The glow from the porcelain jars in Lanterne’s candle line makes every burn feel so cozy. It’s a step up from the typical glass candle jar. I like the scents and I love the vessels. Lanterne is a candle brand that I had not heard of until recently. They approached me to try out a couple of their candles and I am so glad that they did. I tried the Driftwood and Sea Salt & Sage scents. These candles were sent to me by the brand, but all of the opinions below are my own.
Burning Questions, Answered
Candle Quality
There are really only 2 things I care about when it comes to a candle: does it smell good (duh!) and does it burn well? You can skip to the next section if all you care about is the smell (which I totally get), but if you’re also a candle snob, here are my overly detailed thoughts on Lanterne’s candle quality…
Coconut wax is underrated.
The top layer of wax stayed smooth and even after every burn which is exactly what I like to see. I credit that to the coconut wax these candles are made with. Coconut wax is my favorite—both for the candles I buy and the ones I make myself—but it’s not as common as soy or paraffin. Soy can sometimes look uneven or discolored after burning, and paraffin often pulls away from the sides of the container. Coconut blends, on the other hand, stay smooth and clean.
I know the look of the wax might seem trivial to some people, but even if you only care about scent, coconut wax delivers there too. It holds fragrance really well—and these candles are proof. I could smell the Driftwood candle through the box before I even opened it.
I also had no issues with tunneling. During the first burn, it took about two and a half hours to achieve a full melt pool, so plan to let it burn for a while the first time if you want to avoid wasted wax along the edges.
The porcelain is a nice touch.
I don’t think I’ve ever owned a porcelain candle, but it is such a good choice because of the way it allows the light to glow through the sides of the jar. Lanterne really does feel like the perfect name for the brand. These candles are beautiful sources of both scent and light.
I was a little worried the porcelain might get stained with soot, but neither candle had that issue. (Side note: I trim the wick before every burn—it really helps keep soot to a minimum.)
Scent Quality
I have a lot of thoughts.
Sea Salt & Sage
NOTES: sea salt + sage + ozone
This scent reminds me of something you’d smell in the lobby of a coastal hotel or a spa—fresh, airy, and instantly relaxing. It’s a light, marine fragrance that feels like standing on a beach surrounded by salty air. I plan to burn this in our guest bedroom before someone stays over—it’s the kind of scent that makes a room smell clean and inviting without being too strong for anyone sensitive to fragrance.
It’s not a particularly complex scent, but I don’t mean that as a bad thing. It’s mostly sea salt forward. I can’t really pick out the other notes—“ozone” is tough to identify, and sage comes through only faintly as a soft, earthy background note.
The fragrance is lovely, but the hot throw isn’t strong enough to fill a large room. During my first burn in my home office, I could smell it when I was nearby, but it didn’t travel far. My second burn was in the bathroom during a bubble bath, and it smelled incredible in that smaller space. I’m glad I gave it another try because I genuinely love this candle. If you prefer bold, room-filling candles, this one might not be for you. For larger rooms, I’d recommend using it under a candle warmer on a high-heat setting to boost the scent.
This was love at first sniff for me—but I’m a sucker for sea salt candles, so that wasn’t a surprise. If you generally like sea salt scents, this one’s a safe blind buy. As far as I know, Lanterne is only available online.
Driftwood
NOTES: amber + musk + driftwood
This candle leaned more amber than driftwood to me. Lanterne describes it as “surf, sand, and wood washed ashore, with a hint of sunscreen—a subtle, musky, marine fragrance that will transport you to the coast.” I wouldn’t really call it marine, but the sunscreen reference is spot on. It has a slightly sweet, nutty vibe—almost coconut-like. I expected something a bit more woody based on the name Driftwood, but I actually like the blend of notes here.
If you’re a fan of amber candles, you’ll probably enjoy this one. I don’t usually gravitate toward amber scents, but I still like it because it’s sweet without being cloying or heavy. This candle is definitely stronger than Sea Salt & Sage. The cold throw is strong enough that I catch hints of the scent while sitting next to the side table where I placed it. The hot throw is also impressive – within 20-30 minutes of burning, the scent fills our entire main living area.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed both scents, and I’m curious about the rest of the line. There are five other fragrances—Cinder, Eau Currant, Fir & Cedar, Sweater Weather, and Tea Thyme. It’s not a huge selection, but sometimes smaller lines mean more care goes into each scent, and that definitely feels true here.
The scents are well blended, with a solid throw that’s strong enough to enjoy without being overwhelming. Design-wise, I love how simple the jars are. The arc detail adds just the right touch, and the porcelain vessels are beautiful enough to repurpose as home decor pieces.
And beyond the candles themselves, Lanterne’s mission makes them even more special. Each candle is hand-poured in the U.S. by a social enterprise that supports women refugees and artisans through candle making. Beautiful candles with a beautiful purpose — that’s an easy yes from me.
