Michael's Wax Melts (Ashland) Reviews - Winter/Holiday 2018

Michael's Wax Melts (Ashland) Reviews - Winter/Holiday 2018

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I'm disappointed in the new Michael's Winter/Holiday 2018 wax melt scents, particularly the throw. It seems like since Michael's is no longer using Hanna's Candle as the manufacturer of their melts (starting with the Fall 2018 scents), the quality has gone downhill. The Fall scents were somewhat good in terms of throw, although the scents were a bit generic. But the throw for these new Winter scents, in general, is terrible this year. And I expect that will continue to be the case because Michael's decided to go with a cheaper wax melt manufacturer. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for."

Cider Donut
This is an apple cider scent. I don't smell any donut or bakery notes.
Throw: Mild, 2.5 out of 5

Cinnamon Sparkle
A cinnamon candy scent, a little like "Red Hot" candies. I don't think it's the same Cinnamon Sparkle scent as last year, because I described that one as fantastic, like sweet cinnamon mixed with powdered sugar. And the throw for that one was Medium, 3 or 3.5 out of 5.
Throw: Very faint, 1.5 out of 5

Frosted Sugar Cookie
A nice rich buttery cookie scent. It's not as sweet as other vanilla cookie scents I've smelled, and there may be a smidgen of a barely detectable lemon buttercream note way in the background.
Throw: Faint, 2.5 out of 5

Ginger Cookie
This smells like gingerbread with a little bit of cinnamon. It might be the same scent as last year's Ginger Cookie, but the throw on that one was strong, 4 out of 5.
Throw: Mild, 2.5 out of 5

Gum Drops
It's not the fruity candy scent I was expecting based on the name, but it's quite nice. It smells like raspberry with a soapy slightly perfumey note.
Throw: Mild, 3 out of 5

Holiday Hearth
A fantastic scent that smells like raw wood, kind of like pencil shavings, with maybe a hint of patchouli and just a smidgen of perfume. It smells a lot like Hanna's Candle's Ember Glow.
Throw: Very faint, 2 out of 5

Holiday Spiced Cake
This smells like gingerbread, but it's sweeter and not as gingery as Ginger Cookie.
Throw: Mild, 2.5 out of 5

Pinecone Garland
A pine scent with a soapy note. It's nice but smells a bit fake.
Throw: Mild, 3 out of 5

Sleigh Ride
This is my favorite scent of the collection because it's not the "usual" type of winter/holiday scent. It's a sweet department store type perfume scent with a baby powder note. It's not rich, musky or soapy, and not really even floral, and it's not a candy-like girly perfume type scent either. When melted, it has a tiny bit of an "old perfume" note, but not enough to be annoying, and it's still a very nice scent (unless you don't like strong perfumey scents).
Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Wassail Wishes
An apple cider scent with mulling spices, and a bit of a falling brown leaves note. It's a bit sour, and I'm not a fan of the sour note, but I think most people will like it. This might be the same as last year's Yuletide Cheers scent, which I described the same way, but throw was strong, 3.5 to 4 out of 5.
Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Winter Wonderland
I'm not a fan of this one. I smell pine and maybe eucalyptus, but there's also a moldy, mildewy note in the background.
Throw: Mild, 3 out of 5

Woodland Pine
A nice rich pine scent. This one has a smidgen of sweetness. I don't think it's the same Woodland Pine scent from last year, which I described as very rich and smoky, and throw was 5 out of 5.
Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

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