Lumi Candles has a minimalist take on candle-making and an inclusive approach to supporting people and the planet.

Text by Khyne Palumar
March 22, 2023

Nesza and Rich Asuncion launched Lumi Candles on February 2020. Starting with making candles, they’ve continued to develop products that consider the environment. Lumi is shorthand for lumiére, the French word for light, and an acronym for “Lighten Up Moods Instantly.”

(Left to right) Founder and CEO Rich Asuncion; Co-founder and Digital Marketing Head Nesza Asuncion

While most businesses took a hit in the first year of the pandemic, Lumi Candles has forged ahead. Rich says the startup’s challenges include balancing the founders’ vision with what consumers want: “Once you launch, you have to be ready to hear the good and the bad...You cannot be fixated on your own biases and must be quick in turning around whatever needs to be improved or changed.”

Lumi Candles is, first and foremost, into the alchemy of scents. It started as a hobby between two people obsessed with the relaxation and calmness that
a candle brings. This rolled into an exploration of aromas, eventually evolving into a business that also feels strongly about self-care.

Best known for their scented soy candles, they also offer reed diffusers, linen sprays, and candle accessories. Scents range from fresh to floral, sweet to citrusy—their best selling scents include Fresh Bamboo, Evergreen Shrub, and Lavender. Their newest products include a line of electric scent diffusers that provide continuous aroma throughout the day, and car fresheners that are “travel-friendly, spill-free, and eco-friendly.” The latter is alcohol-free so it won’t cause any headaches or nausea to passengers.

From 100% pure soy wax candles, to fragrances and essential oils free of potentially harmful chemicals like phthalates, to organic-based liquid solutions that are non-toxic—all products in the LUMI line are designed to be people-, pet- and planet-friendly.

It’s an advocacy that doesn’t start and end with the founding couple. “It’s really every person behind Lumi Candles—from production, operations, sales and marketing, all our products are designed while considering the environment, people, and animals,” says Rich. “When you buy a LUMI product, you’re not only creating a good-smelling and peaceful atmosphere, but supporting the advocacies that we support and believe in.”

All this sounds well-meaning in theory. In practice—Lumi Candles donates a percentage of its sales to non-profit organizations such as Animal Kingdom Foundation and Waves for Water.

Aside from practicing sustainability and making eco-conscious decisions, Lumi Candles takes a minimalist approach in their product design, favoring simplicity, clean lines, and neutral colors. From candles in ceramic and frosted glass jars, to stylish, hand-crafted candle holders, their products easily blend in any type of environment.

Lumi Candles make the perfect gift for any occasion. “All our products are specially packed to be gift-ready. This is because we want to make all our customers feel special from the time they receive their orders,” says Nesza. For Mother’s Day, give mom scented candles handcrafted with care and thoughtfulness or combine them with linen spray. From individual LUMI products to gift sets and bundles, Lumi Candles has got you covered.

Shop for Lumi Candles products at lumicandlesph.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@lumicandles.ph).