 |
| Click to expand |
Watch video below:
The Yankee American Home fragranced wax melts now come in new oval shaped packaging which says "now with more fragrance" at the top. These came out around February 2017 and can be found at Walmart, as well as some CVS and BJ's Wholesale Clubs. They're the same amount of wax (2.6oz.) as the old rectangular packaging), and they now sell for $3.43 at Walmart. You can find more information and a store locator at the Yankee American Home website at http://www.ycamericanhome.com.
Yankee has definitely stepped up their game by adding more fragrance to these wax melts and dropping the price at Walmart (from $3.93 to $3.43). The addition of "more fragrance" has definitely made a difference, as most of the scents in the new packaging are throwing very well (those in the old packaging in general did not throw well). They're still quite a bit more expensive than the ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens brand wax melts, which sell for $2.00 at Walmart for the same amount of wax (2.5oz). The Yankee packaging looks bigger because it's more plastic, and the wax doesn't come to the top of the package. It's deceptive packaging to make the consumer think they're getting more wax. I think most of these scents are fantastic, although a bit on the generic side, which is okay. But ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens scents tend to be a bit more "complex". Plus there's something about supporting a smaller company like Rimports (which makes ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens wax melts) that's more satisfying than buying from a very large company like Yankee Candles.
I posted this question in the Scented Wax Melts Retail Facebook Group:
"What do you guys think of the Yankee American Homes melts from Walmart in the new oval shaped packaging, with the "now with more fragrance" written at the top of the package? Has anyone tried them? What do you think of the scent quality and throw? Better than the old ones in the rectangular pack, worse, or the same? If you haven't tried them, or won't buy them again, why not? And are you dissuaded by the $3.43 price tag (vs. SS and BHG which is $2.00)? Let's discuss!"
For the most part, people who have responded seem to like them, although some are dissuaded by the high price.
Join our group to join in on the discussion and add your opinions:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail/permalink/1183290445122116/
I added 4 more scents in the text reviews below that are not in the video. This is because I couldn't find these scents when I originally did the video in February. So Classic Denim, Clear Mountain Lake, Freedom's Flag, and Sunny Sands are not in the video above. But I did do individual videos for each other those scents below.
Above the Clouds
This is a fresh air, shampoo or body wash type scent, maybe more of a men's body wash. It's nice a refreshing scent, but a bit generic in that there are lots of similar scents out there by other companies.
Throw: Quite good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.
Video: https://youtu.be/yPTpJi2LYZw
Buttercream Frosting
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The thick white frosting you swirl and smooth across a cake — rich with vanilla and fortified with creamy butter."
This smells more like yellow vanilla cake than buttercream frosting. It's not as sweet and rich as buttercream. It's a nice bakery vanilla scent, pretty standard.
Throw: Very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5, which is great for a vanilla scent as they typically are not strong throwers. I also reviewed this scent on February 23, 2016, when it came in the older rectangular package. At that time, I said the throw was "okay", around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5. So it looks like the throw has improved with the addition of "more fragrance".
Video: https://youtu.be/kz3jYgVkfys
Catch a Wave
Description from Yankee American Home website: "An inviting scent of salt air that will make you want to wiggle your toes in the sand."
This smells like Coppertone suntan oil mixed with a fresh oceany note. It's not a dupe of the regular Yankee Sun & Sand and Yankee Sandcastle, which is a more perfumey suntan oil scent without the fresh note. Very nice scent!
Throw: Good, around a 3 out of 5.
Video: https://youtu.be/Sx7YTMWUus4
Classic Denim
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A clean scent of blue jeans fresh from the laundry and hung up to dry in the sun. Background notes of violet and orange add a brightness to the clean fabric."
