Michael's Wax Melts (Ashland) Reviews

Michael's Wax Melts (Ashland) Reviews

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These scents have been available at Michael's for years, and are there year-round (although some Michael's don't carry them at all). They are located in the candle aisle, not the seasonal kiosks where the taller seasonal candles and wax melts are located. The wax formula has changed, as well as some of the scents and packaging. For years the wax was very soft and messy (probably soy), and with only a few exceptions they didn't throw well. The new wax is hard (paraffin) and throws much better. But the more likely reason for the improved throw is that these harder wax melts are made by Hanna's Candle! However, Hanna's is no longer making any wax melts for Michael's, so these newer melts are from last year.

To identify the old and new wax melts, the old wax melts say 2.4 oz. on the label, and of course the wax is very soft. The new wax melts says 2.5 oz. on the label, the wax is hard, and the package is slightly taller than the old package (but not as tall as the seasonal scents).

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Enchanting Lavender

There are 2 versions of this scent at the store, the much older (from 2014-2015), softer wax in the 2.4 oz. clamshell, and the newer hard wax in the 2.5 oz. clamshell from last year (made by Hanna's Candle).

Both lavender scents are authentic, but they are two different scents.

I prefer the older scent, which is a little sweeter and more powdery. The newer scent is more authentic, with a little bit of that medicinal herbal lavender note that smells like a smidgen of eucalyptus. I believe it's the same scent as Hanna's French Lavender Garden.

The old scent, however, has a very faint throw, maybe 2 out of 5, because it's that soft soy wax and it's quite old. The newer scent has a strong throw, around 3.5 out of 5.

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Mango Cilantro

The new version does smell like mango, kind of like peach but a bit harsher. I don't smell cilantro or any herbal notes. It's a nice scent if you like peach or tropical fruit type scents, but like a lot of those types of scents, it has a tiny bit of that cat pee vibe.

The older, softer wax formula smelled better (I no longer have it and couldn't find it this time). It wasn't as harsh, didn't have the cat pee vibe, and it was a sweeter "peach nectar syrup" type of scent. Throw was slightly weaker with the old formula though, Mild or Medium, 3 out of 5. The new harder wax has strong throw, 3.5 out of 5.

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Mixed Berries

This smells like fruit candy, sweet with a little bit of tartness. It smells like a couple of different types of fruits, like mulberry, cranberry, cherry, and maybe a hint of raspberry. It smells artificial, but not annoyingly so. The older, softer wax formula (which I no longer have and couldn't find this time) had almost zero throw. The new harder wax has strong throw, 3.5 out of 5.

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Mountain Air

The old scent is one of my favorite scents. It smells like a super soapy soap and fresh air, with hardly any sweetness. There may be a smidgen of an herbal note way in the background. It would smell a little like a men's body wash if it were sweet. Throw is bold, 4.5 or 5 out of 5, which is unusual for the older scents.

The new scent is completely different, and it's also a nice scent. It's the same as Aldi's Fresh Cotton Blossom from January 2018 (also made by Hanna's Candle), but oddly it's not the same scent as Hanna's own Fresh Cotton Blossom. It's a nice sweet laundry detergent scent with a hint of a biting laundry note. But it's not a soft powdery fabric softener scent either. It doesn't smell soapy, and it's sweeter than other similar scents I've smelled with a little bit more of a floral note, although it's not really perfumey either. Hard to describe! Aldi's Fresh Cotton Blossom was a scent monster with a throw of 5 out of 5, and this one is pretty much the same, bold, 4.5 or 5 out of 5 (although it took an hour to get there!)

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Soothing Vanilla

The old scent is just a plain, generic vanilla, with possibly a smidgen of coconut. It smells like a vanilla scented car air freshener. Not a bad scent, but a bit artificial. It smells better melted, quite nice actually, and without the buttery cookie note that a lot of vanilla scents have. Throw is faint, 2 out of 5, but might work okay in a tiny room like a bathroom.

The new scent is totally different, and smells incredible. I've smelled it before, so I think it's a dupe for something else but I don't know what. It smells like an expensive warm cashmere/amber perfume with a hint of vanilla and maybe a smidgen of patchouli. But it's not an overly perfumey scent, and it's not really a floral. One of my favorite scents, throw is bold (4.5 to 5 out of 5), and the scent lasted the entire day (at least 12 hours, but probably would have gone longer if I hadn't turned off the warmer). I wrote about this one in my Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail/permalink/1410049855779506/.

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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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Ashland (Michaels) Wax Melts Reviews - Fall 2018

Ashland (Michaels) Wax Melts Reviews - Fall 2018

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Hanna's Candle is no longer making the Michaels (Ashland) wax melts (starting with these Fall 2018 scents). I don't know who the new manufacturer is.

