Fragrance-Obsessed Editors Say These 15 Candles Set the Chicest Vibe for Winter

Key notes: Clove, ylang ylang, papyrus, vetiver

"This is the candle I light like my life depends on it every year once winter rolls around. The brand's founder and creative director, Ben Gorham, says that it's meant to evoke winter memories of family nights in Stockholm, which plays because there is just something so quintessentially homey and wintery about its scent; almost as if it's been injected with glistening snow, seasonal spices, and incense. The key notes include clove buds (for that hit of spice!) plus carnation, ylang-ylang, papyrus, and Haition vetiver. It's become a sacred seasonal ritual I look forward to."— Erin Jahns, Who What Wear US beauty director

Key notes: Cedar, pine, oak ash, birch tar, resin

Known for creating some of the most interesting and unique fragrances around, it's unsurprising that D.S. & Durga's candles are just as unexpected. Portable Fireplace is designed to smell like, you guessed it, a cosy fire as it burns, and, trust me, it really delivers. Heady with a blend of woody notes alongside those of ash and resin, it's smoky and rich with a slight sweetness. The perfect candle for lighting as the nights grow darker and you sit snugly under a cosy blanket, watching the world outside.

Key notes: Cinnamon, cedar wood, frankincense

Spicy, woody and gently warming, This Works' candle is the scent of a moody winter's night distilled into candle form. Alongside fresh cedar wood, you'll also find notes of cinnamon and frankincense. Rather than skewing too sweet or festive, however, this is a candle that smells fresh and uplifting with just the slightest hint of warming spices. Perfect for lighting now and through into the new year, too.

Key notes: Black pepper, coriander, vetiver

While this isn't necessarily a winter fragrance, it's the perfect scent for this time of year when we often gravitate towards candles that offer a little more power and intensity. Much like Molton Brown's cult classic fragrance of the same name, this candle leads with a strong dose of black pepper, which comes at you quickly with plenty of punch. It then settles into greener notes of coriander and vetiver, which lend the scent an earthy twist. It's a candle that will wake you up and ground you at the same time, and for that reason, I love lighting this when I'm working for a little added focus.

Key notes: White jasmine, lily-of-the-valley

"A few weeks ago, I went off the deep end and ordered eight Zara candles at once (to be fair, they were on sale). Since most people are focused on Zara's amazing clothes, I feel like their candle selection is my little secret. Like the zara fragrances, they have good staying power, and I feel like the quality is pretty comparable to candle heavyweights like Diptyque and Le Labo. Jasmine is one of my favourite scents in the world, so this candle is a star in my collection."—Indya Brown, freelance editor

Key notes: Cinnamon leaf, orange, tangerine, clove, amber, vanilla

Okay, I know I said this was to be a round-up of wintery scented candles as opposed to Christmas-themed offerings; however, in my opinion, Floris' Cinnamon and Tangerine scented candle is the perfect coming together of the two. Juicy and sweet with citrus notes, spicy thanks to cinnamon and clove and creamy on a base of warming vanilla, it's all the best smells of the festive season wrapped up into one. Light this now to get your Christmas countdown started.

Key notes: Honeysuckle

"Honeysuckle is more of a summer candle scent, but when SAD is a thing, you need all the reminders of sunny days you can get. It's a smell that really stays with you, so I love to burn it for an hour to two and let it waft around my apartment."— Indya

Key notes: Chestnut, guaiac wood, clove, red berries, cashmere, vanilla

"This is perhaps an obvious choice for a winter candle, but it's for good reason. With clove oil, chestnut accord, and vanilla accord, it gives off the same smokey, woody and comforting scent as a fireplace. It's been one of my go-to candles for a while now, and I never get sick of the scent."—Kaitlyn McLintock, Who What Wear US beauty editor

Key notes: Laurel, rosemary, thyme, cumin, clove, amber, patchouli

"I live by the idea of always using your nice things, since there's no point in saving them for some special time in the future—now is just as good as ever! That being said, I'm still waiting on burning this limited edition candle because it just smells so incredibly good and I know I won't be able to get another one. It has 62 ingredients, but this is one case where I truly believe in maximalism—they blend so well, with notes like laurel, rosemary, eucalyptus, and thyme standing out."— Katie Berohn, beauty editor

Key notes: Lotus, rose, bergamot, peony, cedarwood, musk

"While I'm a total sucker for a cosy candle, I like my home fragrance to come with a side of unequivocal luxury. While sweet scents are fitting for the winter season, it's hard to find candles that tick both the gourmand and luxurious boxes on my criteria. Therefore, I'm always on the lookout for a particularly standout winter floral, and this is it. Luna smells like the crunchiest, crispest snow shimmering in the midday winter sunshine." — Shannon Lawlor, Who What Wear UK beauty director

Key notes: Cinnamon, pine, juniper

Aptly named, Cowshed's winter candle is imbued with the scent of cosy season so much so that I feel instantly soothed as soon as I get a whiff of it (whether it's lit or not). It's spicy but not too spicy, woody without feeling like you're taking a brisk walk outdoors and fragrant without giving you a headache as soon as you get near it. A great all-rounder that's perfect for blind buying.

Key notes: Pine, resin, cedar wood, moss

"Let's be honest—come December, there are few things more comforting than the smell of a great pine candle burning away in your living room. I have spent many years testing and trialling the best Christmas-tree-scented candles, and this one from Diptqyue always comes out on top. It's like nuzzling your nose into the waxy needles of an Alpine forest." — Shannon

Key notes: Ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, hazelnuts

Think of all of your favourite winter sweet treats, picture them sitting on your dining room table and take a big sniff — you're beginning to imagine what Jo Malone's Ginger Biscuit candle smells like. Sure to make your mouth water, it combines notes of spicy ginger, sweet caramel and nutty hazelnuts into a scent that smells good enough to eat. Rather than knocking your socks off with sweetness, however, the scent soothes you with it. Think feeling of comfort over leaving you with cravings, except to light it again.

Key notes: Sandalwood, frankincense, nutmeg

For a winter candle whose scent really fills the room, I'm a big fan of NEOM's Cosy Nights. Wintery without smelling too overtly festive, it blends notes of creamy sandalwood with sweet, nutty notes that move around the space to make it smell warm and inviting. I love this candle for when guests are visiting, as it ensures my home feels extra cosy, especially after the cold outside air.

Key notes: Hazelnut, bitter cocoa, vanilla, praline, guaiac wood, cedar wood

Nutty and rich with a slight bitterness that stops it from being sickly, Aqua Di Parma's Nocciola is an elevated take on a gourmand candle. Think praline from an expensive chocolate shop or a nutty hot chocolate at the table across from you—sweet, inviting and incredibly moreish.