Candles by Victoria - First Order Impressions

Here are my opinions on my first Candles by Victoria Scent Shot order.  Every time I pull my box out to decide what to burn or to go through them again I’m hit with such an amazing aroma of yummy goodness!!!  It makes it very hard to decide which scents to burn next…..

SCENT SHOT SAMPLER PACK (8 random fruity scents):

Passion Fruit: I like this one a lot. It just smells like fruity goodness & that's what I love.  It's not terribly strong, more of a light scent to me.  Think it would be good in my bedroom. 

Cantaloupe: I was really excited to get this one because I love Cantaloupe.  I don't know if it smells like a freshly cut one, but it smells really great anyways!  Kind of smells a little citrus like as well. 

Fuzzy Navel: I did not like this one at all when I first got it, but it has gotten better over time.  It smells very fizzy, just like I remember the drink smelling.  It’s a pretty intense peach/orange combination.  It is still amazing to me how a candle can smell “fizzy”!! lol 

Mango Papaya: I really like this one as well.  It has a very light, fruity scent. Not exactly sure what mangos or papayas smell like...but this is what I imagine them to be like.  Want this in a big candle! 

Peaches N Cream:  This is another light scent that I really enjoy.  It does smell a lot like peaches.  I was trying to figure out what else it smelled like and the website says it also has Vanilla, which makes sense with the "Cream" part.

Coco Mango: Not a fan of this one....it just kind of smells like the plastic container. Maybe it just needs more time...

Update:  Since the last time I smelled this it has gotten much better.  Still not the biggest fan, but it no longer really smells like the plastic container.  I see potential!!  I know many others rave about this one.

Peach Ambrosia: This one smells exactly like Play-doh to me.  I get a hint of the peach like the one from Peaches N Cream, but mainly just the play-doh scent.  I’ve heard a couple others say the same thing about this so I know I’m not completely crazy! LOL

Tangerine Mimosa: This one smells exactly like it is described (citrus & champagne).  It has the same strong fizzy note fuzzy navel has.  I like this one better than Fuzzy Navel.

I was glad I got these random scents in the sampler pack.  I would have probably chosen other ones now, so it was a great way to branch out in a category I love.....

THE SCENT SHOTS I CHOSE:

Clothesline Fresh: This was initially my very favorite scent on first smell.  It reminds me of dryer sheets.  Over time it seems to have gotten really strong so I think I will only need a tiny piece.  Can't wait to try some other clean scents now!

Hawaiian Dream:  I LOVE this one so much!  It's very strong, fruity, & tropical.  It instantly makes me think of Hawaii or some other tropical place. 

Island Spa: This one is very strong & complex.  I smell so many things.  I get a very strong lime or other citrus notes.  It also smells kind of spicy (maybe that’s the base notes of wasabi & cilantro/ had to look that one up to figure it out).  I really like this one.

Day Dreams: Smells clean or floral like.  Says it includes lavender, lilac, & Jasmine.  I usually dislike strong floral scents (especially lavender), but I kind of really like this one.  Kind of has a grassy smell to it as well.  Interested to see how it is burned.  If you love clean and floral scents this one is definitely for you!

Palm Island: This one had such a long description so I was dying to try it.  The major note I smell is orange, but it is so complex.  I did this in my small bedroom (half of it) and it was so strong I could only melt it for a little bit at a time.  It might be better in a larger living area.  Definitely makes me think of a luxury spa fragrance.

Sunflower (originally chose Edward Cullen, but they were out of stock and it was replaced with this):  This one smells very grassy & has strong floral notes.  Like I said, not a huge floral person....but interested to see how this one melts.  It says it smells like the perfume of the same name.  Not sure what perfume that is, never heard of it.

Victoria's Secret (free scent shot): Straight up lavender & lilac.  It is very strong.  Not a favorite, too floral for my taste. If you like straight up lavender, you would probably really enjoy this one.

Update:  I’ve grown to like this one better as the days have gone on.  It smells very relaxing and refreshing.  I plan to try this one in the bedroom after a long stressful day.

You would think after placing a decent size order my wish list would have dwindled a little bit….NOPE!!  If fact it has grown to approximately 60 or more scents.  I cannot wait to place another CANDLES BY VICTORIA order!!!  Overall, I am very pleased with both my Scent Shot Sampler pack and the scents I chose on my own.  

Candles By Victoria - Scent Shot Sampler Packs

Being overwhelmed and not knowing what to choose led me straight to Candles by Victoria's Scent Shot Sampler Packs.  I knew I wanted to go with only Scent Shots until I figured out what scents I liked before committing to larger candles.  Scent Shots are a two ounce chunk of highly scented wax.  You can choose from any of the available scents and they come individually packaged in little plastic containers with a lid.  Being only $2.00 each allows for an affordable way to sample scents, and maybe even check out scents you would not normally in a candle form.  You can also combine two or more scents in your warmers to create a whole new scent.  I have no tried this yet, but it sounds like a fantastic idea!

So after thinking about my order and having a massive amount of Scent Shots in my cart, I finally came to the conclusion that I wanted to do a Scent Shot Sampler Pack.  It seemed like the best way to go since I did not really know what I wanted.  There was so much to choose from I just simply could not narrow it down!  Victoria's sampler packs include 8 scent shots and it costs $15 (So you save $1 by ordering a sampler pack).  It is found on the first page of the "Tart" section found on the left side of the website.  The categories include:  bakery, floral, fruity, tropical, earthy, perfume/cologne, clean, coffee, candleman's closet, house, and Christmas scents.  I immediately knew that my favorite types of scents are generally fruity scents so that's what I went with.  You DO NOT get to choose your scents, but none will be duplicated.

