Walmart Scented Wax Melts Fall 2016 - ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens

Walmart Scented Wax Melts Fall 2016 - ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens

Click photo to view larger image

This is a review of the new Walmart Scented Wax Melts for Fall 2016 (ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens). Fall scents generally appear at Walmart from late-July to mid-September, depending on your Walmart. I believe there are other fall and winter scents on the way, although I haven't found them yet but will update this page when I do.

Please also see Part 2 of this review, 9 additional scents that I purchased in December, at  http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2016/12/walmart-scented-wax-melts-fall-2016-scentsationals-better-homes-gardens.html

If you want to view a close-up image of each particular wax melt, check out my Pinterest boards for ScentSationals (https://www.pinterest.com/scentedwax/scentsationals-scented-wax-melts/), Better Homes & Gardens (https://www.pinterest.com/scentedwax/better-homes-gardens-walmart-scented-wax-melts/), and MainStays (https://www.pinterest.com/scentedwax/mainstays-walmart-scented-wax-melts/).

And of course, if you want to participate in discussions about this review and other scented wax melts in the U.S., please join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail. We're a fun, active discussion group with over 1,000 members!

ScentSationals Sunflower Fields
This is a nice spicy floral. Even if you don't like florals, you may like this one due to the spiciness, but it's not a foodie spice like cinnamon, more like a perfume type spice, but not overly sweet. Hard to describe, but very nice. It doesn't smell like sunflowers though. Throw was good, around a 3 out of 5.

Better Homes & Gardens Golden Harvest Sunset
Walmart description "This is very bright and crisp. This spicy, fruity scent is the perfect autumn blend featuring notes of golden bergamot, crushed ginger, juicy orange, warm cardamom, white violet and nutmeg.  A mix of sandalwood, vanilla bean and amber crystals adds a touch of comfort completing this enchanting fragrance experience."
This is probably my favorite of all the new scents. It's a lemon scent with kind of a clean floral note and maybe a touch of orange. Looking at the scent notes, that other note I can't figure out is probably the cardamom. It's not a foodie scent, more of a calming, happy atmospheric scent. Disappointingly, throw was only fair, maybe a 2.5 out of 5, but would probably do well in a very small room.

ScentSationals Crimson
"Cranberry & Oak"
This smells a little like ScentSationals Vanilla Woods, a woodsy vanilla type scent. It smells a bit like men's cologne or body wash. I don't smell cranberry at all, although there could be a smidgeon of some kind of fruit. This is a sexy fragrance, similar to ScentSationals Simple Romance. The woodsy note almost has a slight balsam or pine or even patchouli vibe, but barely noticeable. Melted, it smells like a spicy warm snuggly winter type men's cologne scent, and throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Better Homes & Gardens Fragrant Woodland Walk
Walmart description "This has woodland fir needle sparkling with citrus splashed aldehydes that rests upon smooth balsam, warm tree moss and black amber touched by sweet sandalwood and hints of green cedar."
This is a woodsy scent with a balsam note and a smidgeon of pine, and maybe an earthy floral way in the background. Looking at the scent notes, okay the floral is probably the amber, and I do smell the woodsiness of the sandalwood. Melted, I think I detect a slightly eucalyptus note, and it smells like a winter scent. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

ScentSationals Dusk Till Dawn
"Orange Blossom over Sandalwood & Musk"
I can't figure this one out. On cold sniff, I don't smell orange blossom because there's a slightly sour note in the background, maybe like sour apple, but not really in a bad way. I do detect a light woodsy note and the perfumey musk. Melted, this has a fresh, natural scent, not sour at all. I definitely smell the wood, and I think there's a very slight apple note like old apples scattered among fallen leaves, and maybe even a smidgeon of lemon. The freshness almost gives it a slight parsley vibe, although it's not a green or herbal scent at all. And it's not necessarily a fall scent and it doesn't have that smoky woodsiness that's typical of fall scents. This is different from any wax scent I've ever smelled, and I like it. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5, but the scent fizzled within an hour.

ScentSationals Fall 'n For Fall
"Crisp Autumn Leaves"
This says "Crisp Autumn Leaves" on the package, and ScentSationals has a scent called Crisp Autumn Leaves, but this scent is completely different. It's a woodsy men's cologne type scent but there's some other note I can't put my finger on that makes it not overly cologney. It smells a little bit like the new ScentSationals Dusk Till Dawn, but more cologney. Nice scent, but almost zero throw. I couldn't even smell it from a foot away.

Better Homes & Gardens Sunflower & Chrysanthemum
This sweet floral has a slightly bitter note and on cold sniff I'm getting a slight chemical note like nailpolish remover. Melted, it's just awful! All I smell is a slightly sweet bitter sour scent like fermented wine but worse. Throw was very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

Better Homes & Gardens Candied Citrus Pumpkin
Walmart description: "This has candied pumpkin fruit swirled with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg splashed with sweet orange and a touch of butter caramel with sweet pastry undertones."
This smells like a combination of Better Homes & Gardens Orange Buttercream Cupcake (an orangey Fruit Loops cereal type scent) mixed with a slightly salty cinnamon pumpkin scent. But the more I smell it, the more I realize it's a dupe of an older pumpkiny scent whose name I don't remember. And when melted, it's quite cinnamony. It's a nice scent, but not my favorite, as it's very rich and cinnamony (I do really like the Orange Buttercream Cupcake scent by itself though). Throw is excellent, at least a 4 out of 5.

Better Homes & Gardens Roasted Coconut Pumpkin
I immediately though of Scentsy Coconut Pumpkin Pie when I saw this scent. Although they're slightly similar, the Scentsy version is more coconutty and pumpkiny, whereas this BHG scent has a sweeter more whipped cream note. On cold sniff I smell the nutmeggy pumpkin note, but not really the coconut although it may be way in the background. When melted, nope, no coconut. This is a dupe of an older cookie type scent whose name I don't remember. It's a very nice, rich scent though, but similar to other scents I have. Throw was only fair to good, maybe a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.

Better Homes & Gardens Brandied Peach Cobbler
This smells like pears more than peach, and with a very sugary sweet and slightly caramel note. I don't really detect a bakery note. It's a nice scent but extremely sweet. Throw is fairly good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

ScentSationals Peppermint Vanilla Macaroon
"Life is Sweet"
Everyone is looking forward to this scent, and with good reason. It's yummy! Just like the description, it smells like a sweet minty vanilla cookie. It's sugary sweet, and the peppermint is not overwhelming. Melted, it doesn't really smell like a cookie, but more like the inside of a peppermint patty, but not as minty, and very sweet. It's a nice scent, but not as fantastic as I expected it would be. I would have liked a stronger peppermint note. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

ScentSationals Nag Champa Incense
"A Space for Peace"
ScentSationals description: "Warm woody patchouli swirled with hints of golden amber, rich musk and oriental spices balanced by undertones of orange blossom and jasmine"
Finally ScentSationals has come out with a Nag Champa scent, which is one of my favorite scents. This is very strong on cold sniff, a beautiful Nag Champa scent with a soapy note. Nag Champa is a sweet, woodsy earthy scent with patchouli, musk, amber and baby powder notes. Oh, I will be stocking up on this one for sure. It's fantastic, and the throw is excellent, easily a 4 or even 4.5 out of 5. And the scent lasted for over 24 hours! My favorite scent out of the bunch! This one is also available on the ScentSationals website as of 9/3/16.

ScentSationals Cashmere Cream
"Luxury Must Be Comfy"
This just smells like milky vanilla. I don't smell cashmere or any type of amber or laundry notes. This might actually be a dupe of an older vanilla scent. When melted, yes I believe it's a dupe of an older ScentSationals vanilla scent like Vanilla Bean or Old-Fashioned Vanilla. And like a lot of vanilla scents, the throw isn't very good, maybe a 2.5 out of 5.

