The captured scent of salty breeze through your hair, the aroma of pineapple and coconut from your freshly made tropical smoothie. The smell of cookies taken right out of the oven barely cooled before dunked in a cold glass of milk. Almost every experience can be hidden behind a subtle scent whether you realize it or not.

Big brands like Bath and Body Works and Yankee Candle, or even smaller companies like Magic Candle and Homesick work to create scents that make memories come alive. This means not everyone will fall in love with a popular scent, but there’s enough of a variety that the chances of you finding something you love are very high.

In need of some fall spirit, I went to Bath and Body Works to find something new. I searched high and low for the best autumn scents and I’m here to help you find your perfect match. I can’t say anything I smelt was horrible, although some are just not my cup of tea; that’s why I’m giving a variety of options for everyone.

10: Sweet Kettle Corn

In tenth place, I give the candle Sweet Kettle Corn the title. It’s a pretty strong scent of buttery sugary goodness with a hint of caramel. I know this candle will not be for everybody, it is an overwhelming scent that’s a bit more savory than the others, but if you want to try something different this is a great candle to try. I could see this scent going perfectly in an open room full of cozy chairs and blankets during the cool fall weather.

9: Pumpkin Cupcake

For ninth place, I chose Pumpkin Cupcake, one of the cutest candles I’ve seen yet. Something about seeing the word cupcake on a tiny glass makes the actual product twice as good. The smell of homemade cupcakes mixed with pumpkin spice is a wonderful combination, but it did smell a little different straight from the candle. It’s a very sweet scent which isn’t what I usually prefer but lit up in a room is much less pungent. 

8: Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow

If you prefer a more subtle scent but still like the spices and sweetness of the pumpkin cupcake, I highly recommend trying Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow. I enjoy this one over the cupcake for its added caramel scent which isn’t as sugary and the almost smokey or bonfire-like scent. It reminds me of sitting in the cold weather, around a big fire during the autumn nights. 

7: Harvest Gathering

Something a little bit different from this list is Harvest Gathering. It doesn’t smell sweet or sugary, but more like nature in a bottle. On the glass, it shows yellow forests and mountains which is exactly what I picture when smelling this. The trees change colors, apples falling from the branches and the crisp autumn air making the leaves fly into a tornado of color. This might be a bit dramatic but this candle with its berry and apple scent is too magical to not be liked.

6: Mahogany Apple

For sixth place, I give it to Mahogany Apple, A scent so accurate it feels like taking a bite out of a granny smith apple. With subtle hints of peppercorn and lavender, it gives a nice clean smell to any home. This one took some getting used to with its strong smell, but now I can’t imagine not having the scent in my kitchen.

5: Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Latte. Do I have to say anymore? The candle can light up any room and can transform your surroundings into a real-life Gilmore Girls Cafe. I can’t say I’ve ever been into Luke’s Coffee but I can only imagine that it smells as good as this. Freshly brewed espresso, with whip cream and pumpkin spice. Smells even better than it sounds, but if you find yourself not liking the fragrance of coffee I definitely wouldn’t recommend getting this one. 

4: Pumpkin Bonfire

Fourth place is one of the favorites for my home, Pumpkin Bonfire. The perfect mix between smoky embers and the sweet spices of fall. It’s a very subtle scent and does not overwhelm you with fumes. Instead the spices give a warm feeling and make the candle really resemble a calming fire with family and friends.

3: Spiced Cranberry Toffee

Coming up with the third place is Spiced Cranberry Toffee. Looking at the name, I thought of something really sweet with a hidden buttery taste. To my surprise, it reminded me of sugared cranberries you’d see in a magical land like the Nutcracker. It has a nice subtle scent of cinnamon and would go great in any room of the house. Something similar to this candle is sugared cherry crisp which is a candle sold more frequently than fall items.

2: The Perfect Autumn

The Perfect Autumn candle is sold out almost everywhere, but if you’re able to get your hands on it, give it a try. Immediately trying this scent, I felt the mix of almost every candle I’ve tried. Pumpkin, apple, cranberry, caramel, spices, you name it–here are so many scents inside that you would think it would be overwhelming. Turns out the scents of fall came together to create something astounding in a small, little glass.

1: Pumpkin and Clove

My number one, my go-to, the love of my life, Pumpkin and Clove. If I had to choose one candle to spend my life with I wouldn’t flinch to say this one. The candle consists of fresh pumpkin with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. So simple yet so fulfilling creates something magical I’ve never smelt before. This is the candle that I light when I need some fall feelings and it has never disappointed me. 

All in all, I think we all know I’m a little obsessed with autumn and candles. Is that really a bad thing? Scents can make anyone anywhere feel at home and creates a warmth that can reduce anxiety and depression. Who cares if it burns a hole in my pocket if I’m able to carry the feeling of fall with me wherever I go. 

Let me know in the comments whether you agree with my rankings and if you have any other scents to recommend.