Winter Candles

If you're a fellow 'candle person', winter is always prime burning season. There aren't many things cosier than a flickering flame and if there is a wintery scent to match, then all the better. I've had quite a few on the go lately, and the following are my top picks for luxury candles if you fancy a festive scent that isn't based around super-sweet cookies. 

I know expensive candles will seem like a waste to some, but you can almost always rely on a balanced, well rounded scent which fills rooms in a way that cheaper candles can't - even when unlit. I'm also quite sensitive to the scent of some candles and they can knock me for six with a migraine, so these all come Meg-approved, although I'd always recommend having a sniff before you splash the cash.

Diptyque Feu de Bois

Probably my all time favourite candle (it even got its own review), Feu de Bois is the closest you can get to a roaring log fire in an East London flat. Despite briefly swearing off Diptyque candles, as even when well cared for they can be a little sooty, I got sucked in by the unadulterated woodsiness which comes with just enough 'greenness' to prevent it being overwhelming. As I've said before, I think this a perfect scent to give to a couple as I think it appeals to guys just as much as girls. 

Suggested burn time: 60 hours

£38 / 190g wax content 

NEOM Harmonise*

Harmonise is one of my favourite NEOM scents (it shares that spot with Tranquility…ahhhh!). It's basically fresh, pine-y mountain air in candle form and a great alternative to cinnamon based winter scents. I find the blend of green notes and woodsy base are both calming and reviving so I love to have this going during the afternoon slump when I need a bit of help concentrating. NEOM candles are also the cleanest burning candles I've encountered thanks to their soy wax, meaning you can be (if you wanted to, please don't) a lot more slap-dash in your candle care (see the bottom of this post) and still get an economical burn. 
Suggested burn time: 50 hours
£39.50 / 300g wax content

Miller Harris Bois d'épicerie 

This was my christmas present to myself…in November (let's see how many times I can use that excuse before the 25th). The online description sounded incredible, like Feu de Bois dragged along the spice route, so I bought it un-sniffed *eek*. Described as a base of cedar wood, cypress and pine needles with 'warming spices of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon leaf with Seville orange and petitgrain', the scent is quite resinous and very, very Christmassy. It's very potent in the jar but, although the 'throw' is good, it's quite gentle when it burns and the woody notes stand out more. Miller Harris also get top marks for their beautiful glass design. 
Suggested burn time: 40 hours
£45 / 185g wax content 

Timothy Dunn Arabian Fig*

Fruity scents aren't immediately synonymous with cooler months but, uh, 'figgy pudding' anyone? This candle was created by Timothy Dunn, a florist by trade, who first created candles to compliment the floral arrangements in his clients' homes. Arabian Fig is a thoughtful blend although it sounds a little overwhelming - 'wild fig, basil and clove enhanced by frankincense, cassis, rose and jasmine enhanced by radiant base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood and musk'. I've always loved fig in it's fresh, green, almost dewy scented form (see Korres Fig shower gel) but this is a much more luxe scent with a kick of musk and wood. As a side note, I hate basil but, thankfully, can't smell it in this candle at all. It's an incredibly weighty candle (and excellent value at 12p per gram compared to Miller Harris' 24p...yikes) and a shockingly slow burner, so when you light it for the first time, make sure you're settled in for the night as it will take some time to reach the edges of the glass. 

Suggested burn time: 60 hours

£42 / 345g wax content

Obviously they are an investment, so here are a couple of tips to get the best burn from your candle:

• Candles have 'memories', so make sure a new candle has melted right up to the edges before extinguishing it. Again, I need to take my own advice, as I always light a candle and then have to go out to do something and it's a choice between extinguishing the candle when it hasn't melted across the top or leaving an unattended flame (NO NO NO!). 
• Trim the wick! I'm terrible for forgetting to do this, but a shorter wick (about 5mm) produces a smaller flame and a cleaner burn.
• When your spend-y candle is all burnt out, recycle the pretty glass with the help of this post.

*PR samples