ScentSationals Blackberry Cognac
ScentSationals description: "Crushed autumn blackberry and intoxicating dark cassis infused with the aroma of aged oak and vanilla scented tobacco"
This smells like a cross between last year's ScentSationals Blackberry Cider and Better Homes & Gardens Sunflower & Chrysanthemum (review above). There's a very slight dark berry note, but also a bitter note which I guess is supposed to be the cognac but smells a little like fermented wine. There's also a slight cedar type note that makes this scent a little more tolerable, although it's not one of my favorites. This one is also available on the ScentSationals website as of 9/3/16.

ScentsSationals Pumpkin Apple Muffins
ScentSationals description: "Freshly baked, brown sugar muffins full with ripe golden apple, spiced pumpkin, fresh ground cinnamon and sweet hints of pure vanilla"
This is a dupe of the yummy Spiced Caramel Corn side of Better Homes & Gardens "At the Fair" duo that was discontinued last year (although you can still find old stock on Walmart's shelves). This is one of my favorite scents of all time, and I'm so glad it came back. It's a super rich butter caramel corn scent with a hint of apple. And the throw is fantastic!

ScentSationals Scarlet Cypress Wreath
It's a little early for Walmart to start putting out winter and holiday scents, but I don't mind. I love pine scents! This one is pine with an orangey fruity note. It's not the same scent as the old ScentSationals Citrus Wreath though, which was more orange than fruity. This one smells like it has some kind of red berry in it as well, but it's mostly a pine/spruce scent. Throw is good, but probably better than I think because I have all the windows open and it's quite windy in here right now!

Mainstays Pecan Pumpkin Cake
Walmart description: "This is a decadent fall time treat with brown sugar, indulgent butter cream and sweet lemon mingle with an aromatic blend of ginger, nutmeg and a scrumptious pumpkin accord at the heart."
This smells like sweet rich milky cream with a nutty note and the slight saltiness of the pumpkin. It's very rich. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell any lemon. This is yummy and rich, and throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

ScentSationals Cinnamon Apples
On cold sniff, I thought this was a typical generic cinnamon apple scent, but I was wrong! This is one of my favorite scents now. Melted, it smells like sweet apple juice, or maybe a light apple cider with just a hint of cinnamon but none of those harsh mulling spices. It smells like walking into a Michael's Arts & Crafts store full of fall potpourri. It's a "scent monster", throw is 5 out of 5, and it takes over the entire house. The scent lasted for an entire day, and even after I turned the warmer off overnight, the next morning it still smelled strong in the house. This is in absolute winner!

ScentSationals Baked Orchard Apple
Apple pie type scent with fresh apples and maybe a little bit of caramel and cinnamon. It's a very nice apple scent, but similar to other scents I have. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

Better Homes & Gardens Rustic Country Home
Walmart description: "Country apple, sweet cinnamon sticks, sugar & spice, warm nutmeg and clove bud. Sugared woods and sueded vanilla add additional warmth"
I expected this to have a woodsy note based on the name, but it just smells like cinnamon and maybe cloves, so I wasn't going to buy it. But when I went back a few days later and smelled it again, I swear I detected a hint of chocolate, and maybe a smidgeon of nut, and the cinnamon is not overly strong, so I decided to give it a try. It really is a nice scent, similar to ScentSationals No Place Like Home and AmbiEscents Home Sweet Home, with that warm homey feel, but with slightly different notes. Throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

ScentSationals Perfectly Pine
ScentSationals description: "Balsamic evergreen, brisk pine, and lush fir needle gleam with sparkling citrus aldehydes, lustrous greens, and earthy patchouli infused with warm spice and dew-covered moss." but when I checked the site later, the description changed to "The warmth of pine with a hint of crisp eucalyptus and sweet raspberry"
A typical pine scent, most likely a dupe for a previous pine scent. It has a nice authentic Christmas tree smell though, and not that "biting" pine note that a lot of similar scents have. I think the first ScentSationals description is accurate, since I don't smell raspberry or any type of berry or sweetness. Even though it's not a sweet scent at all, it IS sweeter than Better Homes & Gardens Fresh Cut Frasier (which is a harsher pine scent with more of a eucalyptus note). Throw is fantastic, a scent monster that took over the house, 5 out of 5.

ScentSationals Balsam & Birch
A strong biting pine and eucalyptus type scent. I believe this is a dupe for other similar scents in the past. Throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.


I did not buy the following scents, because I either wasn't fond of them or they were dupes of other scents I already have, or just general fall type scents that come out every year (I have more than enough of those!). But I did make notes on cold sniff while I was at the store:


Better Homes & Gardens Bundled in Blankets Duo (Cozy Winter Coat & Plush Fleece Mittens)
I didn't care for either scent, smells a lot like other scents I have, kind of generic. Couldn't put my finger on the scents themselves, but they're not laundry cotton type scents.

ScentSationals Pumpkin S'Mores Duo (Pumpkin Spice & Pumpkin Marshmallow Cream)
Another typical pumpkin scent. I believe Pumpkin Spice is the same Pumpkin Spice scent from last year, and see my review of Pumpkin Marshmallow Cream above.

Better Homes & Gardens Perfect Pumpkin Ale
This is a pumpkiny apple scent similar to a lot of other fall scents.

Better Homes & Gardens Fall Into Autumn
Walmart description: "This has golden acorns and crisp green apple that combine with warm notes of smooth applewood and red cedar nestled with aromatic leaves, white orchard pear and gently spiced harvest berry."
Even though the picture shows apples and grapes, and the description mentions apples, I don't detect fruit in this scent. It smells a lot like Better Homes & Gardens Crisp Fall Leaves which most people love but I don't. It's a little woodsy and smoky but with a weird sage type note in the background that I don't like, similar to ScentSationals Mountain Twilight (which I also don't like).

ScentSationals Vineyard Sunset
ScentSationals description: "Soft red berries envelope the warmth of velvet fig, brightened with hints of sugared peach and grape blossom resting on soft oakmoss and luminous white musk."
This doesn't really smell like grape, but more of an earthy berry. But it has a slight sour wine fermentation note in the background that I don't like. This one is also available on the ScentSationals website as of 9/3/16.

ScentSationals Incense & Wine Duo (Nag Champa Incense & Vineyard Sunset)
I already bought Nag Champa Incense in a single pack, and I don't like the Vineyard Sunset scent (see above).

Better Homes & Gardens Candied Caramel Apple
I didn't even see this one, but include it here because some of the people in our group (see link below) have tried it. This may actually be an older scent that's still on the shelves. Those who tried it didn't care for it, and said the throw wasn't very good (which is surprising for an apple scent).

ScentSationals Spice It Up
"Citrus and Spice"
This was weak on cold sniff, which is susprising for a spicy scent. I smelled cinnamon and maybe some other spices, but I wasn't wowed by this scent, and I didn't smell any citrus. It smells a bit like Big Red chewing gum.


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 - 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.

ScentSationals Scented Wax Melts - New Summer 2016 Scents Review

ScentSationals Scented Wax Melts - New Summer 2016 Scents

Click image to view larger photo

Watch video below:

Mahogany Woods
"Sun-warmed oriental amber infused with soft sandalwood and fresh cedar wrapped in essences of golden citron, crushed coriander, gingered orange flower, and suede tobacco."
This is a men's cologne or body wash type scent with a noticeable fresh wood note (not smoky), and a little bit of warm amber, and maybe a smidgeon of patchouli in the background. Looking at the scent notes, there's the amber, and I do smell the sandalwood and cedar. Nice scent, but 0 throw, even from a foot away. This is a dupe of an older scent called Mahogany Teakwood.

Enchanted Woods
"A masculine blend of mahogany wood with southern bourbon, creamy vanilla with warm amber."
This is a men's cologne scent with a nice warm amber note and a bit of a woodsy background, but not smoky. There's also a very slight bakery note way in the background, like vanilla or maybe a smidgeon of caramel. Looking at the scent notes, I guess the caramel note is the bourbon. This scent smells a little bit like Mahogany Woods, but sweeter and with that bakery note. It's a very nice scent. Melted, it's halfway between a cologne scent and a sweet foodie scent. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5, and the scent lasted a long time.