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Autumn Walk

I smell men's cologne, sandalwood, and a fresh air note. It's the same as the Autumn Walk scent from July 2017. I said last year that the cologne note was a bit harsh. Actually, I think it has a very slight sour note, or maybe a smidgen of that old apple note, or old wood, way in the background, and that's what I don't care for.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Cinnamon Pecan Buns

Someone made a mistake at the factory, because this is the same scent as the Classic Pumpkin Spice scent.

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

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Classic Pumpkin Spice

Just like the scent name says, this is a standard pumpkin pie type scent. A little generic, nothing exciting.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

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Delicious Apple

It's apple. I don't think I detect any spices. It smells nice even though it's a fake apple scent, like apple potpourri. Melted, I detect a hint of caramel.

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

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Pumpkin Spice Chai

This smells a little like apple cider with a sweet raisin note. I do smell nutmeg, which gives it a pumpkiny note. I don't smell any tea or chai notes though. I think it's the same as Pumpkin Spice Chai from July 2017, but maybe not (I described that as a sweet pumpkin pie scent with a hint of chai tea). When melted, I don't really smell the apple note that I smell on cold sniff, and it smells more pumpkiny.

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

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Vanilla Pumpkin

On cold sniff smells like a sweet creamy milky vanilla scent with coffee and a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon. It's a really nice scent, my favorite of this collection. Melted though, I smell more of the pumpkin spices and much less of the coffee. It's still a nice scent though.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

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Ashland (Michaels) Wax Melts Reviews - March 2018

Ashland (Michaels) Wax Melts Reviews - March 2018

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Coconut Sea Salt

Notes: Creamy Coconut, Vanilla Bean, Golden Pineapple, Banana Leaf, Lemongrass, and Sea Salt

This smells like pineapple and coconut with maybe a hint of apple. Looking at the scent notes, I don't think I smell banana, although maybe that's the apple I think I smell. And I definitely don't smell lemongrass, which is a soapy savory lemony spa type scent, which this scent is not. Melted, the pineapple is a bit on the subtle side. So although I'm not a fan of pineapple scents, I like this one! And it lasted all day!

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Mango Margarita

Notes: Mandarin Orange, Juicy Mango, Agave Nectar, Coconut Milk, and Sea Salt

Oh this one is nice and summery. I definitely smell the orange and mango, and a hint of the coconut. Even so, it's not an overly tropical scent, it's sweet and rich with a slightly salty note, and I don't smell any pineapple (which I often smell in scents with mango margarita type names).

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Pineapple Salsa

Notes: Pineapple, Pear, Melon, Apple, Strawberry, Banana, Coconut, Peach, Vanilla, and Musk

This is pineapple all the way, although it's very sweet, like pineapple candy, and there may be a hint of vanilla in it, and possibly a bit of coconut. Maybe some other fruit like strawberry and banana? Looking at the scent notes, there's the strawberry, banana, coconut and vanilla! I don't like pineapple scents but this one is "okay" because it's very sweet and has other fruit notes.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Pink Coconut

Notes: Orange, Bergamot, Fennel, Raspberry, Coconut, Lily-of-the-Valley, Musk, Vanilla, and Oak Wood

This smells very similar to the new ScentSationals Girlfriend Night. It's a sweet girly perfume scent with a slight fruity note, maybe raspberry, and a smidgen of coconut. Yep, there's the raspberry and coconut. I don't smell orange or fennel at all. I LOVE this scent!

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

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Turquoise Waters

Notes: Mineral Springs, Water Lotus, Sea Glass, Peony Bouquet, Cyclamen Flower, Jasmine, Hydrangea Petals, Rosewater, and Oakmoss

This is a sweet fresh watery scent with a grassy note and maybe a barely detectable smidgen of lemon. No, no lemon in the scent notes. I've smelled other scents that had "sea glass" in the notes, and they smell a lot like this. There's a bit of floral in this, but it's not really a floral scent, but I think that's what gives it the grassy note. It smells a little bit like ScentSationals Fresh Air, but with some different, more crisp, grassy notes. Very refreshing!

