They say home is where the heart lies. Everyone knows that nothing feels (or smells) better than a casita that’s beautifully fragrant. Smells can help evoke a sense of nostalgia. They can also help get you in a better mood.
The below Latina and Latine-owned vela brands will have just what you need, regardless of your mood. Whether you need affirmations or something that reminds you of abuela, they’ve got just what you need.
Bonita Fierce Candles
Melissa Gallardo created Bonita Fierce Candles as a way to pay homage to her Latine heritage. She and her mighty team have curated a range of smells and fragrances that evoke nostalgia and a sense of belonging. The velas are made with coconut soy wax, wooden wicks, and are hand-poured.
Albisa Candles
Albisa Candles was co-founded by first-generation couple Isabel and Albert to honor their Cuban heritage. With the goal of honoring the sights and smells they grew up with, their velas are hand-poured with love and “positive energy.” They’ve created scents such as their Arroz Con Leche and Arroz con Mango, which come in an IMUSA caldero.
Soy Latina Candles
Krystal Flores launched Soy Latina Candles in 2021 seeking to “create non-toxic alternatives” for velas. Since then, she has grown her business to feature an array of non-toxic home and body products like her Bambú candle and Feliz fragrance.
Luz Y Tierra
This Mexican-American brand offers unique artisanal velas that are made with soy wax and come in handmade vessels produced in Mexico. Each of their collections pays homage to a different region of Mexico, with the candle vessels depicting the vibrant colors and art of those iconic regions. Luz y Tierra is hand-poured in Texas.
Amor y Flor Soy Candles
Los Angeles-born and raised Lorraine Salazar is a self-taught candlemaker who wanted to capture the scents she was surrounded by like her abuela’s rose garden and the pitchers of horchata she’d consume every summer. From this love, Amor y Flor was born and Salazar went on to curate scents like her Cempasuchil candle, La Rosa candle, and Mango-Coconut Milk candle.
CASITA MICHI
CASITA MICHI is the creative and fragrant brainchild of Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini. This California-based wellness brand wants to celebrate not only the Latine culture Barrionuevo-Mazzini grew up with but also empower those who purchase their products. Boasting names like Big Hoop Energy and Chingona, CASITA MICHI’s candles might be just what the terapeuta ordered.
