January 1, 2015
I don't want to start the new year off complaining about candles but I suppose any time of year is a good time of year to talk about wax so here goes.
I know I am not alone in my thoughts regarding "test candles" and Bath and Body Works policy of no longer allowing us ALL to have a chance to enjoy Everything that they offer to some.
"I was raised with the thoughts, if you don't have enough to share with everyone...then don't show what you have"
The concept of "testing" the candles has always made me shake my head. Is it that they are testing the name of the candle chosen for that color of wax or scent...or do they want to know for that certain demographic chosen how popular it will be? Because we love the candles...as shown by the sales of them...and all we want is top performance for a good price...in case anyone was wondering.
It can't be to test the performance of the candle because they have quality control for that....although with some of the candles horrible performance you would think that there was no quality control at all. I have so many 2010 sitting in a cabinet looking at me that I could pinch myself for not returning when they failed my "test"....putting a match to the wick and lighting it.
And year after year, season after season....there were candles being tested...and for a time we all had the chance to participate in that frenzy.
The reasons it all was changed, changed depending on who you spoke with.
Customer service blamed people cheating the company with fake methods of payment and the loss from complaints of broken candles.
Stores blamed the customers for faking broken candles, pulling man hours off of the floor to cover shipping and phone calls and the excess of materials used in shipping
....and customers blamed the inexperience of sales associates for shipping improperly causing the breakage.
It became a mess. As soon as word got out that the new candles were out...all hell broke loose. Everyone wanted a piece of the new, so they can share their thoughts of what was to come.
Social media on fire.
At one time I bought one of every candle that came out...so I can enjoy but also that I could share. Not everyone could afford to do so, and since I was writing and sharing anyway...it was a way I could connect to my readers and let them see....what the next few weeks or month would be bringing.
I didn't burn and return as some did. I shared...burned and kept.
And still have.
Then when the TN test store "lost" their status, everyone seemed to hit NJ harder and they too lost their status. If you lived in Georgia, or Ohio...you could hit a White Barn store or a BBW there and see them in person. But what about the rest of us.
If you didn't live there, Customer Service came up with some confounded way of calling the stores that had them...begging them for a list of names...calling the Customer Service number and ask for the test candles department.
That, did not last. How could it? Here you have one person ordering one or two candles...and another clearing out the entire scent stock.
"And then, there was none."
No way for the average person to get a candle or two that they want if they didn't live in the one of twelve store areas where candles were being tested store wide.
Georgia has...or had at least five stores that offered test candles this past year. And of course...Ohio.
And what was happening was the stores "stock" would end up out via social media...Pictures and names and notes...and everyone in those areas would share what they found...just not where they found it....and anyone who wanted candles had to get them from Ebay and Instagram for a huge price.
Then when the actual floor set for new candles would come...a few of the "tests" would be missing. And we are all told they didn't make it past the test.
Hmmm. They didn't make it past the "test" yet they are still being sold in stores? Again, what are we testing other than my nerves? :)
And all that did was raise the price the secondary market now charges and makes people want them even more.
Usually the first week of December, the Spring test scents hit the stores and we find out the list of names of candles that will be coming. This year, the candles didn't hit our stores first, but were first sighted in Canada.
And with the kindness of friends there, eventually some of the new was shared.
This week a few new candles in the Brazilian Collection, White Barn Market Collection, White Barn Spring Garden Collection, and the Bath and Body Works Home Collection have made there way to a few stores here in the states and stores were told to shelve them, but offer them at full price.
Yesterday, while out of town I stopped at a store to see what they had new and was told that they received an email that morning to pull all of the new candles back and no longer sell them.
Could it be they didn't want the social media being fed with photos of new? I have no idea.
They have to know that social media feeds the excitement for their product and that is a good thing dollars and sense wise.
But here we are again...certain test stores are offering these candles while the rest of us....
"Watch, Wait...and Want"
And again those sellers are writing that they will hit those stores as soon as the candles become available to stock up for resale. More exchanges of old for new for some.
I guess "test" scents wouldn't be so popular and in such demand if we didn't know they existed. Trouble is...we do. We read about them....on facebook and instagram and twitter and we too want to try them.
So Bath and Body Works...what can we do?
"How can the average person not be a Have Not?"
So many scents over the years were awesome...perfect performers or just a beautiful scent that never came nation wide.
