those cities) are not included here. And lest we forget Lilas and Jonquille – two of my favourite candles which were sadly discontinued last year and replaced by Lys and Narguilé.
If like me you lean towards clean, fresh, lighter feminine scents such as white florals, citrus, or green leafy notes, then this ranking is for you. If on the other hand you’re more into deeper resins, ouds, woody and spicy notes, then you’ll probably want to reverse this list (I promise I won’t be offended).
So here, the list I was born to write; every Diptyque candle, ranked:
1. Baies // Blackberry and Bulgarian rose. A little bit floral, a little bit fruity, but not too sweet. The first Diptyque candle I ever bought (on my first visit to Paris in 2006). I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love this one.
2. Choisya // One of the more subtle scents, with green leafy notes mingled with the zesty smell of the white flowers of the Choisya (Mexican Orange Blossom) bush. A permanent fixture in our household, but particularly in the summer months.
3. Tubéreuse // The intoxicating scent of the white tuberose flower, and one of the stronger floral scents. A little bit sexy and perfect for year-round. Fun fact: when I was deciding which scents to buy for our wedding, I just couldn’t choose between this, Baies and Choisya, so ended up burning all three (alternating the scents between the tables) at the reception and when we walked into the room, it was the most heavenly combination imaginable.
4. Figuier // The smell of a fig tree – plump ripe fruit, green leaves, woody bark, and milky sap – beautifully captured in one perfect scent. The moment I see the first figs appear at the market at the end of summer, I immediately pull out the Figuier candle (as well as the matching Philosykos fragrance).
5. Menthe Verte // The most under-rated Diptyque candle in my opinion. Smells exactly like green mint fresh from the garden. One of my summer favourites.
6. Freesia // Smells just like a spring morning in an English garden.
7. Gardénia // It literally took me 20 minutes to decide between Freesia, Jasmine and Gardenia, because they’re all the most beautiful white floral scents. You won’t go wrong with any of these in my opinion.
8. Oyédo // The bright, zesty smell of yuzu (Japanese grapefruit) with a hint of fresh thyme. I love burning this one during summer dinner parties or whenever we’re having friends over for cocktails as its citrus notes don’t tend to clash with the smell of food.
9. Jasmine // The heavenly smell you catch floating on the breeze as you pass a jasmine bush on a warm summer evening.
10. Roses // Whenever I light this, I’m instantly transported straight to a spring day in the rose garden of the Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris. Exactly like sticking your nose in a big, blousy lemony-fresh rose.
11. Verveine // We used to have an enormous lemon verbena tree and my mother would use it to make iced tea and put branches of it in a big vase to fill our hallway with the most incredible perfume, so to me this is just the happiest smell. Its fresh, leafy scent is just the thing for a hot midsummer day.
12. Mimosa // The powdery, golden honeyed scent of the yellow mimosa blossom. Like sunshine on a grey day.
13. Noisetier // The candle equivalent of pumpkin spice latte season and the most perfect October scent. It smells like warm roasted hazelnuts and crunchy autumn leaves.
14. Tilleul // If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit Paris in the late spring or early summer, you will have experienced the gorgeous scent of the horse chestnut and linden trees which line the city’s streets. This is the exact smell of those blossoms which fill the air with their delicate lemon-scented perfume in the warmer months. If you can’t book a trip to Paris, this is the next best thing.
15. Muguet // The exact scent of bright, beautiful, light-as-air lily of the valley freshly-picked from the garden.
16. Vanille // Vanilla, but not as you know it. The essence of the whole vanilla pod; woody, slightly smoky, and just a little sweet but not in any way sacharine. The olfactory equivalent of curling up beside a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate, and one of my winter favourites.
17. Violette // The smell of tiny violets picked from the garden on a damp spring morning; a little bit floral, earthy, and green all at once. One of the smells of my childhood.
18. Coing // The most gourmand of all the scents (followed by Noisetier), this one smells like warm stewed quinces (an orchard fruit that’s a cross between an apple and a pear) and apple pie. I’ve never owned this one so need to rectify that in time for autumn.
19. Geranium Rosa // An exact replica of the aromatic geranium with it’s rosy-scented flowers and the green, peppery freshness of the leaves. If you like the idea of rose but find that too floral, you might like this instead. I just got my first one of these and our entire house now smells like summer in the garden.