A nice sweet floral fabric softener dryer sheet scent. Looking at the scent notes, I think I do detect a smidgeon of orange but it's not a citrusy orange, more like a neroli type orange blossom note. I forgot how nice this scent is! Melted, it's a super fresh sweet watery scent with a smidgeon of lemon for extra freshness, and that slight orange blossom note that gives it a little bit of warmth, and a little bit of floral and a slight laundry note. But this is not really a true laundry scent. It's fantastic!
Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5. When I reviewed this scent on February 23, 2016 (when it was available in the older rectangular package), throw was very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5.
Video: https://youtu.be/4wlTVX4-stY
Clear Mountain Lake
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A cool scent of lavender with a touch of sage and sandalwood that brings the crisp air of the high mountains home."
This smells like a soapy men's body wash but also has a subtle floral note. Looking at the scent notes, I think I do smell a smidgeon of lavender. Melted, it's a nice fresh air bodywash type scent with a hint of lavender, but it smells like a lot of other fresh body wash type scents I have.
Throw: Good, 3 out of 5.
Video: https://youtu.be/Snyxa-dsysg
Cozy Corner
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Curl up with the fragrance of soft pillows and casual throws on a comforting afternoon."
This is a pleasant warm cashmere fabric softener type scent with a very sweet gardenia or jasmine type floral note. Scent on cold sniff is weak.
Throw: Poor, around a 1.5 out of 5, if that. But it might do well in a tiny bathroom.
Video: https://youtu.be/KhMYUBjeYHM
Creamy Vanilla Coconut
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Rich and buttery vanilla bean sweetened with the gentle white flavor of coconut."
This is a fantastic rich super sweet buttery vanilla buttercream scent. I can't really smell coconut in this, or if it's there, it's very faint. So even if you don't like coconut scents, you'll love this one if you like sweet confectionary scents.
Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/u6IyG9oLQgM
Exotic Jasmine
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The fragrance of blooming jasmine tamed with tropical citrus into a delicate, relaxing and subtly sweet scent."
This is a lovely authentic jasmine flower scent. It kind of has that "hothouse" flower note that makes it smell realistic, and although it's sweet, it's not overly perfumey, although it has a very slight soapy "bubble bath" note which is nice. I don't smell any citrus or tropical notes at all, as mentioned in the scent description. Scent on cold sniff is quite weak.
Throw: Very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/fica3F8e89k
Fragrant Spring Meadow
Description from Yankee American Home website: A bright floral perfume scent with an oriental perfume spice note. It's not an authentic flower scent, and it's not overly sweet or girly. It's a "comfy" floral scent, perfect for the bedroom or even the bathroom. Very nice scent.
Throw: Excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/nAUx1DfMB40
Freedom's Flag
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A rush of fresh air rippling with driftwood, citrus and musk creates a scent as bright as a flag against a clear blue sky."
I smell a sweet buttercream vanilla mixed with a floral and maybe a slight fresh air note. Looking at the notes, yes I can see the musk, but I don’t smell driftwood or citrus at all. It's a very nice scent.
Throw: Fair to good, 2.5 to 3 out of 5. So would be better for a smaller room.
Video: https://youtu.be/1zgPzzO63MQ
Fresh Apple
Description from Yankee American Home website: "It's that very first slice from a crisp red apple, moist and sweet and so fresh it has a little sharpness. Refreshing!"
This is a plain apple scent without any spices or cinnamon. It's not overly sweet, and it's quite authentic although it has a very slight waxy note. It's not very strong on cold sniff, which is unusual for apple scents because they are usually quite strong. It's a nice apple scent, but you can get apple scents in other brands which are cheaper and stronger.
Throw: Good, around a 3 out of 5, which is also unusual for an apple scent as they usually have excellent throw.
Video: https://youtu.be/irEufp83_Sg
Fresh Citrus
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A blend of sweet orange and tart citrus that refreshes gently."
On cold sniff I smell orange and a bitter grapefruit type scent, with a creamy background, but there's something "off" about the scent, like a fake waxy note. No wait, it smells like pineapple! That's the note that doesn't make sense. It's like pineapple with a bitter grapefruit note. I don't even smell the orange when it's melted. I'm not a fan of pineapple scents in general, but this is a fake chemical pineapple scent with a bitter note, and I don't like it.
