The Best Winter Candles

I'm a fan of scented candles whatever the weather, but there's something about dark evenings (and afternoons!) that makes me appreciate them even more. These are my top three for the festive season...

Jo Malone Incense & Embers. Need I say more? I'm pretty sure the name alone is enough to convince you how gorgeous this is. There's something distinctly celestial about this scent, which is definitely more incense than embers. Not the type I burned at uni... but the kind of alluring smokiness that might waft through the air as you stroll by a beautiful golden temple on a heady evening (I'm there now - in my head - grounded only by the cuppa and Rich Tea next to me). Incense & Embers smells rich and reassuring, with leather and amber lifted by vetiver and fir... perfect for this time of year.

Field Day candles (formerly Bog Standard) are made a few miles up the road from me and the limited edition Winter scent is hands down my favourite. Its maker has mastered the traditional festive cocktail of cinnamon, clove and orange - which I usually shy away from - quite beautifully. Field Day Winter throws quite a lot of scent, yet has a sophisticated softness to it that smells much more expensive than its very reasonable price tag (£13.95). It reminds me of the kitchen while baking Christmas cake, with a pot of mulled wine simmering on the stove... I'd happily gift this to everyone I know for Christmas, confident that it would be a winner. I've been burning it a lot and everyone who comes into the house comments on how lovely it is. Very importantly (to me) - this is not so overtly festive that you couldn't burn it long into the New Year. Don't hang about though, a wee bird tells me there's not many left.

Neom Perfect Peace is an uplifting, soothing scented candle made with 25 (!!!) essential oils including pine, myrrh and lime. I prefer it to Neom's traditional Christmas Wish fragrance and think it makes a particularly good choice for daytime burning, perhaps even on The Big Day itself? It makes a striking centrepiece and I have a feeling it would work well paired with a glass of something sparkling, a theory I may need to put to the test...

What's your favourite Winter candle?


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Smells Like Christmas! Festive Candles & Home Scents

One of my favourite things about Winter evenings is lighting candles.  Apart from how pretty and atmospheric they look, there’s nothing like a gorgeous scent to welcome guests into your home at Christmas.  Add a few fairy lights into the mix and you have a little twinkling slice of heaven right there.  For all day long scents that are safe even with children (& animals!) around, diffusers are the way to go. Here are my picks to suit every purse.

NEOM Organics Real Luxury Candle £39.50 here - I can’t do a post about home scents without mentioning this favourite.  Real Luxury is a blend of smooth, calming blend of Lavender, Jasmine and Brazilian Rosewood oils.  Burning this makes me feel like being wrapped in an imaginary cashmere blanket - unobtrusive, warming and enveloping - I can’t imagine anyone not loving it.

Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Candle - I bought this last year and while I can’t find the full size version online, it’s available as part of a cute votive set here. Imagine the comforting scent of French Patisseries and caramel and you’re pretty much there - not sickly sweet, just divine! 

 

MUJI Log Fire candle £3.50 here - the best budget candle around, this little beauty smells similar to Diptyque’s Feu de Bois for a fraction of the price. It may not throw the scent as far, so best for a small room (unless you buy several) but it really does smell like an open fire, great for those of us who crave one!  [One word of warning though - blow this out just before it gets to the very end as mine turned into a huge flame, which was a little scary!]

Rituals Spice Trail Fragrance Sticks £22.05 here - I keep this in my hallway and am greeted by its delicately spiced perfume every time I come home.  I expected it to be stronger and more cinnamon based, but it’s really well balanced.  The bottle is very elegant and its pretty presentation box only requires a bow if you choose to pass it on as a gift!

Orla Kiely Geranium & Myrrh Mini Candle & Diffuser set £19.99 here - I had to show you this little set in its presentation box as it’s just too cute and would make the perfect gift (yes, for you too).  It smells divine and looks adorable together, perfect for a double dose of fragrance or to split between two rooms. Although dinky, the candle burns for 50hrs and the diffuser lasts around 2 months.

Do you like to burn candles at this time of year? Please leave me a comment below with your favourites! x