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Vanilla Macaron

Notes: Apple, Orange, Coconut, Honey, Cinnamon, Spearmint, Rich Vanilla, and Musk

This one is weak on cold sniff, and I can't figure out the notes. It's vanilla with maybe a bit of a perfumey note but also maybe a smidgen of nut, and for some reason I'm smelling a barely detectable hint of spearmint that I don't think I'll smell when it's melted. Looking at the scent notes, there's the spearmint! I don't smell apple or orange though. It's a nice interesting scent, but it seems like the notes it contains don't belong together. They're confusing me. Melted, it's a perfumey vanilla with a nutty note, and I don't smell the spearmint at all. I like it, but there's something odd about it.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

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Ashland (Michaels) Wax Melts Reviews - January 2018

Ashland (Michaels) Wax Melts Reviews - January 2018

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The Ashland wax melts at Michaels are manufactured by Hanna's Candle (http://www.candlemart.com), which makes fantastic wax melts (although these scents are made exclusively for Michaels so you can't find them on the Hanna's website). Hanna's Candle also make the wax melts that are sold at Aldi three times a year.

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Apple & Hibiscus

Notes: Apple, Pear, Seneca Grass, Lavender, Plum, Spearmint, Amber, Oakmoss, Balsam, Tonka Bean, and Sandalwood

This smells like apple blossom scented body wash or shampoo. I smell the apple first, but there's also a slight floral note in the background. I like it! Looking at the notes, I can detect a smidgen of the lavender, but I don't smell mint at all.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

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Camellia & Sweet Pea

Notes: Pear, Bergamot, Melon, Rose, Geranium, Violet, Vanilla, Amber, Patchouli, Benzion, and Cedarwood

I adore this scent! It's a sweet perfumey cherry blossom type scent with a vanilla and marshmallow note. There may also be a smidgen of a fruity note like honeydew melon, and a little bit of warmth from cashmere or amber. Looking at the scent notes, they're spot on. Yes, I definitely smell rose, but not pear. And I think I detect a smidgen of the patchouli. A fantastic, complex scent, and it lasted all day!

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5, a scent monster that took over the house!

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Champagne Blush

Notes: Sparkling Citrus, Strawberry, Red Currant, Apple, Raspberry, Blackberry, Pear Blossoms, Rose Petals, Vanilla Sugar, and Sheer Musk.

This smells like grapefruit with a slightly sweeter fruit (raspberry I think), and fizziness that makes it smell like soda. This scent also smells a bit like Victoria's Secret Love Spell (and other wax melts that are a dupe of that scent, such as ScentSationals Magic Spell, Tuscany Candle Stressless, and Scentsy Lucky in Love). I'm not fond of fizzy scents or Love Spell dupes (too bland and bitter), so I don't care for this scent, but I think I'm in the minority and it will be a popular scent. Looking at the notes, I really just smell the "sparkling citrus" (which smells like grapefruit with that bitter note) and a little bit of the raspberry, but none of the other notes.

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

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Coral Amber

Notes: Kaffir Lime, Linden Flower, Bitter Orange, Amber, Heliotrope Flower, Iris, Guiacwood Golden Oud, and Blonde Wood

Both this scent and the Sunset Lily scent smell exactly like Thierry Mugler Angel perfume. This scent is sweeter than the Sunset Lily scent. The description for the Angel perfume scent is: "This feminine scent includes notes of dewberry, bergamot, mandarin, red berries, honey, patchouli, coumarin, Australian sandalwood, caramel, vanilla, and chocolate". I can't even describe it, but there's no other scent like it, and it's absolutely fantastic. Looking at the notes, I definitely smell the Linden Flower (a rich warm floral note), and a hint of the lime.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

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Fresh Water Pearl

Notes: Fresh Waters, Citron, Palm Leaves, Grapefruit, Geranium Petals, Rosewater, and Cool Eucalyptus

A nice fresh air sweet watery scent with a salty note and a smidgen of a peppery note. It smells like a fresh body wash. Nice scent, smells like a lot of similar fresh ocean water type scents I have, but I really like it. Looking at the notes, the peppery note is probably the slight bitterness of the grapefruit and geranium. And I do smell a smidgen of eucalyptus, even though this is a sweet-ish scent.

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

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Island Hideaway

Notes: Seagrass, Bergamot, Orange Peel, Lime, Hyacinth, Lily-of-the-Valley, Violet, Musk, and Oak Wood

I smell a tropical wood scent, and maybe a smidgen of palm, but it's also a sweet watery scent. It's different from a lot of other scents I've smelled, and I kind of like it. Looking at the notes, I don't smell orange or lime.

Throw: Mild, 2.5 to 3 out of 5

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Lilac and Hyacinths

Notes: Green Notes, Citrus, Floral, and Musk

Very nice scent that does smell like a combination of lilac and hyacinths. It's sweet with a hint of a baby powder note. Perfect for a bedroom or baby's room. It's not very strong on cold sniff though, and the scent started dissipating within 1.5 hours. Looking at the notes, I guess the "floral" note includes both the lilac and hyacinth notes. The musk is probably the hint of baby powder I smell.

