Review- Votivo Candles

In case you still haven't found a suitable present for that oh-too-hard-to-shop-for loved one (who already has everything!), I would highly recommend a Votivo Dalian Candle. The packaging is incredibly unique and stylish and the candle comes in a decorative (ceramic/glass?) case that is both amazingly sturdy and elegant, making it a welcomed addition to any home or bedroom space. According to the site, the burn time runs around 50-60 hours, and all of it is blanketed in a sensual fragrance that is both soft and subtle, as well as delightfully pleasing. Not too overpowering, but gentle enough to create a warm and beautiful atmosphere. What makes this candle a wonderful gift is the outstanding packaging coupled with the quality fragrance. I tried the Vanilla Bergamot Blossom, which for fans of vanilla scents, would totally delight.


While $40 for a candle is little steep, Votivo does offer other gorgeous scented candles for less, around $14-25. Such as the featured French, Aromatic and Color Lines below.


Even though the glass case is not as elegant or as striking as the sexy black Dalian line, the aromatic scent remains just as beautiful and powerful, as well as fragrant throughout the entire burn time, (which also runs about 50 hours).





So if you have any last minute shopping to do, and want to give a memorable gift that is sure to please for hours, these Votivo candles are definitely worth checking!


(Available at Ricky's as well as Whole Foods!)
Deedlejuse Says: Helloooooo world! I haven't posted in much too long! So this candle is absolutely wonderful. I know a $40-50 candle sounds like a lot, but for a soy wonder of this caliber I would definitely throw down that kind of loot. It burns clean, with no soot or anything at all. The packaging, as was mentioned above is to die for. Seriously as I was unpacking my box, as I always do, I was thinking about good openers. My first thought for this candle was: Love, seriously. Then I burned it and I have to say I am not dissapointed at all! I love LOVE this candle, not only because it is so nice burning, but because sometimes I need a little pamper. A little pamper is necessary, and if I have to throw down $40 so be it!

Melissa says: I have the Smoke on the Water candle and love that it smells just like it! The scent is soft and powdery and lingers even when the candle isn't burning. This is so important because so many candles have a faint smell. Like Deedlejuse, the packaging in beautiful and makes it a great experience. Also, a little burning goes a long way. Since this is a lux, and pricey candle, you may want to burn it for a short period of time (as long as it burns to the last outer ring) and let the scent stay for days to come!

Hillary says: I too have the Votivo Smoke on the Water and brother does it last! Not only does the candle itsself last an insanely long time (I'm not so sure my husband isn't switching them on me), the scent is powerful without being sickening. I.E. you know when this candle is/ has been burning. This is the candle to beat all candles if for nothing else than the fact that my Smoke on the Water candle has been open and sitting on my coffee table for months, I have it lit right now and it smells exactly as it did the day I first lit it. I know Votivo candles may initially cause some "sticker shock" upon looking at the price, but this candle is the equivalent of 10 regular candles in that a "regular" candle only really fills the room when you initially light it, maybe two times if you are lucky. When you break it down, I'd rather invest in a Votivo than more of another candle.

Sultana says: I agree with everyone, this will last a very long time due to its slow-burning abilities. I have this in the Tuscan Olive. I have never seen a candle that has such a nice texture. Its almost like a lip balm. If you swipe off a little piece and rub it together, it will dissolve. Which is amazing. I love the light scent that this has to offer. Its not over or underwhelming. The price is a bit much, but mostly because I am not into candles.

However, I do have many friends that are candle fanatics. I will definitely recommend this brand to them.

Review- Palettes by Tod Young Candle Collection

"Bring sensual harmony to your home with our exclusive Palettes Scented Candles and Room Sprays, the first and only home fragrances to interpret the aromatic tones that colors communicate. Color choices lay the foundation for the mood of a room, and designer Tod Young has taken this awareness a step further by translating color schemes into home fragrances."

