Kudzi Chikumbu (@SirCandleMan) is the “bougie uncle” everyone needs. His candle obsession began during a serendipitous trip to Paris, and since then, he’s become one of the most followed fragrance connoisseurs. He even wrote the book on it: Let It Burn: Illuminate Your Life with Candles and Fragrance, where he explores how lighting a candle is more than a simple act—it’s a ritual that transforms both your physical space and emotional state. Most recently, Kuzi teamed up with LAFCO New York to create Heart of the Matter, a rich, warm vanilla candle just in time for fall.

In this episode, Kuzi joins Scentbird’s Marianne Mychaskiw to reveal his all-time favorite candles, how to choose the right scent for every room, shopping tips, and how to gift the perfect candle. Plus, he shares self-care fragrance rituals to brighten your day or help you unwind and feel more grounded.

Highlights:

• Meet Kudzi Chikumbi, a.k.a. Sir Candle Man

• Bougie means candle?

• Why candles are more than just décor

• Choosing the perfect candle for any room

• Kudzi’s favorite candles to burn

• The Parisian candle that changed everything

• The most amazing vanilla candle

• How to choose great candle gifts

• Why scent evokes emotion and memories

• How to nail candle gifting

• The story behind Heart of the Matter

• Kudzi’s go-to luxury candle

• How to shop for candles like a pro

• Candle self-care rituals

• Creating a great ambiance

• Kudi’z unexpected pick for daily relaxation

• Grounding self-care routines

• The candle that helps you unwind at night

• Scent Connection, Feel-Good Edition

• How candles have changed Kudzi’s life

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