20. Narguilé // One whiff of this and you’ll be transported somewhere more exotic; perhaps to the magic of the souks of Marrakech on a warm evening. The sweet smell of honey and tobacco mingled with the faint aroma of vanilla and spices in the distance.
21. Coriandre // You either love coriander (cilantro) or you hate it. I can’t get enough of it, so this is a hit with me. So fresh and green; a good one to burn in the kitchen or when serving dinner.
22. Cyprès // Like camping in a pine forest. Woody and yet somehow light as air.
23. Feuille de Lavande // Smells how I imagine the lavender-covered hills of Provence would smell on a summer morning. I love burning this one in our bedroom in the evenings (just add a book and a cup of tea and it’s the perfect bedtime sanctuary).
24. Pomander // Like Christmas morning in a jar. This smells exactly like the clove-studded orange pomanders I used to make as a child every December and if they didn’t release their annual holiday collection (I buy the Christmas tree-scented candle every year), then I’d be burning this during the Christmas season instead.
25. Oranger // Just like the smell of orange oil bursting into the air when you cut into a fresh orange, or of marmalade being spread onto warm, buttery toast. Very similar to Pomander, but not so obviously festive.
26. Lys // A heady bouquet of fragrant white lilies. I should probably love this one more, but as a cat owner I’m paranoid of lilies (which are deadly to cats), so I think I have a subconscious aversion to the smell. Much stronger and sweeter than the other white florals (Choisya, Freesia, Gardenia and Jasmine), but still very lovely.
27. Genévrier // A gin and tonic without the hangover.
28. Iris // The delicate, powdery scent of an iris flower and its roots (orris). Smells how a Monet painting looks.
29. Foin Coupé // Slightly sweet grass and sun-dried hay; this smells like clean country air at the end of a warm day.
30. Ambre // The most subtle of the resin scents (of which there are many). If you like the idea of something warm and mellow and a little bit spicy, but without the pungency of a full-blown incense, this is the one for you.
31. Feu de Bois // Somehow smells like a sexy fireplace. If you’re not blessed with a wood burning fire to snuggle beside on a cold evening, this is the closest thing money can buy.
32. Eucalyptus // Eucalyptus is the native tree of my homeland so I should love this one. But it reminds me a little too much of cleaning day or sick days (my mother would use eucalyptus oil to mop the floors, or make me inhale it to clear a stuffy nose), so I only reach for it when I’m having a bout of homesickness for Australia.
33. Aubépine // Hawthorn blossom. A little earthy, warm and fruity, but not sickly.
34. Santal // A true sandalwood scent. They did it long before Le Labo made it ubiquitous.
35. Cannelle // Cinnamon stick. This is the candle they always have burning at Sketch, so whenever I smell it I think of afternoon tea and Christmas.
36. Vétyver // Dry, woody vetiver grass with a hint of cedar wood. Smells like a straw basket (in a good way).
37. Mousses // An earthy scent that smells like damp green moss after the rain.
38. Benjoin // Resin with notes of dried bark and caramel.
39. Oud // A classic smoky, woody oud. Smells like an attractive man in an old library.
40. Thé // Like a walking through a Middle Eastern spice market. Notes of black pepper, cumin and smoky lapsang souchong tea.
41. Opopanax // A resin scent with creamy vanilla notes.
42. Musc // A deep animalic musk mingled with dry woody notes.
43. Chêne // The smell of oak trees. It doesn’t get much more manly than this.
44. Myrrhe // Resiny incense. The perfect gift for any wise men you may know.
45. Bois Cire // Waxed wood. Give this one to a sophisticated someone who lives in an English manor house (or wishes they did).
46. Maquis // Yet another resin scent, with notes of dry earth, leather and amber. This to me is the strongest of the resin scents, which is why I’m putting it last.
47. Cuir // Leather. Smells like an equestrian saddle or an exceptionally expensive handbag.
48. Patchouli // In my experience, you either love patchouli or hate it. Personally I have a strong aversion to patchouli oil (which to me smells like dust), hence why I’m ranking this last.
