During lockdown I’ve loved discovering local businesses, and one of my favourites is Sensory Philosophy, a small maker of luxury home fragrances based in Cambridgeshire. Tomorrow marks their first birthday, and I’ve been enjoying a touch of Christmas at home thanks to their gorgeous scents.
Sensory Philosophy is run by Amelia and her mother-in-law. They make their candles and diffusers locally (with a French base too), using 100% soy wax that’s hand-stirred and hand-poured for a neat finish. They look and smell luxurious.
For Christmas they released two limited-edition fragrances. Ava is warm and bakery-like, with vanilla and a spicy hit of cinnamon and nutmeg — it really smells like Christmas baking. Clémence is lighter and fresher: bright orange top notes with an earthy, almost woody cedarleaf base. Both scents put me in mind of coming home from a winter walk to something festive in the oven — that cosy, nostalgic feeling.
You can buy the candles and diffusers direct from Sensory Philosophy. Diffusers last about 3–5 months depending on size; candles burn for at least 35 hours and travel candles for about 10 hours. Prices are:
– Diffusers: large £26, medium £18 (Ava and Clémence)
– Candles: large £28, medium £20, travel £8 (Ava and Clémence)
Their oils are carefully blended and come in spill-safe bottles. The packaging is lovely — recyclable and reusable — so the diffusers can become mini vases and the candle pots make pretty keepsake jars. They look elegant in the home.
For one day only, Thursday 19 November 2020, Sensory Philosophy offered 10% off the entire Christmas range. UK Christmas delivery cut-off was Tuesday 8 December 2020, so orders needed to be placed on or before that date to arrive in time.
Which fragrance would you choose? I was gifted these items in exchange for my honest review; all opinions and photography are my own.
