New Winter Candle Favourites
My name is Charlotte and I am a candle addict. It’s a seasonal thing; as soon as that calendar hits October my flat starts to look like the Great Hall from Harry Potter... there’s also a similar amount of food, but that’s a story for another day.
I used to think that every candle was born equal, but how wrong I was. There’s nothing more disappointing than finding a great smelling candle, taking it home and discovering it smells of nothing once lit. Well, my friends, I have done the hard work so you don’t have to. Just call me your candle fairy godmother. Or a Taurus, you decide. Without further ado, these are my favourite candle finds that I will be cosying up with over the next few months:
Jo Malone | English Oak and Redcurrant Candle
I’m starting with the big guns, the queen of the scented candle. As I write this, I have just blown mine out. Because everyone knows you burn your Jo Malone for an hour before blowing her out and lighting your cheaper non scented candles, whilst the smell wafts and lingers for the rest of the afternoon. I’m quite a stick in the mud for the Pomegranate Noir, and when a particularly decadent mood strikes, I light up the Dark Amber and Ginger Lily (don’t tell anyone that’s my signature scent). I was wondering if the English Oak & Redcurrant could win me over and it took all of about 5 minutes before I started to come over all Autumnal, wanted to lock my doors and hibernate under a blanket until March. In other words, I’m in love.
Burn time: 45 hours
Price: £45
Boy Smells - June’s Candle
I did not get this candle purely because it’s called June’s (I have a six month old daughter named June), but also because the first thing on the ingredients list is Bergamot - my favourite. Over the years, I’ve learned a little bit about the smells I like and loathe and Bergamot is right up there with my happy smells, coming second to anything orange scented. Made in LA, this candle company was set up in 2014 by David Kien and Matthew Herman (hence the name). This particular scent was created with June's All-Day cafe and wine bar in Austin, Texas in mind, which is located on South Congress Avenue. The most memorable holiday of my life included a week in Austin, so I’m smitten with this candle for several reasons, and that’s before we’ve even discussed the alluring packaging.
Burn Time: 55 Hours
Price: £32
Oliver Bonas | Saskia Candle
No I did not choose this candle for its packaging... okay, okay, I admit at first I did, but if it didn’t smell equally as good as it looked then it wouldn’t have made the final selection, I don’t care how cute it is. Anyway, luckily for this candle, it isn’t a case of style over substance! Oliver Bonas have come up trumps with two scents to choose from: Lily & Wild Moss and Violet Leaf & Vanilla. I think the Lily & Wild Moss has the edge for me, which proves I don’t know what I’m talking about when it comes to scents as the other includes notes of orange, apparently one of my favourite smells according to what I said above (this is why I’m not the professional scent blender). Either way, both are a treat on the nose and the eyes and just imagine that cute kitty with some flowers in it long after the wax has burned away...
Burn Time: 40 Hours
Price: £20
Skandinavisk - BÆR, Berry Harvest Candle
Let’s clear up the pronunciation issues first and foremost, BÆR is simply pronounced ‘bare’ and means berries in Norwegian. Scandinavian winter living is something a lot of us seem to take inspiration from and Skandinavisk have designed their candles and diffusers to help you escape to Scandinavia on first light. Imagine ‘vast silent landscapes and raw seasons of cosy shared moments’, then take a short cut there - with less layers necessary - when you burn these candles. My second favourite scent is Fjord, but you can explore the whole collection here. And again, it’s going to make a very nice storage pot for something with its birch wood lid afterwards.
Burn Time: 50 Hours
Price: £29
Buy Here
Arum | Magnolia Candle
Whilst I love a strong smelling candle, sometimes your nose needs a night off. Enter this subtle but distinctive scent by Arum. Made in London, Arum produce two seasonal collections, one for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. The mission behind the company is ‘ to make sure that the little time we have at the end of our day is spent royally.’ I’m in complete agreement - what’s not to love about that sentiment?! Also in their winter collection is Oats & Honey and Amber & Lavender, shop them here. Arum suggest that you invest in a wick trimmer and a snuffer to get the most out of your candles. This candle collecting is a serious business!
Burn Time: 40 Hours
Price: £34
