HomeWorx by Harry Slatkin Sparkling Pink Truffle Candle Review

The sheer wonderment when opening a package that contains candles that you are truly excited to get has finally ended and the conclusion is simple.  These candles make me happy.  They make me happy because for a while this house is going to be full of sweet smells that I don't have to slave in the kitchen to acquire and ambiance.

Like I mentioned in my reviews on the other two scents in the HomeWorx Truffle candles trio, these containers are just fabulous.  The plaid labels that they put around appear to be opaque when in reality they aren't.  What does that mean?  When the candles inside are lit and burning there is a beautiful glow emitting from the candle.  It's ambiance and to me it is stunning.

HomeWorx Sparkling Pink Truffle is no exception.  In fact, in my opinion, this candle exceeds the usual visual appeal with the label design and of course it is all about the color.

Pinks and browns wrap this candle up in warm and cheery look that I personally love.  It's feminine without being frilly and froo froo.  When I look at this container design I see white poodles in designer sweaters and colorful, falling leaves.  Walking your dog in the park on a cool autumn afternoon.  I was initially surprised by that but when side by side with the rest of the trio, it simply makes sense.

The cold smell on Sparkling Pink Truffle resulted in a smile for me.  I've smelled this before but with the listed scent notes, I'm a bit perplexed.  The scent notes for this candle are described as sparkling wine, sugared ginger, white chocolate and raspberry liquor.  On cold smell to me it smells like sugary bubblegum.  The old HubbaBubba gum blocks from childhood to be exact.  I get the same notes in my nose from the candle that I did from the gum when I was a child.  Funny thing is that those scent notes in the gum was the main reason that I loved it so much and I guarantee there was no wine or liquor in it.

Size and weight wise this candle is the same as the other two in the set.  It is in that wonderful, heavy, thick glass that I love.  Burn time is also 30 to 55 hours.


The wicks are the same.  Stout and good.  Again this candle does mushroom when burnt but to me, that's really not that big of a deal but I know to some other candle lovers, mushrooming is something they want to avoid.

So, what about the throw and how does it burn?  Those are of course two of the most important things that we need to know.

This candle was placed in the usual spot for the review burn.  The bookcase at the end of the hallway.  After I lit the wicks, I expected to smell the intense throw that Chocolate Espresso gifted to me earlier but unfortunately, that didn't happen.  The throw on this candle can be described as not as much as I expected.  I hate to say it but when I burn this one in the future it will have to be in a small space for this one to even have a chance at completely permeating the air.

On this burn I got puffs of scent on occasion. 

What scent is there doesn't change much either.  I was in the office getting some work done when the first cloud of scent wandered into the room and said hello to me.  It's still that sugary sweet bubblegum and I love it.  I just wish that it would accept my invitation to hover in the room for the entire duration of burning but unfortunately those scent clouds are inclined to keep moving away from me.

The burn was beautiful.  The pink wax pools perfectly

Take a peek at the burn video for this candle and you'll see what I mean...

Final Thoughts and Will I Buy it Again?

My conclusion after burning the final of the three candles in this HomeWorx candle set is that I do like them.  Granted two of them are not as strong in scent as I would really like, that Chocolate Espresso sealed the deal for me because it makes the entire house smell so delicious.

The set is available exclusively on QVC for what seems to recently be a consistent price of $49.90 plus $7.00 for shipping and handling.  I don't understand WHY anywhere charges shipping anymore let alone handling but OK we can be stuck in a 1990's infomercial if they want to.  So, to rephrase that more accurately, the trio of HomeWorx Truffle Candles will set you back $56.90.

I would buy them again and probably will pick up a third set but I'll wait until the price drops a bit before I do.  I definitely think they are worth the money, you just have to know exactly what you are buying.  With this set you are getting one candle that scent up a cathedral, one that could scent up the average size apartment living room and one that will work in a 10' by 10' bedroom or bathroom.

All of the scents are very pleasant in my opinion but then again, you have to remember that I personally adore bakery type scents when it comes to my candles.  That Chocolate Espresso is the BOMB.

Well, that's really all I have to say about this candle trio.  If you have any questions about this set, let me know!  Do you have these candles?  If you do, share your thoughts on the Sparkling Pink Truffle scent below.

