Ashland Wax Melts Reviews - Winter 2017 (Michaels) - Christmas Candle Collection

Ashland Wax Melts Reviews - Winter 2017 (Michaels) - Christmas Candle Collection

Click to enlarge

Reviewed separately
(Click to enlarge)

Video:

---

Alpine Garland

Notes: Top: Apple, pear, seneca grass;  Middle - Lavender, plum, spearmint; Bottom - Amber, oak moss, fir balsam, tobacco, tonka bean, sandalwood

A super fresh apple scent with a men's fresh body wash note. It's a fantastic scent, although based on the name and the picture of a wreath on the label, I expected something with pine. But there are already enough pine scents in this collection.

Throw: Very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Cinnamon Sparkle
(added 11/7/17 - not in video)

Notes: Top - Sweet hay, lavender sprig; Middle - Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cumin; Bottom - Fir Balsam, vanilla, oud wood, leather, oak wood

Fantastic slightly sweet cinnamon scent. On cold sniff it's not a Big Red or cinnamon candy scent; it smells like real cinnamon powder mixed with just a little powdered sugar. Melted though, it does take on a bit of that cinnamon candy note. I'm not a fan of straight cinnamon scents, but this one is actually quite nice.

Throw: Medium, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Frosted Bayberry

Notes: Top - Fallen snow, sparkling citrus, winter winds; Middle - Ice capped balsam, triple mint, sterling spruce; Bottom - White cedar, agave nectar

This smells like a green plant of some kind, like grass, with maybe a little bit of a fresh air note, and a smidgen of basil although this is not a savory or pungent scent at all. It has just a smidgen of sweetness, although I don't smell that when melted. When I think of bayberry, I think of a piney type scent with a little sweetness and nutmeg and a hint of patchouli and a smidgen of berry, but the real bayberry plant (without the added spices) is actually a green scent with a bay leaf note. On cold sniff I didn't really smell mint, but when melted, I do get that sinus clearing effect when I put my nose close to it, and I do smell the mint, although it's more like mint leaves from the garden. But I don't smell mint unless my nose is right up to the warmer. I didn't care for this scent, as it's a bit too green and bland.

Throw: Very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Frosted Evergreen

Notes: Top - Dewy grass, eucalyptus, orange peel, frosted leaves; Middle - Spearmint, peppermint, galbanum; Bottom - Ylang, pine

I smell a slightly smoky pine mixed with a soapy note, not a Pine-Sol or industrial cleaner type of soap, more like a Dove or Ivory bar soap that only has a little bit of a soapy scent. There's also a hint of spearmint, but it's subtle. And there's a fresh note that makes it smell a little bit like bathroom cleaner (but not in a bad way) or even body wash (although it's not sweet enough); that fresh note might be a hint of citrus, like grapefruit. It's not a sweet scent at all. At first I didn't like it, but it's actually quite nice.

Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5

---

Fruit Garland
(added 11/7/17 - not in video)

Notes: Top - Green apple, pineapple, frosted mint leaves; Middle - Cinnamon, fir needle, plum rose; Bottom - Cedarwood, sweet musk

I love this scent! It'a a perfect combination of pine and sweet fruit. Looking at the scent notes, I do smell fruit but I thought maybe it was cranberry; I don't smell apple or pineapple per se. I also don't smell rose. But musk, perhaps, since it does have a bit of sweetness although it's not a perfumey scent at all.

Throw: Medium, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Ginger Cookie

Notes: Top - Cardamom, Nutmeg, lemon leaf; Middle - Ginger root, coriander seed, sage leaf; Bottom - Red molasses, cinnamon bark, almond milk

It's gingerbread, and it smells fantastic, and super strong on cold sniff! It's slightly sweeter and richer than some other gingerbread scents I've smelled, which is good.

Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5

---

Holiday Frosting

Notes: Top - Citron zest, orange rind, raw cinnamon sticks; Middle - Turbinado sugar, apple halves, buttercream; Bottom - Tonka bean, whipped musk, vanilla extract

This scent might easily get passed over because it sounds like it could be just another vanilla scent. But it's not. It smells like a sweet buttery almond nut shortcake cookie. The almond is not overwhelming, and I can smell the actual warmth of the cookie. It's very similar to last year's Winter White Cookies trio, especially the brown scent from that trio, and might in fact be the same scent, although I think those scents were slightly more nutty. Fantastic yummy scent!

Throw: Good, 3 out of 5

---

Joy Peppermint

Notes: Top - Peppermint, Spearmint, Eucalyptus; Middle - Vanilla Sugar, Coconut, Butter, Anise, Caramel; Bottom - Vanilla Cream, White Musk

This is a super sweet vanilla buttercream scent with just a subtle note of peppermint. Very nice! If you don't like peppermint scents, you might still like this one because the mint is not strong at all. It reminds me of buttermint candies (https://www.mccormick.com/recipes/dessert/butter-mints).