And just for fun, a few scents I wish they would make but haven’t yet (Diptyque: if you’re reading this, please hire me! ha): orange blossom (I’m obsessed with the zesty Fleur D’Oranger room spray and constantly petition for this to be turned into a candle whenever I’m repurchasing the spray), bergamot, basil, Ispahan (rose and lychee), pear tree, clean linen, freshly mown grass, and the smell of a sun-drenched beach (sunscreen, saltwater and frangipani blossom).
Do you have a favourite from the list?
Love, Briony (the world’s biggest Diptyque fan) xx
Disclaimer: post contains some affiliate links
Shannon says
Wow – I am seriously impressed! Thanks for this list; I know what to consult next time I buy Diptyque!
A Girl, A Style says
I am so glad it was helpful! I take my role as an unofficial Diptyque-pusher very seriously 😉
Briony xx
Joyce says
My faves are Tubéreuse, Baies, and Gardenia. This was a great read, B! Very impressive.
A Girl, A Style says
Ooh, three of my favourites too! I’ve never burned them all together, but imagine how incredible it would smell if you did?!
Briony xx
Catherine says
Love. the descriptions! Definitely give me an idea of the scents to help me pick new ones.
I am also a HUGE fan of Diptyque candles and my favorite ones are Vanille and Noisetier which I find so unique and comforting. Another favorite is the red 2018 Holiday collection candle Amande Exquise (unfortunately a limited edition). Thank you for this write up!
A Girl, A Style says
Those are three of my favourites too!
Briony xx
Shona says
Oh I LOVE this, my favourites are Jasmine, Gardenia, Baies, Ambre, Oranger, & lots I haven’t tried but I will now xx
A Girl, A Style says
Ooh yes, those are all great ones! I haven’t owned Oranger before, but I think I’ll get one for next Christmas!
Briony xx
Alexandra says
Roses is my favourite 🙂
A Girl, A Style says
One of my absolute favourites too!
Briony xx
kirsty says
this was SO helpful! thank you so much for taking the time to do this!!!
A Girl, A Style says
I’m so glad it was helpful!
Briony xx
Arlene says
I absolutely have always loved Pomander ever since I entered a girlfriend’s home and smelled this glorious scent. I have been burning it ever since. And I too would love a Frangipani scented candle! Another wonderful scent.
A Girl, A Style says
I absolutely love Pomander for winter / the holidays; it smells exactly like the clove-studded oranges my mum and I used to make every Christmas. And I’ll be adding your name to my petition to Diptyque to release a frangipani candle 😜
Briony xx
Natieya says
I happen to have an open floor plan and am always looking for candles with quite strong throw. Which of the Diptyque candles would you recommend as being the strongest scents? P.S. – I absolutely love the style of your blog. <3
A Girl, A Style says
It depends whether you prefer a clean floral / citrus scent, or a deeper spicy / woodsy scent at the other end of the spectrum. In terms of the florals (which are my personal preference and thus the scents I usually buy for my own home) I’d say the Tubereuse is the strongest of the white florals and Choisya the most subtle. Though to be honest, because Diptyque uses such high quality ingredients and a high concentration of fragrance oils, they all have an excellent scent throw so I don’t think you’d go wrong with any of them.
Hope that helps, but let me know if I can help answer more specific questions about scent, etc.
Briony xx
Sade says
Thank you so much for this in depth post. It has really helped me decide which scents to add to my wishlist. My personal favourites are ‘Benjoin’, ‘Figuier’, ‘Beverly Hills’, ‘Shanghai’ and ‘Le Redoute’ (34 Collection).
I plan on buying ‘Aubepine’, ‘Ambre’, ‘Oud’ and possibly ‘Tubereuse’. I don’t care for florals, I much prefer oriental and resinous scents, but I love the scent of tuberose.
Charlene says
Just brought out my Jasmin candle from storage and was shocked to see it had turned an orangish color like the one in your picture above. Is this normal? I’ve had so many Diptyque candles over the years, but this is the first time I’ve seen anything like this.
A Girl, A Style says
I find the same thing with my Jasmin candles specifically; they start white but turn yellow (I believe due to the high content of jasmine oil which naturally colours with age), however they still smell beautiful once you light them.
B xx