Organic Wednesday: Jonathan Ward Candles

There are few things more surreal than dragging the rugby-loving, cider-drinking, not-interested-in-male-grooming, will-only-get-his-hair-cut-when-ordered-to, shouldn't-be-reading-this Mr Lippie along to a candle viewing and scent testing session, and then watching him take over the proceedings to the extent that the Official Lippie (me) can't actually get a word in edgeways!


It might have happened because Jonathan Ward's candles are truly things of beauty, and it was a delight to be invited to pop along to Wholefoods recently for a sneak preview of his autumn collection (even MrL agrees).  Religiously inspired with incense, amber and spices, the new range will add three new scents to the line. No1 (which is the one that got MrL all excited, and he still refers to it now, a couple of weeks later) which to me smells like a clean, fresh, and warm (if that makes sense?) Mediterannean scent - in some ways similar to Acqua di Parma, only deeper and more resonant, No2, which I found to be a more classical kind of "boudoir" scent, and it brought to mind Hollywood glamour, film noir, and marabou-trimmed negligees. I can't wait to see how this one translates into a candle! And finally No3 (which is Jonathan's personal favourite) which was a more sweet amber-spice scent, almost food-y, but in a good way.

Sadly, we won't be able to see these candles for a good few months yet as they're still in the testing phase. So, what's the point in my telling you about something you can't buy yet, I hear you cry?! Well, as a result of some previous testing sessions (Jonathan does these fairly regularly for his favoured clients and the occasional blogger who has, let's face it, allowed her boyfriend to gatecrash), Jonathan has introduced a new size candle, after previous panels requested a range of candles at a more purse-friendly price point. Currently the large candles cost £30, which is a good price for an all-organic, hand poured, hand-packaged candle, but there is now a full range of slightly smaller candles (6.5oz as opposed to 8.5oz) which come in at £20 each which is a great price for presents, hostess gifts and the like. Also a good price for trying a new scent, if you ask me.

There is also a new scent about to be launched, Lulu in Provence, which is redolent of nectarines, sandalwood and redcurrants. Go buy a couple to make your house smell lovely, you'll never regret it. Me, I'll be getting myself a couple of Lost in El Salvador, which is another amber-based scent I can't resist. The candles are clean-burning, and smell beautiful even when they're not in use (I have Nightingales Jasmine by my bed to ensure sweet-smelling dreams), and will last for 45 hours in the large, or 30 in the medium.

You buy Jonathan Ward candles online here, or they are stocked at Wholefoods.  A full list of stockists is available on Jonathan's website. Want to say a quick thank you to the adorable Jonathan for inviting us along, and say that it's great to see a company that not only listens to it's customers, but actually pays attention. To that end, I'm just going to say two words:  Bath. Oil.  Please? ;)

The Small Print: No boyfriends, candles or whales were harmed during the writing of this post.