Indigo Scents, Nest, Bastide

Cozy Fall Scents That Are *Actually* Chic

Because there’s a whole world beyond pumpkin spice

Hear us out: We love a seasonal beverage just as much the next basic b, but we draw the line at pumpkin spice deodorant. There’s got to be something beyond PSL to bring some toastiness to our post-summer lives, no? Eager to find an alternative, we did the sensible thing: We locked three editors in a small room with a pile of candles, body lotions and other scented things, and pressed record on our Voice Notes app. Here’s what happened.

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Vancouver Candle Co.Vancouver Candle Co. Hiems (Comfort), $45, vancouvercandleco.com

The cuffing season candle

Eden, managing editor: “It definitely says ‘fall.’”

Jenn, digital editor: “The candle itself feels expensive. I like it! It doesn’t have that nasty fall baking scent.”

Katherine, beauty director : “Oh, you don’t like baking spices? Hold the nutmeg for Jenn.”

Jenn: “Well, stay tuned. I may change my mind.”

Katherine: “I quite like this. It’s warm without being stereotypically ‘autumnal.’ It’s sensual.”

Jenn: “If someone pulled this out on a first date, you’d be like, ‘First of all they’re rich. Secondly, they’re sensual.’”

Eden: “It’s a good cuffing season candle.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
The Body ShopThe Body Shop Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream, $10, thebodyshop.ca

The seasonally appropriate hand cream

Katherine: “I often find pumpkin-scented things a bit revolting, but this isn’t too squash-like. It’s quite nice.”

Eden: “It smells like butter, like hot buttered popcorn.”

Jenn: “Like a buttered popcorn Jelly Belly—such an unsung hero of the mixed pack.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Bath and Body WorksSugared Cranberry Cider Super Smooth Body Lotion, $15, bathandbodyworks.com

The berry-lover’s lotion

Katherine: “I don’t hate this.”

Jenn: “I don’t either, but I don’t know who in this industry decided berries were autumnal.” 

Katherine: “Seriously, what berry is in season during fall? We’ll wait. [editor’s note: cranberries are harvested from late September to mid-October. We know nothing.]”

Eden: “It’s sweet, but not offensive.”

Jenn: “As far as the berry ones go, this is the best. It’s not too sweet.”

Katherine: “There’s a freshness that’s redeeming.”

Eden: “Still, it’s not for me.”

Jenn: “It’s for the berry lovers.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
MoodcastMoodcast Homebody Candle, $55, moodcast.co

The staying-in candle

Jenn: “This would make a lovely gift. The packaging is beautiful.”

Eden: “I find this comforting. That’s definitely a fave.”

Jenn: “It’s warm and lovely without being saccharin like a vanilla cupcake Lip Smacker or something.”

Katherine: “It’s called Homebody—such a good name. Very à propos.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Nest FragrancesNest Fragrances Pumpkin Chai Diffuser, $64, sephora.ca

The elevated pumpkin diffuser

Katherine: “Of all the pumpkin-scented things we’ve smelled, I’d say this is the most refined iteration.”

Eden: “It’s a spice punch in the face—clove, cinnamon, nutmeg—but it’s that genre done well.”

Jenn: “I think that on a crisp fall day, I’d be like ‘Yeah, bitch, diffuse it up.’”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
BastideBastide Hand & Body Lotion in Ambre Soir, $60, holtrenfrew.com

The cuddle-inducing body cream

Jenn: “Love it! Divine.”

Eden: “It’s nice and amber-y, which I always love.”

Katherine: “It’s a very good amber.”

Jenn: “Amber is so good for fall because it’s warm and sexy.”

Katherine: “Yeah, it makes you want to stay home and cuddle under a blanket.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
AvonAvon Autumn Stroll Candle, $20, avon.ca

The not-so-obvious candle

Eden: “It’s outdoorsy—slightly green or woodsy.”

Jenn: “I have no clue what this smells like.”

Katherine: “Which is nice, I think. It’s not trying to hit you over the head.”

Jenn: “You’re right, that is nice. So many of these smell like Glade PlugIns. This one doesn’t.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Floral StreetFloral Street Santal Mysore Diffuser, $48, sephora.ca

The multi-faceted diffuser

Katherine: “I like this!”

Jenn: “Let the record show she likes it.”

Eden: “There’s something a bit leathery in here to me.”

Jenn: “In a good way, I smell something slightly charred.”

Katherine: “There’s a lightness in here that feels refreshing. As much as I love a warm scent, this is more complex. It’s hitting more notes.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Boy SmellsBoy Smells Cedar Stack, $42, boysmells.com

The woodsy-aficionado’s candle

Jenn: “The packaging is super cute.”

Eden: “It smells a bit cinnamon-y.”

Jenn: “It smells a bit like one of those taxi dangler, car freshener things to me.”

Katherine: “What?! Not at all! It’s so elegant. I like this.”

Eden: “I do, too. Anything woodsy gets my vote.”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Jo MaloneJo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Dry Body Oil, $98, jomalone.ca

The smell-expensive dry oil

Katherine: “Oooh, this is very nice. Very ‘step into my boudoir.’”

Eden: “It reminds me of Dior’s Poison. I love this.”

Jenn: “There’s something vaguely soapy, here. I’m not mad at it. Conclusion: We have expensive taste [laughs].”

 

pumpkin spice latte 2019
Indigo ScentsIndigo Scents 3-Wick Mercury Candle in Spiced Vanilla & Cashmere, $22, indigo.ca

The glamping candle

Eden: “This is like a musky vanilla.”

Katherine: “It feels sophisticated.”

Jenn: “There’s something a bit burnt about it, in a good way, like a toasted marshmallow.”

Katherine: “Yes, but like a chic toasted marshmallow. It’s glamping!”

 

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