Throw: Excellent, at least 4 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/5bX8MAwiL_I
Fruit-Tini
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A refreshing mix of fresh citrus with a dash of red cherry that puts a sweet face on the hottest summer day."
On cold sniff, this smells like cherry flavored Hawaiian Punch. It's a sweet fake cherry scent (but in a good way), with a bit of tartness from the citrus. A happy summer scent! Melted, it takes on a bit of a cherry-scented lipstick or makeup type note, which is actually okay because it's a really nice scent.
Throw: Scent monster that took over the entire house, 4.5 or 5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/HwjDM3mhklo
Island Mango Coconut
Description from Yankee American Home website: "An island fruit cocktail of tangy oranges and pineapple, sweet mango and peaches, and soft white coconut — just add a warm ocean breeze and a colorful umbrella."
This just smells like peach to me, the sweet juicy insides of the peach or peach nectar, but not cloyingly sweet. I don't smell orange or pineapple, and no coconut at all. Maybe on cold sniff a smidgeon of pineapple, but if I didn't know it was in the scent notes, I wouldn't detect it. The juicy nectar notes might actually be the mango.
Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/oXPZxn6zcc4
Lemon Cupcake
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Lemon cupcakes fresh from the oven, topped with rich vanilla frosting and a sprinkle of zest."
This is a perfect lemon scent. It's not a kitchen lemon or a lemonade lemon. It's a rich, slightly salty lemon with a smidgeon of a bakery note.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5, but sadly the scent started dissipating in a little over an hour, and within 2 hours it was gone!
Video: https://youtu.be/w00RWZ0kJkg
Lovely Lavender
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A field of purple lavender in full bloom with bright sun. There's a gentle breeze bringing sandalwood and sweet powdery vanilla across the afternoon to make it just perfect."
This is a nice lavender scent, not overly sweet, and not medicinal. It's a "clean" lavender, not really authentic, but almost like a lavender scented soap. I don't smell sandalwood or vanilla, although now that I know sandalwood is in the notes I think I detect a woodsy note on cold sniff, but not when melted.
Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5. When I reviewed this scent on February 23, 2016 (when it was available in the older rectangular package), throw was not good, around a 2.5 out of 5. So the "more fragrance" that has been added has definitely made a difference.
Video: https://youtu.be/NyMNpZhIxfs
Marshmallow Vanilla Squares
This one is a bit weak on cold sniff. I do smell marshmallow, but it smells fake. Thankfully, it smells much better melted than it does on cold sniff. It really smells like sweet marshmallows!
Throw: Good to very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/t4bh77s0DCk
Moonlit Night
Description from Yankee American Home website: "There's a peaceful stillness to this fragrance that comes from a mix of cedar, oak moss, clove and more. It's calm and quiet, crisp but relaxing."
This is the same scent as the regular Yankee scent "Midsummer's Night" (whose scent description from the Yankee website is "masculine blend of musk, patchouli, sage and mahogany cologne", and notes are: citrus, herbaceous, woody, bergamot, lime, lavender, pine, floral, cedarwood, vetiver, juniper berry, clary sage, moss). I've loved this scent for a long time. It's a nice men's cologne scent that smells a bit like Drakkar cologne but not as sweet. I do smell the cedar, and there's a soapy note that makes it smells like men's body wash. I don't smell cloves, and I'm not sure what oakmoss is.
Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5. When I reviewed this scent on December 14, 2015, throw was also excellent, but 4.5 out of 5, so the old one had slightly better throw.
Video: https://youtu.be/Okd0ZZI5bq8
Paradise Found
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The clean scent of island florals blooming in the tropical sun makes any room a vacation destination."
This is a lovely floral scent with maybe a smidgeon of laundry, and some other note that I can't figure out, but gives this scent almost a smoky richness. It's a bit weak on cold sniff.