Throw: Very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Silver Fir

Notes: Top - Winter berry, green apple, orange rind; Middle - Clove, orange flower, fir needle; Bottom - Cedarwood, sandalwood, pine, fir balsam

A pine scent with a little bit of a smoky note. This smells almost exactly like the new Woodland Pine scent, although I think there's a very slight difference. I believe this is the same scent as Hanna's Candles' new Sparkle & Joy scent "Through the Woods".

Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5

---

Vintage Holiday

Notes: Top - Bergamot, fresh linen, vanilla flower; Middle - Black pepper, amber, brushed suede; Bottom - Tobacco flower, caramel, musk, lavender

This smells a little bit like the new Goose Creek scent "Jingle Bells", which is why I love it. It's not really a holiday/winter scent, and can be melted any time of the year. It's a sweet perfumey scent, but not a floral perfume, and it might have some cashmere for warmth. But I also smell a sweet pear syrup note, with maybe a bit of blackberry for richness, so this scent also has a little bit of a fruity note. There might also be a hint of vanilla.

Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5, and the scent lasted all day (at least 9 or 10 hours)

---

Woodland Pine

Notes: Top - Fir needle; Middle - Cedarwood; Bottom - Musk

This might be the same scent as Hanna's Candle's Woodland Pine which is on their website at http://www.candlemart.com. It's a pine scent with a smoky note. On cold sniff it smells just like Silver Fir. But when melted, Woodland Pine is a little smokier and richer than Silver Fir; in fact, it's almost too rich and strong, so it's best for a large room.

Throw: Excellent, 5 out of 5, a scent monster that took over the entire house

---

Yuletide Cheers
(added 11/7/17 - not in video)

Notes: Top - Citrus, Apple; Middle - Sweet Spice; Bottom - Orange, Cinnamon

Apple cider with mulling spices and a little bit of a sour note.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Want to discuss this review and other store bought wax? Just join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.

Also, I offer a FREE review service for U.S. wax melt companies (retail, indie/vendor, and direct sales), where I review and promote your wax melts on this website (6,500 new visitors per month), YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. It's a great way to promote your brand and get more customers! If interested, just leave a comment below with your contact info, or under my video on YouTube.

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's – Summer 2017 Review

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's - Summer 2017 Review

Click to expand

Watch video below:

Creamy Coconut Vanilla
This may be the same scent as the Coconut Vanilla side of the Vanilla Trio that came out in Spring 2016 and Spring 2017. Here's what I said about that scent in January:
This is a typical fake coconut scent, like a cheap coconut air freshener. But I think it's combined with a little bit of vanilla so it's not really too bad. Throw is fair, around a 2.5 out of 5.
Yes, I believe this is the same scent. Throw this time was about the same, not great, 2 or 2.5 out of 5.

---

Ocean Peony
This one is weak on cold sniff, but I do smell floral and maybe a laundry note. It's not very sweet. I think this would be a good scent for the bathroom or bedroom. Throw was maybe a 1 out of 5 and I couldn't really smell it. It might do okay in a very tiny bathroom.

---

Ocean Trio

Light Blue ("Calm Sea Air")
This one shows a picture of a beach umbrella on a beach. It's a fresh watery scent with a hint of sweet coconut. Fantastic scent, and I wish it came in its own single clamshell. Throw was excellent, 4 out of 5.

Darker Blue ("Ocean Breeze")
This one shows a picture of palm trees on a beach. It smells similar to the medium blue scent, although this one might not have that extra fresh smidgeon of lemon. It might have a barely detectable smidgeon of laundry or maybe floral. It's a fresh watery scent though, not a laundry or floral scent. Throw was good, around a 3 out of 5.

Medium Blue ("Aqua Waters")
This one shows a picture of the ocean. It's a nice fresh watery scent that might have just a smidgeon of lemon for freshness. Throw was very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

---

Shake It Up Trio

Orange ("Peach Moscato")
This is a typical mango scent, which smells like peach with a sour note. It's not very sweet. Throw was very good, around a 3.5 out of 5, but I didn't care for the scent.

Red ("Cherry Popsicle")
This is a fake cherry candy scent, and not overly sweet. There may be a smidgeon of lemon. It's very nice! Throw was very good, around a 3 to 3.5 out of 5.

Pink ("Watermelon Mojito")
I had to remove this from the warmer as soon as it started melting because I didn't like the scent. It's watermelon but it's not sweet, almost slightly savory. I'm not a fan of watermelon scents in general, unless they're very sweet like candy. So someone else might love this scent. I couldn't tolerate it. I think the throw would have been very good to excellent though, as it was already quite strong after just a few minutes.

---

Summer Desserts Trio

Yellow ("Lemon Eclair")
This one shows a picture of some kind of bready dessert with cream in the middle, maybe an éclair but without chocolate on top. This is very light on cold sniff, but it does kind of have a Boston Crème scent which is very nice. Unfortunately throw was poor, around a 1.5 or maybe a 2 out of 5.

