Scented Wax Melt Reviews

Monday, November 12, 2018

Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart) Winter/Holiday 2018 Wax Melts Reviews

Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart) Winter/Holiday 2018 Wax Melts Reviews

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ScentSationals does not come out with a holiday collection at Walmart, which is why they include some winter type scents with the fall melts, like Iridescent and Mistletoe Kisses. Only Better Homes & Gardens and Mainstays come out with holiday/winter scents at Walmart.

Cookies for Santa

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Cookies-For-Santa-Scented-Wax-Melts/342900077

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Cookies-for-Santa-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/175017987

Notes: A classic gingerbread cookie, with its blend of ground cinnamon, warm nutmeg, sparkling ginger and sweet clove bud. It's precisely baked and rolled into festive cookies and dusted with powdered sugar. Decorated with vanilla icing and gum.

A fantastic rich sweet buttery vanilla cookie with ginger, like a gingerbread cookie. I'm pretty sure there's also chocolate in this one. Looking at the notes, no chocolate, which is surprising. I don't smell cinnamon or clove, and I'm not sure what the "gum" note is supposed to smell like. I'm normally not a fan of these bakery type scents, but this smells very yummy, and the ginger is not overly strong. The label on the Walmart page has different artwork than the label on the actual wax melt.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Creamy Marshmallow Cocoa

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Creamy-Marshmallow-Cocoa-Scented-Wax-Melts/863713338

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Creamy-Marshmallow-Cocoa-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/643988142

Notes: The delectable allure of warm cocoa and creamy milk chocolate swirled with rich touches of frothy vanilla, whipped cream and pure marshmallow sweetness

A fantastic super rich sweet milk chocolate scent with marshmallow. It really does smell like the scent name. The chocolate is rich and cocoa-ey, but doesn't have the burnt or bitter note that a lot of chocolate scents tend to have.

When I first smelled this scent I thought it was the same as an old discontinued ScentSationals scent called Chocolate Chip Cookie. But although it's similar, it's not the same. With that scent, the chocolate was a dark chocolate and I could smell the cookie dough and brown sugar. This scent is a lighter milkier chocolate with marshmallow and no bakery notes.

I think this scent is going to be everyone's favorite!

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Crisp Frosted Fir

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Crisp-Frosted-Fir-Scented-Wax-Melts/229034708

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Crisp-Frosted-Fir-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/842186992

Notes: A blend of bright and twinkling citrus, spun with fir balsam and cool mint, a white cashmere accord of woods and musk, crisp aldehydes and shimmering herbal greens

I smell a slightly smoky blue spruce, an aldehydic note ("blue" spruce scents have this, a kind of a bright fatty shimmering lemony note), balsam (a slightly sweet & soapy pine note, although this is not a sweet scent), and maybe a hint of eucalyptus (although no sinus clearing effects), with a hint of bergamot (cologney note) and maybe a smidgen of lemon. I love this scent! It smells a little bit like Better Homes & Gardens Forest Woodland Walk, but with the slightly cologne & citrusy notes.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Lavender & Freesia

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Lavender-and-Freesia-Scented-Wax-Melts/566523255

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Lavender-and-Freesia-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/872131123

Notes: Blends of freshly harvested lavender and green fir balsam, with crisp accords of zesty bergamot and refreshing eucalyptus, amber and musk

This smells like a combination of rich, slightly smoky blue spruce, balsam (a slightly sweet & soapy pine note, although this is not a sweet scent), and lavender. It also has a little bit of bergamot that gives it a cologney note. It's similar to Crisp Frosted Fir but richer, more cologney (although it's not really a cologne scent), with lavender and without the lemon. When melted, I do get a tiny bit of the nasal clearing effect from the eucalyptus. Looking at the scent notes, they're right on point. Fantastic scent! The label on the Walmart page has different artwork than the label on the actual wax melt (I like the label on the Walmart site better).

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Maple and Rum

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Maple-and-Rum-Scented-Wax-Melts/916245851

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Maple-and-Rum-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/812096268

Notes: Creamy butterscotch and rich maple joined with sweet vanilla bean and toffee wrapped with hints of smooth caramel, Himalayan sea salt and sweet brown sugar

This smells like sweet butterscotch candies with a little bit of a rum note. I think I smell a hint of maple. It's yummy! It's a little bit similar to Better Homes & Gardens Butterscotch Maple Cream, but it's not the same scent; that scent has an artificial note and is lacking the buttery richness and rum notes of the Maple and Rum scent. It's also similar to the new ScentSationals Vanilla Bean Butterscotch, but again, richer and more buttery, and with the rum and maple notes. It's also slightly similar to Better Homes & Gardens Jamaican Rum Gelato because of the rum note (but that scent had a much stronger rum note and no buttery notes). The label on the Walmart page has different artwork than the label on the actual wax melt, and on the Walmart site the scent is called "Buttered Maple Rum".

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Red Currant Poinsettia

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Red-Currant-Poinsettia-Scented-Wax-Melts/246687669

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Red-Currant-Poinsettia-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/661557141

Notes: A juicy blend of red currant paired with sweet pomegranate and white poinsettia. Crimson cranberry, zesty mandarin and white rose becomes enriched by a soothing base of Tonka bean, musk and amber.

This smells like red currant (a berry with a soapy note and not a very fruity note; it's one of my favorite scents) combined with rose. The rose has a bitter note, as a lot of rose scented wax melts tend to have. There may also be a smidgen of a perfumey note in the background. I thought I would really like this based on cold sniff, but it's just "okay" to me because of the bitterness. Looking at the scent notes, I don't actually smell pomegranate because it's not really a fruity scent. I also don't smell mandarin or Tonka (vanilla). The scent started dissipating within 2 hours, which is not typical of this brand.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Warm Fireside Flurries

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Warm-Fireside-Flurries-Scented-Wax-Melts/850287632

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Fireside-Flurries-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/337436390

Notes: Golden embers, sandalwood, and vanilla create a warm and snuggly atmosphere while nuances of sparkling lemon and frosted air evoke the feeling of a peaceful winter snowfall

This is a campfire marshmallow type scent. Several people have said it's the same scent as Marshmallow Fireside from Bath & Body Works. It's marshmallow with a little bit of a smoky note, and a hint of a warm perfumey note like amber. Looking at the scent notes, no marshmallow. I don't smell lemon at all, and I assume frosted air would have some type of mint or eucalyptus, neither of which I detect, although I'm detecting a tiny bit of what might be pine way in the background. When melted, it just smells like campfire marshmallow with none of the other notes (amber or pine). I'm sure I've smelled this scent before, so it may be a dupe of any older marshmallowy scent. The label on the Walmart page has different artwork than the label on the actual wax melt.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Warm Velvet Pomegranate

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Warm-Velvet-Pomegranate-Scented-Wax-Melts/142253831

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Warm-Velvet-Pomegranate-Scented-Wax-Melts-4-Pack/960776465

Notes: Jeweled blackberries, juicy pomegranate and tart currant. Topped off with sparkling notes of sweet mandarin and a hint of warm spices. Enchanted by notes of cedar and sweet balsam.

