Life is hectic. But what if you could boost your mood or instantly shift your emotional state from stressed to serene, or gloomy to more positive with the aromatherapy of a candle?
The power of an uplifting scented candle is real. Thanks to their direct line to the brain, the right fragrance can act as a natural, potent mood-booster. These are tools for well-being.
From zesty, energising citrus notes to deeply grounding sandalwood and cedar blends that fight stress, we’ve researched and tested the market. Below is your ever-expanding list of the best mood-enhancing candles. Your little pot of joy to elevate any space.
1
Aery Positive energy
Brand: Aery
Price: £15
Size: 140g
Scent: Vetiver, pink grapefruit, lemon and mint
Burn time: 30 hours
Wax: Plant wax
Oil type: Essential and fragrance oils
Lighting this and surrendering to its fresh, beautifully put together scent feels like opening up your doors to rejuvenation and revival! And if it’s positive energy you want to foster at this time of year, this could very well be your small but mighty companion.
The mint and grapefruit give an unmistakable freshness whilst the vetiver and amber, add an earthy warmth you’d expect from mother nature.
This particular candle only comes in a small size. It works well in a small office but anything bigger definitely requires two for better fragrance release.
2
Aromatherapy Associates - Revive
Brand: Aromatherapy Associates
Price: £52
Size: 200g
Scent: Grapefruit, Rosemary, Juniper berry
Burn time: 40 hours
Wax: Soy
Oil type: Essential oils
This candle is great if you like the idea of fruity freshness combined with the ever versatile Rosemary. The savoury, familiar character of rosemary known to be energizing, is expertly blended with invigorating grapefruit and Juniper berry – associated with the smell of most gins.
Incredibly refreshing to the senses, there are many fans of this candle who claim to reap its benefits.
3
La Jolie Muse Yuzu and Neroli
Brand: La Jolie Muse
Price: £19.99
Size: 170g
Scent: Yuzu, orange blossom, mint, cedarwood
Burn Time: 40 hrs
Wax: Soy
Oil type: Essential oils and premium fragrance
You may know, I’ve mentioned La Jolie Muse before for their impressive superior quality scented candles and this blend is no exception.
If you’re after a spring in your step through a daily dose of aromatic citrus notes permeating your space, the yuzu and Neroli will have you reeling with delight.
Yuzu, a Japanese fruit with sweet and tart notes similar to grapefruit is matched perfectly with warmer, grounding notes of cedarwood, whilst the fresh mint complements the tartness with conviction. Put together, this blend is an impressive combination of feel good compounds. Not only does it smell good but ornamental enough to display on a windowsill or mantlepiece.
4
Magnificent 101 Sage and Palo Santo
Brand: Magnificent 101
Price: £11.76
Size: 170g
Scent: Sage and Palo Santo resin from wood
Burn Time: 35 hrs
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Essential oils
If you love the divine smell of incense and the soothing effect it has on you, the Sage and Palo Santo is a fragrant powerhouse. I had this lit in my lounge and within 10 minutes, the room was enveloped in an almost meditative scent that seemed to radiate an uplifting energy. Not only is it woody but there’s a certain sweetness to it too. You only need to have it lit for an hour at a time due to its high fragrance strength.
It reminded me of the distinct comforting, tranquil aroma of the Buddhist temples I visited on my travels.
Palo Santo as you may know has been used for hundreds of years in energy cleansing rituals and for lifting the spirits. Not a bad way to start off the day!
5
Neom Happiness
Brand: Neom
Price: £30
Size: 185g
Scent: Neroli, Mimosa and lemon
Burn Time: 35 hrs
Wax type: Vegetable wax
Oil type: Essential oils
This truly feels like happiness in a jar! I had this lit in the new year once and it really did elevate my space and bring a smile to my face. With citrus notes of lemon and herby, sweet mimosa, combined delicately with the gorgeous flowery scent of Neroli, the blend creates a surge of upliftment and joy. Does Mimosa sound familiar? Possibly experienced in the form of a cocktail at some point in your life!
With Mimosa being used in Chinese medicine for mood support and Neroli, to reduce cortisol, it’s no wonder Neom have cleverly utilised these properties to create a wonderfully mood boosting candle.
6
The Melt Co. Dance
Brand: The Melt Co.
Price: £28
Size: Glass jar – approx. 175g
Scent: Gardenia, blackcurrant, mandarin, sandalwood and musk
Burn Time: 70 hrs
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Premium fragrance and essential oils
The Melt Co. was recommended to me by a mum friend. She is an activist, a chef, a vibrant, friendly person who happens to be a candle lover.
If you love intricate scents with depth (I’m a sucker for this), Dance may have you doing just that!
My husband says less is more. I’m not sure he really means it, because he went and married me. I seem to lean more towards the ‘more is more’ sentiment. Although, just for the record, I am learning to appreciate the simplicity in things too.
Coming back to ‘Dance’, without the sheer number of ingredients poured into this, it wouldn’t have the same feel to it. Not only are you hit by the heady floral notes of Gardenia and Jasmine, the scent then intertwines with the fruity sensuality of blackcurrant, uplifting mandarin and is topped off with the warm, soothing notes of sandalwood. Voila! A whirl of intoxicating scent notes to take you to a carefree world of freedom and expression.
I love lighting this in my bedroom for an all round joyous ambience. The travel tin is ok but glass jar has much better fragrance release.
7
Vallente Lemongrass and sage
Brand: Vallente
Price: £12.40
Size: 150g
Scent: Lemongrass and sage
Burn Time: 40 hrs
Wax type: Soy
Oil type: Essential oils
Not only does this have excellent fragrance release, but the lemongrass essential oils have a compound in them that actually help release serotonin in your brain – which in turn makes you feel good.
The citrus, fresh scent of lemongrass is balanced beautifully with herby sage – also containing properties to reduce anxiety and create a sense of calm. These particular scent notes would effortlessly elevate the atmosphere in your kitchen or hallway.