Sienna Suede Fusion
"The brightness of citrus splashed greens, wild herbs and ambered fougere embrace dark woody patchouli, milky sandalwood and oriental amber spun with black suede and cocoa bean."
I love this scent! It's another yummy foodie cologne type scent. It smells a little bit like Mahogany Woods, but not as woodsy, and warmer than Enchanted Woods. I definitely smell amber and maybe vanilla and possibly patchouli and maybe a smidgeon of tobacco. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell citrus. And although I don't smell chocolate, that's probably what I think is the vanilla and makes this scent smell so yummy. Melted, I don't detect all of the notes that I do on cold sniff. It's a very nice, rich men's cologne scent, but when melted it's quite similar to a lot of other men's cologne scents I have. Throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

Cactus Blossom
"Freshly picked eucalyptus leaf intermingles with ozone-infused citrus, sea salted herbs and hints of wild apple wrapped in sparkling marine greens and the warmth of mossy woods."
This smells like aloe (which smells like cucumber but more bland), which is a scent I'm not fond of. But there's also a light sweet floral in the background that makes the aloe scent more interesting and refreshing. When melted, however, it just smells like aloe with a slight sweetness in the background, but it also smells a little bit like paint. I didn't care for this scent. Throw was good, around a 3 out of 5. This is a dupe of an older scent called Cactus Flower.

Tosca Pear
No scent notes listed on website
Not very strong on cold sniff, but it's definitely pear, like the sweet inside of the pear. On cold sniff, it doesn't seem like anything else is added, and there's a very slight fake note but not enough to detract from the scent. But melted, there may be a smidgeon of cinnamon and bakery, but barely detectable. If you like pear scents, this is a nice one. Throw is very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5. But the scent was pretty much gone in an hour-and-a-half.

Spice Market Fusion
"Exotic amber, oriental myrrh and rich spices embrace notes of black iris, eastern orchid and refreshing emerald bamboo balanced by brushed suede, warm musk and red saffron."
I expected this one to smell like bakery spices, like cinnamon and sweet spices, but it's not, which is good because I already have more than enough of those types of scents. This smells like a pungent, sour basil, but not in a bad way because it's a fresh garden basil scent, and there's also a sweet vanilla note in the background. Looking at the scent notes, I don't know if I smell any of those. There's no floral, so I don't think I smell the iris or orchid. Bamboo, probably since there's a green note. Amber adds a sweet warmth, but I don't know if I smell that either, and definitely not musk. Melted, I smell mostly the basil but also the hint of vanillary sweetness. This is a weird combination of scents and I don't really care for it. It's not at all what I expected based on the scent description. Throw is good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.

Eucalyptus Leaf & Cedar Fusion
"Fresh greens, wild citrus and crushed eucalyptus leaf combine with aquatic nuances of spicy cardamom along with white cedar, oriental amber and mossy musk."
I definitely smell the eucalyptus, and there's a very slight sweetness in the background and maybe a lemongrass note. Looking at the scent notes, the citrus is probably the lemony note I'm detecting. I don't smell amber or musk. Melted, this is definitely a eucalyptus scent, but more of a lemony eucalyptus scented industrial cleaner. I don't care for this one. Throw is excellent, around a 4 out of 5.

Almond Brandy Pudding Fusion
"Almond milk splashed with aged brandy and stirred with salted caramel, roasted almond silvers, Kenyan coffee and Madagascar vanilla bean baked into a creamy custard pudding."
This is a super intense, super rich milky buttery caramel or butterscotch scent with a little bit of salt. If I didn't know coffee was in this one, I might not detect it, but now that I know, I do detect a smidgeon of creamy coffee. I don't think I detect the almond or any kind of nutty note. Very yummy, very rich! I knew this was going to be a strong thrower when I started smelling it within 2 minutes after I put it into the warmer. This one is a scent monster, with a throw of 5 out of 5. It's taken over the entire house. A definite winner!!

Flaming Orange
"Juicy mandarin, sweet tangerine and ripe Valencia orange blend with tangy lemon zest and juicy notes of glittering island pineapple."
This is actually an older scent that they brought back. I had heard it was the same scent as their Molten Orange scent, but it's not. Molten Orange has a bit of a lemony note in the background, where Flaming Orange does not. Both scents have a slight grapefruit note. Flaming Orange is not as pungent as Molten Orange. It smells a little bit like their Rainbow Fruit scent, but more orangey. There's a bit of a fake note in there as well. Looking at the scent notes, I don't detect the lemon or pineapple, although the pineapple, maybe just a smidgeon. I expected throw to be excellent, as is usually the case with orange scents. But throw was just "good", around a 3 out of 5.

Sugared Raspberry
"The irresistible aroma of tart sun-ripened raspberries stirred with sweet sugarcane juice and heaped over a slow churned vanilla ice cream."
This one is very weak on cold sniff, but I smell a fruity note that smells like fake raspberry. Throw is barely a 1, and the tiny bit that I can smell, from maybe a foot away, is a fake chemical berry scent.

Princess Petal
"Vibrantly sweet pink poppy, juicy apricot, all blended with creamy coconut sit perfectly on soft amber-vanilla, & white sandalwood."
This one is not strong on cold sniff. It smells a little bit like their Pretty in Pink scent, a Pink Sugar type scent. It's a sweet warm ambery scent with a little bit of a girly perfume in the background. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell apricot or coconut at all. I love this scent, but the throw was not very good, maybe a 2 or 2.5 out of 5. It would probably do well in a very small room.

Grapefruit Tequila
"Effervescent pink grapefruit enhanced by bergamot, petitgrain and sweet, creamy vanilla."
This is a very sweet scent that smells like grapefruit candy, but a fake chemical sweet grapefruit scent that I don't like. Looking at the scent notes, there's no effervescence (which would give it a soda type note), I'm not sure what bergamot actually smells like, I think I smell a bit of vanilla, and petitgrain is a very similar scent to orange blossom and I don't smell that at all. Throw is fair to good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5. 


I did not get these "new" scents, because they're dupes of other scents I already have:

Salted Caramel Apple
"Juicy wedges of fresh picked apple stirred with cinnamon fused caramel blending into a sugar sweet vanilla cupcake batter."
This is an older scent that they brought back, and I already have it. The name says it all, it smells like apple covered in salted caramel and it's very rich and yummy. Throw is excellent.

Raspberry Vanilla
"Tart berries layered with sweet vanilla cream."
This is the same scent as AmbiEscents Raspberry Vanilla that came out at Bed Bath & Beyond stores in December. My review of that scent can be found at http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2015/12/ambiescents-wax-melts-review.html. It's also a dupe of Better Homes & Gardens Black Raspberry Vanilla.

Birch Woods
"White birch and white musk intermingle with deep greens delicately touched with sweet vanilla."
This is a dupe of the discontinued Better Homes & Gardens Pinecones & Birch, a very nice milky woodsy scent with a smidgeon of sweetness.

Dark Musk
"Luxurious notes of warm amber and gently spiced woods drift through earthy patchouli undertones enveloped in sweet Tahitian vanilla and musk-infused sandalwood."
This is a dupe of a discontinued scent called Date Night (not the one with the purple label though), which is also the same as a discontinued scent called Rogue. It's a fantastic, warm men's cologne type scent with excellent throw.

Cherry Blossom Festival
"The romantic garden of Asia with fragrant Japanese Cherry Blossom, juicy pear and warm sandalwood."
This is the same scent as AmbiEscents Cherry Blossom that came out at Bed Bath & Beyond stores in April. My review of that scent can be found at http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2016/04/ambiescents-scented-wax-melts-spring-2016-review.html

Citrus Pineapple
"Juicy mouthwatering pineapple, ripe sun kissed strawberries, mingle over sweet milky coconut & white jasmine. Making the perfect array of fruity-florals."
This is the same scent as AmbiEscents Citrus Pineapple that came out at Bed Bath & Beyond stores in April. My review of that scent can be found at http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2016/04/ambiescents-scented-wax-melts-spring-2016-review.html

Beachfront
"A delicious mandarin-coconut blend, succulent cactus, beautiful mariposa lily and warm cinnamon all wrapped in with a base of sweet amber-vanilla."
This is the same scent as AmbiEscents Beach Front that came out at Bed Bath & Beyond stores in April. My review of that scent can be found at http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2016/04/ambiescents-scented-wax-melts-spring-2016-review.html


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.

