Talk some sense into me: candles

[MangosteenSoda]

I, until recently, had an (ir)rational hatred of candles. If there was a thread about stuff people like that you hate, for me it would be candles (and massages and musicals.. but I digress. Just the concept of tea lights would make my eye twitch.

I had a few candles in my house gathering dust because they are the kind of thing that people gift. I don’t know what possessed me, but towards the end of last year, I lit one, an it smelled glorious. It looked pretty too. Anyway, I’ve ended up burning my way through the previously discarded candles - my fireplace looks like a shrine at Lourdes. My home smells divine. I have used several boxes of matches. I fear I am addicted.

I just went to replace the first candle (the gateway drug of candles) and I discovered it costs £15. And after a bit of googling, discovered that’s not even considered expensive in the candle-verse.

What advice do you have? Any recommendations for lovely smelling and pocket friendly candles? I can spend 15 quid on one, but at my burn rate that’s going to get pretty costly. Aibu to just crack on and burn, or should I extinguish my new found habit?

Here’s one I found. £30 makes 6 candles. Then buy your bulk stuff and you are down to about a £1 a candle.

DONT ever use essential oils. Most become toxic when burned and have no scent throw.

https://candle-shack.co.uk/collections/candle-making-kits?srsltid=AfmBOoo5yBNETs1pCK72CBEoBZb1QsZdCNN_mXP8uJh55e28kVOuC2NG

www.cantocandle.com we sell wax melts as well

Remember to also trim your wick before each use (not a euphemism). Too long and it will tunnel.

Hand-poured ones usually burn better and longer. I prefer soy candles as they are generally healthier (but pricier)

What about incense burners with scented oils, very economical.

I’m definitely learning a lot here. Since I got candle-matized, I’ve seen a lot of ads for hand poured, but I didn’t know that was a longevity thing until I saw it here. Just thought it was a bougie description.

Well it's partly that too, but when you hand-pour it you can ensure the wax is even and the wick is centred, meaning it burns better.

I've recommended Earl of East here before, their scents are unusual and last long. They are also hand-poured in London.

Nope! Any candle works. I’ve been using up all the bits and pieces left around, and even sat a half used pillar candle in an empty candle glass and it worked so beautifully

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WUEAOA-Candle-Warmer-Adjustable-Electric/dp/B0DSVYP2HP/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=3M85TUDSNNNSK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JtSFnxfRf__9aI9VuA4c64QEWnNtBIo9eZjLbsvjXcE1S5e2888xShQg5wL7sBy5qkuxuakIBY0C7l0y7WTD4w2WF_vggPzBzw9zcXipVboiC5E1G-b4-7AKVKnI_-AUtL03aINnnlBI0oSm7sqIzasH3G_aDz26DrauoqrXydLDbD3ITqRvqRvTEMTWQDBQ-d52HpisfLUJKdEpRpLSEf0ETXiU8CR7Pti9HzleHdcwMQY-5X-IJlmDTaNZnFiKYdmrDkDyItkkgZCdwDwj25uOKlXfVu5MjtwP8ha2jUg.7j0Fq9Mkt4zoWYpZ5mW4YsVMzZjXEVT_6DG0bgE-Lpw&dib_tag=se&keywords=candle%2Bwarmer%2Blamp&qid=1768595702&sprefix=Candle%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-4-spons&aref=YLGqfhQ2wO&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

so it just gently heats from the bulb in the lamp

I like:

NEOM
Voluspa
True Grace
Aery
Urban Apothecary

Valente candles are lovely

and use a candle warming lamp rather than lighting them.

I have always found them disappointing. Poor throw and lots of tunnelling.

So one of my random collection of gifted candles that I’m near the end of burning is a voluspa one. Good even burn, nice scent, but seems to burn quickly.

I checked out the prices on their website after twitching at the 15 quid St Eval one (which imo burns longer) and some of them are over 300 quid! I nearly fainted into the path of one of my candle flames.

No has been buying me a £300 candle tbc. The voluspa one I had was really tiny and was probably gifted onwards as part of a set someone wasn’t bothered about. But, damn, those candle prices are boggling.

My favourite is £60
I also have a candle… issue. TK maxx is often worth looking at

Oh if you’ve started with St eval, you are going to struggle finding decent ones that match up to them. They’re incredible.

Get to homesense and get sniffing

I always buy mine in the January sales. QVC is good for NEOM candles. I only buy soy or other natural wax candles. Also, this time of year, charity shops are your friend as everyone (who doesn’t live in the candleverse) is getting rid of their unwanted gifts. This week, I have scored two NEOM candles (plus an AESOP hand wash and hand cream set that retails for £103 at John Lewis. I thought £30 in a charity shop was pretty extortionate till I saw the JL price).

@BauhausOfEliott it's simply true. HTH.

Omg. I think you are my new spirit animal. And now I know how I am spending my weekend.

What’s your favourite? Compared to some of the candle prices I have encountered today, £60 could be a replacement for a takeaway treat Saturday.

I personally think it’s a false economy. You can buy a £60 diptyque candle that will last for ages and fill your home with an incredible, strong scent comprised of real essential oils or you can spend £60 on five cheaper candles that don’t smell as strong or last as long.

Btw you can often get cheaper diptyque off Vinted! They are the best. Neom is also good. Youghi candles are amazing too and a bit cheaper. Still more than your budget but as I said, false economy.

The exception I make cheap candle wise is for Muji. They cost barely more than a fiver and are surprisingly good.

You need to find a musical you like too.

I bought a cheap Bain marie, a load of soy wax, wicks and some diffuser oils and I just refill my candle jars with new candles. Cost me about £20 to refill 6 of my decent sized candles.

Also Aldi do some nice smelling ones for under £4

I do like Cabaret. But that’s about it so far and I’m reluctant to let go of more than one irrational hatred in the same year.

My point was that I’m now so far into this cult, that I would probably rather spend £60 on a Ribena and Tonsillitis candle than order my favourite beef rezala curry with extra spicy popadoms and a couple of sides.

New year, new vice.