Photography: Chris Warnes
When it comes to elevating the everyday, luxury candles are an easy win. At once decorative, ambient and aromatic, they are a treat for the senses and help to create a cosy mood.
They can also serve as quite a personal gift (for Mother’s Day, Christmas and beyond). Many of the best luxury candles are made by perfumeries meaning that you can gift a loved one a candle in their own signature scent. The perfume that someone wears on a daily basis is an intimate detail so matching it with a gorgeous candle for their home is very thoughtful.
If you’re going to invest in a high-quality, luxurious candle then you’ll want to know your premium waxes from your toxic wicks. Not to worry – we answer all your most burning questions, such as whether expensive candles are worth it and how to tell luxurious candles from cheaper imitations.
Scroll on for our selection of the best luxury candles available to shop in Australia, plus our expert advice for picking the right one. Just don’t forget your accessories! Quality items like premium Trudon matches, a gold candle snuffer and a wick trimmer are perfect to add to cart (and will prolong the life of your candle).
Shop the best luxury candles in Australia
01
‘English Pear & Freesia’ scented candle
$116/200g, Jo Malone
Best for: Matching your home’s aroma to your own signature scent.
Jo Malone London is a beloved luxury fragrance company and ‘English Pear & Freesia’ is one of their most popular colognes. It mixes the fruity notes of just-ripe pear with blossoming white freesias that will transport you to an orchard in the British countryside. In wonderful news for fans of the perfume, you can buy Jo Malone London scents in the form of luxury candles, too, so that your home can reflect your own personal aroma. This is very convenient for gifting, too. After all, what could be a more personal gift than one that says “I know what your signature scent is and I’ve bought you a luxury candle to suit”?
Sizes: 65g: 6.5cm (H) x 5.1cm (W); 200g: 9.3cm (H) x 8.5cm (W); 600g: 11.2cm (H) x 11.6cm (W); and 2100g: 18.2cm (H) x 16.2cm (W).
02
Diptyque ‘Baies (Berries)’ scented candle
$88.85/70g, Fresh Beauty Co.
Best for: A chic French touch.
At once minimalist and monochromatic, the vessels that Diptyque luxury candles are displayed in are as iconic and beloved as their scents. The Parisian brand has truly taken over the world in recent years and it’s easy to see why. French perfumeries have a wonderful reputation due to their long history of producing high quality fragrances. The ‘Baies (Berries)’ scent is one of their most popular and best selling. It’s a fruity and floral aroma that blends blackcurrants with roses then grounds the sweetness with fresh greenery.
Sizes: 70g.
Materials: Vegetable and paraffin wax blend, lead-free cotton wick.
03
‘Breathtaking Banff’ limited edition triple scented soy candle
$59.95/380g, Glasshouse Fragrances
Best for: Highly decorative container.
A touch of awe-inspiring alpine beauty, all from the comfort of your own home. The ‘Breathtaking Banff’ triple scented soy candle is part of Glasshouse Fragrance’s limited edition northern peaks collection. Created as a “breath of fresh altitude” this candle has top notes of fresh green fig leaves, bergamot and paprika with sweet caramelised figs and base notes of vanilla, coconut and maple wood. The result is a freshness that reaches new heights with a warmth that grounds. The stunning illustration on the candle’s jar, complete with snowy mountain peaks and serene lake views, ensures a treat for the eyes, not just the nose.
Sizes: 380g.
Materials: Non-toxic soy blend wax and lead-free cotton wicks.
04
Carrière Frères ‘Tea Plant’ scented candle
$44.50/185g (was $89/185g), Libertine Parfumerie
Best for: A spot of afternoon tea.
Carrière Frères has been concocting fragrances since 1884, so it’s fair to say their prestige is well earnt. The brand has come far since its creation in the final years of the Industrial Revolution, evolving to fit in with modern homes and sensibilities. The ‘Camellia Sinensis’ or ‘Tea Plant’ scented candle is a strong and stimulating luxury candle. It’s a truly timeless scent, as aromatic black tea leaves have been harvested and enjoyed since the dawn of time. This scent is smoky and woody, with a subtle sweetness that is as invigorating as the beloved beverage itself.
Sizes: 185g: 9cm (H) x 7.5cm (W).
Materials: 100% vegetable wax, 100% cotton wick and glass made in Italy.
05
‘Grand Celebration’ white musk & warm vanilla scented candle
$99.95/900g, Ecoya
Best for: Luxuriously long burn time.
Allow festivities to extend into the night with guaranteed ambience. This 900g candle is generous in size, with four wicks for a burn time of up to 70 hours. Vanilla, bergamot and sandalwood are the main fragrance notes, creating an aroma that is fresh and romantic, with bursts of citrus and leafy green undertones. The creamy vanilla base is intensified with balsams and musk. Best of all, the natural soy wax is cased in a glass jar with a ribbed edge, adding a touch of texture to your tabletop.
Sizes: 900g.
Materials: Glass, wax and four wick.
06
Trudon ‘Ernesto’ intermezzo candle
$480/800g, Myer
Best for: More than 350 years of excellence.