The Candleberry Co. - Scented Wax (Power Pods) Melts Review

The Candleberry Co. - Scented Wax (Power Pods) Melts Review

Click image to view larger photo

I had always wanted to try Candleberry's scented wax melts (they call them "Power Pods", and can be found at https://candleberry.com/shop-by-size/power-pods.html), but they're $4.99 a piece on their website, which I think is too expensive. However, they had a sale about two weeks ago, and most of their wax melts were reduced to $2 a piece. So I bought all the ones that were on sale.

I've been told that Candleberry wax melts used to be hard paraffin, but they switched to a softer soy blend which is soft, greasy and messy. I've also heard that the newer soy blend wax doesn't throw as well, which is typical for a lot of soy wax. I've never tried their older paraffin wax to compare to, but the soft soy blend I got was not good at all. In fact, just about all of these were duds in terms of throw, as well as scent quality. I would not buy these again at any price (except for maybe the 2 that I actually did like).

On July 8 I called The Candleberry Co. to return the wax melts and get a refund. The girl I talked to was very pleasant and said it was not necessary to return them, that she would refund me for the entire order! Five minutes later I got the refund email. Major kudos to The Candleberry Co. for exceptional customer service!

Fire
Plain cinnamon with a fake note, like Big Red chewing gum. Very weak on cold sniff, but actually fairly strong when melted, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5. I'm not a fan of straight cinnamon scents, and this one has that fake note as well, so I didn't care for this scent.

Red Stag Spiced
Very similar to Fire, but more of a cinnamon candy note, and again, not very strong on cold sniff. This may be an older scent, as the wax is harder than the others. Melted, this smells more like red hot cinnamon candy. It seems like the "Fire" scent should smell like this one instead. I'm not a fan of straight cinnamon scents, so I don't care for this. But throw is excellent, around a 3.5 or 4 out of 5.

Jim Beam Honey
Ooh I love this one! It smells like sweet buttery rich caramel apples but with a note of something else, probably the Jim Beam. Throw was only fair, 2.5 or 3 out of 5.

Jim Beam Apple
A nice fresh apple scent with a sweet almost candy note, but that might be the Jim Beam in the background. I think I smelled something when it started melting, but within 10 minutes it was gone, with zero throw. I could barely smell it from 2 feet away while melting.

Tennessee Whiskey
Similar to Jim Beam Bourbon, kind of a vanilla light cinnamon scent, but not very strong on cold sniff so hard to tell. When melted, there was something nauseating about the scent. It didn't smell bad, but it was too rich or, I don't know, I just had to remove it from the warmer. My roommate said it smells like sweet puke. I don't think it smelled nearly that bad, but it's not something I'll melt again. Throw was good, around a 3 out of 5.

Jim Beam Bourbon
I can't figure out what this smells like. It's sweet, maybe vanilla or brown sugar, and almost a smidgeon of a "dirt" note but not in a bad way. I guess it's supposed to smell like bourbon. Not strong on cold sniff. Melted, it had that slight nauseating quality that Tennessee Whiskey has, but not as bad. There's more of a vanilla or brown sugar note. These really don't smell like bourbon at all. Throw was very good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5.

Cranberry Crumb Cake
A very light, sweet cranberry scent with a fake note. Weak on cold sniff. Melted, it's a fake cranberry, like cranberry scented bubblegum, but not in a good way. I smelled it for about 10 minutes and then most of the scent dissipated and the throw was maybe 2 out of 5.

Honey Buttered Rolls
This one is nice, and I can really smell the rich butter in it, with a slight bread note. This one is a scent monster, 5 out of 5 throw, and it's taking over the entire house. It's very rich, almost too rich, and it just smells like butter being melted in a pan. This one would probably be a good scent to mix with another scent to give it a richer, buttery note. But alone, it's just too nauseatingly buttery.

Apple Brown Betty
A typical apple cinnamon scent with a slightly fake note. Melted, it was mostly a fake-ish apple scent with a hint of cinnamon. Throw was fair to good, maybe a 2.5 or 3 out of 5.

Red Stag Black Cherry
Ooh I like this one. I smell the black cherry, but it's not really fruity. I can smell that other note in the background, probably the whiskey, that makes it smell really rich. It doesn't smell like whiskey though; in fact, none of these melts smell like liquor. Melted, this one is cherry with an earthy quality, like a smidgeon of a "dirt" note, but in a good way, and maybe also a smidgeon of vanilla. Very nice scent, and throw is very good, around a 3.5 out of 5.

Jim Beam Maple
This smells like yummy maple syrup with a buttery note and that hint of something else, the Jim Beam I guess. Like many of the other scents, this one fizzled within about a half hour, and throw was around a 2.5 out of 5.

Jim Beam Ghost
I barely smell anything on cold sniff, maybe a slight vanilla note with a rich slightly nutty or smoky note. What I can smell smells really good. Melted, it just smells like vanilla, and throw is not very good, maybe a 2 or 2.5 out of 5.

Red Stag Hardcore Cider
This one is really strong on cold sniff. It smells like fresh apples but it has a sweet caramel note in the background which is probably the whiskey. It's different from Jim Beam Apple, with more apple. Melted, this is really nice scent, and it doesn't have that nasty bourbon note in the background. It just smells like sweet apple with a slight caramel note, similar to a lot of other apple scents from other companies. And this one is a scent monster and takes over the entire house, a 5 out of 5 throw.

---

Want discuss this review and other scented wax melts? Please join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.

Scentsy Wax Bars Review from a User, NOT a Seller (Part 2) - 57 Scents

Scentsy Wax Bars Reviews from a User, NOT a Seller (Part 2) - 57 Scents

 
This is my second Scentsy review. Please see my first Scentsy review, and my thoughts about Scentsy in general, HERE.

If you're looking for a review of a particular scent, use the "Search Blog" feature on the top right hand side of this page (on a desktop; not sure if it appears on mobile version).

---

Jammy Time

Help kids drift into dreamland with this soothing blend of baby freesia, lavender and sweet pea. Perfect for bedrooms and evening baths.

This one is primarily lavender, but there's something else in the background, maybe nutty or woody. It's not a perfumey lavender, nor a medicinal lavender, and it has a warm note. Looking at the scent notes, I guess the nuttiness is part of the lavender itself. I don't smell floral though. This is a very nice lavender scent, completely different from their French Lavender scent though, which is just a straight lavender and slightly medicinal. I like the other notes in this one, plus the throw is much better.

Throw: Excellent, at least a 4 out of 5

---

Sea, Sun & Fun

Drops of pure amber highlighted with juicy orange. Day lilies add a straight up summer floral note, petals swirling at the water’s edge.

This smells like a combination of Coppertone suntan oil and a fresh scent like fresh air with a salty sea water note. It smells just like the beach. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell orange, and I smell maybe a smidgeon of floral.

Throw: Not great, around a 2.5 out of 5

---

Summer Holiday

Steal away to a sunny isle bursting with lush plumeria, tiger lily and sweet orange softened by vanilla and radiant amber.

I'm not sure what I'm smelling, but it smells like a really sweet girly perfume with something yummy like vanilla and a touch of warmth from amber perhaps (but it doesn't smell like "Pink Sugar", not that type of sweet girly perfume). Looking at the scent notes, okay that's about right. When melted, the vanilla really comes out. This one lasted all day, and it was really strong, actually a bit too strong considering how sweet and perfumey it is.

Throw: Excellent, 5 out of 5

---

Sedona Sunset

Flamboyant desert lily and vanilla orchid enliven creamy coconut milk and ethereal jasmine.