Throw: Fair to good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5, so would be better for a smaller room.
Video: https://youtu.be/xedQ0IeJAig
Perfect Margarita
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A wedge of lime, salt along the rim and that unforgettable vacation scent of a perfect margarita."
This is the same scent as the regular Yankee scent "Margarita Time" (notes are lime, citron, lemon, ginger, peach blossom, tropical fruit, and musk). It's a very nice fresh sweet creamy lime scent. It's not a harsh "industrial cleaner" type lime, and it might have a hint of vanilla in it to give it that creamy note.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5. When I reviewed this scent on February 23, 2016, I said the throw was "very good, around a 3.5 out of 5."
Video: https://youtu.be/Bqy41kMuEWQ
Pink Island Sunset
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Tropical fruits and citrus will have you thinking of gentle trade winds and full, pink sunsets stretching the horizon."
This is the same scent as the regular Yankee scent "Pink Sands" (whose scent description on the Yankee website is "mix of bright citrus, sweet florals and spicy vanilla", and scent notes are citrus, melon, berry, osmanthus, spicy vanilla, musk, and woody notes). It smells like coconut with a slight fruity note and smidgeon of floral and maybe a tiny smidgeon of vanilla, kind of like a fresh coconutty shampoo or body wash. It's not overly sweet, and I don’t smell citrus. Very nice and relaxing.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5, although scent started to dissipate around 3 hours. When I reviewed this scent on February 23, 2016, I said the throw was "Around a 3 out of 5 but the scent disappeared within 3 hours".
Video: https://youtu.be/T1JoRI9-3bk
Red Berry & Lime
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Sweet red raspberries, juicy and fresh, meet tart lime in a refreshing combination."
I smell raspberries with a tart note, but the combination smells more like cherries than raspberries. It smells more like candy than authentic fruit, which is okay because it's a fantastic, fun happy scent.
Throw: Not good, maybe a 2.5 out of 5, which is a shame because it's such a nice scent, although it would probably do well in a very small room.
Video: https://youtu.be/5CcXkQM37ao
Spiced Apple Berries
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Crisp apple sweetened with fresh berries and cinnamon, spiced with a dash of clove."
This is a sweet cinnamon apple scent with a hint of red berries (the label shows an apple, cinnamon sticks, and a strawberry and blackberry). It's a nice fall apple berry scent, and the cinnamon is subtle.
Throw: Good, around a 3 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/reObcpY3rHg
Sunlit Leaves
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The fresh, outdoor scent of a lazy afternoon lying beneath the trees and staring at the sunlit leaves above."
I'm not sure what I'm smelling, maybe a fresh air herbal slightly sandalwoody very slightly lemony scent with a hint of sweetness? It's a nice scent, but kind of "non-descript", and I can't figure out the notes.
Throw: Good, around a 3 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/VS22PEhhcUI
Sunny Sands
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A bright, fresh scent that mixes citrus and fruit with floral to lift your spirits like a sunny day at your favorite beach."
By the name I assumed this would be a dupe of Yankee's regular scent called Sun & Sand, but it's not. It smells like a combination of that scent, with the suntan oil notes. But there's also a slightly sour fruit note. There may also be a smidgeon of a floral note. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell citrus.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 out of 5, and scent lasted much longer than the older version. When I reviewed this scent on February 23, 2016 (when it was available in the older rectangular package), throw was good, around a 3 out of 5, but the scent fizzled within 2 hours.
Video: https://youtu.be/ZsZ5fRtyVXc
Sweet & Salty Caramel
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The buttery, rich scent of soft caramel mixed with butterscotch and topped with just a few crystals of sea salt. Delicious!"