      

HomeWorx by Harry Slatkin Chocolate Mint Truffle Candle Review

What do you do when you start to review a candle trio and the first one out of the gate is so fantastic that it sets the bar high for the two that follow?  Well if you are me, you kinda accidentally set yourself up for a tinge of disappointment.  Not crushed.  Not heartbroken but a bit disappointed none the less.

That's where I'm at right now with the second candle in the three candle HomeWorx Chocolate Truffle candles.

Allow me to introduce you to Chocolate Mint Truffle.

This candle, just like the other two, is visibly stunning.  It has the brown metal lid with the imprinted bow.  It is an 18 ounce candle with a burn time of 30 to 55 hours.  The wax is a very pleasing shade of pastel, minty green.   

The scent notes on Chocolate Mint Truffle are chocolate, cocao, cool peppermint and pistachio.  On cold smell this candle smells dead on like chocolate mint ice cream.  That scent is embedded into my brain because it is my all time favorite ice cream flavor.  This candle is a dead ringer on cold smell.

In other words, I didn't catch any pistachio but that's OK.  Candles don't always smell the same after they are lit and burning.

Once again, I love the label design on this candle.  The mint green and brown plaid is just adorable.  Topped off with that brown lid and it looks like a well put together outfit that someone would wear on a day out at the park or shopping.  Very nice indeed.

Just like the other candles in the set and candles of this type made by HomeWorx, this candle is in that nice, heavy duty glass container.  I've loved these containers since the first time I held one in my hands because they are a meaty glass thickness that doesn't feel fragile at all, because it isn't.  Obviously you don't want to drop it because it is glass but you don't have to treat it with kid gloves like you do some types of glass container candles either.

The wicks on Chocolate Mint Truffle are the same as the other two candles.  Nice length, healthy looking wicks.  I can tell you that they did mushroom a bit on this candle just like they did on Chocolate Espresso.  Wick mushrooming doesn't bother me as long as it isn't HUGE and these aren't.  I'll just remove the tops after the candle is cooled, before I light it up again.

The visual aesthetic of a candle is always important but how a candle burns is even more important.  This candle burned very nicely and evenly.  The wicks stayed in place and the flames were consistent.  I don't think there is anything to complain about when it comes to the way this candle burns.

So let's talk about the throw because with this one I was a bit confused.

The candle was burned on a bookcase in the hallway in the same location that Espresso Chocolate Truffle was yesterday.  Espresso Chocolate Truffle succeeded in filling the house up with a very tasty scent.  Chocolate Mint Truffle struggled at best and only gave me a few whiffs of that sweet minty smell while I was working in my office.

Walking in the hallway, the scent just wasn't there until you got about 5 feet away from the candle.  It was as if there were little invisible clouds of scent occasionally drifting into the office from the hallway to tease me.  Like Lassie had come to tell me that Timmy had fallen into the well and I needed to follow.  "Follow me!"

The scent that does drift into the air is slightly chocolatey and minty.  I still get none of the pistachio.  It's all chocolate and mint and it hovers close to the candle.  This isn't necessarily a horrible thing though because you have to remember, the candle is burning in a spot where scent can easily travel and it does give off a delicious smell, just not as much as Espresso Chocolate Truffle does.

What I'm saying is that if this candle is burning in a smaller space like a bedroom or single rooms for example, the throw would be better and the scent more pronounced.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing folks.  It's just a candle for those of us that like a more subtle throw.  A scent that isn't thick.  That's transparent and is occasionally whispering in your ear so you notice it.  It is a beautiful scent, just not intense at all.

Of course I have included my usual burn video of this candle for your viewing pleasure!

    

My Final Thoughts and Will I Buy it Again?

After reviewing Espresso Chocolate Truffle and the strong hefty amount of scent that it threw out into the world when burning, Chocolate Mint Truffle was a bit of a change.  It is a subtle, very quiet candle that just kinda hangs out when it wants to that is better suited for smaller spaces like a bedroom.  This candle simply doesn't have the strength to fill a whole house with scent.

It's not disappointing because the subtle scent is pleasing.  It's just... different from the other two.  I lit the third candle, Sparkling Pink Truffle, about 30 minutes ago and can say the scent has already made its way into the office from the hallway so Chocolate Mint Truffle can be compared to, and I hate to say it this way but it's all that comes to mind, the runt of the litter.

Yes.  I will buy it again.  I'll either burn this one in combination with the other two all at the same time or I will burn it as a single in the bedroom.  The power of the other two candles in the trio are satisfying enough for me to take the plunge and purchase the third set that I've been wanting ever since I opened the package and the beautiful smell of deliciousness and sweetness heaven hit me in the face when they arrived.  It won't be long until I'm back over on QVC making the purchase and waiting patiently for delivery.