This smells a lot like Summer Holiday, but not quite as sweet, and a little warmer. There may be just a smidgeon of coconut in this one. And looking at the scent notes, there it is. This is a really nice scent, a more grown-up version of Summer Holiday. Melted, it smells sweeter and even more similar to Summer Holiday, but not quite as "sickeningly" sweet, and not as strong which in this case is actually a good thing.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Pacific Daydream

Zesty slivers of lime peel perk up sunny pineapple spears and sweet spun sugar, punctuated with the essence of mellow Hawaiian sea salt.

This is a fresh air type scent with a peppery note and a hint of fruit, maybe pineapple. I don't really like it that much though. And throw was not good, which is surprising for Scentsy. Looking at the scent notes, there's the pineapple, although I don't smell as much tropical fruitiness as the notes suggest.

Throw: Not good, around a 2 out of 5

---

Mountain Sky

Take a meadow stroll amidst fresh air redolent with a dash of citrus, while white woods and amber lend warm, exquisite undertones.

A fresh scent with a little bit of floral and just a smidgeon of smoky wood. Very nice scent, almost like a masculine body wash. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell citrus.

Throw: Not good, around a 2 out of 5, if that

---

Flirtatious

Tart green apple cheerfully bounces among fizzy slices of pink grapefruit and sweet white amber.

This one is very light on cold sniff, so I'm not sure why I bought it. It's sweet, a little bit floral, maybe a hint of apple and a slight peppery note like Pacific Daydream. Looking at the scent notes, there's the apple. When melted it smells a little bit like apple blossom, but I'm not sure if I like this scent or not because the grapefruit gives it a slightly peppery pineapple note. Either way, it's too light to even tell.

Throw: Poor, around a 1.5 or barely 2 out of 5

---

Stay Awhile

Atlantic seaberry, water hyacinth, red cassis and fresh, exquisite teakwood.

This smells like sweet pear nectar mixed with a perfumey scent with a warmth which might be amber, and a slight fresh air note. Looking at the scent notes, I don't know what any of those scents smell like by themselves. I guess the pear I'm smelling is seaberry or cassis. I don't smell a woodsy note. This is a nice, happy scent!

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 out of 5

---

RasPberry Bush

Luscious black plum and jewel like raspberries. Add a tingle of icy peppermint to this delicious duo.

I don't smell a lot of raspberry in this one. It's more like a "grown up" raspberry scent. I smell mostly a warm amber note, with a little bit of rich succulent berry in the background, more like plum than raspberries. This smells a little bit like Luna, but not as sweet. I think there's also a fresh note in there, but barely noticeable. When melted, it's a very rich scent. Looking at the scent notes, there's the plum, and the fresh note is probably the peppermint, although I don't smell any mint at all.

Throw: Fair, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5

---

Brazilian Grapes

A lemony based fragrance that is not sticky like a candy but layered and nuanced, with earthy aromas of citrus and weathered wood lightened by a hint of sugar.

This one is similar to Raspberry Bush in that it's more of a warm amber Luna type scent than grape. In fact, I really don't smell grape at all, maybe more like a plum, and even that's barely noticeable. I think there's also a hint of woodsiness. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell lemon or any kind of citrus.

Throw: Not good, around a 2 out of 5, if that

---

Perfectly Pomegranate

Top notes of sweet, sugared berries add an extra layer of femininity to the tart base of pomegranate. Prepare for the debut of your new vivacious siren persona.

This smells like strawberry with a rich milky vanilla note like maybe whipped cream. It's not overly sweet. Looking at the scent notes, on cold sniff I don't smell any tartness. This is supposed to be a wild sexy scent, but I don't see that at all. If anything, this is more of a comfy relaxing summer scent.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Black Raspberry Vanilla

Delicious, sun-sweetened dark berries warmed with vanilla.

This is yet another warm ambery slightly fruity scent. After awhile they all start to smell similar. This is not a "foody" type scent, but more of a "homey" scent. I do smell raspberry or blackberry, but also a warm ambery note and a little bit of vanilla, but not a rich vanilla whipped cream note like Perfectly Pomegranate. There may also be a hint of wood and a barely detectable smidgeon of citrus. Looking at the scent notes, this scent smells more complex than just dark berries and vanilla. Melted, it takes on a richer blackberry and vanilla scent that smells better than it does on cold sniff.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3.5 out of 5

---

Berry Bubble Blue

A delicious blast of blue raspberry, tart green apple and spun sugar.

This is such a fantastic scent. It's like a combination of marshmallow, vanilla buttercream frosting, and cotton candy. It smells a lot like pink sugar scent, but richer and with vanilla. There's just a hint of berry (raspberry I think), which creates the cotton candy note. Looking at the scent notes, I'm surprised I don't see vanilla. And I don't smell apple.

Throw: Excellent, at least 4 out of 5

---

Sunkissed Citrus

Lively blend of oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.

This smells like powdered orange Tang, or like an orange flavored children's vitamin. It's a fake orange scent. There may also be a hint of grapefruit in the background and possibly a barely detectable smidgeon of lime. Looking at the scent notes, they're spot on, although I expected some other notes that give it the "fake" quality. When melted, I also smelled a strong mint or eucalyptus note, the kind that clears your sinuses. But nothing like that is shown in the scent notes. I'm not a fan of this scent.

Throw: Not good, 2 or 2.5 out of 5

---

Cactus Flower Lime

Crisp, meditative blend of lime mist, water lotus, green tea and delicate aloe leaf.

I love this scent. It smells like the old Better Homes & Gardens Zesty Lemon Peppercorn, or Ashland Cilantro Lime from Michael's, or ScentSationals Bamboo Fusion. In fact, smelling this scent and Zesty Lemon Peppercorn side by side, they're pretty much the same scent, although Cactus Flower Lime is just slightly more savory and rich. This is a rich savory tangy lemony peppery salad herbs type scent.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Clementine Clove

Spicy and warming clove, juicy and tangy-sweet clementine and a whisper of sharp piney resin.

I wasn't sure what to make of this when I first smelled it, because it smells a little like orange clove pomander "Pomander" is an orange or apple studded with cloves to perfume the air, usually around the holidays. I'm not a fan of orange pomander, but this one has a lot of other notes in it. I smell mostly black pepper and a soapy note, and then the cloves and then maybe a smidgeon of orange. There's also a nutty or woody note in there, or maybe a barely noticeable smidgeon of pine. It's a very complex, savory scent. Looking at the scent notes, I guess the pepper is the "sharp piney resin". Melted, it smells the same as cold sniff, but more "rich". I don't care for this scent.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Just Breathe

Cool eucalyptus, which gives the aroma an invigorating green base. Subtle notes of zesty lemon are chilled by the frosty essence of many mint varieties.

This is a spa type lemony mint. It's not sweet, and it's not like ScentSationals Zen, due to the lemon note. There may be a hint of eucalyptus which prevents the mint from being a toothpaste type spearmint, but it's not peppermint either.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3.5 out of 5

---

Sugared Cherry

Ripe cherry is blended with rich and rounded Concord grape, balanced with seeds of pomegranate, tart and sweet. The fruit salad is covered with vanilla sugar and features slices of candied apple, mellow and crunchy with its shiny, sticky carnival coating.

This smells like a maraschino cherry that goes on top of a sundae, with a note of real black cherry in the background, and maybe a smidgeon of sweet vanilla. Looking at the scent notes, this scent doesn't smell nearly that complex. Grape? Now that I know it's in there, I think I can smell it. Candied apple? Maybe.

Throw: Not good, 2 or 2.5 out of 5

---

Coconut Lemongrass

The cool creaminess of sweet coconut milk, with the sunny zest of lemongrass.

This is another spa scent, a little similar to Just Breathe except without the mint and with the added coconut note. It's a savory lemon (lemongrass) scent with creamy, slightly sweet coconut.

