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10 Of The Best Scented Candles

26 March 2020

Being able to buy yourself fresh flowers and a gorgeous scented candle has to be one of the best things about being an adult, amirite?

There’s nothing quite like getting home after a long day at work and lighting one to lift your mood and relax you.

Or when you’ve got peeps coming over, lighting an ambiguously fragranced candle as a great conversation starter and to create the perfect ambience for your guests.

Plus, they’re like the easiest and most perfect gift – I’ve never once seen a lass unhappy to open a box full of lovely smelling wax, that’s for damn sure.

So here are my top 10 fave scented candles, in a myriad of fragrance melodies so there should be something for every gal and occasion.

TOM FORD Tuscan Leather Candle

I’m going to start with the big boy of candles because nothing makes you feel like you’ve got your life sorted than finding socks that match and owning a luxury candle.

I arrived home yesterday after 4 days alone and my house was rank AF thanks to a cat with a penchant for vomiting everywhere when I leave him in spite. (Don’t worry, he was fine, we had a sitter visit every day).

Anyway, the place smelt like absolute shite and so I decided to light this fellow that had just been sitting pretty in his glorious house for the past few weeks since I brought him home.

A few minutes later, wafts of sophisticated sensuality had replaced the cat sick. Thank eff. You might think that ‘leather’ is a strange scent to include in a candle but I assure you there are no notes reminiscent of a worn jacket, rather a voluptuous edge that gives the fragrance a distinctive quality.

PERFECT FOR: The girl that’s really, REALLY hard to buy for. Encased in an exquisite glass jar she’ll want to display forever, each candle is composed of the most luxurious ingredients.

DEETS: RRP $215 (AU), available at luxe department stores.

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Glasshouse Fragrances Bora Bora Candle

Inspired by remote holidays over clear aqua waters, I urge anyone craving a tropical holiday to enjoy this candle as a substitute.

Perfumed with tangy cilantro and sparkling orange blossom, this will fill whatever space you burn it into an oasis reminiscent of salty days and balmy nights. Much cheaper than tickets to Bora Bora too!

PERFECT FOR: The common areas in your place as the fragrance is neither feminine nor masculine, just fresh and delightful!

DEETS: RRP $42.95 (AU), available here.

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Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Home Candle

I’ve burnt a few JM candles in my time as an *elite candle connoisseur but today I’m going to bang on about this particular one for the sole reason that it’s just such a unique fragrance.

Somehow, the brilliant team have managed to create a scent that is both deep and woody but also inspired in a fresh aroma reminiscent of seaside days.

*Self-appointed. I love them and burn them every night while I sit with vomiting fat cat and puzzle. 

PERFECT FOR: Your gal pal getting married! A beautiful candle for the bride-to-be is such a thoughtful gift, if she burns it while she’s getting ready on the day, the fragrance will always be associated with the excited giddy feeling of getting ready to get married.

Whenever she burns it again, she’ll be brought back to that day. So make sure you opt for something classic like Jo Malone, not something that will be discontinued!

DEETS: RRP $88 (AU), available here.

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Circa Home Pear & Lime Miniature Candle

Featuring an invigorating blend of zesty Mexican lime, anjou pear and warm vanilla, Circa Home candles are generally opted for by retail managers as they fill large spaces with such gorgeous fragrances.

They also last and last and last so you’re really getting bang for your buck.

PERFECT FOR: Brenda in accounts. It’s basically the perfect secret Santa gift under $20!

DEETS: RRP $14.95 (AU), available here.

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L’OCCITANE Lavender Scented Candle

If you see lavender and roll your eyes thinking ‘well I’m not 80 now am I’, you’ve just never had a whiff of the right stuff.

The quality of the essential oils this candle is formulated with keeps the fragrance lingering long after you’ve blown it out.

PERFECT FOR: When you want to lie in a bath, listen to soothing music and RELAX! The warmth of the pure lavender oils will have you woozy with relaxation.

DEETS: RRP $35 (AU), available here.

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Diptyque Baies Candle

One of Diptyque’s most iconic scents, this candle fills any space with the delicate scent of a bouquet of roses and blackcurrant leaves BUT it actually isn’t that floral… I know weird, but the notes aren’t overpowering, they’re just nice and soft!

It’s quite a hard fragrance to place in a particular fragrance family which is probably what makes it such a popular candle, there’s nothing else like it on the market.

PERFECT FOR: Anyone who you’re unsure about when it comes to fragrance preferences as it’s generally a slightly ambiguous crowd pleaser.

DEETS: RRP $74 (AU), available here.

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Cocolux Candles Australia Tropical Gardenia

Gardenia is one of the prettiest floral scents in my opinion and this candle encapsulates the beauty of the flower perfectly.

Housed in a rose gold jar perfect for keeping beauty brushes in after it’s all used, it’s the ultimate gift for yourself.

PERFECT FOR: The ultimate girly girl who loves the prettier things in life. Great for single gals who want their space oozing with girliness.

DEETS: RRP $65 (AU), available here.

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DAMSELFLY COLLECTIVE Our Inca Candle

I ADORE these candles! The messages are so cute and funny, making them instantly more personal, plus they all smell bloody fantastic.

I love this zen one as from afar it looks super chic but the message makes you lol.

With a beautiful blend of lime, patchouli, jasmine, amber, white musk, vanilla bean and sandalwood – it’s the perfect heady fragrance to bring warmth to a room.

PERFECT FOR: Bridesmaids, gal pals, secret Santa at work – you name the person and they’ve probably got a candle with the perfect message for them.

DEETS: RRP $39.95 (AU), available here.

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BYREDO Bibliothèque Candle

Swedish-born brand BYREDO artfully fuses the magic of luxury fragrance with art, design and fashion.

A rich AF, seductive aroma evocative of ancient wood-panelled libraries for a cosy, secure ambience.

Laced with notes of peach, plum, violet, peony, patchouli, leather and vanilla and housed in a striking black vessel that will bring luxe vibes to any surface.

PERFECT FOR: The ultimate home accessory for all connoisseurs of cool.

DEETS: RRP $84 (AU), available here.

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Hutwoods Lime, Basil & Mandarin Candle

This invigorating melody of scents offers citrus notes of lime and sun-ripened mandarin balanced with the herbal aroma of fresh basil. Lime, basil and mandarin might sound like an odd concoction but I assure you, it tickles the

Lime, basil and mandarin might sound like an odd concoction but I assure you, it tickles the ol’ nostrils in the best possible way.

But the standout feature of this candle is the wood wick. The wood actually crackles while it burns, which creates a cosy atmosphere. Wood wicks also burn longer from my experience with them – bonus!

PERFECT FOR: Anyone! The unisex fragrance will suit most styles.

DEETS: RRP $39.95 (AU), available here.

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Words by Kelly McCarren.