Review Archives - Melting With Michelle

Year In Candles | 2017

Michelle — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 08:00:14 +0000

Just like that, 2017 has come and gone. This year was full of both happy memories and many challenges. But through it all, I always had the wax community to turn to. This blog has remained a positive space where I can just be myself and that’s more than I could ever ask for. Before we completely say goodbye to the year, let’s take a quick look back at all the candles & wax I melted in 2017!

In 2017 I burned 55 Candles & 91 Wax Melts!

After having so many poor experiences in 2016 with new-to-me candle companies, I was only brave enough to try 2 “new” ones this year; Super Tarts & Sonoma. I’m happy to report that I would gladly purchase from both of them again! The majority of my melting though was with Bath & Body Works candles & Wal-Mart wax.

Favorite Scents of 2016

Chocolate Pistachio // Bath & Body Works
Umbridge // Super Tarts
Key Lime Pie // Sonoma
Berry Waffle Cone // Bath & Body Works
Corpsman // Super Tarts
Moonlit Magic Pumpkin // Better Homes & Garden

Aside from discovering a handful of new favorite fragrances this past year, I’m so happy to have also met several other lovely bloggers who totally get this crazy obsession of mine. My main wax-related goal for the new year is to melt through so much of my stash that I have less than 100 candles in storage. I’d also really like to be able to share the inventory website that my husband and I created too, but that needs a little more work! Enjoy the remainder of your 2017 and have a happy new year!

How many candles did you burn this year & what are your melting goals for 2018? Share in the comments!

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Why Does Bath & Body Works Retire Their Best Scents?

Michelle — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:30:54 +0000

I FINALLY CAVED. I went on Ebay and purchased one of my favorite rare candles that Bath & Body Works never brought back. Being someone who has never purchased a candle at full price, it actually hurt spending more than I ever normally would. But, when you see a decent price for 2 mason jars of Raspberry Peach Macaron you don’t think twice as you hit ‘place order’.

This shopping experience really got me thinking, why does Bath & Body Works seem to retire all of their best scents? For example, here are just a few fan favorites:

Pink Petal Teacake
Radiant Red Maple
Raspberry Peach Macaron
Strawberry Rhubarb Marmalade
Winter Garland
Cider Donut
Cranberry Pumpkin

Go on Ebay or Mercari and you will see these fragrances selling for an obscene amount of money. If Bath & Body Works did any sort of research they’d realize if these scents were brought back to the market they’d make a great deal of money for their corporation. Sales couldn’t have been that bad when these candles were initially brought to market if there’s this big of a fan following.

So why doesn’t Bath & Body Works return all of these favorable fragrances? Here are a few of my theories.

1. Forgotten Formula

I feel like Raspberry Peach Macaron is a prime example of this. The wax community has never been able to find a dupe for this fragrance from any other wax vendors. Is this scent so unique that no one can duplicate it, including the original source? I’ve heard of breweries not writing down their brew formulas and never being able to replicate it, so maybe it’s the same when it comes to our favorite candles.

2. Formula Issues

Again, Raspberry Peach Macaron is another prime example for this theory. Anyone selling this 2014 candle online states that there is crystallization in the wax. Consumers have called corporate regarding this issue and were ensured that ‘this was an ongoing problem for this specific scent and it wouldn’t effect the overall burning experience.’ Maybe the company wanted to bring this fragrance back but just couldn’t solve the wax crystallization issue. However, I haven’t heard of this happening to any other candles.

3. Collection Size

It’s no secret that Bath & Body Works always brings back it’s returning “favorites” each season in multiple collections. Maybe they are well aware that we want the other scents to come back too but know that Marshmallow Fireside, Leaves, etc are better sellers. Having been involved with the process of creating lines of products before, I know higher ups give marketers a specific number of slots to fill with products. It could really be as simple as this; BBW looking at their sales and not having the shelf space or sku’s available for our other rare favorites.