Red ("Strawberry Ice Cream")
This one shows a picture of strawberry ice cream I think, with strawberry stripes throughout. This scent is phenomenal! It's a super milky creamy strawberry scent, just like a rich strawberry ice cream, but more like crème fraiche. Throw was very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

Blue ("Blueberry Cheesecake")
This one shows a picture of a blueberry pie or blueberry torte, some kind of blueberry dessert. It smells like a typical blueberry bakery scent, not authentic but rich, buttery and fantastic. And throw was excellent, 4 out of 5. But the scent started dissipating in 2 hours and was pretty much gone within 3 hours.

---

Tiki Beach Trio

Pink ("Pink Sea Salt")
This is the Pink Sea Salt scent that came out in January as part of the spring collection. Here's the review that I did for this scent in January:
"I expected this to be similar to ScentSationals Himalayan Pink Salt scent, but it's not. It's a fresh pleasant watery floral, not too sweet, with maybe a smidgeon of saltiness. It smells like shower gel. Melted, it smelled clean, like someone just got out of the shower. But throw wasn't great, around a 2 or maybe 2.5 out of 5. This would do best in a very small room, and it's a perfect scent for a bathroom."
Throw was better this time, I'd say very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

Yellow ("Pineapple Beachwood")
This one shows a picture of a cut pineapple. It's a nice mellow driftwood scent with a hint of pineapple. It's not a sweet or fruity scent. Throw was good, around a 3 out of 5.

Beige ("Driftwood Sands")
This one shows a picture of driftwood on a beach. It's very weak on cold sniff, and throw was almost non-existent, barely a 1 out of 5, and might not even do well in a small bathroom. I can detect a faint scent only from close-up, and it's a nice warm perfumey scent with a smidgeon of driftwood.

---

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 1,800 members!

Ashland Scented Wax Melts at Michael's - Spring 2017 Scents Review

Ashland Scented Wax Melts at Michael's - Spring 2017 Scents Review

Click photo to view larger image

Watch video below:

These just came out at Michael's Arts & Crafts. They're $3.99 each, which is pricey (Walmart wax is $2 for the same amount). However, after new scents are out for a few weeks, Michael's often has a 40% discount on the wax, bringing it down to a much more affordable $2.40. And sometimes they have additional sales down to $1.19! You have to keep checking the stores, since the sale is not usually posted on their website.

Michael's also came out with Aromabeads Singles for the first time. I've reviewed those at http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2017/01/aromabeads-singles-spring-2017-scents.html.

Weekend Bliss

A fresh watery scent with a sweet warm ambery note and a touch of floral. This has a bit of a candy note too. It smells a little bit like Scentsy Luna. Throw is only fair though, around a 2.5 out of 5.

Cucumber Mint

I can barely smell anything on cold sniff. I think I do smell cucumber and a hint of mint, but it's just too weak to tell. Melted, it's a fresh herbal scent but I can't figure out the notes since throw is not very good, maybe a 2 out of 5.

Daisy Chain

A sunny summery floral. Throw is fair, around a 2.5 out of 5.

Wild Honeysuckle

This smells like a pleasant honeysuckle scented soap. It's not overly sweet, and throw is excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5, which I didn't expect because it was so weak on cold.

Mandarin Teak

This is the most interesting scent out of all the new spring scents. It's a creamy orange with a woodsy note, and some other notes that I can't identify that help to temper the orange and wood notes so that they're not too strong. This might be my favorite scent of the new Spring Collection, and throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Pink Sea Salt

I expected this to be similar to ScentSationals Himalayan Pink Salt scent, but it's not. It's a fresh pleasant watery floral, not too sweet, with maybe a smidgeon of saltiness. It smells like shower gel. Melted, it smelled clean, like someone just got out of the shower. But throw wasn't great, around a 2 or maybe 2.5 out of 5. This would do best in a very small room, and it's a perfect scent for a bathroom.

For the trios, they don't label the 3 individual scents, so I name them myself based on the picture on the label and what it smells like to me.

Sea Air Trio

Marine Water (blue) – A typical fresh sweet slightly salty oceany type scent. Poor throw, around a 1.5 or maybe 2 out of 5.

Aqua Mineral (greenish blue) – I can't tell what this is since it's very weak on cold sniff. Another fresh watery scent I think? Poor throw, around a 1.5 out of 5.

Ocean Peony (green) – A fresh watery floral scent. Poor throw, barely a 2 out of 5.

Evening Petals Trio

Violet Waters (light purple) – A nice perfumey floral with a little bit of warmth. This actually does smell like violets, and the throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Cashmere Plum (pink) – This smells similar to the light purple scent, but sweeter and warmer. It smells similar to Scentsy Luna, and throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5.