I think now I would choose my own since I've gotten such great recommendations of what others love.  At the time...it was the best thing for me to do because I was completely overwhelmed with what to get and I simply could not decide.  This was before I ever really checked out the Candles by Victoria message boards.  It would be a fantastic way to go if you really love a certain category like I do. 

Candles by Victoria Web Page:  http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com/cbv/main.html

Candles By Victoria 1st Order - Jan 2012

 

After obsessing over Candles by Victoria for about two years I finally had the opportunity to place a much overdue and highly anticipated order!!!  After looking at something for so long you can only imagine how overwhelmed I was with everything to choose from.  I have a wishlist about a mile long....

After plotting an order over several days I finally came to the conclusion that a Scent Shot Sampler pack would be the way to go for me.  The 8 random fruity scents I received in my order include: 

Passion Fruity

Cantaloupe

Fuzzy Navel

Mango Papaya

Peaches N Cream

Coco Mango

Peach Ambrosia

Tangerine Mimosa

The Scent Shots I chose on my own:

Clothesline Fresh

Hawaiian Dream

Island Spa

Day Dreams

Palm Island

Sunflower 

Victoria's Secret (Free Scent Shot)

I placed this order sometime during early January.  I was sooooo incredibly excited when they showed up on my porch I could hardly contain myself!!!  I expected the shipping to take much longer than it did since it was just coming off the mad Christmas rush.  It came in a fairly small box and was packaged really nice.  It was funny to me after I had all the scent shots out of the box the packing peanuts still took up about 3/4 of the space.  I have no idea how all the Scent Shots fit in there with so little room!  Nice job Candle Man!! :D

Overall, I am so above and beyond pleased with my first order and this company.  The Scent Shots are a 2 ounce chunk of wax that are extremely well scented.  This is the best option for someone who is just making their first order or for someone who is just looking to try out several scents without committing to a larger candle.  I've also heard that you can take two different Scent Shots and combine them in the warmers to create a new scent.  I've yet to do that, but it is something I plan on doing in the very near future.  Currently plotting a new order as we speak.....

CANDLES BY VICTORIA IS AWESOME!!!!!!

Getting to Know Candles By Victoria...

I've been watching Candles by Victoria videos for what has been probably about two years now without ever ordering once!  The first beauty guru I watched review this company was I believe SayAnthingBrooke.  Ever since then I've seen other beauty gurus review this company that I subscribe too.  Some of my favorites include videos from LePooke.  Both girls do an amazing job reviewing scents and giving their honest opinions.  I always anxiously await a new CBV Video in my subscription box!! :D

 After watching other YouTube videos (constantly) I finally came across the Candles by Victoria YouTube page (CBVictoria).  Watching just a few videos makes you instantly fall in love with their wonderful family (Victoria, Matt, Chelsea, & Melissa).  They seem like such genuine people.  It's not every day you get to know a company so well that you make purchases from.  

After watching nearly every Candles by Victoria video I could get my hands on I started to browse the Candles by Victoria website.  I literally drooled over the candles & tarts every night, but due to financial troubles at the time I could not do any ordering.  However, they didn't stop me from looking almost daily and driving my boyfriend crazy (LOL).  I finally placed a LONG AWAITED order this January.  Waiting for that order to come to my front porch was like waiting for Christmas morning.  

CBV WEBSITE:  http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com/

Zoya Promotion Jan 2012 - Part II

FINALLY got my 2nd set of polishes in from the January Zoya promotion.  You were able to get two free polishes for the price of shipping.  I don't think I would ever order from Zoya unless they had some sort of sale or promotion...because they seem to have them often!  Plus...they are such fabulous deals!!!

 

The polishes I received in this order were Caitlin & Apple.  It took forever to get them, but it was so totally worth it.  I have not worn them yet but they are gorgeous!!  I cannot wait to try them out.  Out of the Zoya nail polishes I already have....I can say this much.....I LOVE THEM!!!  They have so many colors to choose from and they seem to be very long wearing on my nails.  I would definitely recommend someone to check them out on their webpage and "like" them on Facebook to stay up to date on the current sales. 

WEBPAGE:  www.zoya.com

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/ZoyaNailPolish

CAITLIN:  Smoky purple-tinged medium gray with smooth, opaque creme finish. Sultry, mysterious and impossibly chic, a shade that will have everyone intrigued. 

 APPLE:  Luminous yellow-toned apple green packed with gold metallic sparkle.  A dimensional green that's clean and bright. 

Zoya Promotion Jan 2012

I've been really loving nail polish lately.  I received an email talking about Zoya's newest promotion.  You were able to purchase two nail polishes for the price of shipping!!!  The nail polish is normally $8.00 each.  My sister allowed me to use her account so I was able to get four.  The shipping has taken forever....but it has been well worth it!!  I've only received my first order so far.  I ordered Astra & Jo. 

Astra:  "A deep, rosy warm pink tinted translucent base with lots of dark and light pink glitter. A unique shade that's a must have for any glam rock girl."

  

Jo:   "Delicate and serene looking medium periwinkle blue with subtle silver and blue toned shimmer. This calming, flattering blue is like stress relief therapy on your nails!"

These are both really beautiful colors.  I've been wearing Astra on my toes for almost a week and it hasn't gone anywhere.  It's so glittery and I wish Zoya had more than just 3 of the "Ultra Glitter" nail colors.  I know I will be ordering more Zoya in the future!!