This is a very warm, rich scent with amber, bergamot (cologney note), a little bit of balsam (slightly sweet, soapy pine note), and just a hint of berries. It also has a little bit of a yummy quality so maybe a smidgen of caramel? Melted, it also has a smoky note, which I don't detect on cold sniff. As the day went on, the smoky note got stronger (in a good way). Fantastic scent! Looking at the scent notes, I don't detect mandarin (orange), although maybe a tiny bit of the cedar. The scent lasted 10 hours and probably would have gone for longer if I hadn't removed it from the warmer. The label on the Walmart page has different artwork than the label on the actual wax melt.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Woodland Forest Floor duo - Fallen Leaves & Green Moss

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-2-5-oz-Woodland-Forest-Floor-Duo-Scented-Wax-Melts/876500613

Notes: One side features Fallen Leaves and is a blend of orchard leaves wrapped around a blend of McIntosh apple, fresh rosemary, lavender, oakmoss and smoked vetiver, with creamy amber and autumn woods for comfort. The other side features Green Moss and is a blend of oakmoss, amber and patchouli, infused with a mix of ivy, bergamot, pine, geranium, jasmine and birch to round out the refreshing fragrance.

Green Moss: I have no idea what I'm smelling. It's slightly sweet with maybe a patchouli note and a hint of cologne, but there may be a smidgen of herbs in the background. It has a little bit of a mildewy or moldy note. Kind of boring, not really a fan. And the throw is very mild, around a 2 out of 5.

Fallen Leaves: This smells a lot like Better Homes & Gardens Pumpkin Apple Muffins (a super rich buttery salty caramel corn scent), but it's not the same. This scent is not quite as salty and has an apple note as well as a smidgen of a woodsy note. It smells a lot more like Pumpkin Apple Muffins when melted than it does on cold sniff. I really like it. Looking at the scent notes, I don't smell most of those notes, really just the apple and woods, and maybe a little of the creamy amber. After 2 hours though, the scent started morphing into something kind of bland and waxy. Throw is strong, 4 out of 5.

These scents have returned from previous years:

A Wonderful Winter (from 2015)
My review: http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2015/11/better-homes-gardens-christmas-scented-wax-melts.html

Festive Twinkling Lights (from 2015)
My review: http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2015/11/better-homes-gardens-christmas-scented-wax-melts.html

Frosty Winter Nights (from 2015)
My review: http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2015/11/better-homes-gardens-christmas-scented-wax-melts.html

Iced Winter Cranberry (from 2015)
My review: http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2015/11/better-homes-gardens-christmas-scented-wax-melts.html

Marshmallow Candy Cane (from 2017)
My review: https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2017/10/better-homes-and-gardens-holiday-edition-winter-2017-scented-wax-melts-reviews.html

Season of Joy (from 2016)
My review: http://www.scentedwaxreviews.com/2016/11/walmart-scented-wax-melts-winter-holiday-christmas-2016-mainstays-better-homes-gardens.html

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Thursday, November 8, 2018

Ador Wax Melts Reviews (Target)

Ador Wax Melts Reviews (Target)

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Video

Guess who makes the Ador melts from Target? ScentSationals! They're $2.99 at Target, but on sale for $2.24 when I bought them. They only have maybe 6 scents but I only found 3. It's the same hard paraffin wax with a strong scent on cold sniff as ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens wax melts.

Since the ScentSationals version of these scents are available at Walmart as of October 2018, at $2.00 each for 2.5 oz., it doesn't make sense to buy these at Target at $2.99 each for 2 oz. (even if they're still on sale for $2.24), unless you have a really good coupon.

Cinnamon & Apples

https://www.target.com/p/2oz-scented-wax-melts-cinnamon-and-apples-ador/-/A-53499146

This is the same scent as ScentSationals Cinnamon Apples that came out at Walmart in August 2016. On cold sniff, I thought this was a typical generic cinnamon apple scent, but I was wrong! 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. 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. A winner!

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Fantasy

https://www.target.com/p/2oz-scented-wax-melts-fantasy-ador/-/A-53499150

This is the same scent as ScentSationals Illusion, a fresh men's cologne scent.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Pumpkin Apple Streudel

https://www.target.com/p/2oz-scented-wax-melts-pumpkin-apple-strudel-ador/-/A-53499153

Notes: Freshly baked, brown sugar muffins full with ripe golden apple, spiced pumpkin, fresh ground cinnamon and sweet hints of pure vanilla

This is the same scent as ScentSationals Pumpkin Apple Muffins (which is very similar to, but not the same as, the Spiced Caramel Corn side of Better Homes & Gardens "At the Fair" duo). It's a fantastic super rich salty pretzel or caramel corn scent with possibly a smidgen of apple.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

True Spruce

https://www.target.com/p/2oz-scented-wax-melts-true-spruce-ador/-/A-53499148

This is the same scent as one of the ScentSationals or Better Homes & Gardens pine scents, not sure which one (I don't think it's Perfectly Pine). It's a strong pine scent with just a hint of sweetness, and a little bit of a "biting" note. Very nice!

Throw: Bold, 4.5 or 5 out of 5

Volcanic Burst

https://www.target.com/p/2oz-scented-wax-melts-volcanic-burst-ador/-/A-53499151

Notes: Sunny clementine, sweet orange, and sugared zest (another source shows the notes as "citrus and red orange")

This is the same scent as ScentSationals Molten Orange, a fantastic intense orange scent with a rich, sweet, slightly salty note. Interestingly, the description on the Molten Orange label is, "An eruption of happiness".

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

AmbiEscents Wax Melts Reviews (Bed Bath & Beyond) - Holiday 2018

AmbiEscents Wax Melts Reviews (Bed Bath & Beyond) - Holiday 2018

AmbiEscents Wax Melts (Bed Bath & Beyond) - Holiday 2018

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Video

Candy Cane Crush

A perfect candy cane scent, strong nasal clearing peppermint with a sweet slightly creamy vanilla note. This is/was also available in the Oak & Rye brand for Kroger stores.

