Tried and Tested: the best and worst scented candles

Torc Candles Pure Range €26.95

I picked up a few Torc candles coming up to Christmas for presents. Sorry family and friends… I kept them all for myself. One of them was a big three wick Christmas candle, smelling deliciously of spices . We burned this all over Christmas, every single day for hours and it seemed to last for weeks. The stylish Pure range from Torc also has an impressive burn time of 95 hours. Delicious home fragrance at a great price.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 3

Molton Brown €47

This was probably the first fancy candle range I ever bought and it set me straight on the path to addiction. Others have fallen on and off the favorites list but the burning of a Black Pepper or Pink Peppercorn candle will instantly erase the pressures of the day. Although these are my favourites I have tried out most of the range. I often buy them in the Kildare Village outlet where they’re much cheaper. We usually have to stagger out of the place because yes, I do go a bit candle crazy.

Bog Standard €16.95

The only thing I don’t like about this brand is the the name. They’re far from bog standard; they’re underselling themselves with this branding. Deliciously scented with a good burn time. Another lovely thing about these candles is the beautiful floral boxes they’re packaged in, making them an ideal gift.

Chain store copies €2.99++

The packaging looks like it could be a Diptique or Jo Malone candle doesn’t it? It smells beautiful in the shop and it’s E2.99 for goodness sake. Where would you be going? So you snatch up a few and return happy with your bargain. This is no bargain however. These candles are merely sprayed with scent on the outside, When the wax melts they will smell of precisely... nothing. If something looks to good to be true it usually is.

This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle €35

Lighting a candle in your bedroom about an hour before you go to bed is one of the most calming and kindest things you can do for yourself. I love this ritual (I also put on perfume when I go to bed too and I know I’m not alone here either). I’m a chronic insomniac and along with banning the iPad and television from the bedroom this is one of the best ways to relax and drift off. The blend of Lavender ad Camomile in this candle is very soothing.

Aisling Loves

Max Benjamin €22

This Irish brand has been my go to for candles for the last couple of years. When my favourite orange scent was discontinued I bought up every single one I could while the remainder were on shelves. There are lots of options and Grapefruit &Pomelo is a strongly scented, fruity and refreshing scent with a long burn time. If you want to freshen a house quickly, rid it of of cooking smells or the “scent” of that wet dog that just bounded in, this is the candle for you.