What are your thoughts on this candle and the HomeWorx Chocolate Truffle Collection?  Since I'm getting ready to start the review on the third one, I'm curious!  Share them with me in the comments section below.

HomeWorx by Harry Slatkin Espresso Chocolate Truffle Candle Review

Oh yes I did!  I snapped this set UP as soon as it was available for purchase.  Not only that, I picked up two sets.  What's that you ask?  Why did my brain ooze out of my ear and cause me to spend over $100.00 on six candles?  Um... because it's HomeWorx and because the scents sounded seriously yummy.

Who doesn't love the smell of espresso and chocolate?

This candle is one of three in the new, just released on October 20th, Truffle candles.

If it is a secret, it shouldn't be, but your humble reviewer has a serious thing for candles that smell like chocolate.  Or cinnamon.  Or pumpkin.  Oh heck, I love anything that smells like sweet treats.  It's my olfactory weakness.

I am going to be reviewing each individual candle here on the site but I am also going to be doing a YouTube video review that will combine all three of them down into one, what hopefully ends up being, less than a 20 minute video.  I will post the review on this page once it is completed.

This one of the trio is named Espresso Chocolate Truffle.  It is an 18 ounce candle with a burn time of 30 - 55 hours.  Four wicks.  Metal painted lid and very heavy, thick glass container.

I love the weight of these candles in my hand because they feels substantial.  Not at all like you could crack the glass by simply giving it a dirty look.  HomeWorx glass candle containers are beautiful and always look quite rich to me.  The thickness of the glass in the base makes them nice and stable which is important when you are lighting something on fire.  These candles are heavy enough that they won't slide around on you.

The plaid label design wrapping around the glass is in earthy shades of brown and is well done.  It is just transparent enough to show off the glow and create a lovely ambiance when the candle is burning.  The colors definitely fit well with the scent.  The brown wax is a nice touch to the overall look of the candle.  Aesthetically it is well done and there is no ugly to hide with this one.  

The scent profile is described as ground espresso, milk chocolate,  whipped vanilla and creamy coconut.  On cold smell, my brain registered the chocolate right away with just a hint of the vanilla.  The espresso made a soft appearance in the background, but I didn't catch the coconut at all.  That's OK though because a candle's scent profile can change once the heat of the flames hit it.

So... I decided to choose a location and light it up!

In this house, the hallway is always a good place to burn a candle to determine how good the throw is and what scent is being given off at different distances from the candle.  Without giving too much away too early, this one performed quite well.

Since HOW a candle burns is also important, I have posted my usual burn video below that takes you from the moment that the candle is lit to the 2 hour mark.  Spoiler alert... this candle burns beautifully.

I can tell you that even as I am writing my first draft of this review, the candle is still burning and it smells amazing.  I find myself tipping my nose up into the air every so often to grab a deep sniff of that beautiful scent.

What does it smell like?  It smells like dessert.  Heaven.  Happiness.  When the wax is heated by the flames the scent changed a bit for me.  The chocolate is still the deepest contributor but the vanilla comes forward just a bit more and the coconut shows up in the shadows like an after taste.  The espresso jumped into the back seat to doze in the warmth but ever so often opened it's eyes and smiled at me.  It's the type of smell that will make your stomach growl because you want to either eat the candle or make a run to Starbucks for a chocolate latte. 

Within the first hour of it being lit, the scent from this candle had traveled all the way down to the other end of the hall into the bathroom and into the living room.  The basement stairwell is just a few feet away from where this Chocolate Espresso Truffle candle is burning and the scent has traveled about halfway DOWN the stairs.  Scent traveling downward?  That's unusual as far as I know and is a sure sign of a candle with a great throw.  In a nutshell, this candle has a throw about as powerful as a major league pitcher.  I like it. 

Espresso Chocolate Truffle came to a full pool within 2 hours of burning and the scent throughout the house was perfect.  It was there but not overpowering.  You couldn't miss the scent throw unless you were suffering from a cold, flu or allergies and your nose was locked up like Ft. Knox... but the smell wasn't loud and obnoxious either.  It's just the life of the party.

