The Truth Behind Kelly Hoppen’s “Christmas Joy” Candle

A natural candlemaker’s honest review

I really wanted to love this candle. When I first saw the Kelly Hoppen x Marks & Spencer “Christmas Joy” candle, I’ll admit , it caught my eye. The sleek black-and-gold ceramic jar, the festive scent description, the promise of “warmth and atmosphere” , it all sounded perfect for the season.
But as someone who makes 100% natural candles using only soy wax and essential oils, I had to look closer. And, unfortunately, what I found left me more frustrated than festive.

The Scent Story vs. the Reality

According to the product description, Christmas Joy opens with mandarin, clove, and cinnamon, balanced by pine needles and maple, and finishes with fir balsam, cedarwood, and sandalwood.
It sounds wonderful , a cosy winter’s evening in candle form.

But here’s the truth: those ingredients aren’t real botanicals. They’re synthetic fragrance notes , lab-made imitations designed to smell like nature, without containing any of it.

The result? A strong, uniform scent that fills the room but lacks the softness and depth of natural essential oils. It’s like the difference between the smell of a real orange and an orange-scented cleaning spray , similar, but not the same.

The Wax Tells the Real Story

If you’ve ever wondered why some candles are so cheap for their size, here’s why: paraffin wax.
It’s a byproduct of petroleum , inexpensive, easy to mass-produce, and capable of holding a strong synthetic scent. But paraffin wax isn’t something I’d want to burn in my home, especially around pets or children. When burned, it can release tiny amounts of toluene and benzene, both known carcinogens.

Nowhere on the Christmas Joy packaging does it mention soy, coconut, or any natural wax — which is always a red flag. Because if it was natural, they’d proudly say so.

Made to Look Luxe — But Made in China

Let’s talk about that £25 price tag. For a candle of this size, in ceramic, with a 100-hour burn time? That’s a clue in itself. The candle is mass-produced overseas, almost certainly in China, which helps explain how a “designer” candle can stay so affordable.

It’s not that everything made in China is poor quality,  but when a product is marketed as premium, handcrafted, or designer, yet produced at factory scale, it starts to feel a little misleading.

When “Vegan” and “Amber” Don’t Mean Natural

The Christmas Joy candle proudly states it’s “Suitable for vegans” and part of the “Amber fragrance family.” Both sound reassuring , but neither actually means it’s natural.

• Vegan-friendly simply means no animal-derived ingredients ,not that it’s clean, safe, or plant-based. Paraffin and synthetic fragrances are, technically, vegan too.

• Amber fragrance is perfume language for a scent style , not an actual natural ingredient. There’s no real amber resin in the mix, just synthetic notes to mimic it.

This kind of greenwashing is sadly common in the home fragrance world. Words like vegan, natural, or amber give a candle an eco-friendly glow — even when it’s full of petrochemicals.

The Problem with Celebrity Endorsements

It’s disappointing to see a respected designer like Kelly Hoppen lend her name to something that’s essentially a standard paraffin candle with a fancy label.
She’s known for quality and timeless design ,  but this product feels like a quick licensing deal, not a labour of love.

If it truly represented Kelly’s style and ethos, it could have been made differently,  with soy or coconut wax, essential oils, and clear ingredient transparency. Instead, it’s another mass-market product dressed in designer packaging.

What a Truly Natural Candle Should Be

A natural candle doesn’t need to hide behind buzzwords.
It’s made with plant-based waxes, pure essential oils, and cotton wicks. It burns cleanly, fills a room softly, and supports wellbeing rather than polluting it.
And most importantly, it’s transparent , every ingredient listed clearly, no surprises.

That’s why I started Bryluen Botanicals: to make candles that are honest, pure, and safe , for you, your family, and your home.

Final Thoughts

If you’re buying the Kelly Hoppen candle for the jar, it’s a beautiful decorative piece. But if you’re buying it for what’s inside, you might want to look elsewhere.

It’s a candle that looks natural, sounds natural, and sells itself as natural , but it isn’t. And that’s exactly the problem.

So this Christmas, before you light your candle, take a moment to check what’s really in it. Your wellbeing deserves more than a synthetic imitation of comfort and joy.

Bryluen Botanicals
Hand-poured in Cornwall. 100% soy wax. 100% essential oils. 100% honest.