From Jo Malone London to Diptyque, welcome to your ultimate guide to the best luxury candles money can buy
“One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats,” wrote the novelist Iris Murdoch. And we can’t think of a littler treat with a bigger impact than one of the best luxury candles.
Great luxury candles (be that a designer perfume candle or an aroma candle) are incredibly versatile. They are a transformative interiors accessory. Whether you want to add some wintry ambience to your living room mantle, have a relaxing candlelit bath, or transform your house back into a cosy, relaxing sanctuary as the seasons change, it’s a jack of all trades. They’re a mood enhancer. And they also make the perfect gifts. Either for yourself in an act of self-care, as a birthday or Christmas present (we stand firm on the opinion that no one in this world could be disappointed when presented with a candle) and they make an ideal hostess gift to say thank you when you’ve stayed at someone’s house. Remember that this festive period.
In fact, we think having a luxe candle in your arsenal is as essential as having one of the best eye creams in your skincare routine. (Yes, really.) Because although they might be deemed a luxury, these days we need all the self-care treats we can get.
So we thought we’d go ahead and round up the best luxury candles money can buy – because let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a minefield out there. Whether you prefer the light fragrances of clean cotton, or the rich aromas of neroli and spices, we’ve got a divine-smelling candle for everyone. And if anyone asks: yes, you absolutely DO need another one.
What to look for in a luxury scented candle
When splurging on a designer candle, you want to know that it will last. Aside from this ingenious candle hack that will ensure you burn your new candle properly (and thus ensure it has a long lifespan), there are a number of things to take into account when shopping for the best luxury candles out there. Here’s what to look out for if you want to make sure it will go the distance.
Wax: The three most common types of candle wax are paraffin, soy and tallow. Though a lot of candles are made with a combination of all three, luxury candles don’t tend to contain tallow – the beef industry byproduct common in budget picks.
Paraffin is an ingredient widely present in candles, and although it’s less environmentally friendly than, say, beeswax or soy, it’s great for diffusing scent throughout a room. Where burn time is concerned, soy candles are almost unrivalled – so ensure to read the make up of a candle’s wax before making the splurge.
Wicks: Wick count can intensify a candle’s scent – so if you’re a fragrance lover, try opting for a luxury candle with multiple wicks. Most wicks are made from braided cotton, but if you’re after a lovely, crackling sound (self-care ASMR, anyone?), look for a designer perfume candle or aroma candle with a wooden wick.
Luxury candles: the must-have accessories
True Grace Wick Trimmer, £18 | Anthropologie
Use the code JOY at the checkout to get 25% off. Wick trimmers help candles burn for longer and brighter. And a long wick also create more soot, which in turn leaves black marks on walls. No candle connoisseur would be seen dead without a wick trimmer.
Soho Home Candle Snuffer, £30 | Soho Home
Blowing out your own candles is just not the done thing. Candle snuffers have been used for centuries, and nowadays they complete a candle collection.
With all that in mind, are you ready to shop some of our all-time favourite luxury candles? From cult-classics to coveted new releases, here are the designer candles you absolutely need in your home.
Don’t miss our guide to the best sustainable candles, while you’re here – and happy unwinding.
The White Company Botanical Large Candle, £38 | The White Company
Burn Time: 63 hours
Name a more recognisable Christmas candle. We bet you can't. Nothing screams festive season more than The White Company's classic candle. A super generous gift or the ideal way to kick off the season for your own home. We love.
Loewe Large Honeysuckle Candle, £305 | Liberty
Burn Time: 80 hours
"I would argue that Honeysuckle is the most beautiful fragrance on the planet," says Marie Claire's Digital Beauty Editor Katie Thomas. "In Summer, it's all you can smell on the streets of Rome, as the buildings are covered in its tendrils. This aroma candle is a close second."
Byredo Cotton Poplin Candle, £31 | Cult Beauty
Burn Time: 60 hours
This clean, fresh scent makes for a lovely daytime fragrance in any room – not to mention it would make a failsafe gift for someone you love. Because who doesn't love the smell of freshly washed cotton?
Matthew Williamson Extra Large Luxury Candle Jaipur Jewel, £140 | Look Fantastic
Burn Time: 120 hours (approx)
"It's not just the beautiful aromas that I look for in a candle, I also look for a beautiful exterior. Why? Because I like to reuse the pot. I've got loads around my house - holding my toothbrushes, makeup brushes and even my pens."
Fornasetti Metfisca Scented Candle, £265 | Selfridges
Burn Time: 180 hours
"Fornasetti create stunning candles, which are packaged up in this beautiful pots. A total style statement and one that should definitely be made," says Marie Claire's Digital Beauty Editor Katie Thomas.
Boy Smells Cinderose Scented Candle, £36 | Liberty
Burn Time: 55 hours
"It’s rose but not as you know it. A much more current version of the flower that sometimes has a bad rep - this is young and fresh. It's also the ideal prop for those Insta moments and is achingly cool – but thats to be expected from Boy Smells," says Marie Claire Associate Editor-At-Large Sunil Makan.
Espa Winter Spice Luxury Candle, £100 | Espa
Burn Time: 35 hours
The three wick, 1KG scented candle combines all of the notes your would typically associate with the festive season: Sweet Orange, Clove, Cinnamon and Ginger. A delight for the senses.
