With February comes Black History Month, which is on the forefront of everyone’s minds, including businesses. One of my favorite parts about Black History Month is seeing the collaborations between businesses to create products that celebrate Black culture, and in turn, amplify Black voices and art. Bath & Body Works is one of those businesses, and to celebrate the historic month, they have collaborated with perfumer Gwen Gonzalez and designer Katria Judkins to create the best smelling candle collection that money can buy. No, really.
Bath and Body Works’ Black History Month collection is meant to capture special moments and create a sense of happiness while also working to celebrate any and everyone, no matter who they are and where they come from. In a month as vital to our society as Black History Month, this collection represents championing diversity and inclusion on all fronts. It also seems to be a welcome change from the brand’s attempt at a Black History Month collection in 2022, which was criticized for cultural appropriation, with some calling it “embarrassing” and “tacky.”
The collection includes four different scents from Gonzalez, with the design of the candles themselves coming from Judkins. “It’s an endlessly fascinating journey of self-expression and sensory exploration,” Gonzalez said in a statement about the collection. “I love being able to create, and I love that I get to create things that other people can love and enjoy,” Judkins said.
In addition to creating candles that people will love, Bath and Body Works also supports the American Chemical Society Scholars Program, which awards scholarships to undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups that are majoring in chemistry-related careers. So, what amazing scents are available for purchase? Let’s take a look.
- Anna’s Garden ($17)
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Anna’s Garden is inspired by the scent of Gonzalez’s mom and her flower garden, including notes of orange blossom, white tea, and jasmine. This fresh candle is the perfect way to subtly liven up any room.
- Gwen’s Note ($17)
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Gwen’s Note is a scent that includes notes of sage, lavender, and sandalwood — Gonzalez’s signature note. It smells like “relaxing at home after a long day.”
- You, Me & The Sea ($17)
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You, Me, and the Sea is the candle I’m personally most excited for, as someone who adores the fresh smell of the ocean. This candle was inspired by a romantic getaway and memory captured in time, with notes of blue orchid, fresh eucalyptus, and saltwater.
- My Sweet Sisters ($17)
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My Sweet Sisters is inspired by the sweet moments with Gonzalez’s own sisters growing up, and includes notes of sugared cinnamon, toasted hazelnut, and cake batter. Sounds mouthwatering to me (and has me wanting to bake a cake).
The collection is currently live on Bath & Body Works’ website, and available for a limited time. Personally, I’m not missing out on the deal, so you can catch me adding my candles to my cart ASAP.