Sufferers (and I use this term loosely; you will see why in a moment) of the neurological disorder called synesthesia experience the world in a different way than most people. Generally, what happens is that the synesthete, when experiencing one form of sensory input (say, visual input, like looking at a picture), will experience it correctly (they see what the picture is), but the sensory input will also involuntarily trigger another sensory pathway in the brain (for example, they might hear a sound). Another common effect of synesthesia is to associate numbers with specific colors (for example, 8 is blue, inherently blue). I find it amazing!

So why am I forcing my fascination with neurology on you when you thought you were reading a beauty blog, just hoping to have a little break in your day? Because apparently Tod Young has tapped into the synesthesia market with his line of Palettes candles. I was confused at first when the candle said it was an aroma for grey tones, but after reading the website, I see what he's going for (though I'm still not entirely sold on the idea). Apparently colors have fragrances? And Tod Young has attempted to capture them? In candles? I guess? So you can get a candle for a pastel room, or a jewel-tone room, or, as I got, a gray-tone room. This is particularly hilarious, because this is my bedroom wall:



I don't really do "grey."

So I tried out the candle in my living room, which, while not grey, is certainly greyer than my bedroom, in hopes of getting a better result. I don't know what it's supposed to do except smell nice, which it does - a light floral-y scent. Am I supposed to feel like the room smells grey? Am I supposed to feel more grey myself? What is the goal here? I don't really get it, and ain't no way this girl is paying $39 for a candle to make my room smell like a color.

Sultana says: I don't get it. All of the above does nothing for me when trying to relate this to a candle. God bless Tod Young for trying to keep things new & innovative, but to me a candle is a candle is a candle! Its meant to give you some light and smell nice. I wouldn't use it for anything else.

Deedlejuse Says: Well, apparently I got the best candle out of the bunch! I got a "Jewel Tone" candle, which I ADORE. My living room is painted white, but my rug and couches are all a jewel tone red. (My car, wallet, hand bag, toaster and sheets are as well....) So I am, beyond a shadow of a doubt a Jewel Tone type of person. Hillary, knowing this, deemed it appropriate to give me the candle that matches my personality. I love it. The scent is this rich, deep, vanilla amber and musk with a little berry and flower on top, sooooo my scent pallet. So, I think that Tod Young might be thinking that people will love a candle that matches their personality. If your bedroom is grey because it was grey before and you never thought to change it think bigger picture. Do you love pink more than anything ever?? Think about getting the pink candle, it will be way more your thing! But if you actually picked out four or five shades of grey to deck out your pad I definitly think that the grey flavor would suit you better! ( I kid you not, a lady came into Jo Malone and was asking for candles, and said that she wanted something in white because her whole house was ten shades of white...) I think you need to really think about the kind of person you are, then choose the candle that suits your personality best.
My only complaint would be that I had the travel tins, and within two hours of having lit it the candle was completely liquid. I don't know how long the candle would be viable, and $38 is a lot of money. I say, try it once, it might be fabulous, but if it isn't your thing don't buy again! (only you should definitly think long and hard about what your real color pallette might be!

Hillary says: I got 2 candles, one was the Neutral Palette and the other was Primary Colors Palette. The best way to describe the neutral candle is, well, neutral. It didn't smell like anything, even when I held it up to my face. I realize that neutral color people like subtlety, but I honestly couldn't smell it. However, I really liked the primary Colors candle. It was vibrant and lively, just like the way I think of Primary Colors. So overall, having read all of the reviews, Palettes by Tod Young is like any other candle line- some hits, some misses.

Melissa says: I overlooked the entire premise of the product and was just so happy to use it because I needed a candle. At first, I was overwhelmed by the scent. I had the pastel candle and it was a bit too strong for me. Just too aromatic and smelled like perfume. I figured out that I could not burn it for awhile or it will overpower my room. Now, I just light it for about 10 minutes and I'm good. Actually, I really enjoy it now and am going to light it for a late evening cup of tea!

