I have a soft spot for home or room scented candles. Good scented candles can truly create a relaxing environment and makes a home feel warm and homely. Well, warm isn’t quite what I’m looking for here in the tropics, but I’m sure you know that warm cosy feel you get when you step into a lovely scented room.
So when I found out that Diptyque candles were available here in Malaysia, I got a bit giddy about it 😀 I missed the pop up store that they opened up last Christmas but I was pleased to know that they are now permanently available here. Whee! I also learnt from a visit to one of their counters/stores, what “Diptyque” means, why the names on the labels look so unreadable, and that they do more than just candles.
I had 2 important questions posed to the people from Diptyque. The first was, what is “diptyque” and why the name?
I was told that the creators of diptyque are in fact, artistsans who in 1961 opened up a shop in Paris, France at No. 34 boulevard Saint-Germain to sell their fabric designs and items they had sourced from overseas during their travels. They then started making scented candles that everyone fell in love with (and you would too if you love candles!) and the rest as they say is history.
diptyque pop up store at Bangsar Village II
“Diptyque” is a french word originating from greek, defining a piece of art that is painted on 2 panels that are hinged together. The reason for the name is because the original store in France started out at a corner of a road, and its store windows were on 2 sides, meeting at the corner. I thought that was so original and pretty, don’t you? 🙂 I love knowing things like this 😛
The next question I asked was, “Why do the labels on the candles look that way? Its just a jumble of letters that have no pattern nor system. How do I read the name?” (I think I was quite irritating asking these nonsensical questions instead of conventional fragrance related ones :P)
Diptyque Tuberose Candle 300g RM369 and Baies 190g RM235
Answer: This again is the brainchild of these artists and the brand has stuck to the original design. We just don’t know how artists’ minds work right? Also, the names are all in French, and unless you already know what the names are, or unless you can read French, it is near impossible to discern what the names of each candle is.
The moral of the story therefore, is to follow your nose once your eyes can’t tell you what the scent is 🙂 Some are quite easy to pick up based on the label – Gardenia, and Jasmine as per the 1st picture, and Tuberose in the 3rd. If you didn’t know it read Baies (berries), I bet you wouldn’t be able to figure that one out! 😉
Complex names aside, Diptyque candles are absolutely lovely. The scent lingers in the air without being too strong. If you pass by the pop up store at Bangsar Village II, you will be able to smell them. I find that scented candles smell better and the scent lasts longer in a cool room. So what I like to do is burn a candle in an air-conditioned room for a few minutes then blow it out. The smell lingers in the air, and you don’t waste candle so one small one can last a long time! 😉
Diptyque room spray fragrances
I also learnt that you can pick up the complementing room spray fragrances, if candles aren’t your thing or if you want a very quick way to refresh the air. The room sprays are very light and fragrances the air quite quickly so it is nice if you have guests coming and your candles haven’t had time to fragrance the room, or if you’ve run out of candles or if you just want to look effortless about it 😀 I couldn’t decide on a fave so I’m going to have to go and sniff them all again.
Diptyque fragrances retail at RM350/50ml and RM450/100ml
I also learnt that Diptyque did fragrances too. For people that is. The scents stand apart, and are for both men and women, depending on your fancy. I quite like the way they don’t push you in one direction and say “Look, you’re female, this is your fragrance” and instead let you choose the ones you like most. Some are noticeably sweeter and spicier than others so its quite easy to see who would prefer what. I’m starting to have a strong lean towards more niche fragrances in the market. I think I’m just getting a bit tired of what everyone else is wearing, and turning to something more different. I can’t say that any one scent from Diptyque jumped out at me though I can imagine I’d like to own one some day 🙂
Diptyque Eau Rose and Rosamundi candle
This one can be quite easily pegged for a woman’s fragrance. Or even a young woman, because the scent is very fresh and light although noticeably that of roses. The labels are beautifully illustrated and each fragrance is inspired by the places the creators travelled to.
