Saturday, November 7, 2026Candles, diffusers and fragrance reviews
Lifestyle

Tobi Tobin Candles

By Susan Webster Adams Updated 7 min read
Tobi Tobin candles in glossy black glass vessels with a gift box

Tobi Tobin candles make a strong first impression on the shelf, and I want to add a few thoughts on judging a luxury candle once the glossy packaging is off.

Tobi Tobin has made a name with top notch celebrities for her stylish work in interior design. Her aesthetic blends timeless style with bohemian chic for an elegant and organic design. Two years ago she launched her own brand, Tobi Tobin, and opened two stores in Los Angeles and New York City. She now has 10 lines including linens, furniture, jewelry and candles.
She has 9 core fragrances and 1 signature blend in her candle line. Each candle is a massive 16oz made with soy, palm and coconut wax. She uses 3 wicks for maximum scent throw. The stunning candles are packaged in a glossy black glass vessel and crocodile box for a regal look.
Tobi Tobin Candles
Her fragrances include:
Monastery
A
 mandarin
 and
 orange
 complex
 opens
 this
 fragrance
 with
 fresh
 aldehydic
 notes
 and
 supporting
 notes
 of
 petitgrain.
 
 The
 body
 of
 this
 essence
 combines
 citrus
 notes
 with
 a
 broad
 Sandalwood
 accord.
 
 The
 scent
 is
 dominated 
by 
woody 
notes 
and 
accented
 with 
a 
mossy, 
musky 
complex. 

Sprinkled 
throughout 
the 
fragrance 
are
 light
 Jasmine
 highlights 
that
 add
 overall
 sparkle.

This is one of those fragrances that is so blended and complex it’s tough to know your smelling. The orange comes across first but the sandalwood, musk and moss muddle it so much it ends up becoming more earthy. Then the aldehydes and jasmine come in to balance the scent to keep it from getting too heavy. Somehow it ends up clean and musky at the same time.
Temple

Top
 notes
 of
 Tea
 Leaves
 and
 Lemon
 introduce
 this
 floral
 creation.
 
 The
 body
 of
 the
 fragrance
 is
 a
 bold
 blend
 of
 Jasmine,
Gardenia,
Ylang
 and
 Lily.
 
The
 complete
 floral 
composition 
is 
supported
 by 
a 
musky
 foundation.


This fragrance comes across mostly as tea. Fresh brewed tea with a slice of lemon. I like how the floral notes play with the tea leaves adding a flirtiness to the scent without being domineering. This fragrance would work well to cool on a hot steamy day or to warm on a cold, rainy day to lift your spirits.

Baroque
This
 robust
 woody
 and
 amber
 fragrance
 is
 a
 blend
 of
 Oudh
 and
 Agar
 wood
 oils
 from
 northern
 India.
 
 The
 complete
 woody
 symphony
 is
 supported
 by
 exotic
 Patchouli,
 Amyris,
 Cedar
wood
 and
 Vetivert.
 
 All
 highlighted
 with
 a
 base
 of
 Vanilla
 and 
Musk.

This is an intense fragrance. Deep and complex. Slightly sharp from the oud. European in feel. Nothing soft about this one in the cold throw. Perhaps burning the vanilla and musk offer a soft base to land on.

Romanesque
This
 fragrance
 was
 designed
 to
 connote
 the
 tropical
 woodiness
 of
 an
 ebony
 forest.
 
 The
 fruity,
 green
 top
 notes
 enhance
 and
 accentuate
 the
 overall
 tropical
 setting.
 
 The
 woody
 body
 combines
 luxurious
 Sandalwood
 and
 mysterious
 Amber 
notes.

This is the only scent where either the description of the balance is off. It’s far more gooey fruity than tropical and it’s more of a jam garden than an ebony forest. Burning this scent could be amazing, likening it to the Santiago Huckleberry fragrance by Voluspa.

Orangerie
True
 to 
its 
name, 
this
 beautiful 
fragrance 
is 
a 
masterful 
blend 
of 
Blood
 Orange 
and 
Goji
 Berries
 that 
work 
together
 to
 provide
 an 
entire 
range 
of 
fruity,
 citrus 
characteristics. 

The
 citrus 
and
 berry
 notes 
are 
combined
 with
 a
 strong
 accord 
of 
sweet 
Vanilla
 that 
gives 
this 
fragrance
 its 
long‐lasting
 aura.

Orangerie is a fun and fruity blend. Simplistic in scent. Perfect for the kitchen or to energize a powder room.

Folly
This
 invigorating
 scent 
opens 
with
 a 
splash 
of 
Ruby 
Red
 Grapefruit 
combined 
with 
a 
hint
 of 
Green 
Leaf, 
leading
 to
 heart
 of 
Yuzu
 peel
 and
 sheer 
White 
Flower,
 flowing 
to 
a 
base
 of 
White 
Musk 
and 
Moss.

The cold throw on Folly is a zesty grapefruit subdued with musk and moss. It has a touch of floral notes. I would love to see how this fragrance opens up when burning.
Rococo
This 
sensual 
fruity
 scent 
opens 
with 
a 
burst 
of 
Mandarin,
 Pomegranate 
and 
Persimmon. 

