Here’s the thing, we all have our guilty pleasures. I don’t know… yours might be good quality chocolate or pretty dresses or even that killer pair of heels. You know, that one item you don’t feel bad about splurging on if it is something you really really love. That one item that you may feel a twinge of guilt spending money on, but yet, which brings you joy and pleasure that surpasses the guilt.
Mine are scented candles and I can tell you, the flack I used to get for spending money on something that was to be burnt and therefore, destroyed, was unbelievable. Well maybe not so unbelievable, because I know people do still feel that way. Which is why I say that it’s my guilty pleasure. I feel a twinge of guilt loving it but it gives me pleasure! 😀
I’m not about to convert you into a fan of scented candles but I’d just like to talk about why they are my beauty guilty pleasure, and you can tell me yours. Incidentally, while on the subject of candles, I’ve got my candle fan friends Tine and LeGeeque telling you about their candles story too. Sort of a concerted effort to convert you… but not haha! 😀
I liken a good quality scented candle to a perfume for the home. Like candles, good perfumes are pricey and are just as ephemeral but we don’t get chastised for wearing an expensive perfume 😛
I used to burn essential oils to fragrance my room and I loved how relaxing it was. I think that was the precursor to my scented candles indulgence. I will say that I never really used to be as into scented candles back in the day as I am now, until I experienced a good quality soy candle. That was the turning point for me.
My experience with Dirt Candles was when I realised that a good quality scented candle would not only perfume the home, but could also last a long long time – years even! I got my first Dirt Candle back in 2009 and I have picked up a lot more since because they are excellent. In fact, I just finished burning my first Dirt Candle! That’s 4 years I’ve had it 😀 The problem however, is that the local distributor no longer carries them and I don’t think the company is in business anymore. Pity. They do beautiful soy candles that smell good, last long and have a lovely throw of scent so I just burn them for about half an hour and have my living room fragranced for the rest of the day.
I dabbled a bit with Yankee Candles but I found them a bit too foody for my tastes and I’ve also gone for the luxury designer candles from Diptyque, which I love but which I also realise, despite the present hype, isn’t quite to my tastes. Thankfully I worked that out from the sampler set I got last Christmas! 😀 I do like them, but I think I prefer Diptyque’s perfumes. The candles are lovely to fragrance a room, but I’ve also worked out that I prefer home scents that are less “perfumey” and more “natural” or even floral toned.
For this reason, I like scented candles from Ecoya, Glasshouse and also Circa Home, all of which incidentally hail from Australia and all of which carry soy wax candles. The quality is top notch, the scents suit my taste and style and they refresh the home and make it smell good. I tried Voluspa candles as well which aren’t bad and come in beautiful tins and glass cups. What I wasn’t so keen on is the fact they use coconut oil which does leave a bit of scent and since I’m not into coconut anything, it figures I’m not that big a fan of Voluspa candles. Some day, I’ll actually get round to reviewing all of them 😛
I like to come home, put a candle to burn, cook my dinner or potter around for a bit and then blow out the candle about half an hour to an hour later. A good candle will allow it’s scent to continue to linger in the air and it’s a great way to get rid of cooking smells too 🙂
So why guilty pleasure you ask? That’s coz my taste for scented candles run to the expensive. Like many things, a good quality scented candle will be made from better quality ingredients and good quality perfume and essential oils are expensive. So is soy wax, which usually burns longer and cleaner. I usually don’t go for scents that have a strong chemical/artificial slant as those give me a headache, so that puts paid to many more affordable options out there.
“Make your own then!” I know some people will say that, but you know, I know my own limitations and craft or DIY isn’t one of them 😛 So, all said and done, I will continue to indulge in my guilty pleasure of good quality scented candles and no, I don’t really feel all that guilty for doing so 😉
If candles are your thing, you may enjoy reading what Tine and LeGeeque have to say about them 😀
What is your beauty guilty pleasure? Is there a brand of scented candles that you love, that I just have to check out?
We don’t get many options here in Malaysia of good quality scented candles, which does sadden me. I suppose if I lowered my standards there are options to be found but then, it wouldn’t be a guilty pleasure anymore would it? I wouldn’t feel the guilt, but I’d get no pleasure out of it LOL! 😀 Share, if you have a fave brand and if candles aren’t your thing, what’s your beauty guilty pleasure?
Paris B
Rebecca says
I’ve used a bunch of Voluspa candles and I didn’t know they’re made with coconut oil… I couldn’t really detect a coconutty scent, but maybe it depends on the other scents in the mix. I end up using Yankee Candles a lot because they often do sales (or at least they do here in the US), and they do have some nice floral and water scents. I get what you mean about them being foody though… it feels like every other one I see has something to do with pumpkin spice or cake. 😛
Paris B says
You’re right about the scents. I only get a whiff of the coconut scent but then I am not a fan so that maybe why I smell it. I also notice that it burns more quickly than my soy candles. We don’t even have Yankee Candles here 🙁 But they love their food don’t they? LOL
LeGeeque says
Isn’t it fun that our routines are almost the same? 😀 Light candles when we get home, potter about at home 🙂 There was one period of time when Coco was a maniac, I could almost swear having lavender scent sort of calmed her down. I love candles and I love how happy they make me *hugs self like a mad person* I do love Glasshouse candles a lot and am keen to say that they’re actually my favourite. There’s a scent for everyone and it’s rather unfortunate it’s not easy to ship them overseas 🙁
Paris B says
Haha yes! We are so alike, it’s scary 😛 It’s so great that you had such great customer service from Glasshouse Candles. I would be a fan for life too if it happened to me! Now, I just wish they’d bring the brand here so I can buy them instead of having to use up luggage allowance on candles when I go to Australia! 🙁
Ting says
My beauty guilty pleasure would be buying EDP. I cannot possibly use all of them up, but I like to pick one up at the duty free shop. Each bottle reminds me exactly where I bought it and the memories flow from there. Plus, my mum’s couldn’t leave the house without perfume so she played a big part in my guilty pleasure!! hehe
Paris B says
I was doing that once too! 😀 I love how smells can bring back memories and perfumes are a wonderful way to remember a lovely holiday 🙂
su says
I love scented candles, man!
My collection ranges from the cheap supermarket to high-end a la Cire Trudon. Wish I could afford more of the latter but a one-off splurge is enough to tide me over I guess.
Paris B says
Yay for another scented candle fan! 🙂 The good thing about the high end or good ones, is that they can last ages!