In short: lavender smells clean, floral and herbal, with a soft sweetness and a cool, slightly camphorous edge. It is fresh without being sharp.
What lavender smells like
Lavender sits right between a flower and an herb. Fine lavender is soft, sweet and almost powdery. Other kinds are sharper and more medicinal, closer to rosemary. Most people link it with clean linen, soap and quiet evenings, which is why it is one of the most popular scents for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Where it comes from
Lavender oil is steam distilled from the flowering tops of the plant. There are a few kinds:
- True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), grown in Provence, Bulgaria and elsewhere: the softest and sweetest.
- Lavandin, a hybrid that yields much more oil: stronger and more camphorous. It is behind most of the famous purple fields of Provence.
- Spike lavender: the sharpest and most herbal.
Our Lavender Aromatherapy Candle is scented with lavender essential oil. Our other blends use fragrance oils with a lavender note.
How it is used
Lavender is a heart note. The word comes from the Latin lavare, to wash, and it has scented soaps and laundry for centuries. In perfume it is the heart of the fougère family, along with tonka bean and oakmoss, the classic barbershop smell.
What it pairs with
- Bergamot and lemon, for a clean cologne
- Vanilla and tonka, for a soft, cozy lavender
- Cedarwood and sandalwood, for a woody blend
- Sage and rosemary, for an herb garden
Our candles with lavender
- Lavender Aromatherapy Candle: a single-note candle with lavender essential oil.
- Santal: a touch of lavender in a warm blend of sandalwood, cardamom and amber.
- Dark Mister Darcy: lavender under amber, cedar, sandalwood and musk.
Common questions
Is lavender good for a bedroom? Many people find it relaxing and like to burn it in the evening. As with any candle, put it out before you go to sleep.
Why do some lavender scents smell medicinal? They usually use lavandin or spike lavender, which have more camphor than true lavender.
Explore more notes in our Fragrance Notes A to Z, or browse our Green & Herbal candles.