I was talking to one of the SA at the counter who proudly showed me two fragrances called Tam Dao and Do Son, both of which smell quite oriental, and told me they were names of towns and areas in Vietnam. He was from Vietnam and very proud to see his country represented in this luxury line! I would be too – imagine if I came across Kuala Lumpur. Might just snap it up 😀
Do you own a Diptyque candle and are you a fan of home fragrances? If you are familiar with the brand, do you have a favourite scent? I was a little overwhelmed at the counter so I couldn’t decide which one caught my nose the most. I do quite like Baies which smells of wild berries – a sweet yet tart scent that I’m told is one of their bestsellers. As for the fragrances, I remember I liked one of the slightly spicier ones, but can’t for the life of me remember which. I’ll be taking a closer look the next time I pass by a Diptyque counter, but am always open to recommendations 😉
Paris B
Diptyque is available at Isetan KLCC and at their pop up store at Bangsar Village II and Ken’s Apothecary at Empire Gallery Subang
I adore Diptyque candles. I have burned Baies down to a stump and I knocked the glass jar over a few years ago and it broke. I was going to keep it as a decorative item *sobs* Their candles are really lasting and so extremely luxurious. Strangely enough, I don’t fancy their perfumes as I find most of them rather “masculine”. I very much prefer L’Artisan but Ken’s Apothecary doesn’t carry them anymore and I think there’s only a small selection available at Isetan KLCC these days.
Aiyee! So sorry to hear about your glass jar… time to get a replacement? 😉 Another reader has commented about how her candle burnt down the middle and not along the sides – did you experience that? I did find their fragrances tended to be a bit masculine too, but I also notice that a lot of niche scents are like that. I quite like it. But maybe its because I’m not much of a floral girl 😀 I think L’Artisan may be coming in again. Don’t quote me on that though 😛
Oh, hooray if the L’Artisan rumour is true! Next to Annick Goutal and Guerlain Aqua Allegoria, they are my favourites!
Regarding the candle, yes, mine did burn down the middle and it wasn’t really evened out. But most candles in a cup tend to burn that way. I may go back and get a new one but the price is so expensive now. It was less than RM200 way back then. Still expensive for a candle.
Interesting about the candle. I have candles in a cup but they burn relatively evenly without a well forming. I’ll go make some observations 🙂
I’ve seen L’artisan in Tangs 1Utama
Thanks EL I think there’s a small selection at Isetan KLCC too but I think they may be bringing in a larger range. I maybe mistaken but if memory serves me right… 😉
Saw this in Isetan KLCC but I was quite blur what it’s all about 😛 Aromatherapy always works and smells good at beach resorts somewhere off Thailand lol. I think Diptyque and L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil long bath will be spa-tacular 😉
Haha yep! At the new Isetan Beauty Hall, there’s a lovely corner with all these niche fragrances and candles. Very nice! Its not quite aromatherapy per se as they don’t use essential oils but its definitely soothing for the soul 🙂
I love the Diptyque fragrances … god, I love their fig scent! Philosykos, the one on the far left in your picture.
Ooh I remmeber the SA told me it was very popular. I think it was a little sweet? I’m going to have to sniff at it again 😀
Gosh, this is exciting! I always watch Elle Fowler’s video from elleandblair.com, and I adore her cute candles. Envious is more like it, cos we dont have much options over here in KL. I cant wait to check out the store. Thanks for sharing Paris!
I think the local market for pretty household things has really stepped up their game so we have a lot more options now – great right? 😀
I’ve been lusting after Diptyque candles for ages now. Unfortunately they cost a fortune here. It’s $99 for a full-sized candle. One of these days, I’m going to throw caution to the wind and get myself one! 😀
Prices aren’t too far off here either, perhaps just a little cheaper. I’m going to indulge, one of these days too. The smells are lovely and so not cloying at all!
I loveeeeeee home fragrances. Especially candles. Not too found of room sprays.
I used to hog those Body Shop oil fragrances. Then went trough a phase of candles. That was years ago. Then I went through a phase without any. And now I’m slowly getting back into it. This time, I have my eyes on candles. 😀
Definitely going to drop by Diptyque next month. 🙂
I never quite understood room sprays, because the smell dissipates so fast! I’m told its like a fragrance version of “Febreeze” good for immediate effect LOL! 😀 I always have my eye out for nice candles but its hard to find nicely scented ones that don’t smell too artificial or too strong. Many more affordable ones tend to fall into that category. I was really into Dirt Candles and I have 2 or 3 – really good stuff but I’m told the distributor isn’t bringing in more 🙁
Aww…that’s too bad. There are already so little choices of good quality candles here. 🙁
Yea…I have to agree on the lasting power of room sprays.
