Scented candles AIBU

[QueenArnica]

Afternoon all, AIBU to think that reasonably priced scented candles that actually smell don’t exist?

I’ve had expensive ones as gifts (Jo Malone, Jo Loves, Neom etc) but can’t afford them on an ongoing basis.

I like them on in the evenings to make me feel cosy and relaxed but is there a brand that actually has a scent that you can smell once it’s burning that would require me to sell a kidney?

Aldi Jo Malone knock offs, especially Pomegranate. (No 3)
Or go to tkmaxx when it’s open again.

Essential oil wax melts from Etsy. I am sure they have candles too.

I'll second TK Maxx. I had one of theirs a few months ago and it was the strongest scented one I've had recently.

Wait for the “I have to be immediately sick if I smell a scented candle/diffuser/plug in” brigade 😆

I like to use oil burners rather than candles. It is really economical as the bottles of oil are only a few pound and then you only need a tea light.

Just remember to mostly fill the burner with water and add a few drops of oil.
You can get really nice 'full' scents from M&S or you can buy essential oils and mix the scents together.

Or you could buy a diffuser for the cost of one nice candle and then going forward all you need is a few drops of oil.

Cheap candles usually smell cheap and nasty, I don't think I would ever go back to them.

Neom oils are much more long lasting than the candles and cheaper too. I can’t justify the candles anymore, not least because I have a toddler running around, but happily get the oils.

The Aldi lime one is quite good and for £4 it's worth a try.

Home bargains / quality save at £2.99. Gorgeous smelling and they vary throughout the year.

Did anyone else know that scented candles should only be burned for about half an hour and then blown out? I didn’t (until someone told me at Christmas). The hot wax scents the room thereafter, apparently.

That might not help OP but it does mean that fancy expensive candles would last a lot longer!

I second Aldi, I prefer the Yankee copies rather than the Jo Malone ones though. I've spent so much on Yankee over the years but refuse to buy them now as there's hardly any difference except the price.

I do think if you want a really strong scent you're better going with wax melts than candles though

I’d recommend a burner too, I have one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, I use 8hr t lights. Also just bought some nice wax melts off amazon

Yankee Candles are very strongly scented. I only like the vanilla and cinnamon scents, though.

Alarmed by all the claims about petroleum-based candles being harmful to health, I recently treated myself to some (very expensive) soy-based, hand-made ones from etsy (one cinnamon and one vanilla). I lit the cinnamon one yesterday and it smells of nothing, apart from a very faint whiff of citronella if I put my nose right in it.

Back to Yankee for me!

I haven't used candles for years. I buy a beautiful organic scented essential oil blend for around £15 and it lasts for months. I use an electric diffuser.

Yeah, I came to say wax melts are probably your best bet. I've never met a candle I could smell without actually sticking my nose in the jar.
You can get an electronic warmer to negate the fire risk too.

I too usually go to TK Maxx or Home Sense, oh how I miss Home Sense!

I picked this one up in Sainsbury's and it smells beautiful, even DD commented on it.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/candles---home-fragrance/sainsburys-home-luxury-wild-cassis---cedar-scented-xl-candle-133616554-p

Wax melts OP! Asda do some called scent sational which are highly fragranced and smell lovely.

My Etsy seller is Apothecary Moonchild. I see her candles are a lot more expensive than aldi etc but the wax melts last really well.

Totally agree. I got a Tiffany candle as a wedding favour a few years ago and I could smell it every time I walked in the room, even when it wasn't lit... I managed to make it last about 6 months and desperately want another but theyre £95 :(

I tried the Aldi ones and they made my head ache

I've started buying Sainsbury's ones! Lovely and not ridiculously priced. Their rhubarb and elderflower one is gorgeous.

Daylesford are good. Largest size are £29 and burn very evenly and have a good throw.

Scented candles are crap,wax melts are much better.I get the 3 packs for £5 ones from Asda.

@DaphneBridgerton whose wedding was that?! DH and I had a vair fancy wedding, but £95 per favour Lucky you though!

Zara have a range they have made in collab with jo malone, I think they are around £16. I actually think they give off more fragrance than my actual jo malone.

The only candles I have ever bought that have actually had any sort of scent when I light them are Diptyque ones, but they are so ridiculously expensive.

I have had so much candle disappointment in my life!