I Love Expensive Candles, But These High-Street Ones Are Just as Good

My name is Eleanor, and I'm a candle obsessive. In my time as a beauty journalist, I've amassed quite a collection of candles. I'm a big fan of Byredo's candles (Bibilotheque is one of my all-time favourites), and I've got a sweet spot for Jo Malone. Lighting the warm yet refreshing Wood Sage & Sea Salt candle just hits different, you know? Boy Smells is another candle brand that's recently entered my radar, and so many fellow beauty editors rave about its incredible candle collection. And don't get me started on Diptyque candles—it's become an expensive habit. 

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(Image credit: @carmelharrison_)

The thing is, at around £40 and upwards, I'm actually reluctant to burn any of these candles, despite how beautiful they smell. Because they are so expensive, they tend to act as part of my home decor and remain unlit on the mantelpiece or my bedside table. Instead, I tend to treat myself by lighting one once in a blue moon, or I'll save them for when I'm having guests over. To be totally honest, if it weren't for my job as a beauty editor, I probably wouldn't have the money spare to burn on an expensive candle. 

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(Image credit: @ch.phr8ph)

So, it only felt right to break out of my expensive habits and look further afield to explore more affordable candles. I recently wrote about the best affordable perfumes on the high street, which inspired this piece to find some of the best affordable candles on the high street. To be friendly to your bank account, I've scoured Zara, H&M, & Other Stories, Marks & Spencer, Anthropologie and The White Company for their best-smelling candles. They all come in at £20 or under, so you won't feel a pang of guilt every time you light your candle. Plus, I can guarantee that these ones will fill your room with fragrance, and they'll look great in your interior too. Ahead are the best affordable candles that I found.

Best Affordable High-Street Candles

Best Zara Candles

Best Mango Candles

Best H&M Candles

Best Marks and Spencer Candles

Best Anthropolie Candles

Best White Company Candles

Up Next: This Particular Candle Scent Makes Your Home Smell So Expensive

Eleanor Vousden
Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.