bells4shells

Thanks for your input!  I'm going to try out AH/RE base since I'm ordering other items, but have noted CS is worth a try too.  :)

I'm looking to place an order soon and wanted to try their base.  There are no reviews though.  Has anyone tried it?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Or recommendations.  Thanks!

Your picks sound great - esp Peony, Lemon Seed + Parsley, Fig + Rosemary... those sound amazing!  I missed that sale darnit.  Thx for sharing your thoughts on the FOs

I tried Cuban Coffee from Southern Soapers (now Soapalooza) a few years back.  I blended it with a vanilla hazelnut FO in candles, but I loved it straight OOB.  It smelled amazing (and strong!) I think it would make a good base to blend with.

VBM!!!  Hands down, but I think I've already raved enough in the other thread.  lol  I haven't tried the others but they all sound delicious

6 minutes ago, Moonstar said:

Thanks for chiming in ! Rosemary Pepper sounds interesting - how would you best describe it ? BTW The Peppermint Bark from JS smelled awesome both 

OOB + CT HOWEVER while burning I didn't care for the scent, it seemed to change ??? I was so disappointed not sure if its the chocolate or peppermint 

that does this or maybe even the wick ??? IDK. The VBM had a great HT not as deep + rich on vanilla( to me anyhow ) But I really like it. I pick up more

marshmallow - The wax I tested in was 464 with a CD wick . Do these type FO morph sometimes - if so, wonder why ???

Rosemary Pepper smells clean and refreshing.  I know that's not a terrific way to describe it, but I'm not sure how else to.  I def smell the rosemary and it reminds me of the invigorating scents typically marketed towards men.  

Thanks for the update on the JS Peppermint Bark!  I never got around to ordering that one.  Good chocolate scents are so hard to find (for me).  I absolutely love VBM!  It's still one of my favorites.  I get different scents from it -- CT I smell more of the marshmallow than the vanilla, but when I do smell the vanilla it has a buttery tone that I just love.  When I'm burning it, it just smells like I'm baking  But now I'm getting off topic...

I've only bought samples from them - most are BBW dupes (esp love Vermont Honey Apple & Citron Cedarwood OOB).  A few others I've gotten that I like and will likely order larger sizes for testing are:  Black Cinnamon (unisex but smells more manly to me), Fruit Loops (smells like fruity pebbles cereal to me and so good!), and Rosemary Pepper (if you like rosemary scents, this one is unique).

The only one in your list that I've purchased is Kentucky Bourbon.  Normally alcohol types burn the nose hairs a bit for me, but It's not as potent OOB as I thought it might be.  I get a bit of vanilla on first sniff and then I get an alcohol type smell.  It's really pleasant.  I can see using this on its own and mixing with it. 

Aztec is a pretty new supplier for me.  So far, they have great prices and ship fast.

9 hours ago, Moonstar said:

Ok thanks ! Weird how its listed as a top note ? I think I might try it then - you said its strong in candle wax ... do you do 1 or 1.5 oz pp thanks +

sorry to be a nuisance lol !

Not a nuisance at all!  I did 7% with this oil.

14 hours ago, Moonstar said:

Lemon Magnolia sounds really good. Whats EL soy ? Is it similar to 464 or 415 ? I love Jo Malone but only get it once in a blue moon - so pricey  

Im wondering since her company was bought out if the formulas will change. It seems as if they always do. Possibly because she doesn't sell the 

original formula ??? I'll have to give JS a try one of these days . Thanks for chiming in  

EL is Enchanted Lites.  Well, American Soy now that they were bought out.  I haven't tried either of the soys you mentioned so I can't say for sure.  I hear you on Jo Malone.  Super pricey, but worth it - the colognes last forever!

13 hours ago, Belinda said:

Like everyone else she has some good oils and bad ones. A lot of hers smell weak OOB but come alive in wax. I've been pleasantly surprised by several of them. 

I need to put my sample of vanilla bean marshmallow in wax. It smelled light to me out of the bottle but with the review you gave it I'm anxious to get it in wax now LOL!

 

You listed more that I need to add to my wishlist.  lol  Glad to see ones that have worked well for you.  I wasn't excited when I smelled the VBM from the bottle, but I was hoping it would be the same as what I loved about the original BBW candles.  It really does come alive after a cure in wax and dead on for me!