Throw: Mild, 2.5 out of 5

Cran Apple Cider

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/cran-apple-cider-fragrance-wax-cubes/1044748401

Notes: Fresh apples and ripe cranberries

This scent has been around for years, and it might be my #1 favorite scent ever. I have about a dozen clamshells of this scent. It's the same scent as the discontinued ScentSationals Apple Berry Crumble from 2015-2016. It's a super sweet rich apple with a berry note (strawberry rhubarb perhaps) and a smidgen of tangy cranberry, and possibly a hint of molasses and even a barely detectable smidgen of cloves. Fantastic rich, sweet, succulent scent! This is not a fall apple scent; it's too sweet, rich and warm. I also reviewed this scent in October 2015 at https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2015/10/ambiescents-winter-holiday-christmas-scents.html.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Pine Wreath

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/pine-wreath-seasonal-wax-fragrance-cubes/1042930730

This scent came out in October 2015 and has come back every year. It's pine with eucalyptus and maybe something a tiny bit savory like rosemary. But it also has a little bit of sweetness that I think is vanilla. I also reviewed this scent in October 2015 at https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2015/10/ambiescents-winter-holiday-christmas-scents.html.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Rustic Woodland

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/ambiescents-rustic-woodland-scented-wax-cubes-pack-of-6/1062207249

Notes: A winter blend of aromatic wild green bay leaf, spicy cinnamon and clove over a tobacco leaf and ebony wood undertone

This is the only brand new scent. On cold sniff this smells like Ginger Ale! It's a soft powdery cinnamon with a hint of what seems to be sweet lime. There might be a smidgen of tobacco in the background. But when melted, that lime note disappears and it smells like cinnamon with a tobacco and woodsy note, although I still detect a smidgen of that Ginger Ale note. It's nice and different.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 or 4 out of 5

Santa's Sugar Cookies

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/santa-39-s-sugar-cookies-fragrance-wax-cubes/1042076629

A rich, warm, sweet vanilla that smells like buttercream rather than cookies. It's not an authentic scent, but that's okay because it smells great. This scent has been around for years. In the past, it had a strong throw, but this one was only medium.

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

Snowball Donut Holes

This scent came out in October 2016 and again in October 2017. It smells just like a donut! It's got that sweet doughy scent with a cinnamon note. It's not the same scent as ScentSationals Cider House Donuts though, since I don't smell any apple in this one. This was on sale for $.89, so I suspect it's from last year's inventory.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Sugar Pine

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/sugar-pine-fragrance-wax-cubes/1040707204

A strong biting pine scent that might have a smidgen of citrus in the background that gives it a tiny bit of a Pine Sol note. This one has been around for many years, at least since 2013 or 2014, and is sometimes also available in the ScentSationals brand at other stores.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Pier 1 Wax Melts Reviews

Pier 1 Wax Melts Reviews

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Video

Pier 1 has wax melts! These are brand new as of October 2018. Pier 1 used to have wax melts about 4 or 5 years ago, but they were discontinued. These new wax melts are fantastic. All are very strong on cold sniff, they smell great, and they throw very well. I don't know what wax melt company actually manufactures these (they are not made by Rimports/ScentSationals, Hanna's Candle, MVP Group Intl., or Empire Brands).

The only negative I can find with the Pier 1 wax melts is that they cost $3.99, twice the price of $2 Walmart wax melts. Keep looking for sales!

The Pier 1 wax melts are available in their stores, as well as online to ship to your home (free shipping on orders over $49), or you can order them online to ship to your local store for free.

https://www.pier1.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-pier1_us-Site/default/Search-Show?q=wax%20melts

Apple Crisp

https://www.pier1.com/apple-crisp-wax-melts/3823428.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: Savory spiced apples, sugared cinnamon and a touch of lemon zest to evoke the flavor of a delicious apple crisp

There are a lot of apple and clove type scents out there at this time of year. But this one is spectacular. It's a deep rich clove scent that might have a hint of tobacco or patchouli in it, and a strong sweet apple with possibly a smidgen of cinnamon. Looking at the notes, I'm surprised I don't see clove. I don't detect lemon at all. It lasted 12 hours and might have lasted longer if I hadn't turned off my warmer.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Gingerbread

https://www.pier1.com/freshly-baked-gingerbread-wax-melts/3823471.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes:
Top notes: Citrus, fruit
Middle notes: Ginger, cinnamon cookies
Base notes: Gingerbread, vanilla, buttercream

A sweet warm gingerbread cookie scent. It smells better than some other gingerbread scents I've smelled, sweeter and not as intense with the ginger. Looking at the notes, there may be a hint of cinnamon, but absolutely no citrus or fruit.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Holiday Forest

https://www.pier1.com/holiday-forest-wax-melts/3823484.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: A snow-tipped holiday fragrance of evergreen, balsam and pine, warmed with Texas cedar and Spanish moss

I only found this one after I'd already reviewed the other scents. It's a nice high quality pine scent with a hint of smokiness. Comparing it to ScentSationals Perfectly Pine (I scent I love), this scent smells richer and more authentic. But I'm not sure it's worth paying double the price!

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Patchouli

https://www.pier1.com/patchouli-wax-melts-/3823290.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: Earthy patchouli leaves and French vanilla, balanced by almond-like tonka and just a hint of musk

This is a perfumey patchouli soap scent with a hint of oriental spices and a smidgen of baby powder. I smell the woodsiness of the patchouli behind sweet musky perfume, with a subtle base of a bland Ivory soap type note. It's a fantastic scent! Looking at the notes, I don't smell vanilla or almond at all. It lasted 12 hours and might have lasted longer if I hadn't turned off my warmer.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Peppermint Stick

https://www.pier1.com/peppermint-stick-wax-melts/3823443.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes:
Top note: Cool mint
Middle note: Peppermint
Base notes: Peppermint, vanilla

A perfect peppermint hard candy or candy cane scent. It's a very strong peppermint (not spearmint or herbal mint), with a sweet slightly rich vanilla note. Fantastic!

