Nothing feels more festive than a candle burning, spreading its warmth and subtle light in the room. Especially now that we're heading towards the darkest days of the year, the added comfort of a burning candle - or more - can bring comfort and solace.
Some of my favorite candles of the past months that smell and burn beautifully are:
Lalique's La Nuit Nairobi Kenya
An extraordinary candle whose scent subtly features Kenya and its diverse landscape. A refined blend of aromatic plum, bittersweet Amaretto, lush jasmine accords and powdery iris accents enhanced by spicy aromatic coffee and earthy vetiver notes.
Henry's Townhouse The Carriage Snug
In the heart of London’s historic Marylebone, Henry’s Townhouse is the Grade II-listed former home of Jane Austen’s brother, Henry. Inspired by the beautifully restored house, the first collection of candles were launched early this year. One of my favorite rooms, The Carriage Snug, has been transformed into a delicious candle, where aromatic lavender and refreshing bergamot are perfectly paired with a floral bouquet of rose, iris and vetiver laced with sweet boozy rum notes and the warmth of musk and leather.
AMAN Nourishing
Inspired by the soul and body healing treatments they offer at their SPA resorts, Aman’s Nourishing candle was blended to help nourish the mind and soul with notes of floral jasmine petals and refreshing bergamot layered over creamy sandalwood to help nurture and revitalize the senses.
Curionoir Tubereuse Noir
Handcrafted in New Zealand, the Tubereuse Noir candle is a rich lush floral explosion of violet, rose, heliotrope, tuberose and spices. Inspired by traditional wax seals, the glass vessel features Curionoir's distinct emblem on its exterior – an heirloom-worthy piece made to be used, cared for, then passed on.
Ginori 1735 Palazzo Centauro
British designer Luke Edward Hall partnered with Ginori 1735 to create a fantastic array of scents and unique artwork that combine to capture the spirit of some of his favorite locations. This candle is inspired by the Palazzo Centauro in Venice and the smell of incense you experience when walking past the city’s open church doors. It's very reminiscent of how the city of Venice smells like, musty, woody, warm and earthy with hints of smoke and spices from the trade routes.
Henry's Townhouse Saturnalia
Henry's Townhouse launched a limited edition festive candle, Saturnalia, to celebrate the holidays inspired by the winter solstice traditions when the evenings were spent around the fire with friends and family. With top notes of sweet orange and fiery ginger, middle notes of mellow cinnamon and a touch of warm vanilla in the base of the fragrance, Saturnalia evokes the historic Georgian festivities and the wider festive winter season.
Paul Smith Bookworm
A beautiful candle range housed in tinted glass vessels complete with a contrasting lid that doubles as a coaster, an expression of Paul’s fondness for color and its endless combinations. Once burned, you can use it to hold art supplies, toiletries, flowers or any bits and bobs. Bookworm was my favorite from the range, mossy, musky and woody, a beautiful representation of the smell of a well read library.
Fragrance notes: Grapefruit, Amber, Pimento, Cedarwood.
To The Fairest
I decided to include 2 candles from To The Fairest as I couldn't choose a favorite! Élan Vital – ‘life force’ – is the latest creation, an earthy, mysterious vetiver inspired by the thrill of connecting with the natural world around us. Rich and deep realistic fragrance of the forest, aromatic leaves, humid earth and the rich woody bark of the trees.
Aubine on the other hand, is a beautiful floral, bold and unapologetic with the brightest gardenia blooms and a woody dry down to balance it. An olfactory journey celebrating the joy of new beginnings.
Synchronicity scents Love Hummingbird
I was initially very impressed by the beautifully looking sustainable packaging made from mushroom. Hummingbirds symbolise joy, playfulness and adaptability and the candle is as potent as the tiny bird. Positive and harmonious with Juicy clementine, spicy clove and aromatic geranium with a sensuous rose / vanilla finish, it fills the room with its creamy, smooth floral scent.
Ostens Illumination Jasmine
I've been a huge fan of Ostens since they first launched their fragrances and their candles are equally divine. Lighting Illumination Jasmine will transport the radiant scent of night jasmine drifting through open windows on a warm Mediterranean summer evening, into your home.
Presented in an elegant mouth-blown scalloped glass, our hand-poured wax blend enables a perfect burn and the finest fragrance diffusion.
Les Senteurs L’Ile aux Trésors
Les Senteurs’ first candle collection is inspired by the history of the Hawksley and Nicholson families, who came together as Michael and Betty Hawksley – the co-founders of Les Senteurs. L’Ile aux Trésors was inspired by Madagascar, once a key stopping off point for pirates filled with natural treasures and exotic smells. Sweet vanilla and creamy sandalwood mingle with spicy pepper, precious woods and resins to add depth and indulgence.
Skadinavisk REGN - Scandinavian for ‘rain’
Cool, green and rejuvenating, the smell of rain falling on the pavement and the grass, with hints of floral notes. Surprisingly cool, fresh and damp brings to life that precious moment when the drops stop falling and nature breathes again.
Ginori 1735 La Dama Purple Hill
Celebrating Catherine De Medici, The Lady, is made of pure porcelain and smells deliciously of grapefruit, violet and white woods, a subtle and vibrant, elegant green floral with a grounding woody vibe.
Bonafide
Another beautiful range of candles, the BONA Fide portrait collection, are all housed in Limoges porcelain with 6 different designs depicting a woman's mood. With scents created by perfumer Nathalie Feisthauer exclusively for BONA Fide, each fragrance is made in Grasse and represented by a colour, creating a real scented rainbow that harmoniously dresses interiors. As it's refillable, I've had the opportunity to try 2 different scents for my BONA Fide candle and I'm currently on the third! I've burnt so far La Mystique - a smoky leathery scent with wood fire and tobacco vibes, La Sublime - a wintery blend of oud and cedar and currently burning La Délicate - a fresh rosy candle with green and spicy notes and a soft vanilla touch.
It's going to be a wonderfully scented festive season!