Jo Malone London Green Tomato Vine Scented Candle, £90 | Jo Malone London
Burn Time: 70 hours
"God I just love this smell - it's green and luscious and I just want to dunk my head into this ceramic pot," says our Digital Beauty Editor Katie Thomas.
Loewe Scented Wax Candlestick Candles, £80 each | Net-A-Porter
Burn Time: 10 hours
Arguably, the the most wanted candle of the fashion set of the last year. Loewe's iconic candlestick candles, which are made completely of wax, are the perfect way to smarten up a Christmas table this year. Combine the Red Tomato scent with the green Marijuana fragrance for a modern blend of earthy greenery.
Bella Freud Peace and Love Scented Candle, £95 | AMARA
Burn Time: 90 hours
While this is a popular choice at Christmas for those sick of the typical cinnamon sticks fare, Bella Freud's Peace and Love candle is one of our firm favourites all year round. A blend of Patchouli, Pink Pepper and Clary Sage, it's just what the doctor ordered at the end of a long day.
Aesop Aganice Aromatique Candle, £80 | Aesop
Burn Time: 55–65hours
Named after Aglaonice – the first female astronomer of Ancient Greece who was renowned for her knowledge of the moon and its cycles – this floral, spicy blend of cardamom, mimosa and tobacco is our top choice for cosy nights in. And in typical Aesop style, its matte finish, minimalist pot would make a chic addition to any interiors set-up.
Diptyque Biscuit Scented Candle, £60 | John Lewis
Burn Time: 90 hours
If you're someone who marks the start of the Christmas period with a Gingerbread Latte, you are going to be incredibly fond of this grown-up sweet scent. It's sweet, it's spicy and it's laced with punchy patchouli.
Neom Bedtime Hero 3 Wick candle, £46 | Lookfantastic
Burn Time: 50 hours
Trouble sleeping? Enter Neom's Bedtime Hero. A blend of 11 pure essential oils including chamomile, ylang ylang and cedarwood, this is my go-to come 8pm every single evening.
Saint Fragrance Late Night Fig candle – £42 | Selfridges
Burn Time: 45–50 hours
If self-care could come in candle form, it'd be Saint Fragrance's Night Fig. Its rich notes of bergamot and cedarwood are offset by a tart green mandarin for an uplifting scent that makes for excellent company while wfh.
Bella Freud Psycho Analysis Candle, £45 | Matches Fashion
Burn Time: 40 hours
Bella's candles are as iconic as they are delicous-smelling: this one, with refreshing top notes of neroli and lilac around a heart of tobacco flower and woody amber. Divine.
D.S. & Durga Portable Fireplace Candle, £60 | Liberty
Burn Time: 60 hours
"This aroma candle is called a portable fireplace for a reason; it's smoky and woody and will give off that lovely lingering aroma that a real roaring fireplace leaves behind. A lovely addition to just about any living room on a cold winter's night," says Marie Claire Associate Editor-At-Large Sunil Makan.
Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, £49 | Space NK
Burn Time: 90 hours
It wouldn't be a luxury candle round up without this Diptyque classic. Made from Bulgarian roses, ambergris, and blackcurrant buds and leaves, this calming candle is a firm favourite among fragrance lovers everywhere.
Le Labo Santal 36 Candle, £57 | Cult Beauty
Burn Time: 60 hours
The brand's iconic scent works just as well in candle form. It's a little bit smokey, a little bit leathery and just so damn chic.
Neom Scents of Wellbeing Candles Assortment, £45 | Selfridges
Burn Time: 20 hours per candle
Why pick a favourite festive scent, when you can have three? Neom's ruby red Christmas wish combines Mandarin, Cinnamon and Tonka Bean. Perfect Peace in the pink pot has notes of Pin, Myrrh and Lime Peel. And finally Real Luxury is made from Lavender, Jasmine and Brazilian Rosewood.
Diptyque Fluted Scented Candles, £20 each | Diptyque Paris
Burn Time: 5 hours
Who said that luxury candles had to come in a glass container?! How smart are these scented tapered candles? There are three scents to choose from - all perfect for A/W. Ambre, Woodfire and Berries. They're crying out to adorn a fireplace.
Dior La Collection Privée 30 Montaigne Candle, £120 | Dior
Burn Time: 70 hours
This beautiful Christmas update of the Dior classic candle comes with a chic lid. Once it's finished, use it as the smartest storage pot you've ever owned.
August&Piers Libertine Candle, £59 | August&Piers
Burn Time: 60 hours
Opt for a different scent with this Libertine candle, which combines notes of Patchouli, Cedar Wood and the mysterious Guaiac Wood.
Ouai Melrose Place Candle, £32 | Cult Beauty
Burn Time: 55 hours
The Californian haircare brand now does candles and we are beyond pleased. Light a couple of these around the house and you'll feel like you're on the beach.
Wildsmith Skin The Bothy Candle, £65 | Wildsmith Skin
Burn Time: 60 hours
If you've not made it down to the completely luxurious Heckfield Place. never fear for one light of this candle and you'll feel like you're walking through its walled garden. It's all green herbs and botanicals.
