33 luxury candles to make nestling indoors extra cozy over the festive season
Whether you’re planning an cosy soirée on your own or an intimate dinner-à-deux, setting the mood is crucial – and nothing says warm and inviting quite like a luxury candle.
From Jo Malone's elegantly scented candles to premium Neom candle gift sets, infusing a room with luxury scents is a sure-fire way to help you unwind, triggering the release of feel-good hormones in the brain – no matter what time of year.
Discover our top picks of the best luxury scented candles – perfect for placing in your bathroom for a holistic, spa-like effect or perking up your hearth – plus, tips on how to make them last.
What makes luxury candles so expensive?
We know what you’re thinking: £40 plus on a candle? Outrageous! We thought the exact same thing. But these luxury candles aren't mass-market creations you can buy anywhere – they're essentially works of art, where a precise formula of essential oils, wick size and wax have been blended together to disperse smell subtly throughout a home.
Luxury candles tend to come in beautiful containers, and the scent is never overpowering. Not like a cheap candle with a strong strawberry or apple smell, for example, that resembles something of an airport bathroom.
How can you make luxury candles last a little longer?
When you’ve just bought or been gifted a brand new luxury scented candle and start to see it tunnel through the middle or producing black smoke, it’s likely you’re burning your candle the wrong way. Who knew? In order to make your candles last a little longer (and give you hours’ more enjoyment) there are a few tricks to stick to…
The first time you light your candle, you should let it burn for two to three hours so the whole of the top is liquid wax. This will help your candle burn more evenly. Otherwise, the next time you light it, they'll be hardened wax left around the sides, so the candle may start to tunnel. And no one wants that.
If the wick starts to produce smoke, it's usually because the wick has become too long. Trim the wick while it is cold, before lighting it, to help your candle burn for longer. Simple but effective.
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What are the best luxury candles?
With so many options to choose from: Anna + Nina, Bella Freud, Diptyque, Cire Trudon, Fornasetti, Jo Malone, Le Labo and on through the alphabet all the way to The White Company and Sabada Ldn, the best luxury candles are the ones that not only look eye-catching but also enhance, transport and elevate your home to make it feel luxurious (even if it's not).
After more gifting content? We've got perfume gift sets, wellness gifts, best friend gifts, anniversary gifts for her and letterbox flowers to brighten her day. Elsewhere, we've reviewed the best flower delivery services (someone say self-gifting?!), long distance relationship gifts, beauty advent calendars, gifts for sisters to shout home about.
Luxury candles: Limited edition Jo Malone
Wild Berry & Bramble Townhouse Candle, £90, Jo Malone
This is a real investment piece – housed in a unique, hand-finished ceramic vessel, this limited edition Jo Malone townhouse candle will add a contemporary touch to any room. The scent reminds us of freshly picked berries on a warm summer day. Perfect for a housewarming gift.
Luxury candles: Diptyque
Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, £49, Space NK
This is, without doubt, one of diptyque's most famous scents – and has a cult-like following due to it's simple chic packaging and beautiful fragrances. The Baies scented candle is a sophisticated blend of rose and blackcurrent leaves. We love it.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Space NK discount codes.
Luxury candle: Le Labo
Le Labo Santal 26, £57, Cult Beauty
Le Labo began as a personal fragrance company and has limited the variety of candles it produces to nine. That's when you know it's luxury. We love Santal 26 – described by Le Labo as “an aristocratic scent, at once gentle, smokey and leathery”.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Luxury candles: Jo Malone
Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Luxury Candle, £330, Jo Malone
Jo Malone London offers unique, understated fragrances inspired by British culture. It's synonymous with luxury. Our favourite scent of all time? Pomegranate Noir. Think rich, juicy pomegranate, raspberry and plum scents with notes of pink pepper, casablanca lily and spicy wood. This deluxe-sized version – priced at an eye-watering £330 – not only smells beautiful, but, encased in a sleek glass container, is the perfect accent piece for any home.
Luxury candles: Tom Ford
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille scented candle, £68, Selfridges
Housed in a deep-brown glass, this scented candle from Tom Ford is blended with notes of creamy tonka bean, vanilla and cocoa, and finishes with sweet dry fruit and wood sap. This is a classic – and will fill any room with a warm, comforting scent.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Selfridges discount codes.
Luxury candles: The White Company
Winter Botanical Large Candle, £38, The White Company
We know it's officially Christmas when the winter White Company candle comes out. Combining spicy cinnamon, rich warming clove and fresh zesty orange, it's also infused with cinnamon sticks, orange slices and red berries, which means it looks just as beautiful as it smells.