Throw: Excellent, at least a 4 out of 5

---

Luscious Lemon

Light, creamy lemon

This smells like kitchen lemon (lemon dish detergent type scent) mixed with sweet creamy vanilla. There may also be a hint of floral in the background. It's a nice clean, fresh lemon scent but it's also yummy. I think this one is discontinued. Melted, this is definitely a soapy kitchen lemon scent and I don't really smell the "yumminess", and it has a bit of a waxy note when melted. I still like it, but I have other kitchen lemon scents by other brands that smell better.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Guava Honey

Tropical guava with a scattering of fruity, deeply jewel toned berries and a spritz of fresh and zesty citrus. The warmth of flowing honey is enriched with jammy berries and the rosy brightness of guava, invigorated with juicy and tart wedges of sunny yellow lemons.

I smell mostly honey with a slight note of sweet fruit. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell citrus or lemons at all.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Cherished

Passion flower and gentle pink jasmine pack a romantic punch that is accented with the honeyed and tart tension of ruby red goji berry and peachy pink guava.

I smell apple first, but there's something a little tart in the background, maybe grapefruit? And also maybe amber for sweet warmth. It's very nice, sweet and girly, but not like pink sugar, more like maybe a high quality shampoo with maybe a very slight tropical note. Looking at the scent notes, I guess it's the goji berry or guava that I think is apple.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 of 4 out of 5

---

Cozy FireSIDE

A complex profile of spices sparked by the gentle heat of ginger and cinnamon.

I smell cloves, just cloves. Maybe a smidgeon of smoke. Now that I see the scent notes, I can't believe cloves are not in there. I don't smell cinnamon or ginger, although if I try really hard maybe I can detect them.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of5

---

Pomelo Fiesta

Three sunny citrus aromas, tangy tangerine, punchy pomelo, and sweet orange, meld with smooth vanilla, biting cayenne, and spicy ginger.

This smells a lot like lemon verbena (a spa type herbal lemony scent), which is not my favorite scent. But there are other notes in this one that give it a clean, more soapy vibe, maybe ginger? And there's a touch of sweetness. Looking at the scent notes, I see that tangerine and orange are predominant, but I don't smell orange. Pomelo is a citrus fruit that tastes like grapefruit, so maybe what I'm smelling is a combination of that grapefruit note and the orange, with the other notes. And there's the ginger. Cayenne? I don't think I smell pepper in this one. This is an interesting scent, but I'm not really a fan of it.

Throw: Good, around a 3 or maybe 3.5 out of 5

---

Eskimo Kiss

The cool aroma of blackberry jam, caramelized brown sugar, and a sensual blend of vanilla and amber.

Very sweet perfumey fruity scent, almost like a pink sugar or cotton candy type scent, but with more fruit and more perfume. There may also be vanilla in this one, and a sweet warmth like amber. Looking at the scent notes, they're spot on.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of5

---

Blessings

Classic holiday fragrances of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg are elevated to the sublime, with amber and sandalwood adding an element of elegance and refinement.

This smells like cedar and eucalyptus with maybe a smidgeon of cloves. It's not sweet at all, and it's not a Christmas tree scent. Looking at the scent notes, I don't know how eucalyptus or pine or mint are not in there, as I can smell the sinus clearing effects of the menthol. I'm not sure how accurate these scent note descriptions are! I don't smell cinnamon or nutmeg, and I guess sandalwood is the cedar I think I'm smelling. It's a nice raw masculine woodsy type scent, but I wouldn't consider it a holiday fragrance.

Throw: Fair, around a 2.5 or maybe 3 out of 5

---

Winter Cypress

A fresh and crisp blend of mint leaves, frosted lavender and chilled raspberry is a new way to do a festive fragrance.

This smells like a woodsy piney men's cologne with a soapy note. There may be a hint of eucalyptus, but the sweetness of the cologne note tempers that. It's a very nice, warm scent. Looking at the scent notes, I was way off! I still smell a woodsy pine note. And now that I see lavender is in this, that may be what's contributing to the cologne note. Mint is probably the eucalyptus. And I don't smell raspberry at all.

Throw: Good, around a 3 out of 5

---

Satin Sheets

Ravishing notes of exotic sandalwood and exotic vanillas collected from the furthest corners of the globe

The first thing I smell is milk, and then a sweetness which may be a mixture of vanilla and floral, but it's light. And way in the background there's a slight dirt smell, like potting soil. But it doesn't smell bad at all, just not a note that belongs with the other notes, or in a scent called "Satin Sheets". Looking at the scent notes, the sandalwood is probably the milk note I detect, since sandalwood tends to have a "milky" note to it. And the dirt note might actually be the wood scent of the sandalwood. Or it could be mold on the wax since there's a bit of condensation on the surface, although I don't see any mold or weird colors in the wax. I guess I'll find out when it melts.

Throw: Fair to Good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5

---

Thunderstorm

Very refreshing, sharp, spicy, outdoor fragrance; like the breeze in a storm.

This smells like soap, but it's fresh and watery and slightly floral. It has a little bit of a laundry note, and there's also a smidgeon of spiciness but not food spice, more like maybe a frankincense type spice. But it's not a men's cologne type scent. And there's also a hint of a Coppertone suntan oil type scent, but barely noticeable. It's a complex scent that could go into several different scent categories. This one has no actual scent notes listed.

Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5

---

Sea Salt Mist

Softened with salty beads of pure water and brightened with mandarin orange, the fragrance is rounded out with earthy sea grass and smooth amber.

Fresh sweet watery men's body wash type scent with a fresh, slightly soapy note and maybe a smidgeon of floral. It's very nice, although similar to a lot of men's body wash type scents. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell orange at all, but maybe a barely detectable smidgeon of lemon, which I guess is actually the orange. I do smell the amber, which adds a nice warmth.

Throw: Fair to Good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5

---

Dark Harbor

Complex combinations of green herbs and bold flower notes, with bright top notes of mint and kaffir lime and a smooth underpinning of golden amber. Classic herbal notes combine with citrus and amber for many levels of complexity. Ocean lavender pairs salty minerals and intense lavender, floral and green. Frosty mint is peppery and cool, topped with kaffir lime, and combining lemon and orange with the lime.

Nice but typical men's cologne type scent. This smells more like cologne than Sea Salt Mist, and doesn't have that slightly floral and citrus note. This one has a very slight woodsy note, like maybe a sandalwood or driftwood, and it's not overly sweet. Looking at the scent notes, wow there are a lot of notes in this one. I do smell the amber, as that provides a nice rich warmth to many cologne and perfume type scents. Mint? Not really, although possibly way in the distance. I don't smell lime or any kind of citrus.

Throw: Poor, around a 1.5 or 2 out of 5

---

Awakening

Blissful blend of renewing pineapple, glowing peach, and the soothing base duo of amber and vanilla.

Fantastic lemony scent with some other notes I can't detect, maybe baby powder? It's sweet and a little salty, and more of a kitchen type lemon than a bakery lemon. OK looking at the scent notes, I'm surprised there's no lemon or even orange. I don't smell pineapple or peach, as I'm not a fan of either of those scents. The amber is probably what I think is the baby powder, as it adds a nice sweet warmth. When it's melting, there's a weird note that makes it smell like second hand cigarette smoke (even though this is not a smoky scent), but in a good way, like someone smoking outside in the summer and you can barely detect the rich smoky notes but it's kind of familiar and comforting.

Throw: Excellent, 4 out of 5

---

Pear Blossom & Cucumber

Delicate florals hover above a pool of cool lemon scented cucumber water, with honeydew melon adding a light and fruity finish.

I almost didn't even consider this one because I don't like cucumber scents. But I don't smell cucumber in this one, or maybe it's so light I just can't detect it. I'm not sure if I even really smell pear either. It's a fresh watery scent with more of a tropical fruit note and maybe a touch of floral. Looking at the scent notes, okay it's cucumber "water", not actual cucumber, which I guess is what's providing the fresh watery note. Maybe the tropical fruit is actually the combination of lemon and honeydew melon. To me it's a nice fresh watery tropical fruit scent.

