The best scented candles that make your home smell like a five-star hotel
Prop Styling: Georgina Isaac
Scented candles don't just give your interiors a boost with their chic frosted glass votives (or terracotta pots, in Loewe's case). They are as impactful on your mood as the perfume that adorns your wrists – the smell passing through your nose to the areas of the brain that evoke memory and emotion.
Plus, your new flame has another crucial benefit – its wax is infused with essential oils, which have been used for generations as emotional bolsters.
So, when scented candles release delicate puffs of rose and lavender into the air, it can help to relieve stress – these ingredients are thought to slow the nervous system, after all. Jasmine oil reduces symptoms of anxiety and frankincense can make you feel both cosy and grounded – provided you like the smell in the first place.
To maximise on its mood-boosting benefits, try scent-scaping your home to tap into these emotions. The premise is simple: divide up your home and day with different candles, matching the scent to whether you want your surroundings to support relaxation, productivity or just pure joy.
Here, Trudon's creative director Julien Provost reveals how to care for your candles:
How to get the best out of your scented candle
- Light your candle for less than 3 hours during the first use, so that the entire surface is liquid. "This prevents a well from forming, which can damage the aesthetic and olfactory quality of the candle during use subsequent burns.”
- Extinguish the candle with a snuffer. “This prevents the wick from smoking and covers the wick with wax to make subsequent lighting easier.”
- Ensure the wick is no more than 6mm before relighting. “Cutting the wick before each relighting or during a long burning session helps prevent soot and overheating. A candle flickers
because the wick is too long. Its size should be reduced and the flame will stabilise." - A candle never burns out to the end to prevent the glass from getting too hot and bursting. “It is therefore advisable to leave 1-2cm of unmelted wax at the bottom.”
Ahead, the luxury candles you'll want to burn on repeat.
First established in the 17th century, Trudon is the oldest candle maker in the world – so it's only fitting that this year's holiday collection channels the opulence of formal balls at Versailles. The inside of the votive is covered in 24-carat gold leaf, no less, while the design on the outside features chandeliers and heavy velvet curtains. Rather than go down the traditional fir and spice route, Arosa sends out soft puffs of rose and warm amber – making it the candle equivalent of being wrapped up in a skin-hugging cashmere jumper.
If the arty ceramic votive isn't convincing enough to add this candle to your wish list, then the seductive scent will be. Pairing Mediterranean citrus notes with the heady scent of jasmine, tuberose and sweet rosewood, it's a sun-warmed spin on a floral candle.
Diptyque's first refillable candle looks so chic and minimalist, it's like something your cool architect boyfriend would burn on their coffee table. That's probably because the oval glass candle holder – topped with an embossed lid – was originally designed by an architect, turning it into a striking piece of art. Translated as ‘forest dreams,’ this candle brings together jasmine – a sweet, musky flower – creamy ylang ylang and earthy vanilla, transporting your living room to a paradisal Mexican jungle.
This Loewe candle was born after designer Jonathan Anderson took a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Inspired by foliage and the soothing, earthy aroma of a garden, it smells fresh, woody and leafy. Fittingly, it's made with 100% vegetable wax – and don't get us started on the lust-worthy, pink-glazed terracotta pot it's housed in.
As the name suggests, Byredo's candle captures all the smells of a childhood tree house. Imagine a wooden frame made of cedar and sandalwood, a hay-strewn floor and the soft glow of lanterns emitting the scent of warming spices. It's nostalgic and romantic in equal parts – and perfect for hunkering down with in cosy season.
Trust Acqua di Parma to create a memorable wintery twist on a citrus scent. A snap of spicy peppercorn joins freshly-squeezed mandarin at first spritz, before creamy woods and musk step in to take away the edge. Strike a match and relax.
Is there anything more quintessentially British than the warm, smoky scent of chestnuts roasting over a fire at this time of year? Jo Malone's new, limited-edition candle is seasoned with nutmeg, cinnamon and clove and sweetened with soft caramel – for an addictively sweet-yet-spicy confection.
Inspired by white sandy beaches and sparkling iced water, Pomelo is a literal ray of sunshine on grey, winter days. Brimming with mouth-watering grapefruit and pomelo zest, before softening down to warm spices and suede, this candle is bright without being bracing.
How to make a feature of your luxury scented candle
A chic candle holder will make your chosen flame look like a piece of modern art.
This mouth-blown glass piece by Diptyque is just exquisite. Watching the flame spill through the ridges in the glass is incredibly calming and gives a halogen lamp effect that instantly transforms your living room into a cosy bolthole.
Similarly, you can place a scented candle inside The White Company's Ribbed Domed Glass Candle Holder for a soft glow.
Meanwhile this handmade, stoneware candle holder – fashioned into a red bow – makes for an eye-catching centrepiece on your dining table.
What is the difference between soy, beeswax and paraffin candles?
Soy, beeswax, and paraffin candles are made from different materials and have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Here are the primary differences between these types of candles:
These candles are made from soy wax, which is derived from soybean oil. They are considered a more eco-friendly option compared to paraffin candles because they are a renewable resource. Soy candles tend to burn longer and cleaner, producing less soot and releasing fewer toxins into the air. They also have a lower melting point, resulting in a longer-lasting candle.
Beeswax candles are made from the wax produced by honeybees. They are known for their natural, sweet aroma and clean-burning properties. Beeswax candles have a high melting point, which makes them burn at a slower rate compared to other types of candles.
Paraffin candles are made from petroleum by-products and are the most commonly available type of candle. They tend to be less expensive than soy or beeswax candles but they are also less eco-friendly. It's also worth noting that there is a lot of scare-mongering around this type of candle. While it's true that paraffin candles can release potentially harmful chemicals into the air when burned, any suggestion that they can negatively affect your health has yet to be backed up by solid scientific studies.
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