There are four wicks in this candle.  My initial thought when I saw them was that they looked substantial and healthy.  They stayed in place during the burn.  They did look a bit sleepy after the flames were extinguished but I'm not real concerned about it because I may have blew a bit too hard to put the candle out.  They are swayed in that direction.  After the burn, they did mushroom a bit but to me, that's not really a big deal.  I'll just remove the shrooms before I light it again.

Final Thoughts and Will I Buy it Again?

I absolutely will buy the set again.  I haven't burned the other two yet but I will tomorrow to get my initial impression of them.  Then, I can bet you a dollar that I will be heading back over to the QVC website to grab a third set of these just based on this candle alone.

You should take that bet because it would be an easy dollar for you.

If I had to describe the scent on this candle in one word, it would be YUM.  I simply love everything about it.

The throw is great.  This candle has a lot of UMPH behind the throw but at the same time, it's not an overpowering scent.  You won't have it stuck in your nose for three days after the candle is extinguished or burned out.

Price point wise, I think it's good.  I've spent the same amount for a single candle that ended up smelling like a big ol' pile of hot dirty mulch that burned the inside of my nose out so it's nice to discover that you spent a bit of money on a candle that delivers, and there's still two more in this set to burn.  If the quality of this one is a prelude of the other two, your reviewer is going to be an extremely happy camper. 


If anything changes with my thoughts, I'll be sure to return to this post, or write another one to update on it.

Did you purchase this trio of sugary scents or are you planning on it?  Let me know your thoughts on Espresso Chocolate Truffle in the comments below.

HomeWorx by Harry Slatkin Pumpkin Caramel Corn Candle Review

Carmel popcorn is one of my all time favorite snacks.  I used to buy it buy the tub, literally, when I was younger.  Now I only have it on a rare occasion when I drag out the ingredients and have the time to make it.  There is a distinct scent to that homemade caramel and we'll get into why I'm even mentioning that in a little bit.

Let's start this candle review out by first talking about the container.  There are things about it that I like and things about it that bug me.

Taking into consideration that I consider this candle middle of the road when it comes to price, the container and label mean quite a bit, to me anyway.  At this price point, I'm looking for a bit higher quality and more visual appeal and I received that with this candle.


The first thing that I noticed is how heavy it is.  It is made of glass, which is actually normal but the sheer weight says that this candle is definitely going to stay where ever you put it... unless you put it on a shelf.  I'd be careful with that and definitely would advise against it because of the weight.  Personally I love the thickness and umph of the glass that this candle is in.

The lid is a beautiful polished gold tone with Harry Slatkin's monogram in the middle.   It also has a rubber ring on the inside that I imagine was put there to help keep the scent inside and keep the wax from drying out.  I love the lid.  I think it is a beautiful design but the only thing I don't like about it, and this is very trivial and just maybe me being a little picky, is that it is easy to get fingerprints all over it.  They wipe away quickly but none the less, it is easy to fingerprint the lid up.

Now on to the label.  I love the design.  The gold and orange plaid fits very well with the candle's scent and fall theme.  It's very visually pleasing.

I also love the way the candle glows through the label when it is lit.  The ambiance that this candle puts off when lit is very relaxing.  The label was very well planned and executed on this one.

 This candle can not be purchased by itself, which is kind of disappointing.  It is one of three candles that are in the HomeWorx Harvest candle line.  You will also have to get Autumn Pinecone and  Harvest Leaves in order to get your hands on Pumpkin Caramel Corn.

I purchased the set on the QVC website for $54.84 which included free shipping for the trio.  After my issues with Bath and Body Works shipping, I feel like I should add that these are the best packaged candles I've ever seen.  You could drop kick the box over a building and I'd bet money that the candles aren't even cracked when you open them.  I was really impressed with the packaging.

Out of the three, on cold smell, Pumpkin Caramel Corn was my favorite and that's why I am reviewing it first.  The notes on this candle are described as... "warm, sweet, buttery caramel is laced with pumpkin pie spices and mixed with freshly popped corn for a sweet and satisfying treat."

It made my stomach growl just reading that.

On the cold smell I did get the caramel and the pumpkin pie spice but no popcorn.  The thing about cold smell is that once the candle is lit, the scent profile could turn out to be different and deeper.  That's how I would describe what happened with this one and it was obvious only a few minutes after the candle was lit.


I decided to burn this one in the hallway because the hallway goes right down the center of the house.  I think it is a good location to test the throw on candles that have a pretty powerful cold smell.  Yeah, you smell good right out of the package and there's no mistaking that the smell has some umph behind it but how much of that scent is going to travel through the house?  How good is your throw HomeWorx Pumpkin Caramel Corn candle?

