By Holly Hillsten
There is something to be said about luxury products. There are the classics: Chanel No. 5, Tom Ford Lipsticks and, the latest to join the family, diptyque Paris candles. I stumble across these candles on beauty blogs and YouTube all the time.
Photo from diptyque Paris
Naturally, I looked up diptyque to see what all the hype is about, and the first thing that I noticed was the $60 price—and that’s just for their “Standard Candles.” diptyque’s “Colored Candles” are $90, and their “Outdoor Candles” are $290.
I can’t deny the high-quality packaging—to be honest that is probably half the price—but what makes these candles so special?
The french perfumer has over 50 unique fragrances split into five categories: fruity, floral, herbal, spicy and woody. Each candle contains eight to nine mineral waxes, and a few have plant-based waxes (In other words, it is a vegetable/paraffin wax). The natural candles burn up to 60 hours and the wick is made from lead-free cotton.
Photo from diptyque Paris
There are many natural fragrances on the market, but the depth of fragrance is what makes diptyque candles so lusted over. For example, the Gardenia perfume doesn’t just smell like gardenia. Its scent has more layers and complexity that makes it smell luxurious and expensive.
Candles, however, weren’t diptyque’s first product. In 1961, diptyque’s founders sold house furnishings in their Paris store and, on the side, introduced the Parisians to traditional English perfumes.
Photo from diptyque Paris
Flash-forward 50 years and diptyque is concocting distinct fragrances for both the home and body. Their candles are said to be bursting with aroma even when not burning.
The unique quality of diptyque’s candles is really just the complex scent. But I am afraid that candle lovers are getting caught up in the high-price and mistaking the product for its true nature. It is a candle; it’s made to make a room smell good. These candles are produced with high-quality materials, but the high price makes it seem more luxurious than it really is, further increasing its desire.
Photo from diptyque Paris
diptyque’s indulgent candles have luxury-loving fashionistas hankering over the perfume/candle counter, shelling out their hard-earned pay.
Although I applaud diptyque’s business model and chic classic design, the $60 price is not for me. When it comes down to it, there is no way I am paying that much for a hunk of wax that smells like roses, no matter how pretty I imagine it sitting on my vanity.
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