The best scented candles for every mood and moment

Take your date night to new levels with the iconic Baies candle by the French luxury fragrance brand Diptyque. Blending a bouquet of roses with the coolness of freshly-picked blackcurrants, its sophisticated and sensual aroma has captured the hearts of celebrities like Victoria Beckham and even graced Carrie Bradshaw’s New York brownstone in Sex & The City and its sequel And Just Like That.

Size: 70g
Burn time: 20 hours
Fragrance notes: Blackcurrant leaves, berries, rose

Available at:

• $98 from Farfetch
• $101 at StrawberryNET

After a tasteful gift? The sophisticated and smoky Midnight in Milan is a gorgeous blend of saffron, rose and musk, impressing even the most discerning recipient.

Size: 60g
Burn time: 20 hours
Fragrance notes: Saffron, rose, moss, dry amber, musk

Available at:

• $25.95 from Adore Beauty
• $26.95 from Glasshouse Fragrances
• $26.95 from Life Pharmacy

Are you looking for a fragrance-free or smoke and soot-free alternative to traditional candles? You can light these sleek steel ‘forever’ candles over and over again – place them in a specially-designed vase filled with clean-burning Pristine Oil, wait 30 minutes, then light them to create a warm, ambient glow.

Burn time: 50 hours of candlelight (per one bottle of Pristine Oil)

While those searching for a deeper slumber often reach for lavender aromas, the scent of chamomile is equally as tranquil. This candle’s serene mix of chamomile, driftwood and vanilla bean creates a calming ambience, relaxing the mind and body for a good night’s sleep.

Size: 230g
Burn time: 60 hours
Fragrance notes: Chamomile, driftwood, sandalwood, vanilla bean

Clean and airy, this candle’s scent of freshly laundered cotton sheets makes housework feel effortless and enhances your post-cleaning satisfaction of a tidy, refreshed space.

Size: 70g
Burn time: 24 hours
Fragrance notes: Blue chamomile, linen, white cedarwood, sweet musk

Glasshouse Fragrances’ bestselling candle transports you to the beaches of Tahaa, French Polynesia, with its luxurious blend of vanilla, caramel and coconut. Its rich, full-bodied scent lingers beautifully, leaving your space smelling divine for hours after each burn.

Size: 380g
Burn time: 65 hours
Fragrance notes: Pineapple, fruity coconut, frankincense, caramel, vanilla

Available at:

• $59.95 from Adore Beauty
• $60 from Sephora
• $59.95 from Glasshouse Fragrances
• $59.95 from Life Pharmacy
• $59.95 from Freedom Furniture
• $59.95 from Celebration Box

Feeling uninspired? Light up an energising scent like Capri Blue’s iconic Volcano candle for a burst of motivation. The blend of sugared citrus and tropical fruits delivers the zing you need to stay focused.

Size: 170g
Burn time: 30 hours
Fragrance notes: Tropical fruit, sugared orange, lemon, lime

Welcome guests into your home with this uplifting candle by Jo Malone. Its fresh, zesty notes set a lively tone while neutralising odours, ensuring your space feels clean and inviting.

Size: 200g
Burn time: 45 hours
Fragrance notes: Lime, basil, mandarin, thyme, iris, bergamot, lilac, vetiver, patchouli

Boost your mood with this slice of paradise in a jar. Bursting with juicy aromas of mango, sweet papaya and tropical passionfruit, it’s a sweet way to brighten your day.

Size: 350g
Burn time: 70 hours
Fragrance notes: Orange, cassis, passionfruit, mango, jasmine, geranium, rose, eugenol, vanilla, musk

Available at:

• $49.95 from Adore Beauty
• $44.95 from Circa
• $44.95 from Life Pharmacy
• $44.95 from Freedom

Inspired by the refreshing breeze of a herb garden, this scented candle fills your kitchen with a delightful herbaceous aroma while neutralising lingering cooking odours. Its calming scent may even help you focus as you cook up a storm.

Size: 204g
Burn time: 50 hours
Fragrance notes: Black pepper, wild mint, rain, lavender, solar jasmine, patchouli, driftwood, marram grass, white musk

Wake up with the invigorating scent of Eager For Espresso and replicate a cosy cafe experience at home. Combining the rich aromas of freshly brewed coffee with creamy vanilla and a hint of caramel, it’s warm, energising and uplifting.

Size: 380g
Burn time: 65 hours
Fragrance notes: Brown sugar, hot coffee, coffee beans, vanilla smoky woods, roasted coffee

Available at:

• $64.95 from Glasshouse Fragrances
• $64.95 from Life Pharmacy
• $64.95 from Celebration Box

True to its name, Byredo’s Bibliothèque candle exudes an inviting, nostalgic aroma with peach, plum and leather notes. Whether you’re deep in thought or curled up with a good book, this is the best scented candle for a moment of solitude.

Size: 240g
Burn time: 60 hours
Fragrance notes: Plum, Cinnamon, Leather Accord, Violet, Birch Woods, Patchouli, Vanilla

Ground yourself with the warming and woody embrace of sandalwood and amber. Light this candle before your yoga practice to create a meditative ambience.

Size: 350g
Burn time: 70 hours
Fragrance notes: Orange, magnolia, amber, iris, tonka bean, vanilla, sandalwood, musk

Available at:

• $49.95 from Adore Beauty
• $44.95 from Circa
• $44.95 from Life Pharmacy
• $44.95 from Freedom

The iconic Aotearoa handbag label has teamed up with contemporary artist Dan Arps to craft two fragranced candles, their scents as captivating as the sculpted ceramic glazed vessels they come in.

The ‘Ponies’ candle blends bergamot, geranium, and tonka bean, capturing the summery essence of blooming florals on warm leather. The ‘Deadly’ candle features rockrose and smoky oud, an ode to the brand’s distinctive spirit of worn, well-loved leather.

The vessels are intended to be admired long after the wax melts away, lending an artful touch to your interiors.

Burn time: 60 hours
Fragrance notes: Bergamot, geranium, tonka bean, native pāhautea and golden amber (Ponies), rockrose, smoky oud, patchouli (Deadly)

Firing up the barbeque? Keep pesky bugs at bay with Ecoya’s Citronella & Lemongrass Outdoor Candle. Infused with zesty lemongrass and the natural insect-repelling properties of citronella, this candle is as fresh as it is functional. Housed in a durable vessel to withstand the outdoors, it’s the best way to add a warm, inviting glow to your al fresco festivities.

Size: 420g
Burn time: 80 hours
Fragrance notes: Citronella, lime, lemon, lemongrass, lily of the valley, lilac, rosewood, vanilla