Review - Illume Pillar Candles

The art of the hand pour. Every classic pillar is handmade to ensure vibrant colors and extraordinary fragrance quality

This candle is wonderful, whenever I walk into my house the entire place smells like a sweet pineapple with a little herby kick. I love it, it is like being in the tropics where they cook spicy foods. I was a bit concerned at first because the pillar doesn't have any glass around it ( I really have just gotten into candles, so this is one of my first pillars). I don't want wax spilling over the edge or anything...... But, to my delight, nothing like that happened at all! it burns beautifully, creating a hole down the middle with enough wax left outside that there is no need to worry! The scent is beautiful, but also definitely apparent in the room. It isn't too much, but completely noticeable which in my opinion is a perfect balance. The only thing I might question is the 100 hour burn time. I have burned it a total of probably 3 hours and it has burned down at least two inches. I'll have to report back in a few months, but I'm not anticipating 100 hours worth of yummieness. For $23 I think this candle is way worth the money, aaannnddd the green color is beautiful on my table. I love it, and so will you!

Malikah says: I got this candle in Lemongrass, a wonderful fragrant citrus scent. The smell is so light and airy, you can burn this candle for hours and the scent won't be overpowering, and even when its not burning, the fragrance is still present in a very subtle, refreshing way. The pillar is tall, and stable, and burns beautifully, without getting messy wax drips everywhere. Plus the design is simple enough that it won't compete with the rest of your decor. I totally love this candle, and look forward to dozens of hours of happy burning!

Hillary says: I have this candle in both Pinapple Cilantro & Lemongrass, but don't make me choose which one I like better. I can't! They both smell wonderful and throw so much fragrance that it's all according to what mood I'm in which one I burn. The Pinapple Cilantro smelled right through the cardboard box the candles came in (and yes, that is a good thing). I seriously considered keeping the paper the candles came in and lining my drawers with it, but I thought that might be a bit obsessive. I have tried a lot of candles, both for Beautifile and for my personal love of room scent and I can honestly say these are some of my favorite candles ever! Strong statement? Yes, for a strong candle (again, in a good way). For $23 you'll get a candle that can scent a large room and will last a good long time. Trust me on this one, you can't go wrong with these. One caveat, make sure the candle you buy is "fresh". I had originally bought a tradeshow sample candle from Illume that was obviously older and when I burned it, it didn't smell like anything. So I wrote to the nice people at Illume and told them I would like some fresh candles to review. Wow! What a difference!

Review- Dayna Decker Chandel Botanika

The influence of fresh botanicals yields the most serene intentions and profound effects, celebrating the beauty of nature as a true inspiration. Enveloped in multisensory luxury, a mesmerizing flame dances and flickers, as compelling infusions of aroma lusciously adorns the organic EcoWood Wick radiating a soft, crackling effervescence captivating your every sense.

This is definitely the sexiest candle I've ever seen. The hand-blown glass looks simple and elegant on any dresser or table, and is understated enough not to conflict with your decor. In addition to looking beautiful and boasting a subtle, classic scent, the flame flickers and crackles, almost like a real wood burning fire. This is the closest this city girl will ever get to a full fireplace! This is an easy and simple way to set the mood for an evening of romance at home, and definitely worth every penny.

Trish says: Malikah is so right - this is a really wonderful candle to have around. The wooden wick produces a warm, surreal and intimate setting with its high flickering flame and crackling sound effect. The glass encasement is not only sturdy and strong, but also bold and pretty to look at too while the candle is burning. The scent is floral-like and sweet. If you happen to be a bath type of person - then this would be the most ideal candle to have around. It's so sweet and pampering and full of warmth and ambiance - everyone deserves a treat like this at least once in a while! I wonder if it works for showers too? Probably not...but it may be worth a try with this lovely candle!

Hillary says: I three love this candle! It makes me feel like I have my own mini-fireplace, the way the wood wick crackles. It also smells delish without taking over the room. As the others have said, this is everything you want in a candle and more- great scent, great throw of scent, long burning time, attractive and as an added bonus- the cool crackling sound (which isn't loud or anything, but you can hear it when you go close to it).

