Jessie Taylor
There is a common misconception that candles, especially scented candles, are feminine. This notion has created a mild stigma for men who may feel a pang of shame when purchasing or enjoying candles. However, candle companies have reported a steady increase in sales to men over the past few years, with some companies citing male customers as comprising 11% of their overall online trade. This trend is attributed to men's growing interest in home décor, their desire to create a pleasant ambiance in their living spaces, and the evocative power of scent, which can trigger nostalgic memories. While some companies have launched candle ranges specifically marketed towards men, featuring scents like mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber, the broader perception of candles as a feminine product still persists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are candles considered feminine? | There is a common misconception that candles are feminine, and men may feel a mild stigma around purchasing and enjoying them. However, candle companies have reported an increase in sales to men, and some companies have expanded their 'For Him' gift sections. |
| Why are candles considered feminine? | Candles are considered feminine due to societal norms and product branding that caters to gender stereotypes. |
| Are scented candles considered feminine? | Scented candles are also considered feminine, but again, this is a stereotype as men also enjoy scented candles and cologne. |
| Are there gender-neutral candles? | Some candle companies have created candles marketed specifically towards men, with scents like mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber. However, these candles still reinforce gender stereotypes by using masculinity-affirming scents. |
| Are there feminine-scented candles? | Yes, candle companies like Candles By Carol offer a collection of feminine-scented candles with fragrances like soft florals, sweet crème custard, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and cotton candy. |
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What You'll Learn
The misconception that candles are feminine
There is a common misconception that candles are feminine. This notion is steeped in the idea that men do not like candles, especially scented ones. However, this is simply not true, and the idea that candles are exclusively feminine is a myth. While some candle scents and designs may be marketed towards women, candles are universally enjoyable and can be appreciated by people of all genders.
However, this misconception ignores the fact that men have unique scent preferences and can also enjoy candles. Many men appreciate candles for their ability to create a cozy ambiance, enhance their space, and evoke nostalgic memories. They may gravitate towards scents that are considered more "masculine," such as woody, spicy, or peppery fragrances. These scents are often marketed specifically towards men, with brands creating “mandles" or masculine candles with scents like mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber.
The candle industry has recognized the growing demand for candles among men, with companies like Yankee Candle, The White Company, and Jo Malone expanding their 'Gifts for Him' sections. Data supports this shift, as sales of candles to men have been steadily increasing, now accounting for a significant portion of online trade. This trend is expected to continue, as men become more interested in home décor and view candles as an extension of their personal style.
It's important to break free from the misconception that candles are solely feminine. Candles can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of gender, and offer a range of benefits, from enhancing ambiance to evoking pleasant memories. By embracing the universality of candles, we can create more inclusive spaces and encourage people of all genders to explore the world of candle appreciation.
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Men who enjoy candles
There is a common misconception that candles are feminine, and that men do not like them. However, this is simply not true. Men can feel a mild stigma or a pang of shame when it comes to buying and enjoying candles, but the number of male candle enthusiasts may come as a surprise. Men often buy candles without advertising the fact, and they also burn candles purchased by their partners.
The core feature that people look for in a candle is its scent. Men enjoy cologne, and they understand that a pleasant smell can say a lot about a person. A nice scent can confer allure, convey status, and distinguish a man from his peers. It can make a man feel masculine, and it can make his home smell nice. Men enjoy the ambiance, identity, and status that come with a pleasant-smelling home.
Men are becoming more interested in their home décor and see scented candles as an extension of their home furnishings and their own personal style. Men are also becoming more aware of their personal hygiene and how they present themselves, so it makes sense that they are increasingly concerned with how their homes look and smell.
Some companies have caught on to the male candle trend and have started marketing candles specifically for men. Yankee Candle, for example, has released a range of male candles with masculinity-affirming scents such as mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber. Other popular candle scents for men include Orange Grove, Wild Mint, Pomegranate and Noir, and Lime Basil & Mandarin.
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Masculine candle scents
While candles are typically deemed a feminine product, many men enjoy scented candles, whether purchased by them or their partners. Men are increasingly interested in their home décor and see scented candles as an extension of their home furnishings and their own personal style. Additionally, men are becoming candle converts for nostalgic reasons as smell is the most evocative sense.
There are several scented candles on the market that are targeted towards men, with masculinity-affirming scents. Yankee Candle, for example, has a range of male candles with scents such as mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber. Other popular masculine candle scents include cedarwood, oak moss, tobacco, amber, and sandalwood. Some candles with these scents are designed to fill large rooms and open spaces with a robust scent, transforming a room into a true reflection of one's taste and style.
