Byredo Bibliothèque Candle

1 Review

1. 

   amusedBasmati9

   Reply

   When I say this candle is heaven, I’m only slightly exaggerating. I am so hooked on it that I’ve been burning it every night since I bought it and have already bought a back-up for when I’m done with this one. It is SO good, guys. It’s like….you know the hype over Diptyque’s Baies candle? This blows Baies out of the water. Bibliothèque is like the Platonic ideal of the luxury candle – guaranteed to provide almost universal bliss – and yours for the not so insignificant sum of $80.

   Okay, raving out of the way, time to get into the details. Here’s the official description of Bibliothèque on the Byredo website:

   “Bibliothèque transports you to the comforting confines of a traditional library. A world of quiet contemplation where times stands still and the senses are heightened. Soft, sweet aromas of velvety peach and tangy plum pervade the air before a dry floral bouquet of peony and violet. Dusky patchouli finally reveals itself amid layers of leather and vanilla.”

   Okay, in my experience, libraries are anything but comforting (now ‘confining’, I’m willing to allow, based on all my late night cramming sessions in college). Nor do they smell very much like peaches, peonies and violets. BUT if Bibliothèque is the Platonic ideal of the luxury candle, the library it evokes is the Platonic ideal of the library. You know the type of library I mean: mahogany panelled walls, shelves of leather bound books embossed with gold, thick velvet curtains blotting out the daylight, the faint trace of tobacco and leather in the air, a crackling log fire in front of you, and piping hot crumpets and Darjeeling tea on a platter at your side. THAT is the atmosphere that Bibliothèque transports you to and it is absolutely magical. Also, Byredo should consider hiring me to write their advertising copy. (Kidding…sort of).

   Anyway, if the above description didn’t really click with you, I’ll attempt to describe Bibliothèque in less poetic terms. It’s warm and comforting, slightly plummy but never fruity with a woody haze of rich vanilla and tobacco. It makes me feel like I’m wrapped in the creamiest, coziest cashmere blanket while sitting near the fireplace on a snowy winter night.

   PROS:

   – Burns REALLY evenly, even if you only burn for a short amount of time. Tunneling is almost nonexistent and I have not seen any candle burn so smoothly before (including Diptyque and Cire Trudon)
   – The black wax is chic and relatively unusual
   – Doesn’t produce black smoke
   – Fantastic throw, although may potentially be a little strong for some people, particularly if used in enclosed areas
   – Beautiful, unique scent
   – Cheaper than and Cire Trudon Diptyque on a price per ounce scale

   CONS:

   – Sticker may peel off if you are into re-purposing your candle jars

   Bottom line: This is my favourite candle ever and I am totally in love with it. I imagine that this would be a pretty universally appealing scent and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to splurge on a luxury candle