Throw: Very Good, 3.5 out of 5

---

Pink Tulips

Sweet night-blooming jasmine is enlivened by juicy apple and raspberries

This smells like fruit, maybe apple, melon, cherry or peach, or some mixture of a couple of these, almost like a fruit candy scent. There's also a slight floral note in the background, but this is primarily a fruity scent. Looking at the scent notes, okay apple and raspberry, I get that. Melted, it has a pink sugar or cotton candy type vibe.

Throw: Not Good, around a 2 out of 5

---

Shimmer

Sweet cherries are added to tangy velvety apricots. This fruity mix is grounded by a seductive hit of white musk, and frosted with a sweet dusting of spun sugar.

This still smells like apples to me, but pretty girly apples, like apple scented perfume or body lotion. I smell perfume or baby powder or floral in the background, but also a sweet sugariness. Looking at the scent notes, okay no apple, so I guess it's the cherry and apricots I smell. And the baby powder note is probably the musk.

Throw: Not Good, around a 2 or 2.5 out of 5

---

Snowberry

A rich medley of ripe loganberries and strawberries creates a rich and juicy base, which is given a fresh-from-the-oven feeling by a crumbly crust and dash of soothing cinnamon. A frost of cool peppermint lends a chilly element to the scent.

This is one of the most fantastic scents I've ever smelled. I love this one! I smell dark berry, like maybe black raspberry, mixed with a rich vanilla with maybe a hint of caramel and a little bit of cinnamon, and possibly amber for sweet warmth. There's also pine or eucalyptus in the background, but it's not overwhelming and does not detract from the berry scent. Looking at the scent notes, they're spot on, although this isn't a true bakery scent even though it does have bakery elements. This one is a "scent monster" and the throw is excellent, taking over the entire house. I believe I've found my #1 favorite Scentsy scent!

Throw: Scent Monster, 5 out of 5

---

Ode to Opulence

Sweet black currant intertwines with golden apricot and deeply fragrant blood orange, this intricate fruity profile enriched with creamy, tropical coconut milk and finished with rare spiced vanilla.

A super rich succulent fruity scent of grape or blackberry or apricot, with perhaps some amber for warmth and maybe a sandalwood note and perhaps a smidgeon of coconut, and some other notes I can't identify. Looking at the scent notes, black currant makes sense. Currant is a fruit that has a slightly woodsy note. There's the apricot and coconut. I don't smell orange though. This is a dark, complex scent. I love it! Melted, I'm not sure if I really love it. It has a bit of a metallic note.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Honeymoon Hideaway

Sensual notes of exotic island lilies, sweet kiwi, and coconut palm.

I'm noticing a trend with Scentsy scents. A lot of them are very similar, with that sweet warm ambery note. This one has a fresh watery note with that sweet warm ambery background, like a high quality unisex body wash. I can't pick out any particular notes other than maybe a floral and perhaps a smidgeon of coconut. Looking at the scent notes, I guess I do smell a hint of fruit in the background. But this is not a tropical scent at all.

Throw: Poor, 1 out of 5. I could barely smell it even from a foot away.

---

Skinny Dippin'

Fresh green apples perfectly harmonized with refreshing melons and juicy pears.

I smell coconut and I think honeydew melon, but there may be something else in there that I can't figure out. Looking at the scent notes, apples and pears, I don't really smell those although the melon (honeydew or cantaloupe, but not watermelon) is the primary scent. I still think I smell some coconut even though it's not listed. It's a nice scent if you like melon scents, but I'm not a fan of them.

Throw: Very Good, 3.5 out of 5

---

Amber Road

Opulent golden amber acts as a lustrous base for teeming red cedarwood and mystical resins.

This smells like cedar wood sweetened with warm amber. It's similar to ScentSationals Vanilla Woods or Better Homes & Gardens Pure White Woods, but with slightly more amber and a tinge of a cologne note like frankincense. Fantastic scent.

Throw: Scent Monster, 5 out of 5

---

Quiver

Subtly spicy eastern sandalwood with a final essence of heady tuberose.

Yet another soapy perfumey scent with a warm amber note and a hint of floral. This one has a smidgeon of perfume spice like maybe frankincense, and a very subtle woodsy note, although it's more of a feminine scent.

Throw: Not Good, around a 2, maybe a 2.5, out of 5

---

Peppermint Dreams

Light and fluffy sugared cupcake batter with drizzles of honey as the middle note, and a top note of cool peppermint.

This smells like the inside of a peppermint patty, sweet creamy vanilla with a strong, icy peppermint. Yummy! Melted, I think I smell a little bit of chocolate, even though that's not in the scent notes.

Throw: Very Good, 3.5 out of 5

---

Rosewood & Freesia

Lush florals, white rose and baby freesia, blend beautifully with the more earthy base notes of rosewood and fir needles.

I didn't know that "rosewood" actually smells like a combination of rose and wood, but that's what this scent smells like. I smell an old-fashioned rose first, with a wood note in the background that I believe is pine, and I think the freesia gives it a soapy note. It's a very nice, comforting scent. Melted, the fir scent really comes out. Who knew that the combination of rose and fir/pine smelled so fantastic? This is one of new favorite scents!

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Coconut Flower

Lush floral notes are lifted by sunny pineapple, a little tangy and a lot sweet, and a smooth and creamy base of succulent coconut milk.

Just like the scent name, this smells like a floral with a coconut note. Actually, it smells like nice coconut scented laundry dryer sheets. Looking at the scent notes, I don't think I smell pineapple.

Throw: Very Good, 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Very Snowy Spruce

Fresh cut pine, cedar and balsam.

A nice intense spruce scent with maybe a hint of eucalyptus. Spruce is a richer, "saltier" scent than pine, and pine can sometimes have a fake "Pine-Sol" or even cat pee note. So I prefer spruce scents. Looking at the scent notes, it's probably the pine that I think is the eucalyptus, and the balsam that smells like spruce.

Throw: Scent monster, 5 out of 5

---

Winter Pine

Freshly cut fir tree needles mixed with white cedar along with hints of musk and fresh citrus

This is a nice smoky spruce scent with maybe a hint of eucalyptus and possibly a smidgeon of orange. It has a real Christmas tree smell rather than a fake pine scented air freshener. Looking at the scent notes, I think it's the citrus that makes this smell so fantastic (the combination of pine/spruce and orange is amazing), and there's just a smidgeon of sweetness which is the musk.

Comparing this scent to Very Snowy Spruce above, Very Snowy Spruce has a saltiness that makes it really rich, while Winter Pine has the citrus note with a hint of sweetness. <

Throw: Good, around a 3 out of 5

---

Lush Gardenia

Gardenia blooms, and a subtle hint of deep tuberose.

Super sweet gardenia perfume scent, and very strong on cold sniff. I really like this one! Looking at the scent notes, I think it's the tuberose that I really like in this scent, as it gives it a richer floral note.

Throw: Scent monster, 5 out of 5

---

Frosted Ginger Cookie

A blend of brown sugar cookie batter, warm ginger spice, rich molasses, a touch of cinnamon, and pure, sweet vanilla frosting.

I definitely smell the ginger in this one, and there's a sweet bakery note in the background. It's more gingery than a ginger snap though. Nice and strong!

Throw: This one is a scent monster, 5 out of 5

---

Mochadoodle

A deep, dark brew of exotic roasted coffee beans is blended with pure cocoa. Heaps of sugar and heavy cream are added. Finally, drizzles of decadent caramel and dark chocolate syrup.

This smells like a vanilla cookie with mocha (chocolate and coffee) swirls and a rich milky creaminess. It's a yummy scent, but very similar to a lot of mocha scented wax.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5

---

Perk Me Up

The full-bodied aroma of exotic, Guatemalan coffee beans is made luxuriously rich by indulgent hazelnut.

This smells like a real cup of coffee with a lot of cream, or even half-n-half. There's only a smidgeon of sweetness, but it's not a bitter coffee scent. Looking at the scent notes, I don't think I smell hazelnut.

