Hope Candle Review: An Allergen-Free Fragrance

Candlelight in winter is one way my family likes to transition into a new season because evening darkness comes early where we live. Couple that with living in a Victorian fixer-upper from the 1830s, and adding candles (electric and real) is a great way to add some warmth in the wintertime and enjoy a warm glow out on the deck at night when we hit the spring and summer months. In truth, I am partial to hand-made beeswax candles because I worry about the air quality in my home. Also, my kids tend to cough or protest when scents are too “perfumy,” so I wasn’t sure I would love a recent gift of a hand-poured Havyn “Hope” candle. On both fronts, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. 

Havyn makes a variety of products, such as perfume, hand creams, and candles – all made from clean, allergen-free ingredients. Co-founded by Christian Peng (former CMO of skin- and environmentally friendly Coola products), it’s no surprise that Havyn products are eco-friendly and designed to keep consumers safe. There have been numerous studies on the potentially (keyword is potentially, as many risks remain unknown, and some experts say candles are likely safe to burn in well-ventilated areas) unhealthy impact of burning paraffin-based scented candles, which could release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home. If this is something you worry about or if you are prone to candle-related allergic reactions, this option may be worth trying. All Havyn candles are crafted using a 100% coconut and soy wax blend; not the paraffin base that has been potentially linked to the release of VOCs.

According to its description, the Hope candle has notes of peony, pomelo and rose. To me, it smelled like fresh soap and spring flowers—a little too floral for our dining room, but perfect in a guest bedroom or bathroom.  I plan to use the candle outdoors, too, when the weather warms up. Both of my kids said the smell was “pretty” and not overpowering. Some scented candles are smelly right out of the box; this was more subtle, and I had to really give it a good whiff at first. After it burned for an hour, the smell was pleasant but not overpowering.

HOPE Signature Candle

$42.00 from Havyn

A Fragrant Candle From Creators With A Purpose

The sale of any Havyn product provides “Hope” (hence the name) to sex trafficking victims. When I contacted the company via email, they replied that “every portion of every purchase is earmarked to create dedicated job opportunities, training, and mentorship within the company.” The reason? Peng worked with a victim years ago and realized how hard it is for them to hold down a job, so she made it a priority to help.” 

In addition to having a mission, the creators of Havyn wanted to create products that everyone can enjoy safely – this means they ditched cheap oils and materials to create a candle that smells good without the worry about what you’re burning being harmful. 

Smells Like Spring, No Matter The Season

When the winter doldrums make you crave warmer days, the Hope candle smells like spring (to me). I will definitely keep burning it at bath time and in my bedroom when I need a break. I do love a good pine and cinnamon scent in the winter–cloves and orange go hand-in-hand around our house, as well. If you’re searching for a winter-time candle versus a spring or summer scent. I recommend trying a slightly less expensive, eco-friendly option, such as this one from Quince.

But sometimes it is good to remember that there is another season around the corner, and after shoveling our walk, a long soak in the tub with this scent does the trick. 

My kids don’t mind the smell, but they definitely wouldn’t ask to light this candle. In a house full of soccer cleats, muddy, wet winter dogs, melting snow from skis left on the porch, and a fair amount of smelly creatures (human and canine) roaming around, I light this candle when I need an escape. While Havyn makes perfume and hand cream in the Hope scent, I probably would find the smell overkill, but the candle alone is a perfect remedy for winter. 

You can order it (and other Havyn products) on the company’s website, or, if you live in the California area, you might run into it at small, specialized boutiques, according to the company’s website. To date, Havyn makes eight hand-poured candles, each with a signature name (Gratitude, Love, Faith, and Joy are a few examples) and scent. All are natural, non-chemical options with hand-poured ingredients.

In My Expert Opinion: Sweet Smells And Sentiments 

Havyn candles, like Hope, are about providing an allergen-free candle experience with signature scents that don’t overpower a room. I love the Hope candle, and I really love the mission to help sex trafficking victims rebuild their lives. The smell is sweet but not cloying, like a bouquet of fragrant flowers.

That being said, I would love to try out some different scents. While it’s always best to smell candles yourself before you buy, you can only read about their different notes online. I believe these non-toxic candles make a great gift, and you’ll be supporting an important cause when you buy them. They are a little pricey at $42 a candle, but since they burn for 40 hours, it’s a little over $1 an hour–not a bad deal. And if you absolutely fall in love with a scent, you can buy it in a perfume and lotion, too. That being said, I would love to try out some different scents. While it’s always best to smell candles yourself before you buy, you can only read about their different notes online.

I believe these allergen-free candles make a housewarming gift for someone who likes scented candles but doesn’t want to be overwhelmed, and appreciates supporting a good cause. If candles aren’t your thing, as previously mentioned, Havyn also sells signature perfumes and hand creams. And if you love the smell of this candle (as well as the others in Havyn’s lineup), you can not only burn it in your home, but you can also wear it on your body.