Review- HollyBeth Candle – Amor

Sweet overtones of Lavender essential oil aide relaxation and soothe away stress while Rose Geranium balances the nervous system and helps to relive anxiety. HollyBeth’s AMOR Lavender & Rose Geranium Candle is hand-poured and contains no petroleum products, synthetic fragrances, boosters or colorants. 5% of sales donated to Atlanta Pet Rescue. - $20; 3 oz.

It’s always a good thing when a product is natural-based, doesn’t pollute, lasts, and in this case, contributes to a good cause. The scent is pleasing and I always love the feeling a burning candle gives me. However . . . three ounces of candle came out to two and one-quarter inches in the glass container, with a two-inch diameter across the circle that narrows in circumference towards the bottom of the glass. I wish I’d timed it more carefully, because I got busy every time I lit it and don’t recall how much burn-time I got. The recommendation on the box it came in states not to burn it once you get down to one-half inch. The candle was pleasing and performed as promised. As to whether you decide to buy it, I suggest you do the math to see how you feel about it; yet, if 100,000 people bought a candle, that would give the Atlanta Pet Rescue $100,000 to work with. Your call.

Review - Sycamore Boutique 1899 Soap Company Products

I got a cute little bundle of products from Sycamore Boutique, and actually at this moment I am burning the delicious spring lilac soy candle and it's so cute and teeny but spreads a wonderful scent throughout our apartment (which isn't easy because it's a long long hallway with many rooms!). The candles are slow burning and all natural, so you don't have to worry about lead in the wicks and other gross things creeping into your lovely scents.
I also received an unscented shea butter lotion that is very natural smelling and not thick and difficult to absorb into your hands like some shea butter products. It cures dry spots like elbows and knees really great also.
My two REALLY favorite items I got though are the rose petals perfume oil and the cherries & chocolate car/closet/drawer freshener. The freshener is an adorable heart shape (and I love anything star or heart shaped) with a really pretty soft penetrating scent. I'm currently using it in our self-built closet in the bedroom and it's making a huge difference removing the musty weird smell that has sort of creeped into there from who knows where. The perfume oil is soooooo sooooo beautiful. It's not overpowering but has a strong enough smell to last all day (even through a strenuous gym workout, I could still smell it), and it comes in a cute little glass rollerball applicator bottle that is easy to keep in a purse/make up bag. It completely lacks any chemical, artificial or weird smell to it, it's just straight rose scent with no weird by products to muck it up.
What a great series of products with an impressive dedication to natural products.

CitySlicker Says:
I too got a little bundle from Sycamore Boutique.
Spring Tulip Candle – I burned this in the office and it carried throughout the area. It is a bright spring bouquet that is very pretty and enveloped all that came through. I then brought this tiny dream home to fill my living area with a fresh bunch of floral sunshine. This candle is small but throws a scent into the air even before lighting it. I really liked my scent!
Cotton Shea Butter Cream – This is a perfect scent for anyone who doesn’t really like scents; it’s light and smells clean. I used this after showering. It absorbs really quickly and left my skin feeling soft and supple. The moisture lasts throughout the day to.
Jessica McClintock Perfume Oil – This is a powdery musky scent that also has floral notes. I apply in the morning and found that it faded throughout the day, by the end of the day I could no longer smell anything at all. It’s a very pretty feminine scent.
Car Freshener in Juniper – This little freshener is very cute and in the shape of a vw beetle. It’s got a true juniper scent that really smells fresh. I put this in my car and have smelled the scent all week, it’s not overpowering in a perfumey way, and it’s like having a juniper bush in the back seat. The scent is beginning to fade but it’s still there and I am sure will be for some time.