These theories of mine may not be correct at all or maybe it’s a mixture of the three. No matter the reason, it would be nice to see some of the best scents from the past several years brought back again. Even if it’s just one more time in a ‘Fan Favorites’ collection! Or it would be nice if they rotated our their retuning favorites each year. Hopefully one day Bath & Body Works will listen to us and we will be able to get our hands on these fragrances again at a decent price!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works candle that has never returned? Share in the comments!

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Pistachio Scent Guide

Michelle — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 08:00:56 +0000

One of the latest trends in the world of wax is pistachio scents. It seems like every company is releasing their own version that smells almost identical to the other. I thought it would be nice to compare each one of them to figure out what the differences are, if any, and help you decide which to purchase. Without further ado, here are the 3 most popular pistachio scents in order of release.

Yankee Candle – Crunchy Pistachio Vanilla – This pistachio fragrance is definitely unlike the other two because it has more of a bakery note. It smells like an almond shortbread cookie with an undertone of pistachio. It’s a great scent but better suited for the winter holidays.

Wal-Mart – Salted Pistachio Sorbet – Now this is a pistachio fragrance! You immediately get a nutty pistachio note and then a base of sweet cream. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it smells like sorbet and actually think I’ll melt this in August as a transition into fall based on the slight saltiness.

Scentsy – Pistachio Ice Cream – Out of the 3 pistachio scents, this is the truest to it’s name. It has a perfect balance of a realistic ice cream and pistachio nut. It’s definitely close to the Wal-Mart version but has less of a salty note and more authentic creaminess. As someone who worked in an ice cream shop for years, I can attest that this will be a beautiful option for the middle of summer.

While all three pistachio fragrances seem almost identical when you smell them separately, they are very different when side-by-side. I think it’s great that each can identify with a different season if you’re a hardcore pistachio fan. If you’re not a seasonal burner, I’ll tell you that my favorite was Salted Pistachio Sorbet from Wal-Mart. I personally prefer a more prominent pistachio note rather than the sweet. I hope this guide will help you decide which version is best for you based on your preferences!

Have you melted any of these pistachio fragrances? Which is your favorite? Share in the comments!

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Key Lime Pie – Candle Comparison

Michelle — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 08:00:01 +0000

Last year, I randomly wanted to burn a key lime pie scented candle. Of course, there weren’t any available on the market at that time which is probably why I really wanted the fragrance in my collection. Since then, anytime I come across a key lime pie candle I immediately purchase it without question. Now I’ve gathered 3 Key Lime Pie candles from different companies and naturally they all vary slightly. I thought it would be nice to give you a comparison if you’re ever in a similar situation of needing some key lime in your life.

Yankee Candle – Key Lime Pie from YC is extremely zesty with a hint of whipped vanilla, there really isn’t any crust note to balance it out. It’s really just a nice lime scent for the summer months.

Bath & Body Works – I luckily came across BBW’s failed test scent Key Lime Pie at an outlet and it smells more like a key lime cheesecake. You get the graham cracker crust that YC’s version was lacking, however, there is just something off in regards to the cream note.

Kohl’s – Surprisingly, this department store brand nailed their Key Lime Pie candle. It is EXACTLY what I wanted and imagined a KLP fragrance to smell like. You get the authentic graham cracker crust and the perfect blend of key lime and vanilla filling; it’s divine.

If you’re in the market for a nice key lime pie fragrance, I highly recommend stopping by your local Kohl’s and picking up one of their candles. Their version is the best out of any I’ve had the chance to smell. Not that you can buy the other two retired scents anymore, but my second favorite was from BBW and my least favorite was from YC. I hope this has helped you decide what type of key lime fragrance you’re looking for and will help validate a worthy purchase!

Where is your favorite key lime pie scent from? Share in the comments!

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Spring 2017 Candle Collections

Michelle — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 08:00:20 +0000

By mid-January we glimpsed all of the Spring 2017 candle collections from most companies. In my opinion it’s pretty underwhelming. It doesn’t bother me how early in the year we see these scents, it’s the specific fragrances that I have a problem with. Below are the 3 major collections I’ve noticed and my thoughts on them.

