Burning one of the best winter candles for a few hours not only makes your home smell incredible, it also significantly levels up its cosy factor – particularly when it's freezing cold and you feel less inclined to go outside. Not to mention there's something about lighting a brand new candle for the very first time. And now that winter is officially here (and our Christmas candles are all burned out), it's the best time to invest.
Much like the best perfumes for women, most of us have a preference when it comes to home fragrances. And if there’s one thing I’m prepared to invest in for my humble abode, it’s my all-time favourite luxury candle—and I know that my fellow beauty editors and fragrance experts will agree with me.
That’s exactly why I asked a bunch of them which fragrant burn is their go-to scented candle for winter and collated them into this guide to the top-tier buys. Fair warning, as is the way with candles, you get what you pay for, so these ones are all very luxurious, but they are pretty much guaranteed to make your home smell out of this world.
The best winter candles, according to beauty experts
Lucy Abbersteen, Freelance Beauty Editor
"If you know how much I love woody perfumes, it won’t surprise you that my favourite scented candle is the aptly named Woods by Byredo. Taking inspiration from walks through Swedish forests, it opens with raspberry, jasmine and leather before the cedar and ambroxon (two of my favourite perfume notes) really come through. Despite being inspired by the outdoors, it's exceptionally cosy and scents my entire flat – if I could have one burning whenever I'm at home, I would. I wish it came in an EDP, too." – Lucy Abbersteen, Freelance Beauty Editor
Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor, Marie Claire
"While I am all about fresh, piney scents come winter (of which there are heaps of excellent options in candle form), my most cherished candle come cosy season is actually a floral—Diptyque's Tubereuse. Although tuberose might not be the most conventional winter scent, the deep, velvety aroma, which in this case is also fresh and undeniably expensive smelling, is the epitome of cosy luxury. Whenever I'm burning it, guests have something to say about how great my home smells. So much so that I have influenced countless friends to buy it for themselves. Diptyque candles might seem like the obvious luxury candle buy, but this one really is the crème de la crème." – Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor at Marie Claire
"In my opinion, La Montaña is the candle brand. Every candle that comes my way for testing is compared to those from this brand. They look exceptional, the fragrances are impeccably unique and expensive-smelling, the throw is second-to-none and they burn beautifully. My favourite? First Light—it might just be my favourite candle of all time. It's airy, cool, calming and fresh. It's like stumbling across a mountain-top forest while hiking—botanical, sense-clearing and frosty. It reminds me of waking up at dawn on Austrian holidays, stepping outside into the chilly mountain air and sucking in a deep lungful of undisturbed peace." – Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor at Marie Claire
Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor, Marie Claire
"34 Boulevard St Germain by Diptyque is inspired by the fragrance house's first boutique in Paris, so as you can imagine it's a punchy scent. So much so that it hits you as soon as you open the box. It's partly fresh and green, but it's laced with sweetness. I have no idea whether the notes are particularly wintery. What I do know is that I spend more time in my home when the weather is cold outside and so I want to ensure that my house smells divine. And I achieve that with this candle." – Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire
Tori Crowther, Freelance Beauty & Health Journalist
"A classic that never lets me down, Malin+Goetz Dark Rum is a winter staple scent in my house. With notes of bergamot, plum, amber, vanilla, patchouli and rum (of course), it makes my house smell like a stylish bar worthy of an Architectural Digest cover—even when in reality, it needs a good tidy. It’s fruity without being sweet and warming without being too intense, which gives it this fresh feeling without being cottony or linen-y; a sexy kind of fresh. The throw is impressive, which, regardless of the candle scent, really matters because I want the scent to really fill the room and house. Basically, if you come to my place in winter, this is likely to be burning." — Tori Crowther, Freelance Beauty & Health Journalist
Sunil Makan, Editor, Marie Claire
"I've been gatekeeping this one—but it’s time to share. My first interaction with Jonathan Ward candles was in 2020 at a private collection showing at London-based designer Edeline Lee’s atelier, where Art Deco style flacons artfully placed around the room emitted the softest of glows and most incredible scents. Ever since, I’ve been hooked. A lit Jonathan Ward candle will never go unnoticed—guests shower compliments every single time. This one, Dahteshe, is equal parts spicy (that’s the black pepper and saffron), fresh (jasmine absolute and patchouli) and supremely comforting (the warming qualities of black amber and guaiac wood, no less)." — Sunil Makan, Editor at Marie Claire
