Few brands are as deeply entwined in the public psyche for glamour as the Ritz-Carlton. For decades, this legendary hotel, situated in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, has defined the gold standard of luxury, hosting Hollywood royalty and setting a bar for service.
But alongside its gilded lobbies and impeccable suites, there is an ethereal secret to its mood-setting mastery that catches my attention as a Home Fragrance editor: Clever scenting.
Intrigued by how the hotel uses fragrance, I found the best home fragrances that carry the same opulent notes, as well as an affordable alternative use, so you can enjoy the scent profile aura without a premium price tag.
This $10 Essential Oil Blend Makes Your Home Smell Like the Ritz-Carlton
The fig fragrance oil, available at Walmart, does a fantastic job of channeling the hotel's olfactory luxury, and here is why we think it's a great match.
Since partnering with Diptyque in 2022, there is one signature scent you'll find in every Ritz-Carlton hotel and resort worldwide: Diptyque's Philosykos.
It happens to be one of my personal favorites, and is made to be a 'tribute to the entire fig tree', with its fresh leafy notes and woody bark scent.
There's just one problem: It's not available as a candle, diffuser, or for use with your best essential oil diffuser – instead, you'll find the bestselling scent in soaps, shower gels, hand washes, and body lotions in every hotel room.
But, if burning your best candles is your preferred way to make your home smell nice, the equally fresh and figgy Diptyque Figuier also embodies that same Ritz-Carlton fragrance. It's an absolutely stunning, fruity scent that invokes sunbaked Mediterranean strolls.
An Affordable Alternative
Ultimately, you don't have to have a big budget to make a home smell expensive, or to take inspiration from one of the world's most luxurious hotels. You can easily take advantage of one of the very best mood-boosting aromas for spring at a fraction of the cost.
Putting the fig fragrance oil, available at Walmart in play at home makes for an easy way to lift and freshen your space.
Published Aromatherapy Researcher Darlene Killen agrees on the suitability. She says, 'Fig scent reads as uplifting, while seasonal, because it brings with it scent memories to anyone who has been to the Mediterranean in late summer.
'The smell of green leaves, ripening fruit, warm skin, all delivered through bright top notes, which are perfect and natural in warm weather, rather than heavy base notes,' she says. 'Spring and summer fragrances usually favor green and creamy over those that are deep or smoky. Fig sits exactly in the sweet spot between the two in the nose.'
To use it at home, Darlene suggests adding a few drops to your essential oil diffuser (the NEOM Wellbeing Pod Luxe is my favorite), or use one to two drops on cotton balls, available at Walmart, in linen drawers or near air vents for diffusion. You can also hide the cotton balls in your bathroom for luxury scenting on a budget (try inside the toilet paper holder or an open basket).
And, for some customized fragrance layering, 'Use two drops of fig with one drop of bergamot essential oil [available at Amazon], and one drop of cedarwood to create depth and give it a longer scent throw than fig alone.'
Adding your chosen scent to a non-scented carrier such as fractionated coconut oil, available at Amazon, will also increase the longevity of each little fragrance bomb.
What to Shop
Diptyque candles are my favorite for every season. They burn cleanly, never tunnel, and look gorgeous on display. This scent is fresh and woody, and makes a gorgeous gift for anyone hosting this spring and summer, too.
This fig fragrance oil is made without any additives or fillers, and is presented in a high-quality, UV-coated glass bottle to protect the ingredients and scent from degrading.
This is the exact cleansing gel that you'll find in every Ritz-Carlton hotel room. Using it is the perfect way to make your bathroom smell like a luxury spa, and add a touch of indulgence to your everyday.
This stunning candle has a 124-hour burn time and features a soy and coconut wax blend, paired with a cotton candle wick. It's hand-poured into the ceramic vessel in the USA.
This premium fig fragrance oil is long-lasting, with a glass dropper, which makes it easy to accurately add as many drops as you want to your essential oil diffuser. It's also alcohol-free.
This fig candle also features cozier notes of vanilla. The brand, Sydney Hale, work to reduce the stress on landfills through their choice of packaging materials, and you can give your vessel a second life by reusing candle jars around your house, too.
Meet the Expert
Using some of the best reed diffusers is also an easy, low-maintenance way to fill your home with the scent of fig. For example, Diptyque's Figuier is also available as a refill for their home fragrance diffuser.
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