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Team GH's favourite scented candles to burn right now
Fill your home with these uplifting scents this autumn.🍂
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With autumn now upon us, what better way to make to your home feel more uplifting than a gorgeous scented candle. Whether you’re looking for a scent that freshens up your home, or a combination of essential oils for relaxing and unwinding, scented candles are a must in any household.
Although choosing a candle based on your olfactive preferences is straightforward, making sure that candle lasts a long time is not. Here a few tips to optimise your candle's lifetime. (1) Opt for a candle that burns evenly and has a wick that stays upright, this will make them easier to trim. (2) Let the surface turn fully liquid before blowing your candle out. (3) Trimming the wick is key for a longer lasting candle. Trim to about 5mm before you relighting, this reduces the height of the flame so that the candle burns slowly to evenly until the very end.
When looking for your perfect scent, think about what you want your candle to achieve. Heavier notes linger in a room for longer (think amber, woods, patchouli and dark fruits such as plum and cherries) while citrus and lighter florals invoke warmer seasons. To help with relaxation, look for scents like lavender, pine and sage.
To help you pick the perfect scent for your home, all our expert editors at Good Housekeeping have provided their top recommendations for the best scented candles to burn. Recommendations range from well known companies and perfumeries like The White Company, Jo-Loves and Diptyque to options from small businesses, with a range of price points to suit every budget. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself – or buy a homes gift for a loved one– here are our all time favourite options for you this autumn/winter.
James Cunningham, Homes & Gardens Editor, says:
"The latest release from Jo Loves features rich notes of coffee and chocolate, as well as orange, ginger and cardamom. The candle itself looks beautiful, with the jar's gold detailing making it a brilliant gift for friends and family."
James also recommends:
"This season, I’ll also be burning Inspiritus – the spicy blend of cinnamon, cloves and sandalwood creates an instant sense of cosiness. St. Eval’s sustainable candles are handmade in their Cornwall workshop."
Anna Lao-Kaim, Beauty Editor, says:
"I’m a sucker for amber in anything and this warming, tropical island inspired candle mingles one of my favourite scents with coconut and vanilla for a ‘holiday in a jar’ effect that’s somehow not sickly (bergamot and green jasmine add freshness). It’s much duped, but for a bit of winter sun at the strike of a match, nothing beats it."
Simon Swift, Multiform Director, says:
"I recently switched from feu de Bois Diptyque to Cypres and I think it may be my new favourite. It smells like a beautiful pine forest at about 5pm in Italy."
Lynne Hyland, Beauty Editor, says:"With sweet orange, spice and cedar wood, this is the scent of sheer happiness. I love the body cream, foaming shower gel, bath oil, hand wash, well, everything from this range, so why would I not want to fill the air with it too?"
Christina Geggus, Junior Homes Writer, says:
"While I love Neom's Happiness candle all year round, their new Cosy Nights candle is taking top spot this autumn/winter. This candle is made from a rich blend of pure essential oils including sandalwood, frankincense and nutmeg, which is perfect as we head into the cosy, festive season and it isn't too overpoweringly festive! Also, it's trendy design will make it an eye-catching ornament in your home too."
Christina also recommends:
"This Calm candle from Marks & Spencer Apothecary range is one the best scented candles to buy on a budget. The Calm fragrance is one of my favourites from the collection, as it uses lavender and citrus cedarwood and sweet orange, to create a soothing scent to your home. What's even better is when I run out, I can just go online or to my local M&S and just get one of their CALM candle refills. Amazing!"
Bobbie Edsor, Social Media Editor, says:
"I love the androgynous scent of Hinoki Wood by Muji, which feels so warming, rich and luxurious. I especially love it in the autumn time - and it makes such a great gift, too, because it has an undertone of 'cologne' which people always seem to really love!"
Jo Finney, Consumer Affairs Director and Books Editor, says:
"I cannot get enough of The White Company's Winter candle. The mix of cinnamon, clove and orange is really warming and autumnal, without being too sweet. The scent lasts for ages even after I blow the candle out and really fills the whole room."
Bethan-Rose Jenkins, Deputy Features Editor, says:
“I was gifted my first Diptyque candle as a birthday present five years ago and now I always have one on the go. The roses fragrance is a beautiful, gentle scent for my bedroom and the black and white packaging looks so chic on my bedside table."
Melanie Giandzi, Senior Food and Drinks Writer, says:
"Le Labo candles are some of the highest quality I've used and its Santal 26 scented candle is so aromatic that you don't even have to light it! It's a heady mix of spice, leather and musk and makes you want to cosy up in an armchair with your favourite book. Nostalgic and comforting."
Grace Evans, Senior Cookery Writer, says:
"I was gifted this candle by my grandparents at Christmas, and i only allow myself to light it once a week in order to eek it out as look as possible. I will be devastated when it burns out! It's the best smelling candle I've ever had."
Corin Ripley, Fashion Assistant, says:
"As a long-time fan girl of Boy Smells, Hinoke Fantome was my gateway candle into their scent dynasty. As someone who is sensitive to strong smells i find its subtle yet sophisticated scent profile perfect for my home. With notes of pear, hinoki and smoked amber, its woody yet sweet scent is my go-to candle of all time."
Melanie Giandzi, Senior Food & Drink Writer says:
"I've recently discovered (and fallen deeply in love) with La Bougie's candles, specifically the brands scented candle called Mission Fig. You know when you're going for a walk in the late summer, deep in the countryside, and all of a sudden the most fragrant fig tree hits your nose? This is exactly that. With hints of coconut, peaches and blond wood, this candle evokes calmness instantly."
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