Evening Orchid (medium purple) – Another nice perfumey floral but different from the other two, smells a bit like an iris flower. This one has a raw wood note. Nice scent, but throw is not good, around a 2 or maybe 2.5 out of 5.

Berry Citrus Trio

This is the same Berry Citrus Trio from Spring 2016, but the wax colors are different.

Cherimoya (peach color) – Cherimoya tastes like banana, coconut, strawberry, mango, and pineapple). This is a slightly tropical succulent berry scent, and throw is excellent, 4 out of 5.

Fresh Strawberry (pink color) – This is a creamy candy-like strawberry scent like ice cream or scented lipstick or strawberry with a girly "pink sugar" or marshmallow note. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 out of 5.

Pomegranate Lime (light green color) – This one is not strong on cold sniff, but I do smell berries with a lime note. When melted, it smells like a combination of orange and lime, like an orange/lime cream soda but without the fizziness. Throw is very good, around a 3 out of 5.

At the Café Trio

Cinnamon Shortbread – A sweet roll with buttery and gooey cinnamon. There's no coffee in this one. Throw is excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Chocolate Croissant – I smell chocolate with a bready note. I don't think this has coffee in it. Throw is quite good, around a 3 or maybe 3.5 out of 5.

Caramel Latte – A rich creamy caramel coffee scent. Throw is excellent, 4 out of 5.

Vanilla Trio

This is the same Vanilla Trio from Spring 2016.

Vanilla Bean – A nice sweet vanilla with a buttercream note, and throw is quite good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

Vanilla Cream (Cookie) – I thought this was going to be a buttercream scent based on the picture, but it smells more like a warm vanilla cookie, and throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Creamy Vanilla Coconut – This is a typical fake coconut scent, like a cheap coconut air freshener. But I think it's combined with a little bit of vanilla so it's not really too bad. Throw is fair, around a 2.5 out of 5.

Apple Trio

Spiced Apple – The picture shows red apples with sticks of cinnamon, but I don't smell cinnamon in this one, or if it's there it's very subtle. It smells a lot like the green apples scent, but this one has a very slight caramel note and a smidgeon of a fake apple note. Very nice scent! Throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.

Apple Bounty (Green Apples) – Sweet apple without any spices or caramel or cider notes. It's kind of authentic, but also has a bit of a candy sweetness as well. It smells almost exactly like the red apple scent. Another very nice scent. Throw is excellent, at least 4 out of 5.

Apple Golden (Yellow Apples) – This one smells like sweet apple juice with a hint of spice, or a very light apple cider. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

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!

Aromabeads Singles – Spring 2017 Scents from Hanna's Candles and Michael's

Aromabeads Singles – Spring 2017 Scents from Hanna's Candles and Michael's

Click photo to view larger image

Watch video below:

Michael's Arts & Crafts store is now carrying Aromabeads Singles, as of January 2017 (new spring scents). Aromabeads Singles are made by Hanna's Candles, and Hanna's Candles also makes the Ashland brand wax melts for Michael's.

These scents are only available at Michael's. They're labeled $1.99, but they rang up as $1.19 regular price:

Cucumber Granita

On cold sniff this is an herbal lemongrass type scent. It has a bitter lemon rind note but I can also smell the green watery cucumber in the background. It's zesty and savory, but also fresh at the same time. When melted, however, I don't get the zesty lemony notes, only the bland cucumber and it smells a little like paint. I don't care for it. Throw is quite good though, around a 3 out of 5.

Blushed Peony

This smells like a mix of candy and floral, but it's not overly sweet like a Pink Sugar type scent. It's definitely a sweet feminine fragrance though, like a woman's shower gel. Throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

Ginger Zest

Wow, this is definitely ginger, no doubt about it! I think there's also a bit of a lemon note in the background which gives it the zest. It's a very authentic ginger scent, not sweet like ginger ale, but like the actual ginger root that you cook with, and the slight lemony note (which is not as strong melted as it is on cold sniff) gives it a little kick. This is a nice energetic scent! Throw is excellent, 4 out of 5.

Grapefruit Pomelo

On cold sniff I smell grapefruit, as well as a succulent peachy note which is probably supposed to be the pomelo (a pomelo smells like grapefruit but sweeter and without the bitterness). It's very refreshing! When melted, however, most of the scent was gone within 15 minutes, replaced by a burnt bitter chemical note. Throw was poor, maybe a 1 or 1.5 out of 5.

Lotus Blossom

This one smells more like a laundry scent than a true floral. I can't figure out the notes, but it seems like there's some kind of fruit in there. And it has a bitter metallic chemical note that I don't like. Throw was very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5, but I had to remove it from the warmer due to that awful bitter note.

Oceans

This is a nice pleasant bathroom scent, fresh and watery with a hint of floral and laundry and maybe a smidgeon of baby powder. Smells like a fresh women's shower gel. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 out of 5.

