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A fetish for scented candles - with dupes of Jo Malone

Tuesday 25 September 2012

Over the last few years, I've developed a real obsession with scented candles. Not the rank Yankee Candles that you get as wedding favours or granny presents, but beautiful handmade ones with essential oils and a subtle scent that fills the room.

When you see a fancy lady giving tips about travel, they often say that they fly with their favourite scented candle to hand, to light as they arrive in a hotel to remind them of home. Psh to that, I say. The unfamiliar smell in a hotel room  is part of the fun! So long as it's not the smell of mice, or a blocked toilet, of course.

Through trial and error, I've found a reliable few candles that I'll love forever, and thought I'd share them with you.




Inishowen Candles - Lime, Basil & Mandarin (€6)

I was upstairs in the craft shop of Collooney for the first time today, and spotted a range from a brand I hadn't seen before, Inishowen Candles. Made in Malin Head, the most northerly point in Ireland, I thought I'd pick one up and give it a bash. I've had it burning for a few hours now, and the scent is heavenly. Not too overpowering, it's a great warming scent with no floral undertones at all. I think calling it a dupe of Jo Malone is a bit too much, as it is exactly the same combination of oils, but there's no denying it's a good bit cheaper at just €6.

 
 
 
Whenever I go into this little shop in Brighton, I sigh a little, and tell whoever is near me that this is what my house will look like when I grow up. Everything is delicate and pretty, and they sell beautiful loungewear that looks like vintage lingerie. The last time I was in, I picked up one of their little candles, in wild fig and grape. The next time, I'll buy the huge version, as I used it so often there's now nothing left.
 

Lily Flame - Citrus Crush €9

I wasn't too sure about these at first. The other fragrances in the range include the kind of gacky scents you see in a Yankee Candle, including Chocolate truffle and Christmas pudding, which were rather off putting to me. But I love a citrus based scent, so I picked this one up to try. And it quickly became a favourite. It's a little more potent than the other two, so I don't burn it for as long, but it really lifts a room. There are great seasonal scents in the range, and a few more I might try next time.


Surprisingly, the little one I picked up in Dunnes was a great candle (Sandalwood, I think). And I've been dreaming of the Voya candle for years... I adore that smell, but can't quite bring myself to splash out €44 on it. One day...

Do you have any favourites? Share them in the comments!

5 comments

  1. Have you tried the Flaming Mad Candles range? They are made from rapeseed wax with wood wicks and are handpoured in Co Limerick. Lovely scent combinations and no waste, the also do personalised candles with really some stunning designs not like the usual run of the mill ones you normally get:-)

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  4. Christmas pudding, which were rather off putting to me. But I love a citrus based scent, so I picked this one up to try.Apsley and Company

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