If you thought duty-free shopping was all about alcohol, cigarettes and perfume, think again. Combining two of our favourite things — a holiday and a bargain — the departure lounge could be the unexpected place to pick up your next interiors treat (and even tick a few presents off your Christmas shopping list while you're at it).
From luxury candles and diffusers to aromatic hand washes and gift-ready sets, some of our favourite home and lifestyle brands can be picked up for less at the airport than on the high street. It's also worth keeping your eyes peeled for travel-exclusive sets and specially curated products you won’t find elsewhere.
If you’re looking to make your own home feel a little more luxurious or get ahead on the gifting season, it pays to leave some extra time before boarding to scout out the duty-free section.
After all, buying a new candle somehow feels far more justifiable when you're already in holiday mode.
Fortnum & Mason's tea caddy & a treat for the journey
Frequent flyers passing through Heathrow Terminal 5 can stock up at Fortnum & Mason, where you’ll find everything from its signature tea caddies to ‘Hamperlings’. A luxurious alternative to plane food, the latter comes packed with Fortnum’s favourites and even includes a cutlery set and cool bag...economy seat, first-class picnic.
Tea lovers can pick up the aptly named Heath Row Blend, which takes its name from the countryside hamlet on which Heathrow now stands. Once empty, the decorative caddy makes a lovely addition for the kitchen shelf.
Jo Malone's new Veggies collection
A tomato-scented candle or carrot cologne might not be the first thing you’d think to pick up at the airport, but Jo Malone London's limited-edition Veggies collection might just tempt you.
If fresh-from-the-garden scents aren’t your thing, stick to one of the brand’s better-known classics, such as Pomegranate Noir or Lime Basil & Mandarin. A candle, diffuser or hand wash with an added airport saving feels like a no-brainer - especially from a brand that rarely offers discounts.
Molton Brown's hand wash refill (yes, really)
OK, it might not be the most glamorous purchase to pick up, but hear us out. If there's one way to make household chores feel a little more luxurious, it’s finishing the job with a beautifully scented hand wash. Molton Brown's Orange & Bergamot has an uplifting citrus scent that certainly ticks that box. The refillable size makes it ideal for replenishing your collection.
Ritual's happiness-boosting candle
As Rituals puts it, 'get off to a Flying Start' with its airport shopping, available at more than 550 shop-in-shop locations in airports worldwide, plus 150 cruise and ferry locations. Alongside full-size favourites and exclusive travel sets, one buy worth looking out for is a scented candle.
Our pick is The Ritual of Mehr, which blends sweet orange, cedarwood and warming spices for an uplifting scent that will instantly brighten your home and mood.
Diptyque's wax perfume (for a clever wardrobe hack)
Stylishly housed in an illustrated compact case, this scented balm can be applied to skin with your fingertips — but we've found another use for it. Leave it open in your wardrobe when it's not in use to help fragrance an often-musty space with notes of tonka bean, cedar and juniper berries.
It's worth noting that some UK airports offer extra savings when you reserve online and a 'Collect on Return' service, so you can shop before you fly and pick up your purchases when you land back home - handy when your suitcase is already bursting at the seams. Head to the World Duty Free website to browse and reserve your favourites using its Reserve & Collect service.
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