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Original poster

Are JM candles really worth it?

29 replies

RandomUsers · 07/12/2022 09:58

I want to treat myself and buy some candles for the home.
Just looked at Jo Malone and they are really pricey!

I don't mind to splurge on one, provided the smell is really nice and long-lasting.
Is it worth it though?
Are there other brands that are as nice but cheaper?

OP posts:
fatsinglereadytomingle · 07/12/2022 10:06

No! I used to treat myself to them but they're really not that great anymore. They also caused me to face to decorate my last house due to the amount of black soot they let off despite being so careful with sick length and burning them properly.
I'm really not a fan anymore.
The diffusers are slightly better

fatsinglereadytomingle · 07/12/2022 10:07

I now only use soul candles for hone fragrance. It's a bit awkward as it's all on line but I've never disliked a smell I've bought and I think I've tried about 85% of them

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 07/12/2022 10:13

I got my first Jo Malone candle last week and I'm really not impressed.

I let it burn for 2.5 hours the first time I used it (was going out so had to blow it out then) and even after that long the wax still hadn't melted all the way across so it's now tunnelled really badly. I could also barely smell it in the living room so I've had to move it into a smaller room to get any enjoyment from it but even now it's not particularly strong! It's a lovely scent but no way would I pay what they sell for.

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Bluevelvetsofa · 07/12/2022 10:16

Jo Malone was never the same after it went to Estée Lauder. I don’t know who owns it now though.

Jo Loves is pricy, but better. That is actually Jo Malone, so authentic.

itbemay · 07/12/2022 10:16

Valentte candles are lovely. If I put one on in the kitchen I can smell it through the whole house. Also online and a lot cheaper than JM

itbemay · 07/12/2022 10:16

valentte.com

Original poster
RandomUsers · 07/12/2022 10:21

@fatsinglereadytomingle I just looked up soul candles and i'm tempted to order some

OP posts:
TellMeWhere · 07/12/2022 10:29

I think JM are massively overrated. I haven't used any for a while but Neom are very nice. Twice the size for the same price.

Seaweedandsalt · 07/12/2022 10:30

Sorry to be a bore but please don't ever blow out a candle. The smoke leaves an unpleasant after-scent and soot on your wick. Blowing out your candle can make your wax uneven or push it to the side of the glass container, creating tunnelling. A wick buried in wax is also harder to relight.

Even more importantly the fire brigade warn that if you blow on a candle it can also cause minute sparks and hot wax to fly, these can smoulder and eventually catch fire if they have landed on something flammable. So pinch the wick out between a licked finger and thumb or use a candle snuffer. Double check that the candle is out, candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire so go back before you leave your house and make sure they’re completely out.

fatsinglereadytomingle · 07/12/2022 10:38

@RandomUsers they really are lively. I stick to their diffusers and they last ages and smell great. I mainly use SW1 but have used a lot of the other smells and never been disappointed.

Aurum
Coco
Evoke
Relax
Are up their with my favourites

BigSandyBalls2015 · 07/12/2022 10:40

Neom are much better than JM

Original poster
RandomUsers · 07/12/2022 10:53

@Seaweedandsalt Great tip, thanks

OP posts:
Summerhouse2013 · 07/12/2022 11:52

itbemay · 07/12/2022 10:16

Valentte candles are lovely. If I put one on in the kitchen I can smell it through the whole house. Also online and a lot cheaper than JM

Thanks for the tip - what fragrance would you recommend?

Sugarplumfairy65 · 07/12/2022 11:52

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 07/12/2022 10:13

I got my first Jo Malone candle last week and I'm really not impressed.

I let it burn for 2.5 hours the first time I used it (was going out so had to blow it out then) and even after that long the wax still hadn't melted all the way across so it's now tunnelled really badly. I could also barely smell it in the living room so I've had to move it into a smaller room to get any enjoyment from it but even now it's not particularly strong! It's a lovely scent but no way would I pay what they sell for.

2.5 hours for the first burn on a candle is not long enough. The general rule of thumb in the industry is that a candle should reach a melt pool of 1 inch per hour. You've caused the tunnelling yourself by incorrect useage

BobbyBobbyBobby · 07/12/2022 11:55

They used to be lovely but now are not.

Same as Molton Brown products, used be great quality but are no longer.

The price point is still the same though.

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 07/12/2022 11:58

@Sugarplumfairy65 by melt pool do you mean the width of the part that has melted? So for a candle 5 inches wide (which this one is at its only a mini) it needed to burn for 5 hours?

Sugarplumfairy65 · 07/12/2022 13:20

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 07/12/2022 11:58

@Sugarplumfairy65 by melt pool do you mean the width of the part that has melted? So for a candle 5 inches wide (which this one is at its only a mini) it needed to burn for 5 hours?

That's correct. If its well made it should burn slowly. If you reach a melt pool too quickly it means the candle is over wick'd and won't last as long as it should. You quite often get this in mass produced candles because they really dont care about making a good candle.
I was a candle maker for 25 years until my health and disabilities meant i had to sell my business a few years ago

Luxurysleuth007 · 07/12/2022 13:28

Homesense & TKs have some excellent Archipelago, Soho House and Urban Apothecary candles in at the moment. All high end at reasonable prices.

Alternatively you can’t beat Diptyque in my opinion.

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 07/12/2022 13:42

@Sugarplumfairy65 ah ok thanks!

I'd never be able to have a candle lit for that long (especially a normal sized one that would obviously take even longer?) as I don't like to leave them unattended and I never get chance to sit and relax for that amount of time! I'll have to stick to my bath and body works ones Grin.

Sorry to hear you had to sell your business Sad

Sugarplumfairy65 · 07/12/2022 14:18

PanicAtTheBigTesco · 07/12/2022 13:42

@Sugarplumfairy65 ah ok thanks!

I'd never be able to have a candle lit for that long (especially a normal sized one that would obviously take even longer?) as I don't like to leave them unattended and I never get chance to sit and relax for that amount of time! I'll have to stick to my bath and body works ones Grin.

Sorry to hear you had to sell your business Sad

Thank you. It was a blow at the time but I spend my time mentoring new makers now and enjoy doing that.
My advice would be to find a small, local candle maker with good reviews who is clp compliant. They take great pride in their work and test everything.
Depending on where you are in the country, I may be able to recommend someone although most of them have websites

itbemay · 07/12/2022 14:19

@Summerhouse2013 lemongrass and rosemary is my favourite. But I also love verbena and peppermint.

Movinghouseatlast · 07/12/2022 14:23

Diptique candles are the best! Very expensive but worth it.

Don't even think about a Beauty Pie one they all smell dreadful in my opinion. I don't know how they get such good reviews!

Fritilleries · 07/12/2022 14:24

You may as well burn your money in a fireplace. Why not buy something that will actually last?

Summerhouse2013 · 07/12/2022 14:30

itbemay · 07/12/2022 14:19

@Summerhouse2013 lemongrass and rosemary is my favourite. But I also love verbena and peppermint.

Thank you 😊

Pelo2022 · 07/12/2022 14:44

I'm not a JM candle fan
Some that I really rate are

Boujee bougies
Seven seventeen
Albion candle company
Botanical candle company