This Hysterical Instagram Account Will Make You a Candle Expert In Seconds
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A leading voice in the fragrance industry, 35-year-old Kudzi Chikumbu, known as Sir Candle Man on Instagram and TikTok, educates his audience about the power of scent—and more specifically, candles—with hilariously direct videos. “My most authentic and simplest videos have resonated the most and helped me build a community,” Chikumbu says. It all started when he wandered into a luxury fragrance department during a trip to Paris: “My love for the creativity of fragrance was ignited right there.... I made it a mission to smell more great scents.”
Rewinding, Chikumbu began his career as an accountant seeking refuge and community online. Today, after ten years of sharing content on social media, he wields his knowledge (and candle wick trimmer) to educate his audience on the power of "scent styling." As the Global Head of Creator Marketing at TikTok by day and savvy creative by night, his expertise and presentation are embraced by fragrance lovers all over the world. “This duality has enriched my life beyond measure by engaging both my left and right brain every day,” says the multi-hyphenate.
Chikumbu's home is lined with decorative accents and candles. “Growing up, I used to think that way too much was going on, but I look around my home and I seem to have pockets of 'tchotchke maximization.' I like to think that I got that from my grandmother,” he says.
Maybe you’re not sure how to use a candle warmer, or if the hype around a luxury candle is worth the splurge. Tune into Chkiumbu’s feed—his authenticity feels like a best friend sharing a secret. You’re sure to learn something new and get the most out of each candle-burning experience. With viral reviews and introductions to new candle obsessions, Sir Candle Man can convince you that it’s possible to smell a candle through a screen.
Q&A
House Beautiful: What is your latest ‘TikTok made me buy it” purchase?
Kudzi Chikumbu: I have spent way too much money online, wow! My latest purchase is gorgeous gold-colored stacked shelves to display my favorite candles.
HB: What accounts are most inspiring you right now?
KC: For fragrance, you have to follow @funmimonet, @jadealycebod, and @flowershopperfumesco on TikTok. For creative direction, @thenatebrown on TikTok is incredible. For home design exploration, @shookerd is a must-follow!
HB: Where do you love to shop for home decor online?
KC: I’m not just saying this because we are in House Beautiful, but I do enjoy House Beautiful for inspiration. For shopping, I love Article—so many great purchases from there—CB2, and Amazon Home.
HB: What is your favorite candle?
KC: You know when music artists are asked what their favorite song on one of their albums is and they say, “They are my babies, I could never choose.” That’s how I feel. But if I have to pick, in my top 5 I have LAFCO’s Feu du Bois, my L’or de Seraphine collaboration 'Soft Life', Trudon’s Ernesto, Lola James Harper 213 Rue Saint-Honoré Air, and Homecourt’s Cece.
HB: What’s a piece of advice that you would give your past self?
KC: Do not be afraid to stand out by being yourself. People follow people they relate to and not clones of what they have seen before. Be your most authentic self in your content, your look, your personality, your perspective, and your voice. A mentor once said, “different is better than better." Truth!
To follow @sircandleman is to never be without a candle rec for any season or gifting need.
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