"Purchasing a candle from the highly respected house is a no brainer: Frederic Malle creates some of the best perfumes in the world. The Rosa Rugosa is a celebration of (you guessed it) rose—but not in your grandma’s vanity cabinet kind of way. This execution captures the freshness, earthiness and balminess of wild rose bushes and, coupled with the red glow that is emitted once lit, manages to creates the perfect ambiance in which to unwind in."— Sunil Makan, Editor at Marie Claire
"Some may argue that this candle should be reserved for Spring/Summer, but I disagree. There’s something comforting about the freshness of this burning beauty. Inspired by the rolling fields of Provence and everything lavender, expect grassiness, freshness and relaxing floral notes which lull you into a state of supreme serenity. A proper cosy must-have in my books." — Sunil Makan, Editor at Marie Claire
Keeks Reid, Beauty Broadcaster
"My absolute favourite candle is Boy Smells' Ash Candle. I love it all year round, but in winter it really warms the house thanks to the charcoal and palo santo mix. You’re instantly transported to a sexy fireplace with a glass of red. So chic." — Keeks Reid, Beauty Broadcaster
Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director, Refinery29
"When it comes to winter candles, Une Forêt d'Or has succeeded where various well-known brands have failed. It takes the sweet greenness of pine needles, the warm spice of bark resin and the crispness of cold air to produce the most realistic, outdoorsy scent I've ever come across. I was reluctant to light it at first, because I could smell it from all the way across the room without a flame, but the scent is even better when burned. Plus, it's pretty enormous, so it could last you well into the New Year." — Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director at Refinery29
Lucy Partington, Freelance Beauty Editor
"Okay, I know this is really, really, really boujie, but the Baccarat Rouge 540 candle is every bit as incredible, indulgent and delicious as you’d expect. The famous scent actually translates into wax form better than I ever thought possible: it smells exactly like the perfume, but it isn’t overpowering (something I was worried about) and, instead, it fills the room beautifully, lingering long after it has been blown out. So, even though it’s expensive, know that you don’t need to burn it for long in order to reap the full benefits of it. Plus, I love the chic ceramic pot it comes in." — Lucy Partington, Freelance Beauty Editor
Mica Ricketts, Freelance Beauty Editor and Copywriter
"Despite wearing this fragrance for my summer wedding, Byredo Bibliotheque is very much a winter burn for me. As someone that’s partial to a gourmand candle during the colder months, this has some of those foodie notes—think vanilla, plum and cinnamon—but without any of the sickly sweetness. Instead, there’s leather and woods to lend it that cosy, almost fireside feel, alongside patchouli and violet which are two of my comfort blanket scents. It’s complex, warming and makes your home smell absolutely delicious. It is the perfect scent to light and then snuggle down on the sofa for the evening." — Mica Ricketts, Freelance Beauty Editor and Copywriter
Zoe Cripps, Deputy Style Director, OK!
"Scented candles are basically my mastermind subject. If the weather even drops by one degree, I start lighting my autumn/winter candles regardless of whether it's day or night. I don't discriminate against cheaper candles (H&M Home sells great low-cost scents from £3.99), but my taste in wicks does verge on the fancy side. My ultimate winter wonder is this buy from Boy Smells, which is basically heaven in a fancy, millennial jar. With notes of Mexican copal, cedarwood, nutmeg, roasted cinnamon and vanilla, it's like an autumnal dessert for the nose. PSA: if the price is too high, I've actually spotted it retailing for £25 on TK Maxx." — Zoe Cripps, Deputy Style Director at OK!
Rebecca Fearn, Freelance Beauty Editor & Features Writer
"Every year, I can't wait for the Diptyque 'green' Christmas candle. Even though Christmas is now over, it still has that delicious piney, woodsy, forest-y element that makes me long for cold, cosy evenings in, spent by the fire (if I were lucky enough to have a fire, that is). I also always re-purpose the jar afterwards and am garnering quite the collection!" — Rebecca Fearn, Freelance Beauty Editor and Features Writer
Jazzria Harris, Freelance Fashion & Beauty Editor and Stylist
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"As a beauty editor, I’ve tried a lot of luxury candles over the years, but in my opinion, you can’t get better than Beauty Pie if you’re looking for something that smells great without costing the earth. When the weather gets colder, I love to switch to cosy woody smells and this one, which combines sweet tobacco with cedarwood and vanilla, is one of my favourites. A word of warning though, this candle sells out regularly, so if you see it in stock I’d snap it up quick. I’ve already added one to my basket." — Jazzria Harris, Freelance Fashion & Beauty Editor and Stylist