I did not get the Pink Sea Salt scent, as I bought this scent in the solid wax melt (which I will review separately). I also did not buy the Vanilla Cream scent, as it's a typical vanilla scent and probably the same as one of the vanilla scents from the Ashland Vanilla Trio wax melt (which I will review separately).

The following scents are NOT from Michael's, but they're newer scents from the Hanna's Candles website. I've reviewed all of their other Aromabeads Singles scents (http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/search?q=aromabeads+singles). These can be ordered from the Hanna's Candle website, where they are $1.49 each:

Fresh Cotton Blossom

Notes: Fresh sparkling aldehydes, lemon water, and cool ozone with fresh laundry accord and muguet petals. Driftwood and blue musk add a comforting finish.
 Sweet clean floral fabric softener scent. Not a biting laundry detergent scent. This is similar to the Linen Basket scent, which is a light clean soapy floral with a laundry note. While Linen Basket had zero throw, Fresh Cotton Blossom has a very good throw, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

Tropical Smoothie

Notes: Wweet mango and fresh papaya swirl with accents of peach and guava infused with sweet peach blossom, apricot flower, jasmine, and ylang ylang.
 This is the same scent as Mainstays Peach & Mango (from Walmart). I believe Hanna's Candles makes the Mainstays wax melts. It smells like an authentic juicy peach, with a hint of sweet guava. It's a fantastic scent, and if you've missed the Mainstays Peach & Mango because it's out of season, this is a perfect substitute. And like the Mainstays version, throw is excellent, 4 out of 5.

Pumpkin Brulee

Notes: Harvest pumpkin with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla
 A rich pumpkin pie scent with a buttery cinnamon note, like what a cinnamon bun would smell like if it had pumpkin pie filling and a rich buttery pie crust. This one is a scent monster that took over the entire house, 5 out of 5 throw.

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!

Ashland Winter 2016 Christmas Candle Collection Scented Wax Melts Review

Ashland Winter 2016 Christmas Candle Collection Scented Wax Melts Review

Click photo to view larger image

The Ashland brand is made exclusively for Michael's Arts & Crafts store. The Ashland wax that Michael's used to carry (and still does, although it's the older wax line) was soft and creamy, and many of the scents didn't throw well. These newer wax melts (tall package with harder wax) are made by Hanna's Candles, the same company that used to make the Mainstays brand triple melts from Walmart (which were discontinued). Hanna's also makes the Aldi's Huntington Home wax melts that come out three times a year.

When new Ashland scents come out (generally seasonally... spring, fall, winter, and maybe summer), they cost $3.99, which is pricey. But within only a few weeks, they go on sale for 40% off. Michael's often has other sales, so some of these melts I was able to get for $1.19 each during a 70% off sale!

I bought all the new Christmas Candle Collection scents except Cinnamon Orange, which smells like orange pomander, a scent I don't like (soapy spicy orangey scent).

---

O' Christmas Tree
Typical pine/spruce scent, but with a woodsy and slightly eucalyptus note, and maybe a smidgeon of smokiness. It's a nice Christmas Tree scent. Throw is quite good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5, although most pine scents have excellent throw. Scent fizzled within 2 hours.

---

Glistening Snow
Mint with a slight pine note. This is not a sweet mint, and has some spearmint notes that give it a slight toothpaste quality which I don't like. But the pine note saves it. Not my favorite scent, but it definitely has a chilly snow quality! Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

---

Vanilla Frost
On cold sniff this smells like plain vanilla with a bit of a sweet liqueur note in the background. I expected to smell mint based on the name, but I don't detect any mint. Melted, it's just a nice sweet vanilla scent, nothing special. Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5.

---

Winter Apple and Balsam
On cold sniff, this smells a little like mulled apple cider, but there's a slightly sour note in the background, and I think I smell a bit of a balsam note. On cold sniff it really just smells more like a fake fall type apple scent than anything. But it smells a little better melted, like sour apple and leaves. It's very similar (if not an exact dupe) of the Huntington Home Falling Leaves scent that was sold at Aldi in the fall of 2015 (Hanna's Candles, the company that makes the Ashland wax melts, also makes the Aldi wax melts). Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

---

Merry Berry Clementine
This smells like a typical cranberry scent with a smidgeon of spices. It's a nice fall scent. Throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

---

Candy Land (triple melts)

red scent (picture of red & white mint candies) - This smells like peppermint candies or a candy cane. Throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

white scent (picture of white mint candies) - This is a sweet creamy mint with a vanilla note, like creamy mint candies. It smells fantastic! Melted, I don't smell as much of the mint as I do on cold sniff. Throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

orange scent (picture of gingerbread) - This smells like gingerbread and cloves on cold sniff. When melted, I just smell woodsy cloves. Throw is only fair, maybe a 2.5 out of 5.

