Dark, chilly evenings are here, hibernation mode on. For those cosy nights spent at home, we've rounded up the most luscious, best scented candles to warm up the mood and light up your winter days
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Few things help set the cosy atmosphere on dark, chilly winter evenings like scented candles, with the soft glow and heavenly fragrance they swathe your space in. Did you know that aside from creating an inviting ambience, burning scented candles also harbours emotional benefits? Much like a dash of perfume, they can act as soothing or energising mood boosters, positively affecting our limbic system, the part of the brain controlling our emotional responses.
Like a steaming cup of herbal tea or a glass of rich mulled wine, the cold-weather season has us longing for those comforting, warming olfactory blends – think musky, smoky and woody notes mingling with sweet aromas like vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon. Ahead, Vogue Scandinavia has rounded up the best scented candles to brighten up the winter days ahead.
Swedish cult-favourite brand Byredo’s limited edition scented candle, Winter Cabin, delivers the exact redolent treat its name promises, whisking you away to a crackling fireplace in a snow-blanketed cottage. Smoky wood notes of birch and vetiver meet luscious patchouli and amber, bringing a touch of winter magic whether you’re in the city or the countryside.
Made from organic soy wax, the charred yet honeyed scent of the Sweet Tobak (previously called Tabac) candle teeters on the masculine side of things. The deep aroma anchors itself in tobacco – only this sensory creation bears little resemblance to the smell of cigarettes and instead evokes the full-bodied character of the tobacco plant’s leaves, recalling the nostalgic whiff of drying tobacco bundles, part of traditional Swedish rural life. Cedarwood and dry earth are the supporting cast in this ensemble.
The calm of a starlit sky manifests in Copenhagen-based brand Audo’s Midnight Soak scented candle, created for ultimate comfort and relaxation. Top notes of luxurious fig, herbaceous lavandin grosso and bitter orange embrace you as you light the wick, followed by sensuous aromas of fresh rose petals, white musk and moss. Crafted from plant-based wax and infused with essential oils, this candle delivers a soothing scent that lingers long in the room.
The rose-gold-plated brass vessel that houses Parts of Four’s ginger-scented candle doubles as an eye-catching objet d’art to place on your coffee table or shelf. Nestled within is a beeswax candle that captures the warmth of sipping hot ginger tea on a cold winter day, its zingy notes entwined with sweet aromas reminiscent of chewy ginger candy.
Dior has also embraced the trend of introducing seasonal, limited edition scented candles, and its Piste aux Étoiles candle beautifully encapsulates a magical, festive spirit, drawing inspiration from the circus world, which Christian Dior himself held dear. Housed in a ceramic holder with golden artworks by Pietro Ruffo, this candle’s scent leans to the sweeter side, divine nonetheless, filling the room with gourmand notes of caramelized almonds and cotton candy.
A lush marriage of bergamot, plum and anise meets notes of leather, rum, vanilla and milk in this decadent Dark Rum scented candle by Malin + Goetz. A fragrance so delectable you’ll wish you’d be able to bottle it up for a rainy day, this candle is a perfect companion for those moody evenings spent at home with a book and a glass of wine in hand.
With warming notes of cinnamon, black tea, and intense oudh, the only way to describe this Molton Brown candle is unequivocally opulent. Available in two sizes, featuring one or three wicks, this candle will bestow your home with an unashamedly indulgent glow.
Those escapes to far-flung corners of Southeast Asia when the Nordics grapple with the frostiest, most frigid days? Now you can bring a slice of them home with H&M Home’s Incense Ritual scented candle, infused with rich notes of smoky incense, spicy cardamom and warm cedar – a fragrance that harks back to temples, yoga studios and little boutiques beneath by palm trees in somewhere hot and humid.
With notes of fresh blueberry, smoky vetiver and warm pine, this Björk and Berries candle will transport you to the north of Sweden. More specifically, to Fäviken farm located in Jämtland (between the mountain Åreskutan and the deep, cold lake Kallsjön) and the gardens and deep forests that surround it.
The honeycomb-shaped vessel adorned with oozing golden honey, harbours
L'Objet’s heavenly Beehive scented candle. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, its fragrance doesn’t echo the bees’ meticulous work, but a delicate, luscious scent of pink Champagne, instantly evoking intimate dinner parties hosted on dark, wintry evenings and jubilant New Year’s Eve celebrations.
French brand Trudon is responsible for concocting some of the most covetable scented candles around. Its Odalisque scented candle is perfect for those drawn to fresher scents rather than the typical winter-forward, intense aromas like burnt wood and spice. Encased in an opulent, dark green glass vessel, this candle summons scents of lemon, orange, orange blossom, vanilla and wild juniper – a sublime blend of tangy and sweet.
What’s more cold-weather cosy than a pumpkin spice latte? Now, you’ll be able to swathe your home in a sweet swirl of pumpkin spice and creamy vanilla, courtesy of beloved scent connoisseur Diptyque. With a burn time of around 50 hours, there’s plenty of opportunity to savour this delicious aroma, transforming your space into a redolent sanctuary reminiscent of a fine bakery.