Burn, Baby, Burn! My Favourite Local Candle Companies
There’s really nothing better than the house smelling amazing from a new glowing, fragrant candle. If you’re like me and totally obsessed with candles and wax melts, then I have some amazing local places to share with you! I love finding new places to buy candles, instead of the usual high street brands. As lovely as they are, you can pick them up anywhere and the unique-ness of them starts to wear off as replicas are made in supermarkets. Fine for a quick fix, but if you just adore a beautiful candle either for yourself or for a present (who doesn’t LOVE a candle!?), then there are some wonderful local businesses you should try. Also, because the huge brands are already ‘out there’ and doing well, it’s time to champion some of our own (which in my opinion are better!) and give them the recognition they deserve, because these candles are made with love and from real, genuine, hard-working people. A quote I saw a few years ago has always stuck with me, “when you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance!” and it is so true!
Lu Candle Co
The first time I came across Lu Candle Co was on Instagram, and I was instantly attracted to the classy black and white logo, on the front of the cylinder candle jar. It was just so perfect for a flat, a house or to gift someone and really looked so expensive and designer! Looking on Lu Candle Co’s page, I came across the fragrance list (and oh my GOD!) I knew I instantly had to buy some! With the Mrs Hinch craze in full flow, Lu Candle Co have a range of Zoflora scented wax melts – yes, I KNOW!! – from Twilight Garden to Spring Awakening. There is also a Lenor Unstoppable Dreams fragrance for the wax to leave your house smelling oh-so fresh! Lu Candle Co have a wide variety of popular perfumes and aftershaves that are also made into soy wax scents, with fragrances such as Flowerbomb, Spicebomb, Alien and Black Opium to name a few. I bought some wax melts for myself and as presents for others, and it’s really lovely that you can personalise your gift with their favourite fragrance – maybe they love Strawberry Bon Bons, or prefer a Clean Cotton – whatever you or your gift recipient like, then Lu Candle Co have it!
There are a range of wax burners as well, including my favourite which is the beautiful Bhudda, currently in the sale at £12! There are classic wax burners and ones in various designs, such as pineapples, creating a unique and personal candle experience. The best part about the wax melts apart from their amazing fragrance is they are handmade from scratch and also so affordable, for a little bag it’s only £3! I ordered a mixture of melts, wax burners, candles and also a car air freshener which come in the same scents as the candle wax and lasts for ages. Because I love meeting the people behind these local businesses, I decided to click the ‘pick up from home address in Glasgow’ option, and so one Sunday night, while my boyfriend was on the PS4 (standard!), I took a little drive through to pick up my order. This is when I met the absolute wonder woman behind Lu Candle Co, Donna. Donna is a hard-working, driven and determined lady who’s focus is her lovely 9 year-old son, Lucas. She is a single mum and is absolutely bossing it, working as a full-time teacher and hand making every single candle in her kitchen at home. She has a science degree as well and so she really knows her stuff when it comes to candle making. If you have a look on Lu Candle Co’s Instagram, as well as sharing pictures of her products, Donna shares open and honest pictures of her and Lucas and life as a non-stop superwoman as well as inspirational quotes and positive statements. I just love everything Donna and Lu Candle Co stand for, and I absolutely love ordering from their page, the scents are amazing and long-lasting. There are also specials throughout the year for events such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. She has an ever-expending candle empire!
Check them out here;
Vie Candle Company
Started in late 2018 by Nancy Sidhu, Vie Candle Company is a home-grown business founded on the principles of quality, honesty and relaxation, which I love. The packaging again caught my eye as it is very classic and would look lovely in any room, making the candles a wonderful gift. Nancy began creating candles as a hobby, a way to chill out and find her zen. Doesn’t that just sound amazing?! When she realised she could give others a part of the peace, Vie Candle Company was born! The original fragrance, Chamomile and Lavender, was based on creating calmness, to help manage stress and anxiety which is something we all need in our day-to-day lives to help with the stresses that are thrown at us. Since then, Vie Candle Company has expanded to include enticing new fragrances, elegant triple-wicked candles and gorgeous wax melt-minis.
I was very kindly sent a beautiful candle to try out, the Peony and Blush Suede fragrance and it fills the whole home with such a beautiful and calming fragrance. I was also gifted a Pink Champagne and Pomelo wax melt which is beautiful and very relaxing, perfect for a girls night in with pyjamas and prosecco!
I had a look on their website and it states “if you’re looking for more than a candle, you’ve come to the right place” and I think that’s a great motto, you can really chill out and find your inner peace while breathing in the soothing aromatherapy scent. Wax melts are only £3.50 and the Peony and Blush melts feature newly blossomed peonies as you can see in the picture. The glossy white cylinder candles come in at £14 and the triple-wicks are £28.
Vie Candle Company are continuously growing their range of fragrances and adding new products, all hand-poured and designed to benefit the mind and soul. Vie Candles are vegan and cruelty free and are all infused with essential oils and set for a minimum of 48 hours, and they smell delicious.
Check them out here;
Essence of Harris
This is always a brand I had wanted to try, and so I jumped at the chance of attending the Essence of Harris event at Glasgow’s Corinthian Club last month. Essence of Harris is exactly what it says on the tin – a small piece of the Isle of Harris in your own home, bringing you instant calm and peace. As soon as I walked in the building for their event it smelt like a spa – the oils and scents were so soothing and calming and I instantly felt at ease.
When walking up the stairs following the smell, I was greeted by a huge table full of different oils, flower petals, scents and candles. When all of the guests were there and had relaxed into the wonderful relaxing atmosphere, Jamie, the co-founder of Essence of Harris stood in front of us all to speak. His story was so inspirational and lovely.
Jamie and Deenie are so passionate about their Hebridean home, and when Essence of Harris was established in 2015, they sought to showcase the magic of the island in the form of soy wax candles and home fragrance, including diffusers and various kinds of candle such as tins, three-wick candles and glass candles. Fragrance sachets are also available as well as wax melts and a beautiful bath and body range including bath and shower gels and body lotions. The small business is growing and growing and I am so happy, their products are of excellent quality and have such an unusual and wonderful smell. Essence of Harris also have their own range of tartan products including purses, belts, hip-flasks (a must in Scotland!) and cosmetic bags, wonderful gift ideas.
Each of their products are hand poured on the Isle of Harris by a dedicated team of local staff who handle each candle with the upmost care.
Designed with the customer in mind, Essence of Harris aims to bring peace, tranquility and calmness to anyone who breathes in their unique fragrances – and that’s exactly what the products do. The gorgeous little goodie bag from the event included a Black Pomegranate candle and hand and body lotion and I was immediately captured by the aroma – it is just so unusual and lovely. I have almost finished that candle, and my mum and I have ordered more, the box actually arrived this morning – yay! Th perfect candles to burn as you have a bath or while you enjoy some me-time, and each one poured with love and thought on our very own Isle of Harris.
Check them out here;
Take a look at their pages, pick a few candles and wax melts and make sure you support local business!
Enjoy de-stressing…
Amber Zoe x
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