 

1 hour ago, Moonstar said:

Hi there  I went on JS to view the Vanilla Bean Marshmallow + the top notes are anise licorice, do you pick up on the licorice notes ? Seems like

a weird note for a VBM plus Im not a huge fan of anise especially in a candle. Thanks  

I don't get an anise note at all - just yummy vanilla & marshmallow notes!  lol    

2 hours ago, Moonstar said:

So what are your favorites that you've tried from there ? Do you use soy ... Ive been testing 464 + I use para soy for melts. Ive never ordered from JS 

but like Belinda said, their photos draw you in. Or they do me anyhow lol ! Im also a sucker for packaging though lol ! 

I use EL soy.  The only FO I've put in wax is the Vanilla Bean Marshmallow.  It was phenomenal.  Great CT/HT with a week cure.  

Here are some of my faves - OOB
Cake Batter Fudge (this is not as heavy as I was anticipating, but still really yummy with candy notes)

Lime Basil Mandarin (jo malone type that's pretty spot on compared to my Cologne)

Walk on Air (kate spade type that's pretty spot on compared to my EDP)
Lemon Magnolia (I've never smelled the real deal, but this is just beautiful)
Rosemary Grapefruit (zesty clean and unisex - unique)
Cotton Candy (I got the super strong version and it's amazing OOB)
Sugar Cookie Bomb (lighter vanilla but soooo good)
Buttercream Bomb (exactly what it sounds like)
Avocado & Sea Salt (smells fresh and pretty - I've smelled something similar but can't put my finger on it)
Vanilla Bourbon (smells like high quality vanilla extract to me with a touch of bourbon)

I have a ton of their vanillas, bakery types as well as their other Jo Malone dupes on my list of "to try" and their Bodacious Buys are tempting price-wise!  Sorry, didn't mean to hi-jack, but hopefully this helps those who haven't bit the bullet yet.  
 

I hear you!  I have known about JS for a long time but never ordered until a month ago.  I've already put in my second order (had to take advantage of their 1lb sale) and keep finding more that I want to try!   I know you asked for Christmas scents, but have to say that I've tried a few of their dupes and they have been pretty spot on!  Most are OOB opinions so I have to test my individual applications, but I know their Vanilla Bean Marshmallow is dead on in my candles.  BBW doesn't sell it anymore and it was my absolute fave so I'm super pumped about finding a supplier for the FO!!

I'd be interested to hear how JS compares to CS for Peppermint Bark.  I have a couple CS samples somewhere.  And let me know if you want me to send you some sniffies for CCC.  I have that and one from RE/AH.  I prefer the RE/AH version I think -- it just seems brighter.

Fiji Date & Lemon sounds amazing!  What a unique blend.  I'd be interested to hear how it performs for you in CP.

I got a sample of Beachwood Vetiver and it was so good OOB.  I haven't put it in wax yet but glad to hear it's a powerhouse - love that!

I haven't tried any of the others, but it's always nice to hear how they perform.  I have hits and misses with RE/AH, but they do have a lot of great bakery type scents.

I just ordered Candy Cane Cupcakes & Buttery Gingerbread.  Both are nice - esp BG.  I get mostly white chocolate cake notes and a little bit of mint for CCC, but... I've only smelled out of bottle.  I need to put into some wax and see what blooms.  Buttery Gingerbread is exactly what I was hoping it would be.  It reminds me slightly of CS Hansel & Gretel but more spicy.

The only other one from them I've tried that I'd classify as Christmas would be Vanilla Pinecones.  My notes were a softer pine, smells slightly minty but definitely a Christmas type scent.

If you get Peppermint Bark, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.  I've noticed it's a best seller, but I haven't tried it yet.

HTH

I second NG's Bayberry.  One of my faves!  You might want to try Backwoods Lilac.  I have only tried their lilac and linen and love it, but have heard great things on their straight lilac.

Great review!  I got a couple 1ozers during their last sale.  I agree on the love/hate comment.  I didn't like it when I first smelled, but I got wafts of it from just sitting in the bottle on my desk and I loved it!  It has a very slight smell of black licorice to me.  I could see this as a mixer.

I've bought a lot of their sample sizes and most of them smelled awesome OOB.  I especially loved egyptian sheets, butternut pumpkin (reminds me of CS hansel & gretel), christmas cookie, firewood, marshmallow madness, merlot, french market, iced tea, white cake (one of my fave cake scents so far) ... I could go on.  lol  I keep an excel file of all the FOs I purchase and rate them OOB and adjust after I test in wax/soap.  This company has a lot in the green for me.