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Perfect Lemon

https://www.pier1.com/perfect-lemon-wax-melts/3823337.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes:
Top notes: Citrus, green
Middle notes: Lemon, lime, bergamot
Base notes: Wood, floral, musk

This is the same scent as Better Homes & Gardens Meyer Lemon Basil, a salty savory herbal lemon scent. It's very nice, although some people have said that Meyer Lemon Basil smells like celery (I don't detect that). It lasted for 8 hours but probably would have gone longer if I hadn't turned my warmer off at night.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Rosemary & Mint

https://www.pier1.com/rosemary-%26-mint-wax-melts/3823311.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: Unwind and recharge when you breathe in this savory blend of aromatic eucalyptus, crisp mint and distinctive rosemary resting on a bed of woodsy moss and musk

This smells like fresh garden mint with another note that I can never figure out in these types of scents. It's a savory herbal note, but it's very subtle, definitely not as strong and savory as actual rosemary. It also has a tiny bit of a soapy note, like a cleaner, but not in a bad way. It smells a lot like ScentSationals Zen, but it's not the same scent. It's not as sweet as Zen (actually not a very sweet scent at all), and the mint is more pronounced. The mint is a fresh herbal garden mint, not spearmint ("toothpaste") or peppermint. But it's a subtle mint. It's more of an herbal, slightly spa type scent. Looking at the notes, I suppose there could be a smidgen of eucalyptus, although that has a pine type note which I don't detect in this scent.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Sea Air

https://www.pier1.com/sea-air-wax-melts-/3823287.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: A breezy blend of tropical jasmine, white lilac and gardenia, with just a splash of peach

This smells a lot like Better Homes & Gardens Caribbean Sea Breeze, but it's not exactly the same. The coconut is a bit more subtle, and I also smell a hint of a perfumey floral that I think is lilac (which is not in the BHG scent). It also smells a little like ScentSationals Fresh Air (a sweet, fresh, clean scent that might also have barely detectable smidgens of vanilla, apple, coconut, and maybe even mint), but with coconut. So it's like Caribbean Sea Breeze mixed with lilac mixed with a hint of ScentSationals Fresh Air. Looking at the notes, I'm surprised I don't see coconut, as that seems to be the main note. I love this scent.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Sugared Cinnamon

https://www.pier1.com/sugared-cinnamon-wax-melts/3823309.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: Cinnamon and nutmeg, sweetened by crystallized sugar and blended with a dash of vanilla and caramel

On cold sniff this smells like a cinnamon roll. It's a strong cinnamon scent with a little bit of vanilla buttercream note. It's very authentic, much more so than other similar scents I've smelled

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Sunset Citrus

https://www.pier1.com/sunset-citrus-wax-melts/3823324.html#q=wax%2520melts&origin=gridswatch

Notes: A bright, fruit-filled scent that blends grapefruit, tangerine and black currant with raspberry, vanilla and soft sandalwood

A fantastic orange scent with a hint of grapefruit. It's more of an orange candy scent than an authentic orange, but in a good way. This smells a lot like a ScentSationals brand orange that I've smelled before, but I'm not sure which one. It's not like their Molten Orange scent, which is stronger, richer, slightly less citrusy, and more intense.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

DD Wax Melts Reviews from Hobby Lobby - October 2018

DD Wax Melts Reviews from Hobby Lobby - October 2018

DD Wax Melts from Hobby Lobby - October 2018

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Video

Hobby Lobby's DD wax melts are getting very creative with their blends! They're fantastic scents and in general they throw quite well. With Walmart wax (ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens) being so popular, don't overlook DD wax melts at Hobby Lobby!

Elegant Pearl

Notes: Opulent florals & spice

This smells like mulled apple cider with a hint of a sour "brown leaves" note, and perhaps even a smidgen of pine. But there's also a hint of a sweet perfumey note in the background that tempers some of the sourness, although this is not a very sweet scent. It's an odd combination but I kind of like it.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Firewood & Saffron

Notes: Sweet florals & leather

This smells like raw wood, oud (a dark resinous tree sappy woodsy scent), and bergamot (which gives it a little bit of a cologney note, although it's not actually a cologne scent). I think there's also patchouli in this one, and possibly a smidgen of leather. And it's slightly sweeter than these types of woodsy patchouli scents, so maybe also a floral way in the background. Looking at the notes, I'm surprised I don't see patchouli. I love this scent! When melted, there's an odd note in there that makes it smell a little like old perfume, but not enough to be a deal breaker.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Floral Blossoms

Notes: Grapefruit, orange flower & musk

A beautiful scent that smells like orange blossom/neroli (one of my favorite scents), jasmine, and a little bit of musk that gives it a perfumey note. Looking at the notes, I don't smell grapefruit at all, although there is a hint of another note that I can't put my finger on that tempers the sweetness of the floral a tiny bit.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Italian Bergamot & Cashmere

Notes: Sweet citrus & Earl Grey tea

Because of the bergamot I expected this to just be a cologne scent, and it is, but there's also a strong patchouli note. I also smell rich amber, a hint of vanilla, and possibly a smidgen of tobacco. Fantastic scent! Looking at the notes, I don't smell citrus or tea at all.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Oud & Amber

Notes: Vanilla bean & cedar

If the scent name is Oud & Amber, why are the notes vanilla bean and cedar?? This smells like a richer, more full-bodied, intense, slightly smoky and cologney ScentSationals Vanilla Woods. The woodsy note is definitely oud (a deep resinous tree sappy raw wood scent which sounds awful, but it smells great, especially mixed with other notes). I also smell a bit of patchouli, bergamot which gives this a cologne note, and possibly amber which gives it a rich warmth. I don't smell vanilla, but I do detect a bit of cedar. Fantastic scent!

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

Peony & Yuzu

Notes: Fresh blooms & tangerine

On cold sniff this smells like grapefruit, a bit of tropical fruit, and maybe a hint of sweet floral. There may also be a smidgen of lemon and light wood way in the background, and possibly a barely detectable hint of bergamot that gives this an ever so slight cologney note. But melted, it just smells like grapefruit and a light wood note, and no floral notes really; actually it's kind of bitter, not really sweet. It smells a little bit like Victoria's Secret Love Spell dupes to me (ScentSationals Magic Spell, Scentsy Lucky in Love, Tuscany Stressless), but with slightly different notes. Looking at the scent notes, if the scent name is Peony & Yuzu, why are the notes different from the scent? I don't smell tangerine or orange, but yuzu is a citrus scent that smells like a mix of bergamot, kumquat, bitter grapefruit, and lime. So there are the bergamot, grapefruit and lemon notes I detect on cold sniff. This scent is just "okay" to me, but not my favorite. But since it's similar to Love Spell dupes, I think most people will like it.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Rosewood Blooms

Notes: Rose petals, fig & vanilla

I love this scent! It smells like sweet old-fashioned rose scented soap mixed with red currant (a very slightly tart, fig-like soapy scent with a very slight berry note, although there is no berry note in this scent). Looking at the notes, I don't smell vanilla at all. Melted, it's a beautiful rose scent with a slight soapy note and a smidgen of a rich warm ambery note. It's not a perfumey rose, and it's not even overly sweet. This may be my favorite scent in this collection.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Sea Salt & Lotus

Notes: Ocean mist & exotic florals

This smells like orange blossom/neroli and cucumber. It's fresh and... odd, like the notes don't belong together. When melted, it's a beachy scent. The orange blossom gives it a Coppertone suntan oil note, but there's something a little bitter, metallic and chemical-like in the background that I don't care for. It's not enough to ruin the scent for me, but I think it would smell better without it. It's still a very nice scent.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Splash

Notes: Ocean breeze, lavender & amber

A pleasant fresh watery ocean type scent that smells a little bit like shower gel. I do detect a bit of the lavender, but it's subtle. It's a nice scent, but a bit bland.

