Photographer: Brigid Arnott
Nothing says ambience like a fragrant candle in your home.
Whether you’re a Glasshouse Fragrances addict, an Ecoya-fiend or you prefer something Mor, it seems like we all have a favourite brand that we can’t get enough of — and the team at Home Beautiful is no different. In fact, with all of the gorgeous fragrances making their way into the office (and our homes), we tend to think of ourselves as experts on the subject. Because we’re not experts, however, we asked Ecoya CEO, Claire Barnes, for her top fragrance and candle care tips and go on to share the scents you’ll find us burning at home.
Should you choose the same fragrance for every room, or mix it up?
From energising citrus scents in the kitchen to soothing jasmine in the bedroom, ultimately it is your space to enjoy and Claire recommends fragrancing each space in your home with what makes you happy. If you’re finding it hard to choose between fragrances for your candles, you may like the idea of burning more than one fragrance in your home at once. “If you want to consider the mood and ambience you want to create in each space, there are endless possibilities,” says Claire. “Any space where you’re wanting to create a special moment is perfect for a fragranced candle – an entranceway is always lovely to welcome your guests into your home, living and dining are obvious choices as we spend so much time in those spaces, bedrooms are ideal for introducing soothing fragrances that help you relax and unwind.”
How far apart should I burn multiple candles in the home?
Burning candles en masse can make a stunning impact but when burning more than one, be sure to arrange them carefully to avoid disaster and always follow the instructions on the label of your candle. Keep your candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface at all times and give each one some breathing space.”For safety, we recommend burning candles at least 10cm apart. Always keep candles away from drafts, children, pets, and flammable objects,” says Claire.
How long should you burn a scented candle?
You might be surprised to learn that the longer you burn a candle, the more you extend its life. Claire recommends burning candles for up to three hours at a time (depending on its size). Then if you desire, let it cool and re-light to prevent overheating.
How to clean up spilled candle wax
Life happens and sometimes your wax ends up where it shouldn’t. “If wax spills, let it cool and harden before carefully scraping it off with a plastic scraper or credit card (avoid using a knife or similar so you don’t scratch surfaces),” says Claire. “Use a hairdryer on low heat to soften any remaining wax and absorb it with paper towels.”
“To make the most of your candle’s lifespan, trim the wick before each burn and allow the wax pool to reach the edge of the jar, this prevents tunnelling and ensures an even burn.”
Claire Barnes, CEO, Ecoya
If you’re searching for the perfect fragrance to gift someone special or simply need another reason to continue your scented candle addiction, the Home Beautiful team has revealed all of the scented candles we can’t stop burning.
“Fragrance is deeply personal, so mix it up. There are no strict ‘rules’ on this – just go with what you love!”
Claire Barnes
The Home Beautiful team’s pick of the best scented candles to buy in 2024
01
Ecoya French Pear
$49.95, Ecoya
Elle Lovelock, Editor-In-Chief
“My absolute all-time favourite everyday candle is Ecoya French Pear. On special occasions, I like to burn Trudon Cyrnos. They both evoke a breezy Mediterranean vibe, fresh, with a hint of spice!”
Sizes: 400g
Colours: White
Materials: Soy Wax
Key features:
- 80 hour burn time
- Fruity fragrance family
- Glass jar
Available at:
02
Glasshouse Fragrances Mint Condition Candle
$59.95, Glasshouse Fragrances
Kate Barber, Senior Copy Editor
“I love the Glasshouse Fragrances Mint Condition candle. Think a blend of peppermint notes and cocoa. Yum!”
Sizes: 380g
Colours: White
Materials: Soy Wax
Key features:
- Lead-free cotton wicks
- Gourmand fragrance family
- Glass jar
03
Jo Malone Lavender & Moonflower Home Candle
$116, Jo Malone
Victoria Kingsbury, Deputy Editor
“I love Jo Malone’s Lavender & Moonflower fragrance. They do a candle, diffuser and pillow spray. I love them all.”