---

Country Lodge (triple melt)
All 3 scents are orange, so I'll have to go by the pictures on the front label.

picture of cinnamon sticks - On cold sniff it smells like straight cinnamon with a bit of sweetness. But when melted, more of the sweetness comes out so the cinnamon is not harsh like a Big Red type cinnamon would be. It's more like a cinnamon roll, and I think I also detect a very slight bakery note. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

picture of a tree - Sugary cinnamon scent with a little bit of cloves. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

picture of orange and pinecones - Sweet cloves with maybe just a hint of cinnamon. Throw is excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

---

Shimmering Noel (triple melt)

white scent - I thought this was the same scent as Glistening Snow above because it's white, but it's not. It's a nice warm woodsy scent with a slight eucalyptus note and a smidgeon of mint. It doesn't have that sinus clearing quality that a straight eucalyptus scent would have, but it smells wonderful. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

light blue scent - This one is not very strong on cold sniff. I smell cloves and just a hint of mint or menthol. Up close, I can smell the sinus clearing effects of the menthol. It's a nice scent, and throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

light green scent - This is the same scent as Glistening Snow (reviewed above).

---

Twisted Citrus and Spice (triple melt)

orange scent (picture of orange & cinnamon) - This smells like a combination of pomander and apple mulling spices with a hint of brown fall leaves. Definitely a fall scent! Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

magenta scent (picture of cranberry & orange beverage) - On cold sniff this smells like very tart cranberry, but when melted it smells like red wine, with a little bit of that sour fermentation note that I don't like, but a little bit of sweetness that tempers some of that sourness. It's actually a pretty nice scent, and throw is excellent, at least a 4 out of 5.

green scent (picture of apples) - This is a sour apple scent which is similar to the Winter Apple and Balsam scent (reviewed above), but not as sweet. It's too sour or bitter or something, so I'm not a fan. Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5.

---

Enchanted Fruits

red scent (picture of mulberries) - This smells like apples and berries with a woodsy note and a little bit of sourness. It's not very strong on cold sniff. Melted, it's a bit too tart for my liking. Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5.

green scent (picture of apple with cinnamon stick) - This is the same as the green scent in the Twisted Citrus and Spice triple melt. I don't care for the sour bitter note. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

magenta scent (picture of cranberry beverage) - This is the same scent as the magenta scent in the Twisted Citrus and Spice triple melt.

---

Winter White cookies
These three scents smell very similar, and they're my favorite scents out of all of this year's Christmas Candle Collection.

tan scent (picture of powdered sugar crescent cookies) - rich buttery shortcake cookie scent with an almond note. Throw is good, 3 out of 5.

ivory scent (picture of powdered snowball cookies) - This smells a lot like the tan scent above, although the nuttiness is pecan or walnut instead of almond, and it's more buttery. Throw is excellent, a 4 or 4.5 out of 5.

beige scent (picture of plain vanilla cookies) - Super buttery cookie with slight nutty (pecan maybe, but not almond) and milky notes. Not as nutty as the other two scents. Throw is excellent, a at least a 4 out of 5.

---

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!

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's - Fall 2016 Review

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's - Fall 2016 Review

Click photo to view larger image

The Ashland brand is made exclusively for Michael's Arts & Crafts store. The Ashland wax that Michael's used to carry (and still does, although it's the older wax line) was soft and creamy, and many of the scents didn't throw well. The newer wax melts (tall package with harder wax) are made by Hanna's Candles, the same company that used to make the Mainstays brand triple melts from Walmart (the triple melts were discontinued last year). Hanna's also makes the wax that Aldi carries a couple of times a year (usually in the spring and fall), labeled with Aldi's Huntington Home name. I'm glad to see that Michael's has switched their scented wax line, because Hanna's wax is very good in general, almost rivaling ScentSationals.

When new Ashland scents come out (generally seasonally... spring, fall, winter, and maybe summer), they cost $3.99, which is pricey ($4.99 in Canada). But Michael's frequently has 40% off sales, usually within only 2 to 4 weeks after the new scents have come out. However, this year, the new fall scents (called the "Harvest Candle Collection") went on sale as soon as they came out ($2.40 is a much better price!). And they came out early this year, in mid-July!

Search our Scented Wax Reviews website (top right hand corner) for Ashland wax melts reviews from spring, summer, and last fall.

Unfortunately the Ashland triple melts don't list the names of the scents, only pictures, which can sometimes be hard to figure out.


Fall Delights (triple melt)

Caramel Nut Squares
Yummy buttery caramel or butterscotch, with excellent throw, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Caramel or Candied Apples
Apple scent with a slightly caramel sweet candy note. Excellent throw, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Candy Corn
This does smell like candy corn, although it has a rich buttery quality that makes it smell like a rich sweet vanilla type cookie. Very nice scent, and throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.


