By Red Dimaandal-Escamillas
Scented candles have become more than just home essentials–they’re stylish pieces that add warmth, character, and personality to any space. And with that, many local brands are reimagining candle making, combining style with scents that tell stories, nature and nostalgia.
Beyond their scent, these candles capture a certain aesthetic–clean, minimalist, and cozy. Whether displayed on a wooden tray, beside a stack of books, or next to a cup of coffee, local candles bring a sense of calm to everyday life. Ahead are some of our favorites.
Saan Saan
Saan Saan has built a loyal following for its signature amber candles. This season, they bring back their well-loved holiday collection–Christmas Cafe, Simbang Gabi, Pumpkin & Juniper, and Amihan–each one designed to fill your home with the warmth of the holidays.
Available online at saansaanph.com and in-store at their Kapitolyo shop
Vela Studios
Vela Studios are the first to offer a mobile or on-location candle making booth for events–think weddings, corporate gatherings, or private workshops–where guests can pour their own candle, choose scents and enjoy the process as part of the occasion. Their aesthetic carries through too: clean presentations, well-designed vessels, and the kind of minimal-chic look that makes the candles display-worthy afterwards.
Ilka
Ilka’s candles embody elegance, sustainability, and relaxation in every detail. Each piece is hand-poured into ceramic jars made at the pottery studio of National Artist Lanelle Abueva Fernado, giving every candle a touch of heritage and artistry.
Together, these local brands show that the candle scene is more than just a trend–it’s a reflection of artistry, mindfulness, and modern design.
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Jasmine Curtis-Smith is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now, as she shares her thoughts on good storytelling in films, as she’s set to star in upcoming movies Open Night, a 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival sapphic film entry; and Manila’s Finest, an upcoming 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) crime drama movie.
Read the Stylish Magazine September-October 2025 cover story here.
Watch out for a new #StylishPodcast episode featuring our cover girl Jasmine Curtis-Smith, dropping soon on Facebook and YouTube.
Stylish Magazine is “your source of self-love, style & inspiration” first introduced in June 2020. Our television series format, Stylish TV, once ranked one of the Top 50 Most Watched Multicultural Shows in the USA, can be streamed on iWantTFC and be watched on TFC (The Filipino Channel) in more than 50 countries. Watch it online here.
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