I’m in My Luxury Era—9 Candles That Make My Home Feel Like a Cosy Escape This Autumn
I've rounded up the best autumn candles that smell as good as they look.
I don't care how warm it is outside; in my mind, cosy season is officially here, and I couldn't be more excited. Sorry to those of you who love summer, but I'm an autumn girly through and through. The knitwear is out, my summer perfumes have been swapped for my favourite autumn scents, and now it's time to bring some of my best candles out of hibernation and get them burning on those darker nights.
Those of you who know me will know that I have an entire cupboard in my home dedicated to candles. It's one of the only products I am happy to splurge on. I just think luxury candles have a way of creating a cosy atmosphere and making my flat smell like an autumnal escape. Plus, they look so chic when placed on my coffee table.
Below, I've created the ultimate edit of the best candles for autumn that truly deliver on both scent and aesthetics. Whilst it still feels far too early for festive winter fragrances (and a little too late for summery scents), these candles do the perfect job of transitioning your home into the new season.
The Best Candles for Autumn, Tried & Tested
- Best Candle Overall: Byredo Bibliothèque, £70
- Best Luxury Candle: Loewe Incense, £92
- Best Burn Time: Malin + Goetz Dark Rum, £59
- Best Design: Diptyque Le Soir, £63
- Best Scent Trail: Jo Malone London Velvet Rose & Oud, £70
1. Byredo Bibliothèque
Key notes: Peach, plum, vanilla, patchouli, peony, violet, leather
Burn time: 60 hours
First up, both I and Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden call upon this candle every autumn to create a cosy atmosphere. "Byredo's Bibliothèque is my ultimate autumn candle," Vousden says. "It smells of a roaring log fire in a library full of old, leather-bound books. It makes my living room feel cosy whenever I light it."
2. Loewe Incense
Key notes: Frankincense, incense
Burn time: Up to 30 hours
Loewe's candles have had editors swooning ever since they came on the interior scene. While there are plenty of beautiful options for the autumn months, I am currently loving this particular scent thanks to its woody, warm, slightly spicy aroma. In my opinion, it's the perfect scent to burn to help welcome the start of a new season.
3. Malin + Goetz Dark Rum
Key notes: Bergamot, plum, rum, leather, amber, milk, patchouli
Burn time: 60 hours
Every autumn I bring out my Malin + Goetz Dark Rum perfume, so it only makes sense that I have the matching candle, too. This scent is sweet and boozy with impressive depth, and its syrupy undertone makes your whole living room smell so inviting. Plus, it offers an impressive 60 hours of burn time.
4. Diptyque Le Soir
Key notes: Chamomile, sage, cedar
Burn time: 50 hours
If I'm being honest, there isn't one Diptyque candle that I wouldn't burn in autumn, as they all look and smell so incredibly chic. However, this month I'm all for taking things slow, and I've found myself drawn to Le Soir, a herbaceous, calming blend of chamomile and sage. In fact, the candle was created to soothe the senses and has a woody undertone that feels just as comforting as sitting by a roaring fire.
5. Jo Malone London Velvet Rose & Oud
Key notes: Clove, rose, oud
Burn time: 45 hours
Much like Diptyque, there are so many Jo Malone London candles I love, but this scent feels particularly fitting for this time of year. I'm not usually a fan of oud fragrances, but the rose cuts through the heaviness and creates an intoxicating floral aroma that feels cosy yet chic. Thanks to the intense nature of the scent, this candle manages to fill my entire flat with its heavenly fragrance.
6. Carrière Frères Cupressus
Key notes: Cypress
Burn time: 40-45 hours
In contrast to the rich candle above, this Carrière Frères scent is like stepping outside on a crisp autumnal day for a walk in the woods. It's fresh, earthy and invigorating, perfect for lighting after a big Sunday reset when you've cleaned the entire flat and are waiting to dive into your fresh white sheets.
7. Tom Ford Figue Érotique
Key notes: Fig, bergamot, muscovado accord
Burn time: Not specified
I feel like people either love burning fig scents in summer or winter; however, I sit somewhere in the middle. For autumn, I'm a big fan of Tom Ford's Figue Érotique. To me, fig feels fresh and uplifting, with a warm, creamy undertone that makes it just as fitting for sunny autumn days as it does for cosy nights in. This candle definitely possesses that green fig element, but it also has an amber quality that makes it feel smooth and luxurious. Oh, and can we talk about how stylish this looks?
8. Balmain Rouge
Key notes: Lily, georgywood
Burn time: 40 hours
I think this is the sexiest candle I've ever come across. Even when I'm sitting on the sofa at home in my PJs, this makes me feel like I've just walked into a dimly lit wine bar for a first date. Similar to the brand's Rouge perfume, it's warm and alluring, opening with sweet floral notes before a woody, amber base cuts through. If you are having guests over and want non-stop compliments on how good your house smells, this is the scent to go for.
9. Valentino Cire Noire
Key notes: Bergamot essence, clary sage essence, lanvandin essence, geranium essence, myrrh essence, patchouli essence, vanilla essence, tobacco accord
Burn time: 35 hours
If you're looking for a truly warm, inviting fragrance for the start of autumn, this Valentino number is an excellent choice. Although it opens with wonderfully fresh bergamot and clary sage, it's the vanilla and tobacco base that really lingers. For me, it's one of candles you simply can't go wrong with. It looks chic, smells instantly inviting and is ideal for this time of year.
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Grace Lindsay is the deputy beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.
As Who What Wear UK's deputy beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.