Sizes: 200g
Colours: Midnight blue jar
Materials: Soy wax
Key features:
- 45 hour burn time
- Floral fragrance family
- Lid included
Available at:
04
Glasshouse Fragrances A Tahaa Affair
$54.95, Glasshouse Fragrances
Rebecca Hooton, Features Writer
“Glasshouse Fragrances A Tahaa Affair smells like vanilla and caramel — you just want to eat it.”
Sizes: 380g
Colours: Orange
Materials: Soy wax
Key features:
- Lead-free cotton wicks
- Gourmand fragrance family
- Glass jar
Available at:
05
Diptyque Baies Scented Candle
$79.99 (usually $94), Chemist Warehouse
Alice Ierace, Art Director
“My absolute favourite is the Diptique Baies… the most calming fragrance and lasts for hours.”
Sizes: 190g
Colours: White
Materials: Soy wax
Key features:
- 60 hour burn time
- Floral fragrance family
- Glass jar
Available at:
06
Mountain Ash Candle
$59, The Iconic
Rachel White, Features Writer
“I love the complex green woody scent of Mountain Ash by Hunter Candles. It’s an unusual scent that I find weirdly addictive, I can’t walk past it without taking a sniff. Collins Street by SOH Candles is my fave for winter. It’s a warming scent that fills a room – caramel and woody with citrus-y zing.”
Sizes: 300g
Colours: Amber jar
Materials: Soy wax
Key features:
- 50 hour burn time
- Cotton wicks
- Hand-poured in Sydney
Available at:
07
Southern Wild Co Magic Pudding Candle
$69.00, Southern Wild Co.
Lucy Gough, Stylist
“It smells A-mazing! The packaging is like a collector’s edition and it’s quite a rich, smoky, earthy scent. I love the rich brown colour of the glass as well.”
Sizes: 300g
Colours: Amber glass jar
Materials: Soy wax blend
Key features:
- 70hr burn time
- Recyclable glass
- 100% cotton wicks
08
Kōwhai & Cedarwood Everyday Tin candle
$29.95, Ecoya
Diana Moore, Digital Editor
“This year Ecoya is celebrating an incredible 20 years of fragrancing our homes in style and I’m here for it. So clever with their scent combinations, they are reintroducing their most loved fragrances – some that didn’t fly in Australia the first time – like Kōwhai & Cedarwood. The Kiwis loved its top notes of zesty bergamot, grapefruit, sweet plum and orange blossom but now, with the addition of “rugged Australian” cedarwood, this is definitely my jam. The cute “everyday tin’ punches above its weight, too – 30 hours of take-anywhere burning time is a perfect gift, or will set the scene wherever you go.”
Colours: Soy coloured tin
Materials: Natural soy wax, lead-free cotton wick
Key features:
- 30-hour burn time
- Limited edition
09
SOH Moss Candle
$75, SOH Melbourne
Julia Fairley, Senior Copy Editor
“You’ve asked the right girl. I light about five candles Every. Single. Night. I love Moss (used to be called Mr Moss) and Fig Tree by Soh and if they ever discontinue them I will weep.
“They have a rich, woody aroma and are fresh without smelling sweet. Plus, the dark glass looks beautiful flickering on the dinner table with the lights dimmed.”
Sizes: 400g
Colours: Black jar
Materials: Australian soy, beeswax and candle grade paraffin wax
Key features:
- 80 hour burn time
- Quick drying
- Poured in Melbourne
10
Sandalwood & Amber Madison candle
$49.95, Ecoya
Claire Barnes, Ecoya CEO
And Claire’s own favourite? “I always love our iconic fragrances like Sweet Pea & Jasmine and French Pear, but my go-to at the moment is our recently released Sandalwood & Amber – which was originally exclusively a body care fragrance, but we’ve just recently extended it into our full home fragrance offering. It’s such a beautiful, sophisticated, gender-neutral scent. I can’t recommend it highly enough!”
Materials: Natural soy wax, lead-free cotton wick, glass jar with silver lid
Key features:
- 30-hour burn time
- Limited edition
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