Throw: Mild, 2.5 to 3 out of 5

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O'Ahu Sands

Notes: Tropical Fruit, Floral, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, and Amber

This is the same scent as one of the scents in Hanna's Candle's Coastal Woods/Tiki Hut/Sand Dollar Trio (not confirmed by Hanna's), I think the Sand Dollar side. I think this is pineapple with light wood and maybe a hint of coconut. It's not a sweet or foodie pineapple, actually a little on the sour side, and a bit "harsh", but it's definitely tropical. I'm not a fan of pineapple scents, but this one smells pretty good to me because the light beach wood note tempers some of the "pineappliness".

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Seashells and Sand

Notes: Coconut Milk, Peach Nectar, Orange Flower, Lily, Jasmine, Heliotrope, Vanilla, Woods, Tonka Bean, and Musk.

A fresh sweet watery scent with floral and coconut. And maybe a barely detectable hint of cedar. Very nice! Looking at the scent notes, they're spot on! Although I don't smell peach at all, or any fruity notes. I've smelled this scent before, so it's a dupe of something else.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

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Spring Bouquet

Notes: Cyclamen, Garden Rose, Orchid, Blue Hydrangea, Fiddle Head Fern, and Dew

A fantastic spring floral scent with a slight rose note. It's not perfumey and it's not a honeysuckle type scent. Just spring flowers with a grassy note and just a hint of bitterness to make it smell authentic. Very nice.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Sunset Lily

Notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Mexican Lime, Golden Amber, Verbena, Columbian Lily, Patchouli, Vanilla Bean, and Cashmere Musk

Both this scent and the Coral Amber scent smell exactly like Thierry Mugler Angel perfume. Coral Amber scent is sweeter, and Sunset Lily has a smidgen of perhaps a tropical fruit way in the background. The description for the Angel perfume scent is: "This feminine scent includes notes of dewberry, bergamot, mandarin, red berries, honey, patchouli, coumarin, Australian sandalwood, caramel, vanilla, and chocolate". I can't even describe it, but there's no other scent like it, and it's absolutely fantastic. But the scent started dissipating within 2 hours. Looking at the scent notes, I smell the warmth of the amber and a little patchouli, and the slight bitterness of the grapefruit (which is the note that really differentiates this from the Coral Amber scent).

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

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Vanilla and Teakwood

Notes: Sweet Tobacco Leaf, Golden Honey, Madagascar Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Leather, and Cedarwood

This one is hard to describe. I've smelled it before, and it smells very nice. I do smell kind of a woodsy scent, but it's not a smoky wood or dark wood, or even a sandalwood. I think it's cedar, yes definitely cedar. It's also sweet and perfumey, but not floral, with maybe a little bit of a tobacco note. Looking at the scent notes, there's the cedar and tobacco. I don't really smell the vanilla, and I don't smell leather at all. Honey? Maybe just a smidgen.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 to 4 out of 5

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There are two others scents that I haven't found, so they may arrive in a few weeks: Beach House, and Fern & Orange Blossom. If I find them, I'll add their reviews to this page.

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

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

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Reviewed separately
(Click to enlarge)

Video:

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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Ashland (Michaels) Scented Wax Melts Reviews - Fall 2017

Ashland (Michaels) Scented Wax Melts Reviews - Fall 2017

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Autumn Walk
This smells like a men's cologne with a slight woodsy note, but not smoky. It's just an "okay" scent for me, as the cologne is a bit harsh.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

Baked Apple Pie
A nice sweet apple pie scent with a hint of cloves. It's nice, but a typical apple pie scent like a lot of others out there.
Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

Cozy Lodge
A very nice sweet woodsy scent with a oud wood note (a dark, resinous, slightly bitter woodsy scent). This smells like an expensive furniture store, and a lot like Better Homes and Gardens "Pure White Woods".
Throw: Very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

Pumpkin Praline
A super rich sweet milky caramel scent with an almond note and just a smidgen of pumpkin spices. This is quite similar to Mainstays Pecan Pumpkin Cake, except this scent  has an almond note that the Mainstays scent does not have. I think this is going to be the most popular scent of the new Fall Candle Collection because it's so yummy!
Throw: Very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

Pumpkin Spice Chai
A sweet pumpkin pie scent with a hint of chai tea.
Throw: Good, 3 out of 5

Spiced Citrus Pomander
I'm normally not a fan of pomander, which is generally a combination of orange and spices like clove. They often smell weird and soapy to me. But this one smells rather nice as it has more orange in it than most pomander scents I've smelled.
Throw: Very good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

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