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
angie says
Hi Paris, I love reading your blog because your comments are candid and fun! Right now I’m browsing through some of your old posts and found this. Is it true that L’Artisan is coming to Malaysia??? OMG!!! I’ve gone bonkers lately and decided to go after niche perfumes because I find the usual suspects in departmental stores are too artificial and cloyingly sweet for my sensitive (perhaps snobbish?) nose! I haven’t the time to pop by Diptyque yet but it sure sounds divine! Thanks for sharing!
Paris B says
Hi Angie, I was told that L’Artisan was coming (or maybe already here) but I haven’t personally seen it myself so I can’t be sure, sorry! Diptyque is at Bangsar Village 2 and Isetan KLCC and also Ken’s Apothecary stores. I am a bit like you too – most commercial scents are a bit too similar for my tastes so its nice to go for something a little more unique – albeit pricey!
Hani Lutfi says
I am hoping to get a mini size of their candles and a few of their roll-on perfumes when I make a visit to Kuala Lumpur (which won’t be until SPM’s over). I appreciate roll-on perfumes more, especially if one has multiple number of perfume. They finish up faster and very handy for travelling, I can pop it into my handbag whenever I go out.
Paris B says
What a lovely thing to look forward to, Hani 🙂 Good luck with your SPM and you’ll have lots of nice stuff to look forward to getting from Diptyque! I prefer using travel sprays myself because I never quite got the hang of roll ons but they are very handy to have. I’m not sure if they do mini candles as a matter of course, but towards the end of the year, I think we’ll have some Christmas sets to look forward to and they may end up in there 🙂