About 30 minutes after lighting this candle, I got my answer.

And it was intense.  In a good way.

I have to say that the throw on this candle is excellent.  The caramel popcorn and very slight pumpkin spice scents could be smelled throughout the house.  It smelled just like that homemade caramel that I love to drown popcorn in then devour because I love it so much.  It wasn't overpowering but it was definitely there and even lingered after the candle was extinguished.  I would have to say that the scent travels well when the candle is burned in a central location in the home.  Location and room size can really make or break a candle's performance in my opinion.

The pooling was good.  The candle did struggle a little bit with one of the edges but the wax finally decided to cooperate and joined the rest of the pool.  In my burn video, that portion of the wax is at the top of the candle.

The wicks never traveled at all.  Mushrooming was minimal.  This candle has very nice, quality wicks in my opinion.

All in all, I am in love with this candle.  I love the ample glass container.  I love the way the candle glows through the label.  I love the look and the design of the lid in combination with the label.  I really love the scent and am very pleased with the throw.  The scent when this candle is burning is homemade caramel popcorn with a hint of pumpkin spice as an after thought.  The scent isn't in your face but it is in multiple rooms so I'd say this candle, when properly placed, can fill a larger space with smell good air and have no problem doing it.

It's candles like this one that make me wish the internet had smell o' vision.

Oh!  I was so mesmerized by the scent and throw on this candle that I almost forgot to mention... this candle has a burn time of 30 to 55 hours and a weight of 18 ounces or 510 grams.  It is made in Vietnam with lead free wicks and lead free wick clips. 

Now... on to the burn video!  Lights out for ambiance of course.

Would I purchase it again?

Definitely yes.  I really wish these HomeWorx candles were available for purchase as individuals but I may change my mind once I burn the other two and do my reviews on them.  I will know sooner than later because they are both in line to be burned next.

What do you think of the HomeWorx fall candle line up this year?  Are there any on your wish list or that you are planning on picking up?  Let us know in the comments below!

Yankee Candle Sweet Fig & Pomegranate Candle Review

It feels like Yankee Candle has been around since the dawn of time.  One of my memories as a teenager is visiting my Aunt and Uncle and they always had Yankee Candles going in the house.  For some reason, this candle company reminds me of the late 80's and early 90's.  Maybe it is because the jars and style of the labels have never really changed.

Yankee candles + Longaberger baskets = childhood memories for me.  Even today in my mind those two go together like fried chicken and biscuits and I hate to admit it but I STILL have Longaberger baskets in my home.

Does that mean I'm old?  Never mind.  Don't answer that.  :)

Yankee's scents come and go though and I'm sure that eventually this one will go by the wayside along with some of the popular scents from decades ago.  Why?  Because it's one of my favorites so it's got to be destined for the "you wish you still had it but NO" category.  That's one reason why I keep a stash of this candle.

You may be able to already tell but yes, this is a positive review of this particular scent.  I have purchased it many times and have burned many candles of this scent from Yankee so this review isn't so much a first impression like many of the candle reviews here.  It's simply me telling you about one of my favorite candles.

I purchased this candle just like I do all of my Yankee candles.  There was a nice sale going on which made it 1/2 price or less.  The regular price on these large jars is $29.50 or it can be picked up on Amazon for $19.99 with free Prime shipping.  If you want only one to try, I suggest purchasing through Amazon.  Otherwise you will get stuck with paying more and then shipping on top of it unless you catch it in a sale.

The scent notes on this candle are described as blackberry, sun kissed fig and raspberry leaf with red plum and pomegranate.  It is described as finishing with tonka and vanilla bean.

The label is just so 80's to me!

When the candle is cold, the scent is amazing.  It's strong and borderline "in your face."  I personally am able to get the blackberry, raspberry and vanilla which is VERY pleasing to my nostrils. 

A few fun facts on my experience with this candle:

• You will need to trim the wick because it will mushroom.
• I have never had a wick move on me with any of the candles in this scent.
• The candle will extinguish itself when it reaches the bottom of the jar.

So... what about the scent throw when it is burning?  It's good.  In fact, unlike some Yankee candle scents out there that smell like plain ol' oxygen, this one throws.  Not to the point where it's all you smell but this candle will make its presence known when it is lit and burning.