Hillary says:
I got the perfume oil in Downy scent (yes the fabric softener) and it smells just like the real thing (one of my favorite scents in the world). I've been let down by fragrance oils before, I found the scent just wasn't strong enough, but that can't be said for this oil. I could still smell it hours after putting it on.
I also got she butter lotion in Downy scent. It smells wonderful! I love the fact that it moisturizes but it sinks in completely. If you wear layers of fragrance (body wash, lotion and perfume) the scent lingers much longer.
I don't recommend the Woodland Violet scent of candle because although it smells divine in the tin, once lit I could only smell it by holding it up near my face. From the looks of the other reviews, this is only the case with the scent I got.
The car freshener I chose is Violet as well and it smells divine. It is even strong enough to smell over my husband's smoking and is shaped appropriately enough as a car.Sycamore boutique has hundreds of scents to choose from and their prices are out of this world.

Maria says: Well, I burned my entire tin of the lovely Orange-Vanilla scent. Yum. Such a great smell. I will say that I could smell it much better in the bathroom - which is very small. When I moved it to my bedroom, I couldn't really smell it anymore unless I was very close to it (like you Hillary). When I opened up the rest of my little package from this great company, my daughter immediately took off with the star-shaped room freshener (in Downy) smells JUST like it - she hung it from her ceiling fan in her bedroom and when the fan is oscilating it smells just like fresh laundry in there - I got the perfume oil and body lotion in Blue Musk and it has to be one of the cleanest, softest, scents I've ever had the pleasure of wearing - it's so pretty and it's not like when you smell it you can say "oh this smells like ________" (insert perfume company name here) because it is unique. I wish the scent lingered a little longer on me. But that tends to be a problem with me - scents tend to fade quickly - who knows...maybe it's my skin's absorption properties! I can imagine that I'd have a field day with the amount of products to choose from. This is just an all around GREAT company.

Deedlejuse says:
This is a relatively difficult review for me to write. My job is for a company that is quite similar to this boutique, but their products are much cheaper. Unfortunately, my soy candle went the way Maria and Hillary's did. I got Lemon Verbena and I loved the size of the candle tin, and the scent before it was lit, but I couldn't smell it at all after it was burning. I let it burn a long, long time before I decided to just give up and snuff it. The car freshener I got in a scent called Mediterranean Fig; I wasn’t the biggest fan of this fig smell. I actually used it in the car, which was a bad decision. It got so strong the first day (probably because it was really hot) that it was difficult to breathe, and by the second had faded to nothing. My recommendation on the air freshener is: by in bulk to save on shipping, pick a smell you know you'll love, and please use them when the temperature outside is less than 90*. The lotion was nice, and of course it is cool that you can have it scented with your perfume. I got Angel Food, it was a very strong version of the desert. I really did like the smell I just found it strong. The perfume oil was Sandy Beach, it was a very accurate smell beachy flowers and maybe cucumber to make it sort of fresh. Not overly coconut, which is nice. Again, the oil, like the lotion is very strong. I think that they are both stronger than alcohol based perfume, which is quite unusual for oil. Overall I kind of think purchasing blind is risky, maybe have them send you samples of the smells first? I don't know I guess even if you hate it you have only wasted $7 for the perfume oil!
P.S. I just realized that I was also scent a glycerin soap which is useful when one is having a hot flash. I very much like the smell of the rose geranium, and the soap suds well and lasts a while. Unfortunately, I'm 24 so I cant report back on the hot flash thing......

Sheba says:

I can see why Deedlejuse had difficulty reviewing these items as she is associated with another line. However, these are in a completely different category completely. Nantucket Naturals is top of the line while Sycamore Boutique is a much lower priced alternative. Actually I probably should not say alternative - but addition. I would not leave Nantucket Naturals for just about anything however, I would definitely add Sycamore Boutique. I selected the Orange-Clove Candle and it is pure Heaven. I love it. . . and I did have it throughout our home but I put it out pretty fast as I do not want to use it up before I can replace it with maybe 10 more. It is addictive. That combination is one of the most pleasant ones that I have ever been surrounded by and they do an excellent job of capturing it. Then I chose the Cotton Blossom Perfume Oil which is one of my favorite scents. It is very clean without blanketing you in a Tide or detergent aroma. It is very refreshing and I enjoyed it. It is strong without being too strong. You might think if it is strong it will last all day. However, it fades as the day goes on but that is not a problem if you carry the little bottle with you. I often have to refresh my fragrances and am used to doing that. I decided on the Lemon Verbena Shea Butter Lotion and that was another good decision. Being a 'citrus nut' I love the fragrance -- it is very captivating. I feel that the lotion is absorbed into the skin very nicely and definitely moisturizes you and I love it on elbows and those other very dry area. The scent is not overpowering and needs a bit of refreshing once in a while but once again I wash my hands so often (due to my dog) that I always have lotion handy so I can freshen up frequently. My pick of the Fresh Linen Scented Ornament could not have been more on target. I love to keep something like a scented candle or sachet in the linen closet. This leaves such a pleasant and clean aroma in there that I love it when it I open the door and get this fresh scent instead of that stale scent you can get from a linen closet. I definitely have to stock up on some of these. . . they are wonderful. All in all I would say Sycamore Boutique is a winner with very affordable products that actually work as intended.

Joyce says:

Review: Blue Musk was the scent for my soy candle; shea butter lotion; scented ornament that could be a car, bathroom, or lingerie freshener; and the perfume oil. I love musk, and this one is particularly yummy. I had on the perfume oil and a guy caught a whiff of it (no, not a total stranger) and began nibbling on my neck. A woman caught the scent and went crazy over it (without nibbling, of course). This scent is both sensuous and innocent. Very, very nice.

Review - Votivo Creme Brulee candle

Votivo aromatic candles in Creme Brulee. Transform your home into your very own paradise island. Get swept away every time you light one of Votivo's hand poured scented candles.

I received this candle as a birthday gift a week ago, and it is by far one of the best smelling candles I've ever had. It's so clean burning and lasts, so the box says, for over 50 hours. Votivo makes so many scents I can't possibly list them all, but to name a few: black ginger, amber, cedar & sage, and deep clover. I've opened the box to a few (they sell them in the store Ricky's here in New York City) and they all smell so delicious you almost want to scoop the wax out and eat it (although I don't recommend doing that!). The creme brulee is so awesome smelling, I hate to put it out and have been lighting it every day. An added bonus: they come in a beautifully embellished box you can keep and use to store little things like jewelry.

Review - White Barn New York Fresh Linen Scented Candle

Crisp and cleanýlike just-washed linen drying in the sun.
Imported.

• Our 3-wick, irresistibly fragrant candle fills your home with rich, lavish aroma and ambiance
• Twice the fragrance of most competitors' candles
• 4" x 3 1/2" tall
• Burns between 40-65 hours

I got this candle as a gift, and I really like it. Fresh linen is not necessarily the first scent idea that I gravitate towards in a store, but after the way that it makes my house smell, I just might. It is like there is a dryer going in my living room! It has the three wicks so it really is quite strong. It fills a good-sized room up in just minutes. I also really like the way the packaging looks, very country cottage. It says it has a 40-65 hour burn time, which I totally believe.

CitySlicker Says:

I have one of the candle also, in Pineapple Mango.. Let me tell you this is a tropical dream, sweet, fruity and warm.. The scent is enveloping in the home, it throws throughout once it's been burning for a while.. I find that the 3 wicks burn fairly evenly, it seems that one is always a little less burnt so I cut it low so I get an even burn the next time. I also use the lid to smout it out so I get no blown wicks. If you like Pina Coladas then you will love this, it's a juicy mouth watering pineapple blend that leaves me salivating when I think of it.. Perfect for guests, I have it in the kitchen, it works wonders for masking the scents of dinner too.

