This post was most recently updated on July 11th, 2015
I love candles. I also love tart warmers, my essential oils diffuser, potpourri – pretty much anything that makes my home smell good. But candles are my favorite. The flickering flames appeal to my inner pyro, I think.
When I was in college, I worked in a candle shop. I learned a lot from the owner; like the importance of keeping the candle wick trimmed to 1/4″ and how to burn complementary scents to achieve a unique home fragrance profile. Wow … did that sound professional? It was a fun job and I so enjoyed smelling like yummy candles at the end of my work day, when so many of my peers came home reeking of french fries or roofing tar. I really developed an intense loyalty to Yankee Candles, the best selling brand at the shop. Over the years, my loyalty didn’t wain much, but my ability to afford such expensive candles did – especially after I started having kids and was no longer bringing in a second income.
Now, I’m kind of weird when it comes to brand loyalty. I mean, I have a certain amount of flexibility with some items, but I like what I like and that’s what I get when it comes to others. For example, I’m comfortable with whatever brand of shoes fit my style and budget and I’m happy with store brand pantry staples. But I buy a particular toilet paper even though it may not be on sale or I don’t have a coupon. So, while my budget was forcing me to burn less expensive discount store candles … my heart was still with Yankee and I bought their jars and tarts whenever I could find a great sale, coupon or promotional code.
I never really tried any other big names in candles … until recently. A little backstory … I have two daughters. I’ve spent a lot of time on YouTube searching out dance recital hair and makeup tutorials, Rainbow Loom patterns, & My Little Pony costume ideas. So while browsing through different video categories, I stumbled across a genre that piqued my interest (and my husband’s dismay) – candle reviews. I’m obsessed! I’ve found 2 or 3 YouTubers who seem entertaining, knowledgeable, and, well … pretty normal and I started watching their videos about different candle and wax tart products they love. Or hate. It’s fascinating. It’s informative. And it’s fueled my desire to burn candles in a huge way.
Of course, many of the reviews covered Yankee Candles. I watched raptly as new, seasonal fragrances were revealed, discussed and recommended, or not. I became deeply invested in the debate over the quality of the soft wax vs. paraffin wax and whether or not the candles sold at outlet stores had a weaker throw than those sold at the main stores. Then I watched a review of a Bath & Body Works candle. It was like a whole new world opening to me. I’d never burned a B&BW candle before, but I sure wanted to now. I waited and pondered, burned through my stash of Yankee jars, and finally decided to take the plunge and order during the much-lauded Semi-Annual Sale.
I’m so glad I did! I started out with 5 of the 3-wick candles. I based my choices around several reviews I watched and ended up ordering Coconut Leaves, Island Margarita, Strawberry Rhubarb Marmalade, Suntan, and Beach Grass. I could hardly contain my anticipation – then my package finally arrived, and I wasn’t even home. My husband said the poor UPS driver straggled in around 8:30 p.m. – about the time I was leaving the City after my son’s football practice. I opened the box, even though I knew I should be going to bed. It was glorious. Glorious! I carefully packed the candles back into the box and decided to do my own candle review and huff session with my kids in the morning. And that was a lot of fun because they all love to smell candles (and lotion, shampoo, deodorant, flowers, stuff cooking in pots on the stove … you get the idea) just as much as I do.
My 2 year old really got into his huffing: He was smelling the lids (and leaving his little nose prints on the inside) and letting his LEGO Bob sniff each of the candles repeatedly. When I said it was time to put them away, he held out his hand like a STOP sign and said, “Leave me alone! I’m smelling good!” So adorable. So true! So I joined him!
I’ve burned 2 of the original 5 candles I ordered. Well, I haven’t burned them completely – they do last a long time – but I’ve burned 2 of them for a few hours each. And I wanted to share my experiences with you, in case you’re also considering trying a new candle brand or scent. Or, if you’re like me and just like to know what other people think. I will say that I was so impressed with the fragrances I ordered that I went back and ordered 4 more. And … OH MAMA! … These are AH-mazing! Apple Crumble, Vanilla Bean Marshmallow, Summer Boardwalk, and a second Beach Grass were my choices this time and I couldn’t be happier.
I burned the Strawberry Rhubarb Marmalade candle first. 
It was my favorite of the first 5 I bought and my husband was fairly positive about it as well. It was a beautiful burn. The wax pool formed quickly and completely and it burned perfectly even without any soot or smoke. After it had been going for a few hours, the entire candle was liquid and it was a lovely shade of dark, dark pink. When I put it out, the wicks were perfectly placed and there weren’t even any little ash globs on them – just nice, straight wicks that I didn’t even have to trim when I lit it again. The wax burned cleanly in the container with no discoloration and the surface was smooth and even upon cooling. The fragrance … oh, the fragrance! On cold sniff, it smelled so juicy, sweet and tart that my mouth actually watered a bit. I could easily detect both strawberry and rhubarb and the result was very jam-like and pleasant. The scent was strong but not overpowering. I lit the candle and within 10 minutes, I could smell it. I had it placed on a table in between the dining room and the kitchen, both of which are open to each other and also the family room. The throw was fantastic – it was easily noticeable in the entire house, even the back bedrooms. I could even still smell it lingering in the house the next morning!
I give this candle 9 out of 10 for appearance: It’s dark pink (which I love); the label is adorable; and the crimped ‘Market Place’ lid gives it a shabby/cottage feel, which fits my decor perfectly. It gets 9 out of 10 for fragrance appeal, strength, and throw. Like I mentioned, I could smell the scent pretty much all over my house. It was also a very realistic fruit fragrance, not artificial in the least. I’m giving it a 10 out of 10 for burn quality. I couldn’t be happier with the clean, soot-free burn; the deep, even wax pool; wick performance; and smooth, non-discolored appearance upon solidifying. Overall, Bath and Body Works Strawberry Rhubarb Marmalade gets a 9 out of 10 rating. I love this candle and would definitely purchase this scent again. Especially since my husband mentioned more than once that he liked it as well.
I’m currently burning Island Margarita. So far, I’m liking it very much, but I’ll be sure to give a full review of it, as well as some of the other B&BW candles I’ve collected in the coming weeks. When I realized all the Yankee candles I had left were fall and winter scents, I may have gone a little overboard getting summer candles. I also hit the big sale at The Body Shop, where I may or may not have gone a little crazy with $3 body wash and lotion, which I may or may not decide to gift my daughters for birthdays and Christmas. Oh, oh, oh, and there may or may not be some body care treats I picked up from Bath and Body Works, too! Wheeeeee!
At any rate, I’m thoroughly enjoying my expanding horizons, candle-wise, and I hope you share at least a little of my enthusiasm for the wonder of scented wax. I’d love to know what candle brands and fragrances you love in your home. And have you tried soy wax tarts or candles? I have some great experience with those, as well. Until next time …
Love & Blessings –
That Farm Mama