Yankee Candle released a whopping 4 new fragrances for Spring; 2 fresh scents & 2 gourmand. For what it’s worth, this might be one of the better collections they’ve released during this time of year. However, do we really need another floral or fresh scent? Another berry? Another coffee? These fragrances are just good but I was hoping for something great, like the 2016 Cookie Swap Collection.

Bath & Body Works seriously needs to take a step back. Why are they releasing tropical and Summer scents this early? Why did they all together skip Spring? This is by far my favorite candle company but they just don’t release fragrances on a logical timeline. Even their 2-3 bakery scents involve fruits that are ripe in the Summer months.

I normally don’t ever consider Kohl’s a company to look out for in regards to home fragrance. However, they created the best lineup for Spring 2017 so far. They of course have a tropical collection so they can stay competitive with everyone else BUT they actually did a second Spring bakery collection. Finally, someone caught on. A lot of the scents are too light for me, but they released a Key Lime Pie candle and it’s the best I’ve every smelled across all the brands.

What bothers me the most is that I need to buy my Summer candles NOW because by the time I actually want to burn them, they won’t be available to purchase. If these companies paid any attention to their consumers, they’d know that the majority of the wax community is dying for a sweet shoppe collection. Give us bakery & gourmand. It’s okay to be creative and mix floral and bakery OR fruity and bakery. Some of the best Spring candles were Raspberry Peach Macaron and Pink Petal Teacake. Why can’t they reformulate and give us something interesting rather than coconut and berries?

What are your thoughts on the Spring 2017 candle collections? Share in the comments!

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2016 Year in Candles

Michelle — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 08:00:01 +0000

I’m sure you’re tired of hearing this by now, but 2016 went by way too fast. It seems like just yesterday Lavender Macaron was still a test candle and I was writing my first post for this blog. I feel that this year held many challenges not just for me, but for most people. In the midst of all of 2016’s obstacles, I’m happy that I had the wax community to turn to. Candles are a positive outlet for me and I’m excited to look back on this part of my life and create a mini year in review!

In 2016 I burned 80 Candles & 88 Wax Melts!

This year I branched out and tried candles from 6+ companies new to me. The most popular being Kringle, Goose Creek, Crossroads, McCall’s, Scentsy, and Wax Crumbles. From each of these companies I tried several different form factors to reach a decision if I would repurchase from them again. Scentsy and Goose Creek are the only two companies that impressed me enough for multiple orders. I had high hopes for Kringle but they let me down the most. The others just weren’t that impressive.

Favorite Scents of 2016

Peanut Butter Sugar
Iced Lemon Poundcake
Funnel Cake
Sparkling Pear Riesling
Apple S’mores

I am so happy to have created this blog in 2016. It may not get a lot of traffic but that’s not the point of it. This is a place to share my love for home fragrance and connect with others that love it just as much. In 2017 I’m going to set a few goals for myself that’ll hopefully improve the content here: blog more/write more reviews, burn 100 candles, and possibly dabble with youtube videos. Enjoy what’s left of 2016 and have a happy new year!

How many candles did you burn this year & what are your melting goals for 2017? Share in the comments!

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BBW Radiant Red Maple Dupe

Michelle — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 08:00:53 +0000

If you are candle crazy like myself, you already know that Bath & Body Works has begun testing their Fall collections. We all know that BBW is notorious for not re-releasing fan favorites so I’m ecstatic to see Cider Lane, Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Pie returning. However, my absolute favorite Fall candle, Radiant Red Maple, has not made a reappearance. With only one backup remaining, I became desperate to find something similar.

Radiant Red Maple is one of those scents you either love or hate – I happen to be obsessed with it. If you never had the chance to sniff it last year, it smells like delicious fresh apples mixed with toasted marshmallow. It is definitely a unique combination but heavenly. If you are a fan of Marshmallow Fireside, then chances are you’d adore this fragrance too.

Before you get too upset that RRM isn’t returning, let me let you in on a little secret; I discovered a dupe from Scentsy! Their version of this amazing fragrance is called Apple S’mores and it is almost exactly identical. You get the same apple & marshmallow combination but there is a tad less smokiness. If I wasn’t smelling these two scents side by side I never would have detected any difference.