Sheba says:

I use the Fresh Linen as it helps disguise the pet smell that comes along with a pet. I use Febreze almost daily but this just fills the room with a fresh scent. Even if the room needs cleaning it smells clean!!! I am for anything that enables me to put off cleaning. I thoroughly enjoy this candle and have a small supply handy. It burns for a long time and I put it out when I go out and burn it again another day. It lasts a good amount of time. I have bought some other candles with this scent that did not smell as good or last as long. Some of them actually cost more and that makes them even more disappointing. I guess they thought me a lesson - if something is really good -- stick with it!!

Review - Way Out Wax Aromatherapy Candles

A refreshing herbal aroma with calming and cleansing qualities. Pure sage essential oil and 100% soy wax.

I picked up one of these mini tin candles at a health food store near my job a few months ago, I believe it was a lavender scented one, and I loved it. The tin was only $5 and lasted almost 25 total in burn time, and the scent filled the entire apartment. I recently went back and got a sage candle for myself, and think this scent is equally as great. The larger sized tin candles have a 50 hour burn time in all the great scents (click the header above to see how many there are), and I have bought two of those as gifts for people. What I love most is that they're soy candles, clean burning, contain no lead and no other B.S., just soy wax and essential oils and all natural materials. You can tell the difference.

Deedlejuse says: I got myself a Way Out Wax Candle just the other day. It is just as wonderful as Amanda S. says it is. The scent that I purchased is called Sweet Dreams, it is a combo of lavender, marjoram, and lemongrass. This is not a mix I would have associated with bed time, because I thought lemongrass and marjoram are both supposed to be invigorating scents. Not the case in this instance.... It is a really lovely, relaxing, earthy smell that is not overpowering in the way that normal candles can be. The soy and essential oils route is definitely the way to go in my opinion. The scent does fill up a room in a non-obtrusive sort of way. I opted for the Frosted Glass Tumbler variety, because I think it looks really nice in an understated less obvious sort of way. I would also get these candles as a gift, because they are an incredible quality for not to much dough.

Review- Archipelago Botanicals African Freesia Candle

Archipelago African Freesia candle is the exotic scent of the African freesia. Hand poured, using only the finest ingredients and fragrance oils available.
50 hours burn time
Essential oils and natural frangrances
Premium wax blend (contains more than 50% natural soy wax)

$22.00

First thing I noticed, obviously is the packaging, understated, simple and elegant. Definitely, good looking and very gift worthy... Secondly, the scent billows through the box... The light & sweet scent of freesia filled the room when I opened it. I lit this at work in the office I share with 4 other people & asked their thoughts. Honestly, every single person loved it. The scent filled the room very quickly; it’s not overwhelming or perfumy. I found this to be a calming, delightful scent. I brought it home after burning it for almost 3 hours and I can attest that this candle lasts; it didn’t make much of a dent in it. This is a nice sturdy, heavy container that I don’t have to worry about the cat knocking over... I am a freesia lover now! It’s lit now and filling my home with the sweet floral scent!

Hillary Says:

If I were blindfolded right now I would not be able to tell you whether someone had just brought in fresh flowers or had lit my Archipelago Botanicals African Freesia candle. It just smells that good! It's one of the strongest candles I've ever owned and I LOVE it. It's a soy blend and it burns very cleanly. From what I've seen so far, this candle is going to last a long time. I'm now anxious to try other Archipelago Botanicals candles. I highly recommend this candle.

Deedlejuse Says

I definitely agree with the above posts. This candle is wonderful, and beautiful both visually and sensory. I really don't think I could have found a better flower smell if I tried. It is just so light and bright, but not strong and perfumy, like you are in a garden. This is the first soy candle I have ever had, and I cannot even articulate the difference. Some candles make my throat scratchy, and my eyes water. I figured it was just something about the fragrance, but in retrospect it must have been whatever was burning off. This one just felt cleaner. Sort of like you were refreshing the air, as opposed to filling it with smell. I will never get another regular candle again, even if they are less expensive. This candle is certainly worth $22, and in fact I would probably pay more. I love it.