We need smell o' blog so you can smell this!

The heated scent with this candle is very pleasant to me.  I wouldn't say it is floral at all but then again, it isn't woodsy or bakery either.  The best way that I can think of to describe it is hot fruity.  Like a blackberry cobbler filling that is thickening on the stove or a berry jam that is warm and ready to be put into the canning jars... only louder.

This one can handle a large room like a living room or dining room, solo.

The smell and throw when lit isn't overpowering with this candle.  It is very noticeable at all times though so if someone is very sensitive to smell, this one may or may not work when they are around it.  It is classic Yankee candle scent strength from years ago.  Not mediocre and it doesn't sit on the sidelines only to run onto the field so it can say it participated in the game.  This candle is the star of the game and it will get your attention.

It is also perfect for what I like to call candle scent mixology.  For me it is excellent paired with a vanilla scent or the Yankee Candle Sugar Pumpkin Swirl.  Those scent combinations are two of my favorite and will send me into my happy place within minutes of the smell permeating my nostrils.

The only word that I can think of to describe it is YUM.

Final Thoughts

I really don't have any final thoughts on this one because I've pratically shared all of my thoughts on it.  This is one of, if not the one, of my favorites from the Yankee Candle line.  I only purchase this line of candles when there is a deep discount available.  I don't know why I have a hard time purchasing at the regular price of $29.50.  I've never really thought about it but since they run sales on their website all the time I really don't feel like I need to.

Do you have this candle in your life and if so, what are your thoughts on it?  Feel free to share your experience and opinions below.

Bath and Body Works Fall and Winter 2018 Candle Review- Frosted Cranberry

When I hear the name of this candle, my brain automatically thinks of the slightly tangy and sweet flavor of fresh cranberries that have been kissed to perfection and crispness by the chill of snow.  I love cranberry chutney in the fall so I was quite happy to see this scent in the line up for Bath & Body Works fall candles.

I currently have 2 of these candles in my stash.  The first one is a little over half burned so I thought it was time to do a review on it.

Now, I do have to forewarn you that when you see the burn video on this candle you will notice something odd about the rim.  Yes, it is broken but it does not have any effect on the candle itself and the lid still fits.

They need to step up their packing game!

I really like the label on this candle.  It is a wrap around sleeve on the clear glass container that features cranberries laying in snow.  The candle name is in a slightly whimsical font with no capital letters on a back ground that I'm guessing is supposed to look like a farmhouse wood sign.

I purchased these candles from the Bath & Body Works website and paid $10.95 each for them.  I do have to say that their packaging for shipping leaves a lot to be desired and it's a bit unnerving to open a box of candles and see what I have experienced more than once with ordering online from this company.  If HomeWorx, Yankee Candle and other companies can carefully package their candles for shipment, I do not understand why Bath & Body Works can't get it right.

This is what my last online candle purchase looked like when it arrived.  I'm not sure if I'll purchase candles online from them anymore because of their incompetence with a task so simple as packaging for safe shipping.  Sorry if that sounds snarky but packaging and shipping merchandise is not a new thing and a company as large as Bath & Body Works should know better, I think they just don't care about turning it into a issue for their customers.

Anyway...


Luckily there was no real damage to the candles.

But, as always the more important things about this candle are what it smells like, how does it burn and how does it perform?  So let's get into the review on the Bath & Body Works Frosted Cranberry three wick candle.

The scent notes on the label and on the website had me a bit perplexed with this one.  The name of the candle is Frosted Cranberry but the top notes are listed as being cedarwood and orange.  The undertone is iced cranberry.  Hmmmm... if you are going to title the candle Frosted Cranberry then to me the cranberry should be one of the top scents.  I wasn't sure what to think about that and I didn't catch it until reading the scent notes again to write this review.  Live and learn!

Removing the lid for the cold smell still revealed a beautiful scent.  The main thing that I picked up was the orange.  The finish was a snappy cranberry.  The cedarwood is MIA for me on this one with the cold sniff which I thought was odd since it is the first scent that is mentioned in the description.  Again, like the Toasted Vanilla Chai that I reviewed earlier, this one isn't "in your face."  On cold smelling it is not a terrifyingly overpowering scent that makes you worry if you will be able to smell anything for three days after burning the candle in your home.

So how did this candle perform?

I love the way the label glows when the candle is lit.

