I often find that when it comes to candles, people fall into two distinct categories.

There are those who love them and can completely justify spending half a weekly food budget on a really, really gorgeous one, and those who don't really get what all the fuss is about. I, utterly and completely, fall into category #1. Much to my husband's despair. But seriously, if you have ever treated yourself to a really luxurious candle, you will no doubt have fallen under the spell too. I mean; they just smell so different than the cheaper ones. And who doesn't want their house to smell like a 5-star spa at all times, I ask you? The thing is; if you do decide to go for the splurge, you will want that aroma to last as long as possible. (Or, you know, risk getting divorced over a €40 something candle...) But fear not, ladies, we have a hack here for you that will make that candle last for ages.

Basically, when you burn candles for a short amount of time, it creates something called “candle tunneling.” WTF is candle tunneling, I hear you ask? Well, let me enlighten you: You know when you light a candle briefly and it only melts the wax in the middle, creating a soft hole around the wick and leaving all the edges un-melted? That’s candle tunneling.

The problem? If you create candle tunneling on the first burn, you may have just cut your candle’s life in half.

But don't cry – there is a way to prevent such a tragedy. Here goes:

The first time you burn your candle, ensure that the pool of liquid wax that forms is the exact same size as the top surface of the candle. That initial burn should take about an hour per inch diameter of candle. If your candle is three inches wide, this will probably take three hours. Four inches wide, four hours etc. From then on, your candle should burn evenly every time you light it.

See? Simples! Now, go treat yourself to some Jo Malone!