I thank the candle gods that I was able to find a comparable option to Radiant Red Maple. If you were a fan like myself, you can definitely get your fix with Apple S’mores. I have already stocked up on enough wax melts and room spray to last me 2 years just in case Scentsy retires their fragrance too! What is your favorite Fall fragrance? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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BBW Summer Bonfire Dupe

Michelle — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 08:00:34 +0000

Okay candle connoisseurs, I have an exciting dupe for you. Remember the Seaside Summer collection that Bath & Body Works released in 2015? It had some great scents and my personal favorite was Summer Bonfire. I’m not really surprised that it wasn’t brought back, but as I burn through my last candle I’ve been desperate for something similar.

If you’ve never smelled Summer Bonfire, it essentially smells like Marshmallow Fireside mixed with salted caramel. The caramel is extremely light but the saltiness is on par with that traditional marshmallow fireside. Since SB is so unique, it has taken a while to find anything that compares. That was until I made my first Scentsy purchase at least.

When I came across the fragrance Bonfire Beach on their site, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it out. The scent descriptions were almost identical! What a happy surprise it was to receive the Scentsy bar and smell the similarities. After melting BB and SB simultaneously I can safely say this is an almost exact dupe. BB has all the same unique notes BUT with a heavier citrusy fresh layer.

I think I actually like Bonfire Beach more due to that added freshness. I will absolutely be stocking up on these wax melts from Scentsy and recommend any other Summer Bonfire fans do the same! Were you a fan of Summer Bonfire? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Fragrance Review – Peanut Butter Sugar

Michelle — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 08:00:51 +0000

I am super late to jump on the Goose Creek bandwagon but am nevertheless happy to have discovered the brand. Since placing my first order in April, I’ve melted 5 different scents and each have been enjoyable. My favorite fragrance from Goose Creek so far is Peanut Butter Sugar. While this isn’t anything new, it’s an amazing discovery that has made it’s way into my all-time favorite scents.

What does this smell like? Together warm vanilla, salty peanuts, and a “buttery” bakery note are combined which results in a deliciously sweet scent. The balance of fragrances is divine and I haven’t smelled anything similar elsewhere. Overall appeal is an 8 on cold but 10 when burning.

Does it throw? I first tried out this scent in my office area where it only threw around a 4. Disappointed, I stopped burning it for a few weeks. I gave it another chance in my bedroom and what a different it made. In this smaller confined space Peanut Butter Sugar threw around a 9.

This salty-sweet fragrance is getting filed into my 2016 favorites. I will absolutely be re-purchasing more wax melts during the next sale and may even try my first Goose Creek candle in this scent! Have you ever burned Peanut Butter Sugar? Share your thoughts on this scent in the comments!

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Midnight Blue Citrus Candle Review

Michelle — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 08:00:12 +0000

When I discovered that several White Barn exclusives were released at Bath and Body Works nation wide, I rushed to my local store. I smelled all the most-talked about scents and really wasn’t impressed. As I was walking out of the store a gorgeous teal jar caught my eye – Midnight Blue Citrus. It was love upon first sniff.

Before I begin telling you what this actually smells like, I need to make sure you are aware of something. I am not a fan of cologne, fresh, or maritime candles. That is essentially what this candle is. The first note you get from Midnight Blue Citrus is a fresh orange citrus. That combined with the tropical maritime note creates a beautiful fragrance. There is a hint of musk in the mix too which makes it slightly cologne-esque.

I am amazed that a candle with these notes has impressed me so much. It’s just so well balanced and absolutely perfect to burn at the beginning of June. Not only that, but it threw amazingly! I’d give it a solid 8 – during the third burn I could smell it throughout my entire apartment. The only downfall was that about 2/3 of the way through, the performance plummeted. Puny wick syndrome has struck again.

Nevertheless, I adored Midnight Blue Citrus and felt that I burned it at the perfect time. I would HIGHLY recommend this scent and if you see it on sale during SAS, make sure to pick it up! Have you smelled this candle before? Share in the comments what you think!

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