Luxury candles: Beauty Pie
Gingerbread, Almond & Blossom Candle, £65, Beauty Pie
The zingy ginger fragrance of this candle smells so delicious, you'll probably want to eat it. Don't though, please! This candle will envelop the room with Cinnamon and Ginger, Almond and Orange Blossom and soft Musk. And if you're a Beauty Pie member, it will only cost you £24.
Luxury candles: Selfridges
SKANDINAVISK SNÖ scented candle with lid, £45, Selfridges
There are few pleasures as pure as seeing the first, crisp snowfall of the season, but if you're more of an indoor person then SKANDINAVISK ‘SNÖ’ scented candle is a pretty great substitute. It reminds us of the sharp, fresh breath of subzero skies. Housed in a glass vessel, with a lid, it'll look pretty even when unlit.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Selfridges discount codes.
Luxury candles: Fornasetti
Fornasetti Losanghe scented candle, £165, Net-A-Porter
Piero Fornasetti designs are hard to miss. Why? They pretty much all feature the opera singer Lina Cavalieri's in some way. This 'Losanghe' candle is also decorated with her portrait – and the candle, made from vegetable-based wax, in brand's signature warm 'Otto' fragrance is equally the enticing as the carefully painted jar.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Net-A-Porter discount codes.
Luxury candles: Boy smells
Boy Smells’ COWBOY KUSH Candle, £38, Cult Beauty
Believe it or not but the boys behind Boy Smells – Matthew Herman and David Kien – founded their cult candle range after concocting scents at their kitchen table in LA. This is one of the brand's best-selling grounding candles – a dusty accumulation of suede and saffron.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Luxury candles: spiral candles
HAY Spiral Candles Set of Six, £22, Liberty London
Add a burst of colour to your table with these luxury twisted candlesticks from Danish design brand, Hay. Contemporary and atmospheric, these unique hues will complement both modern and country interiors. Invest in a couple to centre your table when hosting elegant dinners.
Luxury candles: Acqua di Parma
Acqua di Parma Large Yellow Cube Scented Candle, £81.60, John Lewis & Partners
If yellow is your thing, you can't go wrong with Acqua di Parma's sunshine cube candle. Scented with Acqua di Parma's Colonia – a captivating masculine fragrance, blending citrus, aromatic spices, woods and leather – this stylish candle is the perfect addition to any home's décor.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these John Lewis discount codes.
Luxury candles: by the fireplace
Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace scented candle, £48, Selfridges
Founded and based in Paris, this is Maison Margiela's iconic Replica By The Fireplace fragrance – but in candle form. This candle is a like a memory caught in time – described as ‘Burning wood and chestnut’, it's made with fruity, spicy, sharp top notes of pink pepper, orange flower petals and clove oil. One smell and you'll be transported to a crackling fireplace.
Luxury candles: over £200
L'Objet's Oh Mon Dieu No.69 scented candle, £266, Net-A-Porter
Best for making a statement, L’Objet’s eye-catching candle is a great choice for the mantelpiece. It isn’t just pretty to look at, though: having more than one wick means the wax melts more quickly, allowing for the oil molecules to evaporate and throw out the scent of cognac, caramel and musky leather faster.
Luxury candles: Neom
Happiness Scented Candle, £46, Neom
If we could choose one scent for our bedrooms, this would be it. Made up of 100 per cent natural fragrances chosen for the mind and body. The fresh, sparkling blend of white neroli, Mimosa and lemon is combined with refreshing grass notes to evoke the scent and memory of spring.
Luxury candles: Byredo
Byredo Fleur Fantôme, £31, Cult Beauty
Byredo founder, Ben Gorham, draws inspiration from his travels to create the label’s cult perfumes all in chic black vessels. Fleur Fantôme, infused with meadow-like bouquet, is particularly great for improving relaxation and reducing stress – transporting you to a garden in bloom.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Luxury candles: Cult Beauty
Overose Nudesse candle, £46, Cult Beauty
French perfume house Overose's candles effortlessly merge contemporary scents with Instagrammable pink. Featuring damascena rose and petrichor, this signature rose nude wax will add a touch of style to any interior (or social media page).
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Luxury candles: Bella Freud
Bella Freud’s Ginsberg is God Candle, £50, Cult Beauty
London-based fashion designer Bella Freud is perhaps best known for her 1970 print jumpers. But her candles are as quirky – reach for Ginsberg is God when you want to unwind. It's lightly fragranced with fig leaf, vine leaves and ripe tomato, and the soft scent lingers long after the wick is burned out.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Luxury candles: Jo Loves
Jo Loves Log Fires, £55, Cult Beauty
Created by Jo Malone CBE, the new Jo Loves collection bottles the aromas, moments and memories that inspire her. ‘Log Fires’ is a warm and smoky sophisticated scent that perfectly evoke the scent of a roaring log fire. It's housed in glass vessel topped with a silver lid to keep the wax dust-free.
