Now June is here, I’m continuing my seasonal guide to the best scented candles with an updated round-up of summer favourites.
I’m always amazed by the power of fragrance to transform the ambiance of a space, spark distant memories or transport me to other places, and at this time of year I tend to find myself drawn towards heady scents that evoke sun-drenched days in the garden and balmy evenings under the stars. I’m also yearning for a bit of escapism in the form of fresh, coastal-inspired fragrances and scents that conjure up the Mediterranean and beyond. There are so many wonderful candles to choose from, but after a lot of deliberation I’ve narrowed my selection down to the 21 below. I’ve tried and tested many of them myself, and most are produced by small, independent brands using natural ingredients. I hope you find something you like!
- ‘Wild Mint & Camellia’ candle by OLIV (£14.95 for a standard jar or £29.95 for a large three-wick one; also available as a reed diffuser and wax melts) – a clean, uplifting summer fragrance with notes of refreshing wild mint among sweet florals
- ‘Sundown’ candle by Kip Candle Co (£28, available in a beige or white clay jar) – a blend of bergamot, eucalyptus, thyme, jasmine, cedarwood, iris and amber that conjures up beach sunsets, fading light and summer bonfires
- ‘Mandarin’ candle by Miller Harris (£50) – layers of Sicilian green mandarin, grapefruit, herby marjoram, geranium and orange, with a base of cedar, moss and sweet musk
- ‘Santorini’ candle by Brooklyn Candle Studio (£57 / €65) – a mix of woody sandalwood, earthy amber and fruity redcurrant and fig to make you dream of Greek island escapes
- ‘Redolent’ candle by Beloit (£17.20 for a jar or £9.70 for a travel tin) – a blend of sensual jasmine and comforting vanilla, evoking walks through the warm Italian countryside
- ‘Wild Garden’ candle by Essence + Alchemy (£50; refills available) – a wonderful fragrance that conjures up gardens after summer rain, when the aroma of wet earth mingles with the sweet perfume of geraniums and bitter orange trees
- ‘Bergamot, Orange & Coconut’ candle by Woodspring Co (£20 for a standard jar or £8.50 for a small one) – zingy notes of bergamot and orange over smooth coconut, transporting you to a remote tropical island
- ‘California’ candle by Ash + Ember (£20; also available as an oil) – a fresh, energy-boosting blend of sweet orange, grapefruit and bergamot that will lift your mood throughout the day
- ‘Tides’ candle by Evermore London (£36 for a standard jar or £60 for a large one) – a heady mix of wild fig, thyme and cedar, reminiscent of dusty paths leading to sandy Mediterranean beaches
- ‘Seychelles’ candle by Helm London (£29) – notes of bergamot, bright orange and rich amber over warming coconut and vanilla, inspired by travels around the Indian Ocean
- ‘Moon’ candle by Evermore London (£36 for a standard jar or £60 for a large one) – layers of delicate rose and spicy saffron over a smoky base of vetivert and cade, evoking nocturnal flowers unfurling under the light of the moon
- ‘Jardin de la Lune’ candle by Earl of East (£20 for a standard jar or £50 for a large one) – a luxurious ode to the gardens of Versailles, where hundreds of tuberoses scented the nighttime air
- ‘Aestas’ candle by Essence + Alchemy (£30; refills available) – a soft, sensual take on the season, with layers of wild rose petals, french lavender leaves, cypress wood and Benjamin tree resin exuding the warmth and sleepiness of a midsummer’s evening in bloom
- ‘Illumination Jasmine’ candle by Ostens (£65) – the radiant scent of night jasmine drifting through open windows on a Mediterranean summer evening
- ‘ØY’ candle by Skandinavisk (£35 / €39 for a standard jar or £19 / €22 for a small one; also available as a reed diffuser and a candle refill) – a blend of crabapple, dog rose, water mosses and green leaves that takes you to a peaceful uninhabited island somewhere in Scandinavia
- ‘Coconut & Lime’ candle by Oré Mi (£10 for a small jar, £24 for a medium one and £48 for a large one) – a tantalising fusion of fresh coconut, lime and verbena soothed by luscious vanilla
- ‘As the Sun Sets’ candle by Aather (£30) – a mix of bergamot, clary sage, rosemary and cedarwood, conjuring up memories of wine and aromatic herbs at dusk
- ‘Citrus + Basil’ candle by Hobo + Co (£21 for a standard jar, £36 for a large one or £11 for a travel tin; also available as a reed diffuser) – a fresh, summery fragrance with zesty lemon, lime and mandarin over herby notes of basil
- ‘Light’ candle by Evermore London (£36 for a standard jar or £60 for a large one) – an uplifting combination of bergamot, grapefruit, petitgrain and rosewood, inspired by sun beams filtering through citrus groves
- ‘Coast’ candle by Wick + Wonder (£16) – a fresh, breezy blend of salty seaweed, floral botanicals and zingy tea tree that’s reminiscent of clifftops, cold waves and sandy shores
- ‘Garden of Words’ candle by Aather (£30) – sun-warmed bergamot, zesty lemon and delicate white jasmine with a lingering trail of musk, evoking gardens of all shapes and sizes
Top and bottom two images by Abi Dare; all other photos via the respective brands above
SHAUN says
Dear Abi,
So grateful you have selected two of our fragrances, HAV & ROSENHAVE, in your edit.
Thank you!
Shaun and the team
peter says
This is the best. Scented candles keep you so calm. Just love them.