Goose Creek Candle offers highly scented candles for men that burn slowly, releasing their powerful aromas for hours. Their candles feature strong, authentic fragrances that are designed to complement one's lifestyle and create an inviting atmosphere. Their collection includes fragrances like cedarwood, oak moss, tobacco, amber, and spicy warmth.
Manly Indulgence also offers scented candles with masculine fragrances. Their collection includes the Juniper Cypress Candle, which is a blend of lavender, thyme, and musk, and the Autumn candle, which evokes the scent of falling leaves. Their candles are known for their long-lasting fragrance and excellent value, with wood wicks that add a cozy ambiance.
Some companies have also created candles with more unusual masculine scents. For example, Jo Malone's 'Roasted Chestnut' candle is popular among men, and their Lime Basil & Mandarin candle puts a twist on the scents of the Caribbean with its peppery fragrance.
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Feminine candle scents
There is a common misconception that candles, especially scented candles, are feminine. However, candle companies have noted a steady increase in the sales of candles to men.
Despite this, candles with soft florals and warm, romantic notes are often marketed as feminine. Candles by Carol, for example, has a collection called "Feminine Allure" that includes fragrances like sparkling lemon, pink peppercorn, hyacinth, and jasmine with musk, sandalwood, and amber. Their other feminine scents include cotton candy with jasmine, lily of the valley on a base of patchouli, musk, and tonka bean, as well as red currant and bergamot with orange, lily of the valley, apple blossom, pink sandalwood, and agave nectar.
Other candle companies, such as Yankee Candle, The White Company, and Jo Malone, have also created male marketing campaigns with 'Gifts for him' sections featuring more candles than ever before. Some scents that have seen a lot of male interest include Orange Grove, Wild Mint, Pomegranate Noir, and Lime Basil & Mandarin.
However, some candle companies, like Boy Smells, playfully subvert expectations of what is considered "traditionally masculine" with their scent combinations. Their Hinoki Fantôme Candle, for example, has a layered scent with notes of earthy woodsmoke, warm amber, sweet vanilla, and a bit of mossy freshness and florals. Their Polyamberous Candle has a beautiful and eclectic scent with notes of geranium, tobacco flower, tonka bean, spices, incense, Japanese cypress (hinoki), moss, smoked amber, cardamom, and jasmine.
Ultimately, whether a candle is considered feminine or masculine is subjective, and anyone can enjoy any type of candle scent regardless of gender.
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Candles as gifts for men
There is a common misconception that candles are a feminine gift, and that men don't like candles. However, this is simply not true. Men do buy and enjoy candles, and companies like Yankee Candle, The White Company, and Jo Malone have all stepped up their male marketing campaigns, with 'Gifts for him' sections on their websites featuring candles. Sales of candles to men have been steadily increasing over the past 2-3 years and now make up 11% of online trade.
Men are becoming more interested in their home décor and see scented candles as an extension of their home furnishings and personal style. They are also becoming more aware of how they look and smell, and so it makes sense that they care about how their homes look and smell too. Candles can add atmosphere and ambience to a room, and men are realising this.
The core feature that people look for in a candle is its scent. Men enjoy cologne, and a nice smell can confer allure, convey status, and distinguish a man from other men. A candle with a nice scent can make a man feel masculine. Scents like orange grove, wild mint, pomegranate, and noir are popular with men, as are more masculine scents like mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber. Woody and spiced scents are also popular, as well as candles with more peppery fragrances like lime basil and mandarin.
If you're looking for a candle gift for a man, you could try something like a bourbon old-fashioned drink candle, a firewood crackling wood fireplace candle, or a gentleman's study-inspired candle. There are also rustic and valentine-themed candles for men, as well as funny and novelty candles.
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Frequently asked questions
There is a common misconception that candles, especially scented candles, are feminine. However, this is not true. Men can also enjoy candles and their benefits, such as creating a pleasant ambiance and making a space smell nice.
Candles are considered feminine due to societal norms and gender stereotypes. Typically, products marketed towards women are often associated with being more feminine.
Yes, some companies have started creating candles specifically for men or with more masculine branding and scents. These candles often have labels such as "mandles" and feature scents like mown grass, frying bacon, and carpentry timber.
While candles should be enjoyed by everyone regardless of gender, some ways to make candles more masculine-coded include using darker or more neutral colours, opting for spiced or woody scents, and choosing candles with more simplistic or masculine-themed packaging.