Destinations Discovered (triple melt)

Vanilla Bean
I can't tell from the picture, but the beige colored wax smells like a rich classy ambery cashmere vanilla scent. Very nice! Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5. This is the same as their Vanilla Bean scent.

Persimmon?
The picture looks like persimmons, which is a very sweet almost apricot type fruit, but this smells sweet with a slightly sour bitter note. I'm not a fan of this scent, but the throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.

Fig
I barely smell anything on cold sniff, maybe a slightly woodsy fruity scent. Melted, I still can't figure out what I'm smelling. It doesn't smell like fig, actually it's similar to the Persimmon scent with that sourness, but a little more of a fruity note. I'm not a fan, and the throw is fair to good, maybe 2.5 to 3 out of 4.


Sweet Treats (triple melt)

Almond?
The first picture looks like caramel and peanuts, but the beige wax smells like almond and vanilla with maybe a hint of coconut. Nice scent, and excellent throw, around a 4 out of 5. But the scent sizzled within a little over an hour.

Ginger Snaps?
I think the picture is of ginger snap cookies, and the orange wax smells like sweet frosted ginger snaps. Throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

Hazelnut Chocolate?
I see chocolate and hazelnuts in the picture, and the brown wax is very light on cold sniff but I do detect a slightly nutty chocolate note. Melted, it smells really good, like rich fudgy nut brownies. I smell not only the chocolate fudge but the nutty note as well. Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5.


Into the Woods (triple melt)
All 3 of these scents are very similar. They're "ok" scents, but I'm not really a fan.

Fall Leaves?
The first picture looks like a dried up brown leaf, and the brown wax is a nice woodsy scent with a slightly sweet and smoky note. Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5, but didn't last long, maybe an hour at most.

Cloves
The second picture looks like cinnamon sticks, but the red wax in the middle smells like cloves with a hint of smoky wood. Actually, it smells like barbecue sauce! Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Berries
The third picture shows tiny dark berries but I don't know what they're called. The wax smells similar to the cloves wax but maybe with more wood and a bit of a savory quality. I don't think I smell any kind of berries. Maybe it's supposed to be fall leaves? I can't figure out this scent, and I'm not sure if I like it. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5, but scent lasted an hour at most.


Patchouli Oak

This one is not very strong on cold sniff. It's definitely patchouli but not as woodsy as the name would suggest. It's a little sweet and maybe a bit perfumey and I think there's a smidgeon of vanilla. Nice scent, but unfortunately throw is not good, maybe a 2 out of 5, but would probably do well in a very small room like a bathroom.


The other available scents they had that I did not buy are Harvest (typical fall spice type scent), Pumpkin Trio (typical pumpkiny fall scents), Vanilla Bean (I already have a lot of vanilla scents, but this is one of the scents in the Destinations Discovered and it's fantastic), Cranberry Compote (typical cranberryish type scents), Orange Cinnamon Clove (this smells like pomander, which I'm not a fan of), Apple Cinnamon (typical generic fall scent), and Pumpkin Spice (typical pumpkin scent).


Want to participate in discussions about this review and others, and find out where you can find these scents? Please join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's - Spring 2016 Reviews

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's - Spring 2016 Reviews

Click photo to view larger image

The Ashland brand is made exclusively for Michael's Arts & Crafts store. The Ashland wax that Michael's used to carry (and still does, although it's the older wax line) was soft and creamy, and many of the scents didn't throw well. The newer wax melts (tall package with harder wax) are made by Hanna's Candles, the same company that used to make the Mainstays brand triple melts from Walmart (the triple melts were discontinued last year). Hanna's also makes the wax that Aldi carries a couple of times a year (usually in the spring and fall), labeled with Aldi's Huntington Home name. I'm glad to see that Michael's has switched their scented wax line, because Hanna's wax is very good in general, almost rivaling ScentSationals.

When new Ashland scents come out (generally seasonally... spring, fall, winter, and maybe summer), they cost $3.99, which is pricey. But within only maybe 2 to 4 weeks, they go on sale for 40% off, or Michael's has a 40% sale on some of their products. $2.40 for wax is a much better price!

Ashland Scented Wax Melts from Michael's - Spring 2016 Reviews http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2016/03/ashland-scented-wax-melts-from-michaels-spring-2016.html


Peach Cobbler
This doesn't smell that much like peach to me, but it's still a very nice sweet yummy bakery scent with a hint of fruit. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5, and lasted all day.

Cilantro Lime
This is a fantastic and popular scent, tangy and peppery with a lemony/limey note. It's very similar to the discontinued ScentSationals Zesty Lemon Peppercorn. Throw is excellent too, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Spring Bamboo
Very nice jasmine type floral with a strong green note that keeps the floral from being too sweet and flowery. Throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.

Salted Caramel
Yummy rich sweet slightly burnt sugar scent with a hint of salt, and even a slight hint of coffee. This is not as rich or salty as Yankee Candle's Salted Caramel, but throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.


