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Who doesn’t love a candle? They smell great, they create atmosphere in even the starkest of spaces, they can be mood-enhancing or relaxing, depending on their scent and they are the go-to gift for a fussy friend. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who dislikes them, which makes candle selling a big business.

Figures from the data analysts Kantar say that between March 2021 and last year, UK consumers spent over £418m on scented candles. Why the sudden scented candle mania? The short answer is price point. Whereas scented candles were once the ultimate luxury purchase, (a large scented Loewe candle will still set you back £305) you can now find great quality candles from as little as £10. Availability has boosted sales too, and there are plenty to choose from locally. Jersey is home to an array of candle makers, many of whom use locally sourced ingredients, some are organic or oil based, others are hand-poured and made using bespoke scents. One thing is for sure, they are all utterly unique. Here are five local producers worth knowing, you can thank us later…

Launched in Sept 2020 in the midst of (and as result of) the Covid-19 pandemic this family company is headed by Benjamin Martin and is based in Grouville where the key ingredients are grown and harvested. Jersey Skin’s six key ingredients are Jersey Apple Pectin, Jersey Seaweed, Jersey Sea Salt, Jersey Lavender, Jersey Lemon Verbena and Jersey Beeswax and these are reflected across their candle scent range. The company follows an all natural, vegan and crueltyfree ethos and all candles are named after well-loved locations on the island. Our top wicks (sorry)? The Bonne Nuit is as calming and soothing as the view at its namesake bay, with scents of lavender, lilac and chamomile. Or for something a little more invigorating, you can’t go wrong with The Corbiere which smells beachy and fresh thanks to the top notes of Sicilian lemon, orange flesh and zesty bergamot. Currently sold online at www. JerseySkin.com, the candles can be delivered island wide, or to see the products in person at 11 The Parade, St Helier.

Bailiwick Flame started when 13 year old Emily wanted to raise money for a charity close to her heart. In less than 2 months, its success turned it into a fully fledged, small family business selling premium home fragrance products to Jersey locals, other Channel Islands and even shipping to the UK with 10% of the profits being donated to their chosen charity Huntington’s Disease Association UK. Emily, along with dad Ross and step-mum Sam are a family of perfectionists who create each and every artisan product in their home studio with care, consideration and detail. Their collection of 100% soy wax candles consist of a hand-picked selection of carefully curated scents from fresh to floral, woody to citrus, created by hand in amber glass apothecary vessels. As well as each product being cruelty free, sustainability is also at the forefront of the brand. Materials used are recyclable where possible and packaging is kept to a minimum. So which one to choose? Take the pro’s advice and pick up a Driftwood and Vanilla Pod candle which is one of the family’s favourites. Or if you’re thinking of buying a more masculine fragrance why not try the Soft Cashmere and Magnolia candle, “it’s perfect to light when on the couch watching Super Sunday on a wet winter’s day!” says Ross. All Jersey Bailiwick products can be found in Ransoms Garden Centre and online at www.penny-feathers.co.uk

Kota Candles is a luxury candle company founded by Daisy Fernandes in 2016. Blended from fair trade and sustainable soy wax, premium grade fragrance and pure essential oils - each candle can be refilled via a drop and collect service from Daisy’s home in St Brelade’s. And if you want something seriously lux, Daisy can create you the most bespoke of bespoke fragrances. Whether it’s for your home or your business, she will arrange a meetup to discuss what you are looking for, where the scent will be used and if there’s any other smells that either need to be masked or complimented in the area. She will then create the entire scent herself from formulation to completion whilst providing you with sample of the scents development along the way. This process can take anywhere from four to eight weeks. A wait well worth it in our opinion. Daisy’s top scent? “Breeze, it’s amazing in the spring and summer as its blend of pure essential oils of May Chang, Lavender, Geranium and Verbena make it fresh, calming and zingy.” Kota is mainly an online fragrance store with a few stockists on the island including The Trading Point, Harriet and Rose, St Brelades Bay Spa, The Surfyard and The Journey. Find the website at www.kotacandles.com

Claire started Pretty Okay Candle Co. after discovering a passion for making candles for friends and family. She modestly described her talents as ‘pretty okay’ and the name stuck. The brand is pretty okay to the environment too as Claire works only with a natural plant based coconut wax blend making her candles clean burning, vegan friendly, cruelty free, plastic free and they handily come with reusable jars. If you fancy trying your hand at creating your own, Claire offers a candle workshop, bookings for which are via the website, www.prettyokaycandleco. com. Struggling with which scent to select? Take the expert’s advice and opt for Claire’s favourite Sandalwood & Orange, “this one is very calming. I also love Sexy Man, which has Sandalwood in it and just smells like a smoking hot guy!” Find the products at the shop and Candle Bar on Don Street in town and or they are available at De Gruchy, Love Wine, Jess at the Trading Point and Harriet & Rose.

Having set up Willow Jersey initially as a small interiors and lifestyle brand, owner Vanessa saw a gap in the market and decided to focus her talents on her hand-made candles and diffuser range instead; her aim being to bring the people of Jersey luxury candles at great prices. Not sure which candle to choose? No stress. Vanessa has cleverly launched the Candle Club which, if you are new to the brand, is a great way to try all the scents as you are sent a new candle each month. For more details on how to sign up, head to the website, where you can also buy individual candles such as house favourites Wild Mint, Sunday Haze or Shades of Leather willowjersey.com. Which one will we be buying? We’ve had it on good authority that the Mint, Ginger and Tobacco is a hands down winner for these winter months. Other stockists include The Trading Point in St Lawrence, and you can find a small selection at Vallorie in West Centre.

Here are some tips from the experts on how to make your candles burn a little longer…

The first time you burn your candles it’s important to have a longer first burn so that the wax almost melts across the surface, 2-3 hours ideally but never longer than 4.

Trim your wicks to 5mm after each burn – you can buy candle wick trimmers but nail clippers work just as well.

Candles burn best in still air – draughts can cause candles to burn unevenly

Always remember to blow them out!

Islanders who are female or who have a cervix, between the ages of 25-64, are encouraged to book a free cervical screening test.

Four in every five people (80%) will contract HPV at some point in their lives. For this reason, regular cervical screening is strongly advised.