One of my favourite things about darker Autumn evenings is the pleasure of closing the shutters (I live in an old house) and lighting a few candles once I have Valentina in bed. Even if I’m working it helps to lift the mood by setting a natural light gauge very much in the chill zone. And now that the clocks have gone back, it’s the perfect time to share some of my favourite candles that make my home look and smell warm and welcoming this Autumn.
Quite a few of my picks are pretty spendy tbh, but I've discovered through trial and error that the best scented candles are worth every penny. My trick is to light them for an hour or two, then distinguish and leave plain candles burning into the wee small hours. A quality candle will fill the room with scent in this time and often linger into the next day, plus the good ones burn up to 50 hours... that's a whole lotta feel-goodness! If you’re conscious about smoke, then most of these guys offer oil diffusers too, which are perfect for lingering, subtle scents.
NEOM happiness-scented-candle -£46
NEOM Happiness
NEOM candles are 100% natural and contain the highest quality essential oils, designed as a wellbeing treatment as well as smelling divine. Happiness is as smile-inducing as it sounds, thanks to seven essential oils of white neroli, woody and powdery mimosa and zingy lemon, to help you feel more positive and balanced.
£58
Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka
A rich and sensual scent, Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka is scented with the hand-harvested sap of the Namibian myrrh tree, mingled with comforting warm almond and lush vanilla notes of the Tonka bean. Smells like an ridiculously handsome man tbh.
£45
Bella Freud Ginsberg is God
The ultimate fashionista fragrance, Bella Freud's Ginsberg Is God candle has a fresh green scent defined by notes of Fig Leaf, Vine Leaves and Tomato. Frankincense, Wormwood and Leather add depth and intensity. Plus it looks flippin beaut.
Malin + Goetz_tobacco_candle -£42
Malin + Goetz Tobacco
This eco friendly natural wax candle has a long-lasting smoky aroma from a blend of botanical ingredients, including basil, chestnut honey and ylang ylang, with a base note of tobacco and bourbon vanilla. Super warming and atmospheric.
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir London Edition -£52
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir London Edition
Love the packaging of this city edition which celebrates the Jo Malone scents most loved by different cities around the world. Pomegranate Noir came top of London's list and features notes of smoky guaiacwood, spicy Casablanca lily, and of course, juicy pomegranate. The ultimate Autumn Winter scent.
Diptyque Feu de Bois -£47
Diptyque Feu de Bois
Close your eyes while burning this and you may just drift off to a fabulous open fireside in a forest cabin...or castle if you prefer! Feu de Bois is scented with essential oils to create a unique woody firewood fragrance.
Hush Fig + Blackberry Leaf -£25
Hush Fig & Blackberry Leaf
A delicious fusion of juicy figs and forest fruits ripe for picking is coupled with the aroma of freshly cut autumn flowers. Coconut adds a creamy, but not overpowering, sweetness.
Fir & Firewood Candle, Anthropologie -£16.jpg
Fir & Firewood
How pretty is this Capri Blue Fir & Firewood candle from Anthropologie? With a fruity, green aroma of apple, clove, fir, pine needle, white birch, cedar, vetiver, and musk.
Field Day Fireside -£5.95
Field Day Fireside
I love to support local brands and Field Day candles give some of their much pricier neighbours a run for their money. Fireside is my favourite, reminiscent of a fragrant peat fire burning in a country cottage... with notes of Tobacco, Vetiver & Amber
GOUTAL £66
Find the magic of Christmas in Goutal’s elegant Une Foret D'or Candle, a truly decorative object, presented in a clear glass streaked with gold. Their diffusion is optimised by a very compact perfumed wax made with natural essences. Fresh and full-bodied, spicy and fruity. The flavour of citrus fruits, orange and mandarin from Brazil, the slightly acid bark of the pine from Siberia, heavy with an unforgettable scent of resin. A scent with the clarity of snow and the warmth of a house filled with impatient, excited children on Christmas Eve.
La Perla £60
This Silk Peony candle boasts a captivating blend of fresh citrus, vanilla Madagascar and, of course, peony. Part of a collection that combines the most renowned fashion fabrics with flowers, colours and raw materials, thesmartvesselwith its gold-tone plaque looks just as good as thearoma within it smells.