I believe this is the same as Yankee's regular "Salted Caramel", whose description from the Yankee website is "Burnt sugar, sea salt, and smooth vanilla caramel" (and notes of dark plum, date, mandarin, burnt sugar, almond blossom, pistachio, sea salt, brown butter, caramel, vanilla bean, balsam, and dark chocolate). This smells so delicious! It's a sweet rich buttery caramel scent, like the sweet insides of a creamy chocolate butterscotch candy; in fact, I swear there's a hint of rich chocolate in there. It's not overly salty.
Throw: Fantastic, a "scent monster" that took over the house, 5 out of 5. When I reviewed this scent in the older rectangular packaging (before they added "more fragrance") on December 14, 2015, I said the throw was only "good", a 3 out of 5.
Video: https://youtu.be/fxgUlqsLxIQ
Sweet Lilac
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The unmistakable scent of lilac in bloom — with hot sun on green bushy leaves and a note of rose in the mix."
I believe this is the same scent as Yankee's regular "Lilac Blossoms" (with notes of dewy greens, hyacinth, water lily, bergamot, lilac petals, tulip bulbs, cedarleaf, vetiver, and moss). This is a lovely authentic lilac scent. On cold sniff there's a sweet slightly perfumey note in the background, but I don't smell that when melted, just an authentic lilac without anything added.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/N8L3563R5zA
Sweet Peach
Description from Yankee American Home website: "The juicy fragrance of fresh peaches sprinkled with sugar and waiting to be tasted."
I melted this scent after the Island Mango Coconut scent (which smells just like peach) to see the difference. This scent smells more like the fuzzy outside of the peach than the juicy inside or nectar. It's more of a peaches and cream type scent, and it has a little bit of that "fake peach" note that smells like peach scented room spray. The Island Mango Coconut scent is more of a bright, juicy, authentic peach scent, which may be because of the mango note.
Throw: Very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/GZVWd3Vs6_0
Time for Tea
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Clean, fresh and inviting—enjoy the comfort of fresh green tea."
This is a nice tea scent with a strong lemon note. It doesn't smell like authentic green tea, more like iced tea powder, but it's still very nice. It's not overly sweet, and it kind of smells more like a relaxing spa scent than a foodie scent.
Throw: Excellent, at least 4 out of 5, maybe 5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/wC-nrA52HhQ
Tropical Sky
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Island air at seaside—clean and tinged with sea salt, tropical blooms and tall palms nearby."
This is a fresh air salty water type scent that has almost a slight bitter note in the background. There may be a smidgeon of a tropical note, but barely noticeable. It's not overly sweet, but I feel like it should be. It's not a bad scent, but I don't really care for it.
Throw: Very good, around a 3.5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/TcSzyKuHvKg
Warm & Happy Home
Description from Yankee American Home website: "Cinnamon and cloves are paired to give every room that feeling of warmth and coziness. It's a fragrance you'll want to return to again and again."
This "might" be the same fragrance as the regular Yankee "Home Sweet Home" (whose description from the Yankee website is "cinnamon, baking spices, and a hint of freshly poured tea", and notes of apple, cinnamon spice, nutmeg, juniper berry, coumarin, and musk). This smells like straight cinnamon with sugar. It's a bit of a "Big Red Gum" type cinnamon with a slight note of cloves, or cinnamon candy. When melted it smells a little better because of the sugar and the cloves. But I'm not a fan of cinnamon scents unless it's a bakery cinnamon, and I'm into spring scents right now!
Throw: Very good, 3.5 out of 5.
Video: https://youtu.be/gNyhIHHkVKY
Wild Blue Indigo
Description from Yankee American Home website: "A sunlit field in bloom with bright wild indigo."
I don't know what indigo smells like, but this is a fruity floral that smells like creamy strawberries mixed with a floral. It smells a little bit like fruit scented lipstick or makeup, but in a good way, probably from the perfumey note of the floral.
Throw: Excellent, at least 4 out of 5, maybe 5 out of 5
Video: https://youtu.be/UIJ4l8CJMiU
Want to discuss this review and others? Come and join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail. We are a fun active group of over 1,600 members!