The 
core 
is 
a 
blend 
of
 fresh 
green
 notes 
with 
hints 
of 
Black 
Orchid, 
Lotus
 Blossom
 and 
Champaca 
flower. 

The 
base 
is 
a
 subtle
 accord
 of 
Amber, 
Mahogany 
Wood
and 
Black 
Violet.

This is an interesting scent because it doesn’t lie easily in any one area. It isn’t a strong fruity, floral or wood. It blends all three aspects together yet I can distinguish the pomegranate, orchid amber and violet. It’s slightly sweet and somewhat deep. A feminine, fruity floral.

Bibliotheque
This
 delectable
 scent
 opens
 with
 creamy
 Vanilla
 and
 Sugar,
 leading
 to
 a
 center
 of
 sticky
 Caramel
 and
 subtle
 spices. 

It 
all 
finishes 
with 
a 
beautiful 
and 
sensual 
fragrance 
enhanced 
by 
a 
warm
 base 
of 
Musk
 and
 Tonka.

Yum! Comfort scent to the rescue. This fragrance is like a fine chocolate shop. Decedent and luxurious. Perfect for a romantic evening or anytime you need some lovin’.
Signature
This 
sophisticated
 and 
engaging 
scent 
boasts 
a 
bold
 infusion 
of 
crisp 
Aldehydes,
 Black 
Pepper 
and 
Cedar 
Leaf 
to
 introduce 
the
scent. 

Heart 
notes 
of 
Eucalyptus 
Blossom
 and
 Hyacinth 
lend
 depth
 and 
intrigue 
while 
background
 notes
of 
Cashmere
 Wood,
 Patchouli, 
Birch 
Wood 
and 
Incense
 add
 warmth
 and 
opulence.

We love this complex, musty blend. Definitely an intriguing and opulent blend. It reminds us of antique wooden floors you’d find in Europe that have soaked up years of history.
Georgian
This 
intoxicating 
fragrance 
exudes 
a 
luxurious 
aura 
as 
Mango
 and 
Green 
Leaf 
introduce
 a 
rich 
floral 
bouquet
 of
 Gardenia,
Tuberose
 and 
Orange 
Flower. 

Background 
notes 
of 
Sandalwood
 and 
Vanilla 
lend
 depth
 and 
harmony
 to
 this 
luminous 
and
alluring
 scent.

This is the floral in the collection and it packs 3 heavy hitters: gardenia, tuberose and orange flower. The sweetness from the mango comes through and there is a faint hint of sandalwood and vanilla to ground this heady floral.
What I like most about Tobi Tobin fragrances is that they are all very well balanced and distinct. The line offers tremendous variety – almost to the point of split personality. Some of the scents, like the Signature scent and Baroque, come across as very complex and European with intense depth while scents like Orangerie come across so simplistic more like US made fragrances. The benefit is there’s something for everyone and a scent for every day and any type of weather.
The 3-wicks provide a beautiful ambiance and obliterate the possibility of tunneling. The downside is the glass gets intensely hot, so be careful to touch after the candle has been burning for a while. The packaging is elegant and fits the Tobi Tobin elite design image perfectly.
Overall, Tobi Tobin has created a candle line that is unmatched in the US. A welcome and unique addition!

Judging Tobi Tobin candles beyond the box

Tobi Tobin candles arrive in black glass inside a box with a crocodile look. That packaging tells you what the brand wants to be: regal, dark and a little glamorous.

Packaging matters for a gift. Once the candle is on your table, though, scent throw and burn quality decide whether you reorder, and Tobi Tobin candles get judged by that same standard as any plain jar.

Tobi Tobin candles are an example of glamor in a jar.

Tobi Tobin candles were a surprise to me when I first saw them in person.

Burning Tobi Tobin candles with three wicks

A 16oz candle with three wicks melts across the surface quickly. Let Tobi Tobin candles burn long enough on the first light to reach every edge.

Trim each wick to about a quarter inch and keep them away from drafts. If one wick burns lower than the others, move the candle and give the flame a minute to settle.

Treat Tobi Tobin candles like any quality candle and trim the wick each time.

A big vessel means Tobi Tobin candles can burn for many evenings.

Choosing among Tobi Tobin candles

With nine core fragrances and a signature blend, Tobi Tobin candles ask you to choose. Narrow by family first: citrus, wood, floral or spice, then smell two from the same family side by side.

Your nose tires quickly, so smell a coffee bean between candles. Tobi Tobin candles also suit a table where the vessel can be admired, away from anything that could catch fire.

For other designer lines, see my notes on Juliette Has a Gun candles and Jo Loves by Jo Malone. The Wikipedia page on interior design covers the field Tobi Tobin came from, and her candles carry that eye for a room.

Tobi Tobin candles make a bold gift for someone who loves dark, elegant decor.

Pay attention to the heart notes in Tobi Tobin candles, since they define how the room smells.

Remember that Tobi Tobin candles work best on a heatproof surface.

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