Throw: Mild, 2.5 out of 5

Sweet Essence

Notes: Cotton candy, melon & musk

This smells like sweet cantaloupe, with maybe a hint of grapefruit and possibly a smidgen of a cotton candy note. It's not a pink sugar scent at all. Looking at the notes, I don't smell musk at all, as it's not a perfumey scent. Melted, it smells like sweet cantaloupe nectar, if there were such a thing. It's very sweet, but with a little sourness of the cantaloupe (but it's not watermelon). I don't hate it, but it's not one of my favorites.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Unicorn Dreams

Notes: Plum blossom & magnolia

A lovely jasmine type scent with a tiny bit of a soapy note and a hint of something else I can't put my finger on, apple I think. I don't smell plum, or really any fruit notes, but I think a smidgen of apple may be way in the background.

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

Aromatherapy Collection

I'm not sure why this is called the aromatherapy collection. I don't believe these are made with essential oils, but it's okay because, like most of their scents, they smell great.

Calm (No. 06)

Description: Calm your soul with this soothing blend of sandalwood & smoky vanilla with hints of earthy amber & patchouli mist

Notes: Sandalwood & Incense

This is a strong men's cologne scent but there's also a harshness in the background that smells a little like rubbing alcohol and something else I can't figure out, like a weird chemical note. Looking at the notes, I guess I do detect a hint of wood, but "incense" doesn't tell me much. The candle has a more detailed description which the wax melt does not, and the additional notes are vanilla, amber and patchouli. When melted, that harshness is still there and makes it smell like really old perfume. It's a bit headache inducing (the opposite of a scent called "Calm"!)

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Cleanse (No. 3)

Description: Cleanse your spirits with this invigorating blend of eucalyptus and lemongrass, complemented with orange zest and a hint of lavender & vanilla.

Notes: Lemongrass & Tangelo

A great, energizing lemongrass scent. It doesn't have that soapy note that plain lemongrass tends to have. Tangelo is a cross between a grapefruit and tangerine and supposedly has a light floral note; I think I do detect a smidgen of grapefruit, but no floral although it's a little sweeter than plain lemongrass. Very nice! After about 3 hours, it started to lost the sweetness and took on a slightly salty, burnt note; still nice, but smelled better earlier on.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Fresh (No. 05)

Description: Refresh your senses with this invigorating blend of zesty grapefruit and juicy guava contrasted with sweet blooming rose & peony.

Notes: Rose & grapefruit

This is a red currant scent. Red currant is a very slightly tart, fig-like soapy scent with a very slight berry note and only a smidgen of sweetness. It's a very sophisticated note that, when mixed, makes other scents smell classy. I also smell the grapefruit, but I don't smell rose at all. It's quite possible the combination of rose and grapefruit is what makes it smell like red currant, so it might not be currant at all. But either way, it's a nice unusual scent. It's very similar to Goose Creek Candle's Orange Berry Slush, and also smells a bit like Better Homes & Gardens Red Wood Pomegranate from 2014.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Relax (No. 04)

Description: Relax with this calming blend of mandarin citrus and wild mint layered with subtle creamy notes of cedarwood and vanilla.

Notes: Mandarin & Mint

This smells like lemongrass, with that slightly soapy note, but it's also quite sweet (lemongrass is not sweet), and the sweetness smells a little like melon I think. But I'm also getting a nasal clearing effect so there's also mint in this one although it doesn't actually smell minty. And maybe a smidgen of orange? When melted, the lemongrass note is more subtle and it smells like sweet melon candy with a little lemon and orange, and I don't smell the mint at all. Looking at the notes, okay mandarin is orange, and I'm surprised I don't see melon or lemon. It seems like melon is a note in some of the scents in this new collection. This is a very unique scent, and I really like it!

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Uplift (No. 02)

Description: Retreat into a fresh and renewing aroma of crisp lemon and succulent bergamot followed by the scent of watery jasmine and white lily blossoms

Notes: Bergamot & Lemon Peel

I smell sweet orange blossom/neroli with a citrusy note, orange maybe. And bergamot I think, which gives it a little bit of a fresh slightly soapy cologney note, although it's not a cologne scent. Looking at the scent notes, the lemon is very subtle, smells more like a smidgen of orange to me. When melted, I just smell orange blossom with a little bit of a soapy note. It's pleasant and not overly sweet.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

I didn't find No. 01 or No. 07 in the aromatherapy melts collection. I called several Hobby Lobby stores, and as of October 2018 none of them have any products in 01, no information on it like the name of the scent, no space in their display for it, and no plans to order it. However, No. 07 (Tranquil - Ginger Root & Ylang Flower) was available in candles and air fresheners in one of the stores, but no wax melts. There is also a No. 08 - (Rejuvenate - Verbena & Eucalyptus), which I only saw in the room spray. And No. 10 (Soothe - Lavender & Oakwood); I did review the wax melt in this scent last year.

If I find any of these additional scents, I'll add them to this review.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Hanna's Candle (Candlemart) Wax Melts Reviews

Hanna's Candle (Candlemart) Wax Melts Reviews

Click to enlarge

Video

Hanna's Candle (Candlemart) hasn't come out with new scents since Winter 2017, but they've made some of their Aromabeads scents available in wax melts. Hanna's Candle's wax melts can be found on their website at https://candlemart.com/collections/candles-melts/no-wick. Great products and fantastic customer service!