Day 1: I lit this candle by itself in my office.  It was easy to get the wicks to light and it burned consistently for 3 hours.  It sat on a shelf about 5 feet away from where I work on my computer.  Throughout the time that it was burning, I never really noticed the scent.  I got out of my chair a few times and went to the candle to sniff around it to see if I could pick anything up.  The candle was throwing a very small amount of scent but you had to be less than 2 feet away to even slightly pick it up.

Day 2: I moved the candle into the bathroom because it's the smallest room in the house.  My thought was maybe this just isn't a candle that can handle a full size room.  I let it burn for 4 hours.  Whenever I visited that room, I didn't have to hover over the candle to smell the orange and cranberry.  It was there, in the air but so faint.  Like someone whispering to you from across the room.  You know that they are saying something and you can hear their words a tiny bit but it just doesn't make sense.

To me, the lack of scent in this candle just doesn't make sense either.

About 20 minutes in, the pool is forming nicely.

Today I decided to burn the candle on the bookcase in the hallway and am now going on ambiance alone because the scent just isn't there.  *sigh*  I hate it when a candle smells amazing cold but just doesn't deliver in scent after it is lit.

One of the positive things about this candle is that it does pool nicely.  Within 15 minutes of lighting, if you look at it you will see three nice size round pools have formed.  In about an hour, the candle is in full pool mode and at that point you should be at maximum scent throw.  But I digress with this one because even today, the scent just isn't there.

Final Thoughts

Oh this candle was such a disappointment and I had such high hopes for it after the cold smell because it smelled so delicious and so reminds me of winter.  I really think they could have done much better with this one.  The scent throw simply is not there.  At all.  And that's a big disappointment.

I do LOVE the way the label glows when the candle is lit.  That is the one saving grace with this candle for me.  Since I usually burn mixture of scents, having a candle with a beautiful glow but no scent is not a tragedy for me because it just adds an extra candle glow to combinations that I love, without interfering with the scent combination that I have going.  So... there's that positive note.

Oh, and the wicks are NICE on this one.  Not one mushrooming, they are easy to light and they don't drift around.  It has very strong wicks.

Will I Buy it Again?

Well... that's kind of a trick question with this one.  Will I pay full price for it?  Absolutely not.  But, if it is ever featured in a special or I need to add another candle to the cart, I MIGHT if none of my favorites are available.  It's possible but not really all that probable.

Do you have this candle in your collection?  If you do, let us know your experience with it in the comments below.  If you don't, are you planning on buying it soon?

 

Review of DreamMi Moisturizing Collagen Lip Mask

There are a lot of new lip masks available for purchase online that come with a lot of claims to cure what ails you when it comes to your lips.  Use the mask and you are supposed to be able to keep your lips looking young or give them a good plump.

Those are two of the claims that DreamMi Gold Collagen mask says it can do for you.  I decided to try it for a few weeks to see if this mask can really deliver.

The reviews on Amazon are mixed for this product but in all reality, that's the norm with any type of mask product on the website.  People really do expect the miracle cure to work for $11.99 with free Prime shipping the first time they use the product.  That's not how this one works.  This is the type of mask that you may see results with when you use it consistently over a period of time.

The package contains 20 lip masks.  Each mask is 4.2oz. of wonderfully gooey goop with what feels like a really soft, supple silicone.  You end up paying about 60 cents per lip mask which if it delivers on the claims that it makes is an amazing price.  I've purchased lip masks on Sephora that have set me back $4.00 each so this one was definitely worth a go.

The instructions say to cleanse and thoroughly dry your mouth.  Open the foil package with the back of the package facing you and pull out the plastic liner.  Remove the lip mask, the side facing you is the side that goes on your lips.  Use it immediately after opening the package.  Apply to ensure good contact with your lips.  Leave it on for 30 minutes.  Remove it gently, do not reuse.

Those were my own words, not the instructions verbatim.  They recommend you use the mask 2 to 3 times per week which is a normal mask schedule for a product that benefits with continued use.

I used the lip mask every other day for 4 weeks.

The Scent:  Not offensive at all for me and not very loud.  The lip mask has a subtle floral or rose scent to it which for me drifted away after a few minutes.

The Experience: About 5 to 10 minutes into wearing the mask, I experienced a slight numbing or tingling sensation.  It wasn't annoying to me at all, it was just there.

