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 Macheskiw 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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