Apple Melon

Notes: Cantaloupe, green apple, cucumber, muguet, freesia, and white musk

Just like the scent name, I smell melon and apple. The melon smells like cantaloupe but it might also include watermelon. No watermelon in the scent notes, but the muguet, freesia and musk make it quite sweet, like a watermelon candy. I do smell the green watery crispness of the cucumber too. And of course the apple. It's a pleasant scent.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Coral Honeysuckle

Notes: Sweet honeysuckle and a touch of lemon blends with orange blossom, yellow freesia, muguet, and gardenia; sweet musk delivers a soothing finish

A lovely sweet floral scent of honeysuckle and orange blossom/neroli (one of my favorite scents). Fantastic! Looking at the notes, I don't smell lemon at all.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Eucalyptus Mint

Notes: Eucalyptus leaves, bright magenta thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, french lavender, and wild mint

This smells a lot like ScentSationals Zen, that relaxing soapy, clean, very slightly minty scent. But like Zen, I don't smell eucalyptus, which has a strong pine note. I don't really smell the other herbs either, since this is not a savory scent. Just a bit of the mint. Oh, lavender, yes I think I do smell that. This scent is slightly sweet, so that must be from the lavender too.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Ground Spice & Cinnamon

Notes: A strong cinnamon bark blend is followed by a warm wood and sweet amber

This is a cinnamon candy scent. Looking at the notes, I don't detect wood or amber (amber would give it a warm perfumey note). It has a bit of that "red hot" candy note, but it also has a very slight powdery note which might actually be the amber.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Hazelnut Latte

Notes: Toasted coconut and warm honey fuses with hazelnut, sweet almonds and cinnamon at the heart of the scrumptious blend. Vanilla cream, brown sugar and maple entice us with their sweet and sticky tones.

A yummy sweet buttery nutty scent. I don't really smell coffee, or it may be way in the background. Looking at the notes, no coffee! I don't smell coconut, honey or cinnamon, but I do smell maple.

Throw: Medium, 3.5 out of 5

Mountain Air PureFresh Bathroom Neutralizing

Notes: A crisp fresh blend of ozone, herbs, florals and musk

On cold sniff this smells like a nice smelling bar of soap. Melted, it's definitely a laundry scent, but a nice soapy laundry scent, not a harsh detergent scent but also not a flowery fabric softener scent. It's also not overly sweet, but more soapy, with a bit of an Ivory soap note. I really like it.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Peony & Rose Bouquet

Notes: This fresh floral fragrance blends notes of pink peony, rose, orange flower and blushing hibiscus with effervescent citrus and berry nuances; warm woods and musk provide a perfect warming finish

This is the same as the South Seas scent from Aldi from January 2018 (https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2018/01/aldi-wax-melts-reviews-spring-2018.html). It smells like old soap, which sometimes smells quite good. But it's very bitter and fake and smells kind of "burnt" to me. It doesn't smell like peony or rose to me at all. However, I think I'm in the minority, since most people love this scent. Looking at the scent notes, it might be the effervescent citrus that gives it the bitter note, although I don't smell any fizziness or citrus at all.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Pumpkin Brulee

Notes: Harvest pumpkin interwoven with delectable notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and pure 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

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Sandy Beach

Notes: Gardenia, lime, ozone, fruity coconut, sweet praline, and fresh muguet

I love this scent! It smells like Coppertone Suntan oil mixed with a hint of coconut and maybe a smidgen of sweet tropical nectar. It also has a tiny bit of a yummy note, like maybe a smidgen of caramel. Looking at the notes, the yumminess is from the praline. I don't smell lime.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

South Seas

Notes: Driftwood and sea kelp, tropical fruits, and a sweet hint of caramel

I thought this was the same as the South Seas scent from Aldi from January 2018, but I don't think it is. This is a fresh watery scent with a bitter note and maybe a smidgen of a peppery note. It's more bitter than the Aldi version.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Spiced Peach

Notes: Ginger, lemon zest, fresh juicy peach, apricot marmalade, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of buttery crust

A nice milky, creamy peach. Looking at the scent notes, I don't detect ginger or spices, but there is a smidgen of a buttery bakery note. Not fake, harsh, or overly sweet. This one should be called "Peaches & Cream"!

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Tranquil Waters

Notes: A bright blue sky reflected in shimmering waters where delicate water lilies float with violet, rose and freesia blossoms before drifting into the warmth of sun-kissed driftwood, sheer musks, and white amber crystals

This is the same scent as Mainstays Peaceful Waters from Walmart, a sweet watery scent with a rich warm vanilla note that gives it a foodie note, and possibly musk as it's also a little perfumey.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Tropical Smoothie

Notes: Fruity notes of sweet mango and fresh papaya swirl with juicy accents of fuzzy peach and ripe guava infused with sweet peach blossom, apricot flower, island jasmine, and golden ylang ylang

This smells like an authentic juicy peach, with a hint of sweet guava. It's a fantastic scent, and I believe it's also the same scent as Mainstays Peach & Mango from Walmart.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Friday, October 12, 2018

Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart) Winter/Holiday 2018 Wax Melts Reviews (teaser)

Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart) Wax Melts Reviews - Winter/Holiday 2018 (teaser)

Better Homes & Gardens (Walmart) Holiday 2018 Wax Melts

Click photo to enlarge

UPDATE (November 12, 2018) - This review is now available to EVERYONE, at https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2018/11/better-homes-gardens-walmart-wax-melts-reviews-winter-holiday-2018.html.

This review of these brand new Holiday scents is only available to members of our Facebook group right now, but I will make it public in November or December after these scents start arriving into most Walmarts.

~~The review includes links to each scent and where they can be found, how you can get them, official scent notes, and my review of each scent and throw (strength).~~

~~To see this review now, join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail.~~

After you join, you'll be able to see the text and video review at this link: https://www.facebook.com/notes/scented-wax-melts-retail-store-bought/better-homes-gardens-holiday-edition-2018-wax-melts-review/1822093127908508/.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

ScentSationals Wax Melts Reviews from Walmart - Fall 2018

ScentSationals Wax Melts Reviews from Walmart - Fall 2018

ScentSationals Wax Melts from Walmart - Fall 2018

Click to enlarge

Video

This review of the ScentSationals Fall 2018 wax melts was previously only available to members of our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/scentedwaxretail, but since the new Walmart winter/holiday wax melts are starting to come out, I've made this review available to everyone.