Yup I wish they weren’t pulling out because I love them. But you can still buy some at tinytapir.com if you like the scents. I might stock up before they run out and I have no more access to it. Check it out 😉
I might just get one from TinyTapir to try. 🙂
I saw that Origins has one or two candles in their store. But I wasn’t too sure of the smell, so didn’t grab one.
For some reason, I don’t like my room to smell of some artificial fragrance, even though I like my skincare and cosmetics to have fragrances. So, I don’t get the Diptyque thing, even though these have been here for a quite a long while.
In our warm weather scents can sometimes make the air feel heavy so I can understand why you may not like the air to be artificially scented. I picked up this habit from my student days overseas. In a cool environment and in a closed house where smells can be trapped, it’s quite refreshing to have a candle burning. Here, where we have free flowing air, a lot of smells just fly out the window lol!
Ah I see! So that’s the reason! I keep wondering why Westerners are so crazy about candles! You really enlightened me with this.
That’s very true about scent flying out in a second. My husband is also quite a fragrance person, and at one time, we had candles from Marks & Spencers, and another time, we had aroma oil from India, and I loved the one from India. I especially love fragrance in the bathroom. India really makes fabulous aroma oils. But it was so wasteful because we finished the entire bottle in 2 days, when the instruction says we would only need a few drops for a few hours.
My mum only keeps candles at home in case of blackout. =PP As a child, I found staring at burning candles therapeutic, nevermind that those were normal unscented candles. hahaha.
I remember having to break out candles during a blackout which was always good times because there was nothing to do and I didn’t have to study hehe… btw you’re married now? I remember you had a boyfriend a while ago (I think it was when you had a short stint in Malaysia?) but didn’t realize you’d gotten married already. Congrats!
haha. Yes, same person. Thank you!
I never heard of this brand tho 🙂 but I do love scented candles and home fragrances. Usually I prefer Yankees and Aromatherapys candles
I was gifted a Yankee candle once. It smelt of apples and was really nice! We don’t have the brand here though at least i don’t think so.
Too expensive for me, huhu. Do you know any affordable/cheap brands for home/room candles in Malaysia..? 🙂
I find it pricey too but luxury never comes cheap 🙂 I don’t know of any cheaper brands of good scented candles unfortunately. A brand I like that is really good is Dirt Candles but it’s not cheap either, but very nice. If I come across any cheaper versions that smell good, I’ll be sure to share so stay tuned 😉
I’ve seen these and they smell really good! I just haven’t played with them for long enough to find a favorite yet! Now it looks like I’ll have to 🙂
The one that leaps out the most at me is Baies, but it’s also quite a strong sweet scent. Nice to create a homey feel though.
hey, i love scented candles too! have so many of them and even bought extra for our wedding favours just so i could use them. tapi they only smell barely… not as strong as i had hoped. guess they must be too cheap lah compared to these! o.0
Yay for scented candles! I’m going to be a snob here and say that I’ve found that the pricier ones that are better quality smell better, last longer and in the long run aren’t as pricey because you don’t have to burn them that much. It’s not easy for me to find a good one that doesn’t smell cheap and artificial though 😛
this is in my lust list! one day, I’ll bring one of this scented candles home.
such luxury this is…
Definitely luxurious. I’d been wanting one for a while too so was pleased to see it here. Do you have a scent in mind that you like?
i like the rose scented ones…maybe I’ll bring home the mini ones if they have, it’s a little easier on the wallet and i think it should last a pretty good while!
I’m told they don’t sell the mini ones normally but there’s no harm asking. I might have been mistaken and yes, they will last a while – my smaller candles can last for months or years depending on how often I use them 😀
if they don’t have it here, i might ask a friend returning from UK to lug some back for me, if you want any, let me know k? 😀
Hi Paris, I bought one of the Diptyque candles in Honeysuckle, it smells really nice 🙂 However, I have one big problem, my candle does not burn all the way to the bottom of the glass jar 🙁 There is a well in the middle. So I wonder if there is something I did wrongly while burning it? I bought it for 60USD so it’s a waste that it is not burning properly 🙁
Hi Esther, that is awful! I read somewhere that the wick has to be trimmed and that the candle should be burnt for a few hours each time, so the top of the candle turns liquid and it will then burn down more evenly instead of in a well. Since reading that, I have been doing it with my other candles that come in jars and it works. Some candles are made to burn down the middle, but these shouldn’t. Hope that helps.