I have yet to put any of it in wax, but am curious now after reading others' experience how they will work with my wax blend.  I can understand how some think the oils smell weaker. I had the same feeling on some of them too.  But again haven't put any in wax yet.  This company has a lot of winners for me OOB though.  

1 hour ago, puma52 said:

OOPS!!!I'm so sorry... I mean't Lemon Pucker !   I loved to blend the Tomato Leaf w/dirt and cucumber and also make it by itself. You will love the Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Ahhh!  Thanks for letting me know.  Tomato Leaf and cucumber sounds like it would be amazing!

2 hours ago, Belinda said:

Sissy's sugar cookie smells good but it's not as rich as other sugar cookies in my opinion. It smells like Snicker Doodle from Southern Scentsations (I think it's that one). It does smell good though but kind of light to my nose. I personally like the sugar cookie from Peak or FB better or Frosted Sugar Cookie from ICS.

Thanks!  I'm always looking for good cookie scents and all of the ones you've mentioned, I haven't tried yet so I'll have to add those to my buy list.  I think I'll go ahead and keep sissy's in my cart so I can at least see what I think.  If anything, I can always mix it right?

16 hours ago, Trappeur said:

I've always loved BC and really never had any duds what so ever.

 

Hot Apple Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake (was BCS) but they have it now......absolutely so yummy!  My most requested...

Spiced Cranberry

Strawberry Jam

Blueberry Muffin

Hayride

Buttercream Crunch

Olive Blossom

Butter Rum Allspice (wow!  great for the holidays....just got another bottle this week)

Northwoods Christmas (Another wonderful winner)

Country Berry Hotcakes

Macintosh Apple

Roasted Chestnuts

S'mores

Vanilla Bean Supreme

Mistletoe

Rice Flower and Shea

I never had much luck with Sissy's sugar cookies.

 

Trappeur

 

 

 

 

Well, I think I'm going to have to try the Pumpkin Cheesecake.  I think a couple of you mentioned that one.  haha  And butter rum allspice.  I don't think I would have picked that one up on my own!
A few of you said Sissy's sugar cookies wasn't a great one for you.  Does sissy's have a buttery tone or is it more straight sugar cookie?

Thanks for all the suggestions!

16 hours ago, puma52 said:

Harvest

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pucker Up

Spiced Cranberry

Totally agree with Moonshine - Tomato Leaf - Smells exactly like you rubbed a tomato plant leaf...LOVE!

They have some real winners.

You piqued my curiosity with Pucker Up.  I don't see it on their site though.  I have Raspberry Tomato Leaf from RE and get that smell you're referring to and I like the added berry note.  Do you use Tomato Leaf as a mixer or straight?

17 hours ago, Moonstar said:

Ive only ordered once from them , about 6 months ago. I didn't get any of the ones on your list though. Unfortunately, I didn't like my choices but 

your sounds really good. Especially cookie jar + hay ride. lavender was one of my choices + to me smelled too soapy if that makes sense. I also

got  Sissy's cookie, it was ok, but I've used much nicer. This of course is just my opinion. Let us know how you like them !

Yep, I totally get what you mean by soapy.  I think I would like that since I tend to gravitate towards lavender blends rather than straight, but can certainly see why you were disappointed.

17 hours ago, moonshine said:

The following I use from them and love:

hayride

strawberry jam

hyacinth

biscotti (very heavy good)

tomato leaf

 

I have samples that I haven't used yet but plan to of their basil, sage & mint- Stonehenge 

leather 

pearberry

hinokiwood & cypress

 

 Ooh, I may have to add biscotti and hinokiwood & cypress to my list.  Is the strawberry jam a true strawberry scent?  How does their leather compare to Peaks - do you know?

Thanks for the suggestion!  I added both basil sage mint and 24 carat.  The latter sounds interesting and I didn't even notice it before.  Will let you know

I've never tried their honey gingerbread but am not thinking I should!

A few faves:  Black Irish, Cashmere & Pearls, Lilac & Linen, Pumpkin Cornbread and Sunshine Lollipop.

Well, so far I have this in my cart....

Cookie Jar (BnL)

Hayride (BnL)
Olive Blossom (BnL)
Persimmon Spice (BnL)
Queen of the Nile (BnL)
Wild Jasmine (BnL)
Stonehenge Type
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Buttercream Crunch
Buttery Gingerbread
Funnel Cake
Sissy's Sugar Cookies
Whipped Cream
Tidal Wave
Lime Leaf & Lily