Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.


When it comes to candles, I’ve found it’s worth paying a little more for a better quality candle. While cheaper ones will flicker away quite happily, many are made with paraffin wax, which can release soot and toxins into the air. Spend a bit more, however, and you get something altogether different. Natural wax candles burn more cleanly, with a steadier flame and the scent actually smells like what it says on the box.
Which brings me to Elemay candles – they’re made from 100% natural soy wax with lead-free cotton wicks, making them just as as kind to the air as they are beautiful to look at. The brand was dreamed up by Ellie while she was on maternity leave. And you can tell – this isn’t some faceless corporation churning out identical jars of wax. Every scent has been chosen with care to bring a sense of calm, joy and a little bit of luxury into your day. And I think we can all agree, we need more of that.
With notes of jasmine, zesty citrus, sweet musk and vanilla, the Starry Nights fragrance is inspired by Steephill Cove on the Isle of Wight with Ellie wanting the candle to capture the magic of a clear summer night under a starry sky.


In my opinion candles should look as good as they smell and Elemay certainly delivers on that front. The luxury refillable ceramic candles are in handcrafted ceramic pots, made exclusively for the brand by Sussex-based artist Beth. Each pot is uniquely glazed and the Starry Nights pot has midnight blues and dusky purples to reflect the starry sky above the coast. Mine even arrived with a photograph of the cove taken by Ellie’s dad, and it’s incredible how Beth has echoed the image in her design.
I was surprised to discover that in most areas of the UK, candle jars can’t be recycled, so Elemay’s refill option is such a great idea. It’s not only a more sustainable choice but also a more cost-effective way to enjoy their candles. Refills are priced at £15, while the Starry Nights candle itself is £35.
The 220g candle has a burn time of around 40 hours comes with a care card and refill guide, and is packaged in a reusable linen gift bag, making it a perfect treat for yourself or a lovely Christmas gift.