I really love their lavender scented candles. I’m not a lavender person in the first place as it usually makes me nausea rather than be calmed but this I like! It’s not the usual type of lavender that we are used to. It’s rather green, light and fresh. Perfect in cool weather. For some reason, it puts me in a holiday/X’mas mood whenever I lit this. And yes, I only lit candles in a aircon room. Last longer and smell better. Many of the fragrances out there tend to makes me heady and giddy or even develop a bout of sinus countless times except recent years, I’m glad niche fragrances have resolved these problems I have with the more common fragrances. Perhaps it’s the quality of the essential oil that are used that makes the difference? Can’t figure out why yet.
Lavender! I love lavender scents and your description makes it sound like something I’d like 😀 I am like you. I don’t get giddy but I get tired of smelling like the next person all the time. So the arrival of niche fragrances, pricey as they are, are really quite timely. I think a lot of it has to do with the quality of ingredients and the dedication by most of the perfumers which is different from say churning out a celebrity perfume 😛
Ajmal created twin tower and Kl tower,have you seen them before??
That’s interesting! I haven’t seen them, no.
I’m new at this candles-loving so the first candles I tried was from Candles by Victoria. And wow! her candles smell sooo good!! I burnt Exotic Coconut in not more than 30 minutes and the smell lingers in my bedroom, like 3 days in a row, no kidding!
Her candles are cheap, the scent throw are very good and long lasting too. Because candles are meant to be burnt, I don’t think I’m gonna fork out hundreds of ringgit for them when I already found a cheaper version which as good.
I bought the No Frills Sampler Pack (contains six 8oz. candles) for just $42 plus shipping to Malaysia, comes about RM60/candle 😀
You have my curiousity piqued Rahainah! May I know where you picked your Candles by Victoria from? I’d love to give them a go. As much as I like luxury candles, a cheaper option that is as nice is of course welcome! 😀
I bought them online, through http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com. She doesn’t ship to Malaysia but since I use a US Package forwarder service, I can have her candles here! 😀
If you ever want to buy some candles from her website, just let me know, and we can save on shipping! Cos I’m thinking of getting some more from her website 🙂
Thanks for the info and offer Rahainah! 🙂
Wow the prices are rather higher in Msia compared in Paris! Yes Phylosikos is one of their best sellers, and Im sooo tempted to get it but then I tried few times wt the free vials given, it vanished within minutes of wearing.A truly figly scent.Other than that they’re candles are hot cakes as well.
Ahhhh this means that if I’m ever in Paris I have to pick up Diptyque right? 😀 Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I found Phylosikos a bit sweet. I’m not a fan of fig scents which might explain it 🙂
Ooh, I went to Diptyque’s pop up store last week, all the products smell really good. My faves are Philosykos (I have a sample vial of this, it smells really fresh and earthy like I’m in a fig farm haha) and Eau Duelle (a beautiful spicy vanilla to my nose). I’m trying to save up cash to buy the solid perfumes, as a student those are the only ones I can afford now haha.
Other than the Dirt candles that you mentioned, do you have other suggestions as to where one could buy scented candles locally? I’ve been really into burning candles lately hehe. Thanks! 🙂
The scents are so lovely right? And different. At least you know you won’t smell like the person standing next to you hehe… I’m actually looking for good candles locally too so if I come across any, I’ll be sure to share. I have smelt one called Voluspa and its available at the Thimble boutique in Bangsar. It smells lovely too but I don’t know how it really fares. If I ever get it, I’ll be sure to share. Thanks for sharing your experience with Diptyque, Anis 🙂
A little late to be commenting on this post but I have long lusted over these candles and recently took the plunge and got some! I tend to steer away from sweet florals and am a fan of musky smells; my favourites are Amber and Opoponax although I also love Lilas (lilac) for something fresh and clean. Not sure if they have the full range here but I picked up minis when I was in London recently – definitely worth the pinch on the pocket 😉 So lovely when lit in an air conditioned room!
Mmm you made me want to pick up a couple of these too! I’ll wait and see if they do small ones and try to et a sampler set 🙂
Thanks for the info, I’m a fan of scented candles, will definitely try these out. By the way I’m a foreigner here in KL and was wondering if u could suggest me where I could buy normal unscented dinner straight long candles this is for a wedding reception. Pls do let me know 🙂
Hi I’ve seen some normal candles sold in home decor stores. Bangsar Village and BSC have a few or the home department of some department stores like Isetan or Metrojaya may have the simple candles too.