There's no denying the power of fragrance—we're all familiar with the way that a certain perfume can transport us to a certain time or place, lift our spirits, or get us in the mood for a night out, but what's often overlooked is the fact that the same effect can be achieved in the way we scent our space.
Whether you want to create an atmosphere of relaxation or refresh the energy of a room, then you truly can't go wrong with a scented candle. Ideal for bringing ambience to your bedroom, masking lingering odours in your dining room, or creating spa-like vibes in your bathroom, the best candles serve not only to make your home smell amazing, but also to boost your mood—and of course, multitask as decorative features.
For me, arriving home after a long day, washing my face, changing into comfy clothes, and lighting a candle is one of life's simplest but most enjoyable small pleasures. The right candle at the right time can do anything from helping me to focus when working from home, to getting me in the mood for a deep clean, or creating an atmosphere of calm to relax my mind before sleep.
When it comes to choosing the best candles, there are tonnes of options to choose from—spanning the luxury candle offerings from fragrance houses to more affordable high street candles candles—altogether, making it a tough category to sift through. And then there's the seasons—do you prefer a winter candle or a summer candle? Fortunately for you, between my career as a beauty editor and the genetic predisposition towards buying candles that I seem to have inherited from my mum, I've tried my fair share of candles over the past few years...
To help you to narrow down your options, I've rounded up an edit of the best candles I've tried. From cult classics (think: Byredo, Jo Loves, and Diptyque) to not-so-well-known candles from some of my favourite indie fragrance brands, I can guarantee that every single one of these candles will make your home smell incredible.
The Best Candles
1. Byredo Bibliothèque
Calling all bibliophiles! If you're obsessed with the smell of new books or your idea of heaven is whiling away hours in an old library or secondhand bookstore, look no further. Warm, smoky and papery, this candle will be the perfect accompaniment to your next read.
2. Diptyque Baies
I couldn't not include a Diptyque fragrance—the struggle was in choosing just one. In the end, I've settled on the brand's bestseller, Baies. It's an aromatic blend of blackberries and rose and it's a real crowd-pleasing scent, which makes it an ideal gift (even if it's to yourself).
3. Jo Malone London Basil & Neroli
When it comes to gifting, Jo Malone candles are always a crowdpleaser. This is a lesser-known but (in my opinion) hugely underrated candle which sees sweet, soft neroli offset with green notes of basil.
4. Loewe Tomato Leaf
Tomato leaf might sound like an unusual choice for a candle, but if you're into vibrant, green scents that remind you of summer, you'll be a huge fan. This candle smells just as good as it looks, seriously.
7. NEST New York Lime Zest & Matcha
Perfect for masking lingering smells in your kitchen or dining room, this candle is a bright and sparkling delight for all the senses.
8. Beauty Pie Clean House
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When I need to be in the mood to clean or tidy my house, this candle is my go-to. Reminiscent of the smell of clean, sun-dried laundry, it's warm, fresh, and impossible not to fall in love with. Honestly, Beauty Pie candles are some of the best I've tried.
9. Jo Loves Christmas Trees
Fresh, crisp, and vibrant, this candle positively screams winter. It's an essential festive-season burn. But it's a limited edition candle and only around during winter—so snap it up if you see it.
10. Sana Jardin Sandalwood Temple
Scents with woody notes are always a great option for home fragrance. This candle blends scents of sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver seamlessly with sweet vanilla.
11. Malin + Goetz Dark Rum
This fragrance, with base notes of amber and patchouli, middle notes of leather and rum, and top notes of bergamot and plum, is one of my personal favourites—both to wear as a perfume, and to scent my space.
12. The White Company Seychelles
With notes of zesty bergamot, bright orange, and creamy coconut, this scent will transport you to far-flung islands.
13. Penhaligon's Anbar Stone
Warm and soothing, if you like the scent of amber, this luxury candle will make for a beautiful addition to your collection.
14. & Other Stories Arabesque
Rumour has it that this candle smells a lot like Byredo's Bal d'Afrique perfume. With note of earthy moss and glowing amber, this is a great cosy candy to burn.
15. Marks and Spencer Warmth
You know the viral M&S Warmth scent? This is the candle version, which is a calming woody scent of creamy sandalwood, cardamon and cinnamon.
16. Soho Home Trento Leather & Oud
All of Soho Home's scents are winners for us, but this rich, oud-based blend is perfect for an evening burn. And it's well worth the price considering that you're left with a statement piece of room decor.
17. Zara Home Absolute Linen
When it comes to home fragrance specifically, clean scents are my weakness. I think they're perfect as a spring or summer burn, or for scenting living spaces like the kitchen or dining room. This one smells exactly like freshly laundered linen.
18. NEOM Tranquility
Formulated with relaxing scents to calm the mind, this heavenly smell will send you right off to sleep. Just be sure to blow it out first...
19. D.S & Durga Big Sur After Rain
Capturing the comforting scent that arises after a rain storm, this candle has notes of magnolia and eucalyptus—it's fresh but also surprisingly comforting.
20. Trudon Odalisque Candle
I have to admit that I've never actually burned this candle, but I have smelt it (in store) enough times to know I'd love it. Trudon candles make for a luxury addition to any stylish home, and it's not due to their design. They're notoriously strong-smelling and long-lasting, so you get what you pay for.
21. Le Labo Santal 26
Burning this candle is essentially the home fragrance equivalent of wearing Le Labo's iconic Santal 33 perfume. It may have a high price point, but rest assured Le Labo's scented candles live up to the hype.
22. Maison Crivelli
Before you've even opened the box, the scent of this Maison Crivelli candle will fill a room. Burn it to immerse yourself in a rose damascena, spearmint and leather. Guaranteed to make your home smell luxurious.
23. Glossier Orange Blossom Neroli
You've probably seen Glossier's candles on Instagram at some point, but have you smelled them? Now's the time. This version has the same creamy, floral scent as the brand's bodycare range.
24. Space NK Tuscan Vines
Blending notes of tomato leaf, figs, cedarwood and pine, this candle is instantly uplifting. It's a great one to light for an at-home spa day.
25. Aromatherapy Associates Relax Candle
Aromatherapy has proven effective in calming the mind and relaxing the body, and that's the magic behind this soothing blend. It makes for the ultimate bedtime candle.
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