Ruby Candlelight

Ruby Candlelight is a 2021 release from Dawn Spencer Hurwitz / DSH Perfumes. It’s a rich blend dominated by blackberry, rose, beeswax, and a pinch of smoke, fittingly sweet, fruity, tart, and resinous. It smells just as I hoped it would when reading the description, with the different pieces fitting together very well. It’s sophisticated while being a bit of a pick-me-up and relaxing all at once. It does feel specifically blackberry-rich, as well, slightly darker than composition involving red berries. In terms of other fragrances I’ve smelled, it reminds me of 4160 Tuesdays Amberama, whose standout notes are amber and raspberry, but there are, of course, the differences in the berries. In terms of performance, Ruby Candlelight is dense and strong, with more noteworthy longevity than projection but still very good projection. It’s sold via the house website, available at mostly-standard pricing for the line, at $145/80 for 60/30ml, available in EDP and VDP concentrations. 8 out of 10

For me this scent truly does bring up Christmas candles. I have faint memories of similar candles in our home as I was growing up. The beeswax and slightly tart berry are the strongest elements for me. Dawn wanted to create a specific item/time with this creation and I feel she accomplished it perfectly. I have several of her perfumes and they are all executed to perfection. This one is comforting, warming, and in my mind can be worn all day. It morphs into a romantic candlelight at night, but I love it all day long for a coziness one might not expect.