Transport yourself to the city of Havana in the 1950s, where Cuban cigars and the barrels of guns signal that revolution is in the air. Notes of leather, clove, moss and tobacco add a mesmerising sense of masculinity, while bergamot, grapefruit, and patchouli deepen the experience. Trudon is a heritage and prestige brand which began in France in 1643, back when the monarchs of the land still had their heads. The gold logo is instantly recognisable and in the ‘Ernesto’ candle it is paired with a deep green glass. The burn time is 110-120 hours.
Sizes: 70g, 270g, 800g, 2800g.
07
‘Sainte T’ large scented candle
$79/300g, Maison Balzac
Best for: Fragrant florals.
Following on from their collaboration with Doctor Cooper Studio (dubbed the ‘1642’ candle), Maison Balzac and Doctor Cooper Studio have teamed up again, this time for the floral ‘Sainte T’ scented candle. As far as luxury candles go, this one is unabashedly all about flowers. Named for Saint Theresa of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun also known as the Patron Saint of Florists, the olfactory notes say this candle smells like “a thousand cut flowers.” These candles are made in Sydney, Australia, and the 300g candle has a burn time of approximately 70 hours.
Sizes: 300g: 9.7cm (H) x 7.3cm (W).
Materials: Soy and coconut wax blend with cotton wick.
08
‘Kyoto In Bloom’ triple scented soy candle
$54.95/380g, Glasshouse Fragrances
Best for: a little luxury for the everyday.
Elevate the everyday with this beautiful luxury candle. The top notes are fresh lime, bergamot and citrus, with a touch of camellia and lotus, adding a freshness that is irresistable. These aromas are grounded with amber, sandalwood, musk and vanilla. Together, these scents will transport you to Kyoto in the midst of cherry blossom season, where the tranquility of the golden pavilion combines with bright, beautiful blossoms for a stunning sensory experience. Set in Glasshouse Fragrance’s classic jar, complete with lid, it’s a staple that will look at home with any interior style.
Sizes: 380g.
Materials: Non-toxic soy blend wax and lead-free cotton wicks.
09
Trudon ‘Marie Antoinette bust’ candle in Pink
$259/22cm, Myer
Best for: Sculptural impact.
Trudon was established in pre-revolution France so this bust of Marie Antoinette isn’t just a unique objet d’art. No, this bust was created in collaboration with The Réunion des Musées Nationaux (the French National Museum Council). The mould this candle is made from is attributed to one of the Brachard brothers (either Jean Charles Nicolas or Jean Nicolas Alexandre – that detail is sadly lost to time) and shows an idealised portrait of the queen before her untimely and dramatic death by guillotine. This candle is so stunning that you won’t want to burn it, but even if you do the beauty will only increase. Picture pink wax dripping down Marie’s face and neck, creating an almost eerie effect. As one of the most controversial women in French history, Marie is sure to serve as a conversation starter.
Sizes: 22cm (H).
How to care for your luxury candles
Maintaining the quality of your luxury candles starts from the very first burn. Allow your candle to burn for 1-2 hours the first time you light the wick. This will ensure the wax melts all the way to the edge of the vessel. This first step is essential to create an even burn and help avoid tunnelling (when a candle burns down the centre, wasting the wax around the edges of the jar).
After this, remember to trim the wick by roughly 5mm-7mm before each use. A long wick creates an even longer flame and can introduce soot.
Is it worth buying expensive luxury candles?
As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and this is certainly true with luxury candles. The difference in the price point comes down to the amount of fragrance in the scented candle as well as the potency of that fragrance. While budget-friendly candles often have 7% fragrance in them, high end candles typically have a higher percentage of fragrance. They also use quality wax blends with longer burn times.
When it comes to scents, organic ingredients like jasmine and rose are difficult to extract. As such, cheaper brands will use synthetic ingredients to mimic the aromas these flowers produce. Luxury candles will go the extra mile to give you real jasmine and rose extract.
Of course, as with any high end brand, there can be instances where you’re paying for the name, without the quality to back it up. Checking the ingredients list will help you determine which luxury candles are worth the price point.
The 5 tell-tale signs a candle is high quality
- Look at the type of wax that has been used. Natural waxes, such as soy, coconut, vegetable and beeswax tend to produce less soot and have a longer, slower burn time.
- Now turn your attention to the wick. Similar to wax, the best type of wick is a natural one. Think 100% cotton or wood and totally lead-free.
- If the candle is larger in diameter than 7.5cm then you’ll likely want a candle with more than one wick. This will help to ensure even melting and avoid tunnelling.
- Always check that the container your candle is housed in is sturdy (as well as stylish – we’re all about marrying form and function). Aim for strong materials such as glass, ceramics or metal.
- Consider brand reputation. Does the company have transparency in their materials and process? Do they outline the type of wax used and whether they create their candles using essential oils? The more transparent and well-regarded, the better. Expensive doesn’t always mean better but sometimes a higher price tag comes with higher quality ingredients.
Wondering what scented candles the Home Beautiful team is currently obsessed with? Find out here.
