For me, scent goes hand in hand with a lot of past memories. I remember when I was growing up, my best friend’s house always smelled of the Febreze her mother sprayed everywhere. My grandma’s house smelled like her perfume, Clinique Happy. And whenever I catch a whiff of a certain candle from Bath & Body Works, I’m taken back to the one I burned in my first studio apartment in NYC — the one we refer to as “the mice apartment.” Seriously, I shutter whenever I smell that scent.
So when I moved into my new apartment at the start of July, I wanted a new candle that was clean yet luxuriously scented. I wanted friends to come over and immediately think my space smelled amazing, but not so much that they’d comment on it right away. You know what I mean?
Santal & Ginger Candle – Threshold designed with Studio McGee, $15–$30
With that in mind, I purchased a mega 40-ounce Santal & Ginger candle from Target, one that’s from its Threshold brand in collaboration with Studio McGee. I thought this could be my new space’s signature scent, and after burning it for three months straight, I can confirm it is. The candle is fresh and clean-smelling and almost rejuvenating. It’s not overly strong, not too sweet and not too musky — it’s just right. It has notes of cardamom, ginger, musk and sandalwood, according to the product description.
The candle comes in a clear glass jar in an 18-ounce or 40-ounce size, so it goes with most decor styles. And beyond actually giving your home a good cleaning, it’s the easiest way to make your space smell refreshed. Don’t just take my word for it, though. Online Target shoppers rave about this candle in the reviews, too.
“Smells amazing!!!” wrote one reviewer. “I feel like I am in a spa. The smell is so unique. I adore this candle and it’s always complimented. I will buy over and over. It reminds me of Santal 33 which is a very luxurious scent.”
“Great fragrance for the summer and transitioning into fall. Makes my house feel expensive,” wrote another.
OK, so yes, some Target shoppers think the scent smells like Le Labo’s Santal 33 fragrance — at least three people mention it in the reviews. Personally, I have Le Labo’s perfume and candle, and while I think they smell similar because of the santal (aka sandalwood), it’s not exactly a dupe. I think that Le Labo’s is much stronger and more musky. Target’s scent is brighter and lighter smelling.
Other reviewers compare this Target candle to the 1 Hotel’s signature fragrance. Coincidentally, I live next door to one of these hotels and can confirm it is much more similar to this smell. And if you don’t know it, let’s just say it’s a very expensive smell. (FYI, the largest 28-ounce 1 Hotel Signature Kindling Candle retails for $155.)
“This candle is an AMAZING dupe! If you are familiar with the beautiful 1 Hotel, and love the way their lobby smells… you must buy this candle,” wrote another Target shopper. “I own the 1 Hotel candle and this smells exactly like it for a fraction of the cost. After I bought the three-wick and lit it up, I immediately went online and ordered one more 40-ounce and three additional 18-ounce [candles] before they sell out. I can’t believe this is at TARGET!”
Some Target candles are limited-edition, and being that it’s part of a collab with Studio McGee, there’s no telling if this is a permanent scent in the retailer’s collection. So get it now if you’re looking to upgrade your own home’s scent. Make it your signature scent if you want to. Either way, you have to smell this candle. It really is one of the best, and I’m stocking up.
The post I’ve been burning this $30 mega-sized Target candle for 3 months, and it smells so expensive appeared first on In The Know.
I’ve been burning this $30 mega-sized Target candle for 3 months, and it smells so expensive
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