Picture this - you’ve had a long day at work, it’s been terribly humid outside, and you’re in dire need of some me-time. Now that you’re finally off work, night has fallen as you settle down in your room. As you snuggle under your sheets and wrap your fingers around a warm cuppa, you realise that you’ve run out of candles to set the mood! Well, don’t worry – here are 5 of RIUH’s picks of Malaysian candle stores selling artisanal and handcrafted candles that you can shop at for your next pamper session.
One of the pioneers of scented candles in Malaysia, Lilin+Co is renowned for their premium soy candles made in small batches with a bespoke range of scents. Affordable and practical, their candles are a must-have if you’re just starting to collect artisanal candles!
Made with high quality fine fragrance oils, essential oils and natural extracts which are made to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards, Lilin+Co’s candles are phthalate free. Want a premium look and feel for your candles? Go for a monogrammable candle holder made with supple calf leather!
Lilin+Co has also worked with various brands and personalities, and if you’re thinking of getting a candle made for a special event, they can do customised orders too! One of their recent collaborations with Jenn Chia of So, I’m Jenn is on sale at their website and features three homey scents named Butter Cookies, Grandma’s Closet, and That Old Book Smell.
Want a whiff before you purchase? Visit their spanky new store located in Petaling Jaya! Their store is open for walk-ins every Tuesday to Saturday, from 11am – 6pm.
RIUH recommends: Burnt Fig & Cassis, Wild Frangipani
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📍 Level 2, Lot 5, Jalan 51A/225A, Seksyen 51A, Petaling Jaya (above Mitsubishi Fuso/Seemsoon Motor)
When you shop candles at Self Supply, it’s like you’re buying miniature sculptures that are too pretty to burn! Well-known for their minimalist yet adorable aesthetic, Self Supply makes candles that are uniquely shaped.
In addition to their candles, Self Supply also sells concrete trinket dishes and candle holders and also tiled furniture. Feeling crafty? Buy their Scented Candle DIY Kit and try to make your own handpoured candle!
RIUH Recommends: Bestie Candle Duo, Heart-Shaped Concrete Candles DIY Kit
Lovingly crafted in small batches in the rainy town of Taiping, Life Design Studio creates cruelty, phthalate and paraben-free palm wax candles that burn clean. Yes, that’s right – Malaysian palm wax! Who knew that palm wax is also a cleaner alternative for candles?
Focusing on tropical, floral, and scents that remind you of nature, the RIANG. candle collection smells as good as it sounds. Our favourites are the Sweet Honey, which smells like an entire honeycomb was used to make this candle (it’s actually the scent of peach, lemon and honey!), and the Daun, which smells like a tropical breeze that’s inspired by slow walks amidst Taiping’s greenery.
If you’re looking for a gift, you can check out their affordable gift bundles, which are hand-curated with local treats (Malaysian-made chocolate) and collectibles (songket bookmarks, ceramic coasters with Islamic motifs). If you don’t have anyone in mind to buy a gift, this is a sign to treat yourself!
RIUH recommends: Sweet Honey candle, Daun candle, Mawar Gift Set, Riang. Amber Jar Candle Gift Box
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Ever thought of how Studio Ghibli, Harry Potter, or Attack on Titans characters would smell like in real life? Well, now you can get fandom inspired candles from At First Scent!
Made with 100% luxury grade soy wax and high quality eco wicks to achieve a perfect burn, allowing the scent to evenly dissipate scent through your space. Each fandom candle is crafted according to the character’s traits and personality, or the show’s overall mood and theme.
One of their bestsellers is the Studio Ghibli (a Japanese animation studio known for its whimsical feature film animations) inspired collection, which features candles from the popular animations Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Ponyo, and Kiki’s Delivery Service. The Howl’s Castle Merry Go Round candle features a fresh, fruity scent of peaches and grapes, while the Spirit’d Away Always With Me candle captures the floral scent of cherry blossoms in spring.
Potterheads would go muggle-headed with joy over their bookish Fantastic Beasts inspired candle collection, titled Fantastic Creatures, and features the three creatures found in Newt Scamander’s abode. The Nifler has fun, cheeky notes of nectar, hibiscus and apples, while the Zouyu has an oriental scent of lychee and nectar.
RIUH recommends: Howl’s Castle Merry Go Round, Ponyo Deep Sea Pastures
Have you ever enjoyed your favourite meal and thought, “Wow, I could smell this all day!”, or sniffed a familiar scent that made you relive your childhood? Well, you’re in luck as Asian Scents Co. specialises in replicating Asian meals and childhood memories in the form of a candle!
The Australian-based, Malaysian-owned candle store creates Asian-inspired scented candles that aim to recreate nostalgic scents that Malaysians like us are familiar with. As avid fans of tom yum and onde-onde, our minds got blown as Asian Scents Co. really did a great job in crafting the candles to smell exactly like the real deal!
Their latest collaboration with JidKay Artworks features a handpainted artwork of women in kebayas on their best-selling Ondeh Ondeh candle and also the zesty Teh O’ Ais Limau candle. You’ll get a matching drawstring bag when you purchase these limited-edition candles!
Would we buy their candles just for nostalgia’s sake? Definitely! If you’ll like to have a whiff of their unique scents, Asian Scents Co. has over 12 stockists in Malaysia where you can purchase their candles.
RIUH recommends: Tiger Balm, White Rabbit, Ondeh Ondeh, Boba Milk Tea