Luxury candles: Malin + Goetz
MALIN + GOETZ's Dark Rum Candle, £44, Cult Beauty
From skincare brand MALIN + GOETZ, this dark rum candle is the epitome of balmy afternoons in tropical climes. Infused with notes of sweet plum and crisp bergamot, leather and creamy milk, this warming scent just makes us want to sip cocktails on the beach.
Luxury candles: giant candles
Diptyque Giant Ambre Scented Candle, £260, John Lewis & Partners
With notes of Egyptian incense and spices, this limited edition Diptyque Ambre scented candle has a subtle, woody scent. Housed in special-edition version of the brand's signature hand-blown glass vessels, the terracotta pot demonstrates the house’s nous for design.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these John Lewis discount codes.
Luxury candles: candlesticks
Fairholme Studio Citrus Taper Candles Set of Eight, £28, Liberty London
Developed by independent London-based brand Fairholme Studio, these colourful taper candles are made with a luxury blend of soy and beeswax. Light yours during dinner parties.
Luxury candles: candle set
NEOM Scents of Wellbeing Candle Assortment, £45, Selfridges
Create an uplifting, festive ambiance with the ultimate Christmas collection, featuring Neom's Real Luxury candle, Perfect Peace and Christmas Wish scents. These three candles disperse perfectly-perfumed, delicate aromas throughout your home – offering the traditional scent of Christmas.
Save when you shop for luxury candles with these Selfridges discount codes.
Luxury candles: Liberty London
Floral Candles Set of Two, £26.95, Liberty London
Exclusive to Liberty, this set of floral candles from Anna + Nina are fun, bright and completely unique. It's vibrant 3D orange flowers are pretty much guaranteed to bring a ray of sunshine to your living space.
Luxury candles: John Lewis
Rory Dobner Looking At You Scented Candle, £265, John Lewis & Partners
Weighing 2.86kg, this supersized candle with three wicks, certainly makes a statement. And with a burn time of up to 150 hours, it's going to last. We particularly love that it's hand decorated with one of Rory Dobner's black intricate ink illustrations.
Luxury candles: The gift
Cire Trudon's 'Ernesto' candle, £80, Net-A-Porter
Best for unwinding, the heavier notes tend in Cire Trudon's 'Ernesto' candle will linger for longer in the air, so light it early in the evening to really reap the benefits of the scent long after dark. Designed with the brand's signature gold plaque – this would make a special gift.
Luxury candles: natural candles
With no heavy chemicals, this 'Ground' candle from Find blends notes of Cypress, Peppermint, Pine and Patchouli to evoke the feeling of being grounded. The wax is hand-poured into a glass vessel that will look so luxurious displayed on your mantle.
Luxury candles: CBD massage candles
Relaxation Massage Candle, £45, MOi + ME
The MOi + ME relaxation massage candle is more on the skincare end of the massage candle spectrum, with a clean, classic design and a rich Lavender, Evening Primrose, Jasmine and Sandalwood smell. Plus it's infused with CBD oil for aromatherapy benefits, which can help to smooth and nourish the skin.
Luxury candles: holistic candles
Lemongrass and Eucalyptus Candle, £25, Holistic Impact
This London-based Osteopathy candle is designed to whisk you away to a calm and natural environment with the tranquil sound of the ocean waves. The hazy medley of Lemongrass and Wild Vetiver fills the room with a fresh scent. And the minimalist design will look pretty on any mantelpiece.
Luxury candles: multicoloured candles
Sea of Blue Taper Trio, £18, North Coast Candle Co
Impactful changes are not always the biggest and this super fun set of striped dinner candles is the perfect example. Each candle is hand-poured in small batches on the North Coast of Cornwall, which means every candle is beautifully unique. Use the set to create an artistic candle curation that will light up an atmospheric table arrangement.
Luxury candles: refreshing fragrance
Copacabana Ocean Breeze, £42, Sababa London
Inspired by the freshness of a Brazilian ocean breeze, this refreshing candle from Sababa London will transport you to a coastal retreat. Handcrafted in the UK with vegan-friendly ingredients, the scent is elevated with clean middle notes of orange, lemon and grapefruit.
Luxury candles: the female figure
Sowenna, £10, North Coast Candle Co
Luxury candles don't necessarily mean expensive. These female figure candles from independent North Coast Candle Co have tapped into the growing ‘body candle trend’ that's been everywhere on Instagram this past year – and our love for it remains strong.
Luxury candles: sleep candles
Sleep The Drowsy Candle, £39.95, Drowsy Sleep Co
Set the scene for deep sleep with this ‘Sleep’ candle from Drowsy. Infused with cedarwood, bergamot, ylang ylang, vetiver and wild lavender, this calming, soothing fragrance is made with blend of essential oils, ideal for helping you relax and unwind after a busy day.
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