We Think These Luxury Candle Brands Are Worth Spending a Little Extra On

Up until a few years ago, I'd probably never spent more than £15 on a candle. This is unsurprising, considering I had gone from being a struggling art student to a still-struggling fashion assistant, whose minimum-wage salary didn't afford me the luxury of spending £15 on a couple of days worth of food, let alone something I was going to burn away. But as I've grown up, so has (thankfully) my budget, and so has my obsession with candles.

At any given time, I probably have four candles on rotation in my home—I type this as my £7.50 Marks and Spencer candle flickers next to me. And while I certainly don't snub more affordable candles (my M&S bargain serving as a case in point), I have come to understand the appeal of expensive candles.

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(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

Diptyque was my inaugural introduction to the world of expensive candles. When I first moved to London, I remember setting aside 10% of each of my monthly pays to save up for my first shopping trip to the capital. It took a few months, but I finally found myself standing in front of the glass display cabinet in Liberty (where else?), selecting my Diptyque candle. I chose—and still choose—Baies. 

Fast-forward to the present, and I've worked my way through just about every luxury candle brand going. Not every scent, of course—my income isn't that disposable—but I've tried enough candles from all budgets to know that expensive candles are almost always undeniably superior. 

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(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Unlike some bargain wicks, which, when they burn smell like someone has sprayed an entire can of orchid Febreze, the scent of expensive candles is subtler but no less potent. Instead of choking the air, it floats on it. I also find that, with the recommended care and maintenance, that expensive candles last significantly longer, too. The premium products used to create the wax are designed to be longer-lasting than more affordable blends, and while I have my high-street favourites, I buy them knowing they won't, um, hold a candle, many of the high-end options I've tried. I don't fully subscribe to the saying "You get what you pay for," but when it comes to the below, it certainly applies. Keep scrolling to see and shop the best expensive candles from some of the Who What Wear team's favourite candle brands. 

CIRE TRUDON

JO LOVES

BYREDO

AMEN

BELLA FREUD

DIPTYQUE

FORNASETTI

TOM DIXON

ASTIER DE VILLATTE

LOEWE

JO MALONE LONDON

L'OBJET

LE LABO

TOM FORD

NEST FRAGRANCES

Next Up: 41 of the Best Candles to Make Your Home Smell Incredible

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.