I never had to lay down or keep my head tilted way back to keep the mask on.  I think as long as you apply the correct side of the mask to your lips, you could get away with a slight head tilt back and occasionally patting the mask to keep it in place.  This was important to me because I could continue working on the computer while receiving my lip mask treatment at the same time.

The Results: After using this lip mask consistently for a month, I didn't notice any plumping but what I did notice was the moisturizing.  My lips are hydrated.  Nicely hydrated.  I noticed it after using it for a bit and it was consistent the entire time I was on the lip mask schedule.

Will I Purchase Again?  This would be a yes for me, especially through the winter months when the air is cold and dry which usually results in very dry, chapped lips.  The moisturizing effect of this mask, the fact I don't have to lay down to use it and the price point makes it worth it in my opinion.  It won't be an all the time routine but I will be keeping a box in my mask drawer so I have them on hand at the first sign of dryness.

I did leave a review for this product on Amazon's website which can be viewed here if you want to see it.          

Have you tried the DreamMi lip mask?  If so, let me know your thoughts on it.  Of course if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments and I will do my best to answer them for you.

Bath and Body Works Fall and Winter 2018 Candle Review- Toasted Vanilla Chai

This is one candle that I was really excited about trying out.  I love vanilla and I love chai so why would I not like this candle?

The label glows while the candle burns.

This candle is 14.5oz or 411g and has 3 wicks that are extremely hard to light the first time you fire up this candle.  It measures 4" wide and 3 1/2" tall with a listed burn time of 25 to 45 hours.  It is in an off white painted glass container and has a metal lid that is embossed with a landscape that includes mountains and evergreens.

I purchased this candle for full price off of the Bath and Body Works website for the sale price of $12.95.

The label is really cute on this one.  Very winter and features skiing and a cute dog wearing a knit cap.  It is snowing and there are blue mountains in the background. 

But... what does it smell like, how does it burn and how does this candle perform?  I don't know about you but to me those are the most important things.

The label and website describes the scent on this candle as, "Made with Ginger & Nutmeg Essential Oils with notes of Cinnamon & Cloves."

When I removed the lid and smelled this candle before lighting it, I definitely got the nutmeg and a background smell of the cinnamon.  I didn't catch the ginger or the cloves.  It smells amazing on the cold smell, but is very subtle and quiet.  The scent is there, but it isn't in your face.  If this candle were a person at a party, it wouldn't be loud or obnoxious in order to be the center of attention.  It would sit in the corner of the room, but still be involved in any casual conversation happening around him.  You would definitely know he was there.

I was really looking forward to seeing how this candle would perform.

Day 1- I placed it on the bookcase at the end of my hallway next to the kitchen entry way.  It burned for approximately 4 hours.  When I walked down the hallway I could smell the scent of spiced vanilla.  It was subtle.  Not "in your face, I'm here."  It was pleasant and subtle.  I thought to myself that this was in fact a good, solid candle.

Day 2- I moved the candle into my office.  I generally burn two or three candles at a time in my office to produce scent combinations that I love.  Recently it has been Yankee Candle's Sweet Fig and Pomegranate and Sugared Pumpkin Swirl because I adore the yummy smell of those two candles together. 

Today I decided to keep them dark and let Toasted Vanilla Chai take the wheel.

Wax pool after burning 2 hours.

About 30 minutes after lighting the candle, I started to notice little wiffs of the scent.  It had started to pool.  For me, the candle pooled much quicker on the second burn which means the subtle scent rose faster.  Two hours into the burn the scent had softly drifted out into the room and the candle was pooled with the melted wax all across the top.  I am thoroughly enjoying this candle.

I allowed it to burn for about 4 hours before putting it out.

Final Thoughts

I really do like this candle.  The throw is just enough for my taste.  I like candles that throw their scent subtly into the room or area that they are burning in.  The scent is light and not "in your face" which makes it extremely enjoyable for me.  It builds a bit over the time that the candle is burning and goes from noticing it here and there as the candle warms up to steady once the candle has pooled.

This candle pools nicely as well.  As you can see in my video below, after burning for a couple of hours the pool of melted wax is complete across the top giving it a level burn and again, a nice scent throw as the wax heats up and starts to melt.

Will I Buy it Again?

The short answer is YES.  I really like the subtle approach of the scent in this candle.  It's there but it's not loud.  It's soft like a whisper in your ear that reminds you that's it's there but it's not begging for your attention.

Do you have this candle in your collection?  If you do, let us know your experience with it in the comments below.  If you don't, are you planning on buying it soon?