Throw: Not Good, around a 2, maybe a 2.5, out of 5

---

Everything Nice

Get your fill of delicious butter caramel, savory roasted pumpkin and crunchy sugared and toasted pecans.

This smells like rich buttery vanilla mixed with maybe brown sugar and a hint of baking spices like cinnamon, and perhaps a smidgeon of coconut. It's a yummy rich scent that's typical of many fall bakery scents. Looking at the scent notes, they're spot on, although I don't really smell pecans but I think they're way in the background.

Throw: Fair, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5

---

Heartbreaker

A sensual base of deep, blended woods is made daring by an element of organic tobacco leaf. The top note of green juniper gives the scent an extra dash of excitement.

Very nice rich, slightly smoky men's cologne with a smidgeon of spruce I think. This is definitely a cologne scent and not a body wash scent, and there's no soapy note. Looking at the scent notes, juniper is the note that gives this a very slight spruce scent. I can smell the hint of tobacco too. I really like this scent. But when melted, it's just another men's cologne scent, and I don't smell the background notes of juniper and tobacco.

Throw: Fair, around a 2.5 or maybe 3 out of 5

---

Sno-leil

A festive punch of citrus fruits, nashi pear and icy sparkling water, topped off with a rich and creamy dollop of marshmallow mousse.

This smells like lemon verbena but there's something pungent and a little sour in the background, like satsuma, which I love, but there's other notes in this that I don't care for. It's not very strong on cold sniff. Looking at the scent notes, I think I smell the citrus, but no pear or marshmallow; in fact, it's not sweet at all. Melted, it definitely has a sour slightly chemical note that I don't like.

Throw: Very Good, around a 3.5 out of 5

---

Dulce de Leche

You'll enjoy the ravishing aroma of rich cream and sugar as it simmers on the stovetop, slowly turning into a thick and creamy custard of caramelized goodness.

Super sweet rich milky creamy brown sugar caramel butterscotch scent. You'll need a visit to the dentist after melting this one!

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Mellow Moment

Its tranquil aroma is made up of notes of herbal chamomile tea, softly floral orange blossom, and a burst of energizing apple.

This is a floral with a very slight soapy note, but I can't figure out the notes. It's a "happy" scent, like maybe sunflower with just a hint of lemon, but there's also a slightly green or herbal note. Looking at the scent notes, the herbal note is the chamomile tea, orange blossom is the floral (although it doesn't smell like a true orange blossom/neroli scent), and the apple might be the slightly lemony fruity note. I think I smell the chamomile note first, then the floral.

Throw: Excellent, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

---

Simply Patchouli

Indulge in the rich, spicy aroma of exotic patchouli flower.

Warm sweet rich woodsy earthiness of true patchouli. I love this scent!

Throw: Fair, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5

---

Serene Green

Verdant notes of lime leaf, lemony verbena flower, and crisp, lively citrus fruits

I smell lime and perhaps a slight floral or laundry note, but it's weak on cold sniff so it's hard to tell.

Throw: Poor, 1 out of 5, if that

A.C. Moore Nicole's Home Accents Scented Wax Melts Review

A.C. Moore Nicole's Home Accents Scented Wax Melts Review

Click on photo to view larger image

Nicole's Home Accents is A.C. Moore's store brand. The wax melts are available only on the east coast states, from Maine to Florida I believe. These melts have been fantastic for the past few years in terms of scent quality and throw. They used to cost $2.99 each, and I found out that they were actually manufactured by Rimports, the company that makes ScentSationals, Better Homes & Gardens (for Walmart) and AmbiEscents (for Bed Bath & Beyond). Which explains the fantastic quality.

However, a few months ago, A.C. Moore started putting some of their wax melts on clearance, and then they disappeared from many of the stores. Last week I found all new wax melts at A.C. Moore, but now they're $1.99 and they are now being made by Crossroads Candles, which I haven't had luck with as far as throw (http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2015/09/crossroads-candles-scented-wax-melts.html). Many of the scents are the same as Crossroads scents rather than the old Nicole's Home Accents scents. And some of the scents with the same name don't smell the same, such as Vanilla Hazelnut Macchiato (which smells completely different).

Original, older, better version on left, and new version on the right

Unfortunately, these are all losers. I don't know of any other store-bought wax melt brands that have been this consistently bad in terms of throw. Most of these had either no throw at all, or barely detectable throw. What a disappointment. I would gladly pay $2.99 instead of the new cheaper price of $1.99 to get the older wax melts back that were manufactured by Rimports.

---

Sandalwood and Amber
This smells fantastic on cold sniff. It's a sweet perfumey sandalwood with what might be a hint of nag champa (to give it a bit of a hippie vibe). Unfortunately, throw was very weak, but might work in a very small room like a bathroom.
Throw: Not good, around a 1.5 or 2 out of 5.

Weekend Retreat
This is floral that smells like lilac and maybe jasmine, but it's not overly sweet because of a fresh air note. It's a nice scent, although a bit generic, and would be great for a bedroom or bathroom. However, I couldn't smell anything when melted.
Throw: Poor, maybe a 1 out of 5, if that.

Lavender Silk
This smells like lavender scented soap. It's a nice clean, relaxing scent, perfect for a bedroom or bathroom.
Throw: Not good, maybe a 2 out of 5.

Fresh Rain
A pleasant, generic "rain" scented laundry type scent. It's more of a fabric softener scent, not a harsh laundry detergent scent. But it also has a fresh, slightly floral note. Another nice bathroom or bedroom scent. Unfortunately the scent dissipated in under 2 hours.
Throw: Very Good, around a 3 or 3.5 out of 5

Berries and Cream
Fake berry scent, maybe raspberry, with a vinyl chemical note and maybe a smidgeon of wood. Often those chemical notes disappear when melted, so fingers crossed. And that's exactly what happened. It ended up being a nice berry scent, different and unique. But like Fresh Rain, the scent dissipated in 1.5 to 2 hours.
Throw: Good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5

Sweet Pear Crisp
This really smells like pears, with a slight cinnamon note.
Throw: Zero throw, even from close up

Lemon Cookie
This is a typical sweet lemon scent with both a slight bakery and a slight kitchen lemon note. It's nice, but really, you can't do much to ruin a lemon scent. Throw was almost non-existent, which is unusual, as lemon scents usually throw quite well no matter what the brand.
Throw: Almost zero throw, maybe a 1 out of 5, if that

Spruce and Cedar
Very nice nutty spruce scent. I really like this scent.
Throw: Poor, maybe a 1.5 out of 5, if that.

Vanilla Hazelnut Macchiato
This is a nice nutty scent with creamy vanilla and just a touch of coffee.
Throw: Poor, maybe a 1.5 out of 5

Sage and Citrus
I have this scent in the regular Crossroads melts ("Sage & Citrus") and the throw is very good for that one. This combination has been done by other manufacturers, and they all smell pretty much the same. It's a hard scent to describe, kind of a spa scent or maybe some kind of cleaner. It's sweet and a little bit herbal, with maybe just a hint of lemongrass. Again, very hard to describe, but it's a great scent.
Throw: Almost zero throw, maybe a 1 out of 5, if that

Peanut Butter Cookie
This smells fantastic, like a real peanut butter cookie! Rich, sweet, peanutty and buttery! The only other retail scent I've tried lately with a peanut butter note is Goose Creek Peanut Butter Sugar. These two scents don't smell very similar. The Goose Creek scent is sweeter and I can smell a vanilla crepe kind of scent. It has much less of a nutty note. The Nicole's scent is definitely more nutty, and if you're looking for a peanut scent, this is the one!
Throw: Finally, one with decent throw! Throw is good, around a 2.5 or 3 out of 5. But the scent started dissipating within 2 hours.

Roasted Espresso
I saved this one for last because it's super strong on cold sniff, so I'm assuming (and hoping) the throw will be really good. It's a strong black coffee scent with a little bit of sweetness, and it smells fantastic. Melted, however, it turned into a bitter burned coffee scent that's not good at all.
Throw: Fair, around a 2.5 out of 5

---

Want discuss this review and other scented wax melts? Please join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.