Sheba says:
After the positive reviews I just had to try this candle. Believe the reviews!! This is one of the few candles I have used with a 'true' or 'real' scent. Most fragrance candles have a scent which gives off a 'fake' aroma that copies the original. This surrounds you with the original scent -- nothing artificial about it. Being a soy candle it burns cleaner so everything about it just refreshes the air leaving it a bit more pleasant than when it started. I do have to admit that I am one to look around for bargains but this is worth the cost. I will not find a better candle than this for any less. I know -- I have tried. So I don't mind spending the money on a product that works perfectly.

Amanda S: I'd just like to reiterate what everyone else above has said, what beautiful packaging, and the smell just enveloped the apartment, not in an overwhelming way, but in a really peaceful and subtle way. My boyfriend and roommate both really love the scent and, in confess, I've had this candle on my "amazon.com" wishlist for over 6 months. Lucky me!

Maria says: What an awesome candle. It looks classy and elegant and smells lovely. I actually had (yes, HAD - it's gone - I couldn't help myself - had it lit all the time) this burning in my bedroom and not only did I love the smell while burning, it kept lingering in the room afterwards and it was so pretty - it went great with the great weather we were having at the time - just made it feel like a perfect spring day. Very nice - A+ for packaging and quality.

Joyce Says:

I loved my African Freesia candle. I’ve used other soy candles before that even if pleasantly scented, also provided an “extra” scent I didn’t enjoy. I wished I’d tracked how many hours it lasted, because it was a lot of them. As Maria did, once I lit it, I put it out only if I had to leave or when I went to bed.

Review - Sharon Bolton Scents Soul Candle

7.5oz all natural Soy and Palm wax candle with a woven cotton wick. An approximate 50 hr burn time. $28.00

Soul - Sweet tropical notes that will evoke a memory for your soul. Juicy papaya, luscious pineapple, and creamy coconut with undertones of clean musk. It’s enough to sweep you away to the islands.

CitySlicker Says:
To sum this up in a couple words...OH MY GOD!! I LOVE this scent. It's the loveliest candle. It warms my soul and my home. It throws the most amazing scent and fills my home. It's a tropical getway right in my own space, the scent is so intoxicating. It's got coconut and sweet pineapple. I want to eat it, it's like a pina colada. I got this and burned and burned it till there was no more. The price is in line with other boutique candles but this one delivers a scent that I would love to have around me always. Sharon Bolton's scents are amazing. I also have the oil in Soul & Luv. They are great too, but the candle is my favorite. Great line and amazing scents! All I can think of is YUMMY! Also I can not light the candle and still enjoy a light scent.

Review - Anthousa White Gardenia Candle

Home Ambiance Candle Collection $36 EACH
Enjoy your favorite Anthousa fragrances, now in warm, enchanting candles.• Nectarine & Red Currant: Succulent nectarine is enhanced with juicy peach and lively red currant in this warm-fruity fragrance. • Cucumber & Green Grass: A ripe cucumber is blended with casaba melon and dewy violet leaf; a sparkling green grass accord is brightened with muguet.• White Gardenia: A luxurious blend of white gardenia flower, fresh lily, and jasmine blanc.

CitySlicker Says:
I love the understated elegance of the Anthousa line. I love the look of the line, so minimal. It is not the scent. I usually don't like gardenia, as I find that it's overbearing and too perfumy. This candle is light and so pretty. I have this in my smallest bathroom and even when it's not lit the fragrance is thrown throughout. When I light it, the scent intensifies. I am cautious with this candle. I don't leave it burning for long periods of time. The price is the biggest factor in the equation...$36 means it gets lit for company or after I have been cleaning. I would definitely buy this again. I know this will sound corny, but I even kept the box it came in to display next to the candle. I keep it on the toilet - I think the frosted glass and shape are lovely too. I got this for Christmas and I am only about 1/4 of the way through, it's a nice touch in the bathroom also. It's very feminine and pretty. I am dying to get my paws on the grapefruit and blood orange. It smells delicious also. I think these make wonderful gifts, I say this because I loved receiving it! HA!