Caramel Apple Spice
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Caramel-Apple-Spice-Scented-Wax-Melts/660442879

Notes: Notes of sweet vanilla infused caramel, swirled with juicy ripe apples, a dash of cinnamon spice and deliciously accented by sugared sprinkles

This smells like a combination of last year's Harvest Moon, which smells like a combination of apple cider, rich salted caramel, molasses and brown sugar, and Pumpkin Apple Muffins (a super rich salty and slightly sweet butter caramel corn scent). I LOVE it!! The word "spice" in the scent name is kind of a misnomer, since it's not spicy and I don't detect cinnamon.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5, took over the house

Celebration Time
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Celebration-Time-Scented-Wax-Melts/814677888

Notes: A sweet citrus blend accented by soft greens, fresh berries, ginger sparkle with hints of white jasmine, cala lily, white woods and golden amber finished with candied vanilla and toasted sugar

This is weak on cold sniff and I have no idea what I'm smelling, but when melted I really like it. I couldn't figure out the scent, but then I realized it's pear! But it also has a hint of a warm slightly perfumey note. It doesn't smell like champagne at all, which is good. It's a beautiful scent, and I really like it. Looking at the scent notes, I can't believe I don't see pear!

It's NOT the same scent as these other ScentSationals and Better Homes & Gardens pear scents:
- ScentSationals Take Me To Paris duo "Pear Blossom" (that scent is more floral)
- Better Homes & Gardens Wild Honeysuckle Pear from early 2016
- ScentSationals Garden of Eden duo "Eden and Pear" from 2015 (that smelled more like apples)
- Pear Blossom Champagne (ScentSationals?) - Someone said PBC is sweeter.
- It has some similarities to this year's Better Homes & Gardens Pear Blossom Tea (which I also love), but it's not the same scent.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 to 4 out of 5

Cinnamon Pecans
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Cinnamon-Pecans-Scented-Wax-Melts/162902169

Notes: Warm cinnamon sticks, spicy crushed clove, and creamy nutmeg spun with toasted pecans and caramelized brown sugar, with mouthwatering sweet undertones of English toffee.

Cinnamon Pecans is very similar to Better Homes & Gardens Vanilla Caramel Spice (a nice sweet rich caramely cinnamony scent), but sniffing them side by side, Cinnamon Pecans has a bit more cinnamon.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5, took over the house

Cuddle Up
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Cuddle-Up-Scented-Wax-Melts/513404225

Notes: Classic notes of sweet cinnamon spice, crushed clove bud, sweet toasted nutmeg and bound by warm amber, rich cashmere musk and touched by shimmering white woods and opulent moss

The label looks a lot like ScentSationals Cashmere Cream from August 2016, but it's a totally different scent. I smell patchouli first, and a little bit of the oud (the label says "Tonka & Oud"), which is a dark resinous wood. But the intensity of the oud is tempered by a sweet perfumey note. I also smell a hint of the tonka (an intense dark vanilla with a caramel, almond, cinnamon and clove notes, and even a smidgen of cherry). It's an unusual, complex blend of notes, and I love it! Looking at the notes, I'm surprised I don't see patchouli because that's what I mostly smell.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Dancing Leaves
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Dancing-Leaves-Scented-Wax-Melts/627713199

Notes: An enticing autumnal blend of aromatic fir, warm balsam, and pure cedar wrapped with crisp green apple and aromatic leaves. Freshened with a touch of white orchard pear and harvest berry swirled together for this perfect fall blend.

This is a very common fall scent that I've smelled many times. It smells like really old apples that have fallen on the ground at the end of the season and mixed with brown leaves. But not in a bad way. It also has a hint of spices that make it smell a little that make it smell like apple cider, but the harsh raw unprocessed homemade slightly fermented craft cider. It's a nice fall scent.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Harvest Gathering
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Harvest-Gathering-Scented-Wax-Melts/278228195

Notes: A classic cornucopia of harvest goodness blending apple and ripe pear with sweet orange and crushed herbs, white pine, shimmering clove bud and cinnamon wrapped with toasted vanilla, spiced pumpkin and smoked warm woods

The label says "Pumpkins, Apples & Hayrides". But I'm not a fan of this scent. I don't smell any of those notes. It's smoky but also sour with a hint of a fruity note, but not enough to temper the sourness. There may also be a woodsy or even a pine note in there, but I don't know what that sourness is. It smells like Play Doh to me. When melted, there is a little bit of sweetness that comes through, but in a weird way.

Throw: Medium, 3 to 3.5 out of 5

Holiday Cookies
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Holiday-Cookie-Scented-Wax-Melts/291521793

Notes: Creamy cake batter spiced with grated ginger, sweet nutmeg, freshly ground cinnamon, melted butter, and allspice fused with rich vanilla extract and creamy buttercream. Simply baked to perfection with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar

If you're into bakery scents, this is quite nice. It smells like sweet warm vanilla cookies with a lot of cinnamon and even some nutmeg, giving it a little bit of a pumpkiny note. For me it's just "okay", and very similar to other cinnamony bakery scents.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Iridescent
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Iridescent-Scented-Wax-Melts/968619140

Notes: A sparkling blend of crisp fresh mint accented with hint of ginger. A light touch of spice and sweet rum followed by a creamy heart of coconut, vanilla and a sweet gourmand finish

Although the label says "Sparkling Spearmint & Vanilla Woods", I smell peppermint, not spearmint (which is good, because I'm not a fan of spearmint). And it's not an overly minty peppermint, more of a "soft" peppermint. It's a powdery, slightly buttery, very sweet milky vanilla buttercream peppermint scent, like a Buttermint candy. But it's not really a foodie scent because there's also a smidgen of light woods and a warm amber perfume note, so maybe what I'm thinking is the buttery note is really the amber. I love it, and it lasted 12 hours! I think this one is going to be everyone's favorite!! Looking at the scent notes, I'm surprised there aren't any woodsy notes.

This smells a lot like Goose Creek's Vanilla Wonderland scent, but it's not exactly the same. Comparing them side by side, Iridescent has a milky note that Vanilla Wonderland doesn't have, and Vanilla Wonderland is a tiny bit sweeter. But they're very close, and if you miss Vanilla Wonderland because it's discontinued, Iridescent is a close substitute!

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Mistletoe Kisses
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Mistletoe-Kisses-Scented-Wax-Melts/921398498

Notes: Fresh black balsam and a fruity mix of iced cranberries, red currant, juniper berry and ripened raspberry. Accented by a mix of frosted apple on top and a base of vanilla bean and winter spruce

This smells like raspberry and cranberry with a bit of a pine note. It also has a hint of sourness, just enough to work with the scent instead of overpowering it. The fruit is probably supposed to be just cranberry, but I really smell raspberry first, with just a smidgen of the cranberry bitterness. It's just slightly sweet. A nice holiday scent! And it's one of those unusual types of scents that's actually not very strong, but throws very well. So from downstairs I can smell it melting upstairs, but it's very subtle.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Northern Lights
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Northern-Lights-Scented-Wax-Melts/197129260

Notes: Whipped vanilla, cinnamon, vetiver grass, and tangy blackberry, with underlying notes of white flower, absinthe, lively bergamot and finishing with an earthy whisper of black fig.

