About 6 months ago my sister took some of my candles in to work to sell for me. Well she sold everything I had and everybody loved them but 2 days later this one woman said oh Yankee candles are WAY better, they last longer...blah blah blah so my sister told her well just go ahead and spend all that extra money on those candles. about 2 weeks later people were asking for more....including the complainer who said...hmmm your candles smell stronger and bought all my apple scented candles because just one small one filled her entire room with that yummy CS mac apple scent and took back the remark about the Yanmee candles being better. I still have a LONG way to go to get that candle that I'm happy with but I'm damn sure mine smell wayyyy better than yanks. I do like the mottled look too but not ready to try that wax yet to acheive that look. I prefer the smooth creamy look.