Herb Trio

Lavender side smells like rosemary (which has a savory, eucalyptus type scent, a little like Vicks Vaporub) combined with lavender. It's an herbal, medicinal, savory scent rather than a sweet lavender scent. On its own I think it's too medicinal and would probably smell better mixed with a floral or vanilla scent. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Light green side I think is supposed to be basil, based on the photo on the label. It's a little savory with a slightly minty note, so maybe it's mint. Light on cold sniff, so hard to tell. When melted, it smelled like toilet cleaner, that slightly minty clean antiseptic scent, actually better than it sounds. It smelled like someone was cleaning the house! Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5.

Medium green side is a green savory scent, but very light on cold sniff so it's hard to tell. I could barely smell it when melted, maybe a 1 out of 5 throw.


Vanilla Trio

Light tan side smells like a yummy vanilla marshmallow. The first picture on the label just shows vanilla beans, so maybe it's just plain vanilla. Throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.

Medium tan side shows a picture of vanilla ice cream above it. But this scent smells more like regular vanilla, while the light tan side smells more like a marshmallowy "ice cream" vanilla. Throw is good, around a 3 out of 5.

Dark brown side shows a picture of coconut above it, so I guess it's coconut and vanilla. If I didn't see the coconut, I wouldn't know based on the scent. It smells more like an old-fashioned or slightly burnt vanilla, rather than coconut. Melted, it smells like a sweet, yummy, buttery, burnt sugar vanilla, although it's not a bakery scent, and I don't smell any coconut. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.


Berry Citrus Trio

Green side smells like a combination of orange and lime, tempered by a little bit of vanilla. It's not a bakery scent nor a fresh fruit scent, kind of like a orange/lime vanilla creme soda. I couldn't identify the picture, but I'm told it's Sugar Apples or Sweetsop, also known as "Custard Apple", and it tastes like custard. Throw for this scent is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Magenta side (which I think is supposed to be pomegranate) is a fantastic succulent creamy berry scent, but not a bakery scent. It smells like luxurious berry scented makeup or body cream. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Red side (strawberry) smells like fake strawberry, but in a good way. It's a girly "pink sugar" type strawberry, like strawberry scented lip gloss, or even strawberry flavored marshmallow. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.


Want to participate in discussions about this review and others, and find out where you can find these scents? Please join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.

Ashland Autumn Gatherings Scented Wax Melts Review

Ashland Autumn Gatherings Scented Wax Review

Click photo to view a larger image.

This is a review of Ashland "Autumn Gatherings" line from Michael's Arts & Crafts. These were originally $3.99 each, but I got them on sale for $2.00 each two weeks ago as they're starting to move out the fall scents to make room for holiday scents. These appear to be paraffin wax, so the wax is hard rather than soft and creamy like their regular Ashland line (which I believe is soy). Paraffin tends to have a better scent throw than soy. I believe the Autumn Gatherings line is made by a different company, but with the Ashland label. There are maybe a dozen or more scents in the Autumn Gatherings line. Many of them smelled all the same to me, or like other typical fall and "autumn walk" type scents. So this is a review of only 6 of their fall scents.

Cinnamon Roll
Smells like bread with cinnamon. Not overly sweet or overly cinnamony. 3.5 out of 5 throw.

Apple Cinnamon
Warm cloves with a dash of cinnamon and a slight apple note. 3.5 out of 5 throw.

Fall Forest
A crisp fresh balsamy pine. This smells like real pine needles or sap. It's more piney than sprucey (sprucey scents tend to have more of a smokey note). 3.5 out of 5 throw, but it only lasted about 2 hours.

Warm Cookie
This is an incredibly yummy cookie scent. It's rich with a slight bread note, lots of vanilla, and just a hint of spice, and not overly sweet. It really smells like cookies fresh out of the oven. Excellent throw, about a 4 out of 5.

Ginger Caramel Apple
Just like the name says, a combination of apple, caramel, and a slight ginger note. I also smell vanilla, but it's not a bakery scent. It's very sweet and smells like candy. Throw is around a 2.5 out of 5.

Harvest Trio (3 scents in one package):

• Apple Pumpkin
• A nice slightly salty cranberry scent with an apple note and a little cinnamon or nutmeg. Throw is around a 3.5 out of 5.


• Orchard Fruits
• A very fresh apple scent, possibly with a little bit of some other kind of fruit like blackberry, and maybe a very small amount of vanilla, and a smidgeon of that brown fall leaves scent that smells a little like dirt. Throw is around a 3 out of 5.


• Pumpkin Latte
• A sweet creamy milky coffee scent, very heavy on the cream and light on the coffee. Very authentic; I thought my roommate was making coffee! Not sure if I smell pumpkin per se, but there may be a smidgeon of spice in there. Throw is excellent, about a 4 out of 5.

---

If you'd like to view comments and participate in discussions about this review and others, please join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.