I knew what scent this was as soon as I smelled it on cold sniff: ScentSationals Midnight Summer from February 2017! It's even the same color, with similar notes (Midnight Summer notes: Figs layered with Indian jasmine, ballerina rose and green notes of absinthe... sometimes the notes don't mean much so even if some of them are different, it can still be the same scent), and the labels are a little similar too. It's a warm, slightly perfumey blackberry, very similar to 2016's Blackberry Cider, but sweeter, with maybe a smidgen of a "pink sugar" note. It also smells a little like Scentsy Luna, but richer and sweeter. I guess the sweetness I'm smelling is the jasmine and rose, although this is not a floral scent. It's lovely, and kind of "sexy"! I contacted ScentSationals and they said it's not the same scent as Midnight Summer, but most people have said they smell exactly the same.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 to 4 out of 5

Pumpkin Spice Cake
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Pumpkin-Spice-Cake-Scented-Wax-Melts/288098180

Notes: Spice cake fuses with freshly grated ginger root, brown sugar sweetened pumpkin, sparkling citrus orange, ground clove bud, grated cinnamon sticks and toasted allspice in a sweet vanilla bean batter

This smells like pumpkin pie with a little bit of a gingerbread note. It also has a little more nutmeg than some other pumpkin pie scents I've smelled.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Sugar Pumpkin Cronuts
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Sugared-Pumpkin-Cronuts-Scented-Wax-Melts/744504057

Notes: Slow-mulled apple and pumpkin fruit baked between flaky all-buttered pastry layers dusted with ground cinnamon, golden nutmeg and aromatic clove sprinkled with candied brown sugar, and a splash of warm vanilla

I think this one will be a hit. It smells a lot like ScentSationals Cider House Donuts from Fall 2016. I no longer have that scent, but I described it like this: "I can smell the donut dough with a bit of a sweet apple cider note, a pinch of cinnamon, and powdered sugar." Come to think of it, that's how I would describe Pumpkin Cronuts! Although I think this scent is more cinnamony and might have a hint of nutmeg to give it a little bit of a pumpkiny note.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Vanilla Bean Butterscotch
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ScentSationals-2-5-oz-Vanilla-Bean-Butterscotch-Scented-Wax-Melts/868816699

Notes: Hints of smooth vanilla bean, swirled with creamy butterscotch, hints of caramel and frosted buttercream accents sweetened with a tantalizing touch of pure sugarcane

A fantastic, rich buttery butterscotch scent, and strong on cold sniff. It's very similar to Better Homes & Gardens Butterscotch Maple Cream, and might in fact be the same scent. But I think Vanilla Bean Butterscotch is richer, although that might just be because the Butterscotch Maple Cream wax melt I have is a few years old. Throw is very good, 3.5 to 4 out of 5.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 to 4 out of 5

The following ScentSationals scents have returned from Fall 2016 and 2017 (and I reviewed them at https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2016/12/walmart-scented-wax-melts-fall-2016-scentsationals-better-homes-gardens.html and https://www.scentedwaxmeltreviews.com/2017/08/scentsationals-fall-2017-scented-wax-melts-reviews.html):
Black Tux, Caramel Pumpkin Seeds, Honey Crisp Cider, Perfectly Pine, Pumpkin Apple Muffins, Pumpkin Marshmallow Cream, Pumpkin Spice, Red Hot Cinnamon, Spice It Up, Welcome

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

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

Michael's Wax Melts (Ashland) - 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

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

AmbiEscents Wax Melts Reviews from Bed Bath & Beyond - Fall 2018

AmbiEscents Wax Melts Reviews from Bed Bath & Beyond - Fall 2018

AmbiEscents Wax Melts from Bed Bath & Beyond - Fall 2018

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Apple Cider Donut

This scent has returned from last year. It's not very strong on cold sniff. It's a bakery scent with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a smidgen of apple cider. It smells more like pumpkin pie than a cider donut.

Throw: Medium, 3 out of 5

Apple Pumpkin Cupcake

Notes: A delectable melody of ripe golden apple and spiced pumpkin notes blended with cinnamon and sweet hints of pure vanilla

This is the same scent as ScentSationals Pumpkin Apple Muffins from August 2016. Pretty much the same scent notes too (PAM notes are "Freshly baked, brown sugar muffins full with ripe golden apple, spiced pumpkin, fresh ground cinnamon and sweet hints of pure vanilla"). It's also a dupe of the Spiced Caramel Corn side of Better Homes & Gardens "At the Fair" duo from 2015.

This is a strong, fantastic scent. It's a super rich, salty, buttery caramel corn scent with a smidgen of cinnamon apple. It's not really pumpkiny. Since Pumpkin Apple Muffins is still available at Walmart for $2 (as of October 2018), if you like this scent it makes sense to buy it there (since AmbiEscents melts are $2.99).

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Ginger Pumpkin

This scent has been around for several years. This smells like pumpkin pie with ginger and extra cinnamon. It also has a slight bread note. It smells a little like gingerbread.

Throw: Strong, 4 out of 5

Spiced Pumpkin Swirl

This scent has returned from last year. It smells like pumpkin pie with extra nutmeg and cinnamon.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 out of 5

Turning Leaves

Notes: An enticing autumnal blend of aromatic fir, warm balsam, and pure cedar wrapped with crisp green apple and aromatic leaves freshened with a touch of white orchard pear and harvest berry

This scent has returned from last year. It's the only scent in this collection that's not pumpkiny! It smells like old slightly sour apples that have fallen on the ground and mixed with brown leaves, so it's a common fall scent. But there's something else in this scent that makes it a little different. It's slightly sweeter than most old apple/fallen leaves scents, and there may be a hint of pine in the background. Looking at the notes, there's the fir and balsam, the apple, the leaves, and although I don't smell berry or pear, it's those notes that are probably giving this scent a little sweetness. I like this one.

Throw: Bold, 5 out of 5

Vanilla Pumpkin Cream

Notes: A velvety melody of roasted pumpkins and spicy cinnamon blended with notes of grated nutmeg and crushed clove

On cold sniff this smells like pumpkin pie with a smidgen of buttercream and possibly caramel. Melted, however, it just smells like sweet, rich pumpkin pie.

Throw: Strong, 3.5 to 4 out of 5

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