Someone asked me to compile a list of what never made it to all stores for the last three years, and I am doing that currently, starting with this year first.
Which is a bit hard for someone that didn't get to see the full test store experience and has to rely on memory and the help of others.
I will continue to add them as I remember and research them ...and hopefully, one day blogs like this will be a thing of the past and all I can write about is the fantastic NEW scents everyone found at their local Bath and Body Works stores.
2014
Aloha, Hawaii Collection:
- White Orchid Lei
Tropical Escape Collection:
Destination Collection:
- Fleur de Provence
- Magnificent Milan
- Sunny South Beach
- Café Italia
- Road to Kona
- Mad about Madrid
- The Greek Isle
- Bermuda Break
- Sunny St Tropez
- Meet me in Tahiti
- Rocky Mountains
- Emerald Isle
Sweet Shop Collection:
- Lavender Marshmallow
- Pink Bubblegum
- Pink Lemonade Poundcake 3wick
- Pineapple Creampuff
- Honey Cinnamon Crumb Cake
Fresh Picked Collection:
- Heirloom Greens
- Wild Berries
- Lemon Cucumber
- Sweet Spearmint
- Majestic Rose
- Lily of the Valley
- Heirloom Freesia
- Golden Sunflower
Provence Collection:
- Mediterranean Iris
- Wildflower Valley
White Barn Spring Garden Party Collection:
- Sugarberry Spritzer
Coastal Cool Collection:
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Perfect Wave (went wide as Eucalyptus Mint & Waves)
- Suntan
Pumpkin Café Collection:
We Love Fall Collection:
Market Fresh Picked Collection:
- Butternut Squash
- There was talk of Pumpkin Brulee and Cranberry Harvest
Summer Sips Collection:
- Pomegranate Spritzer
- Clementine Crush
- Pineapple Lychee Smoothie
Artisan Collection:
- Malted Pistachio Truffle
- Chestnut Glazed Croissant
White Barn Core Collection:
White Barn Autumn Nights Collection:
Holiday Traditions Collection:
- Chestnuts Roasting
- Triple Layer Candle (never appeared)
Intrigue and Opulence Collection:
Made with Love Collection:
- Honey Apple Crisp
- Snicker-doodle
Snow and Slopes Collection:
- Alpine Frost (3 wick)
- Snow and Slopes
Martini and Mistletoe Collection:
- Pink Peppermint Twirl
Perfect Wish Collection:
Prestige Candles
Atmosphere Home Collection
- master bath (bergamot water)
Florida Collection
Men's Candle Collection
- Ocean
- Noir
- Whitewater
- Alpine Suede
- Midnight
- Mahogany Woods
Chicago Destinations:
- Buckingham Fountain
- North Ave Beach
- Gold Coast
2013
White Barn Spring Collection:
- Southern Magnolia
- Melon
- Lily Pond
Fresh Picked Collection:
Tropical Collection:
Lake Side Collection:
- Campfire Cookout
- Summertime Soda
- Dockside
- Forest Trail
- Wildflower Valley
Italian Collection:
- Pizzeria
- Dolce in some stores
The Eucalyptus Line
Oakmoss and Vetiver
Sage and Cedar
Whitewater Birch
Sandalwood
Destinations: We heart Chicago:
- Sweet Home Chicago- Chicago is renowned for its sweets and we are celebrating a hometown favorite with a scrumptious blend of glazed popcorn luscious cream and rich caramel (summer boardwalk?)
- Lake Shore Drive- Envision breathtaking Lake Michigan in Chicago spectacular skyline with this windswept blend of fresh water, shoreline woods and a hint of mint (w/b #3 refresh and renew)
- Michigan Avenue- The glamour of the magnificent mile is celebrated in a blend of fresh citrus, cypress and a hint of amber. (villa bergamot)
White Barn Holiday Collection:
- Frosted Pine
- Snowed In
- Apple Garland
- Autumn Snow
- Winter Wreath
Snow Day Collection:
Celebrations Collection:
Holiday Traditions Collection:
- Frosted Gingerbread
Winter Fresh Picked Collection:
- Brown Sugared Apples
- Winter Latte in some stores
- Mulled Cider
- Cinnamon Tea
- Merry Mango
Autumn Days Collection:
- Vanilla Vetiver
- Coconut Woods
- Sage and Cedar
- Pinecone
- Cedarwood Trail
Fresh Picked:
- Fresh Picked Apple
Sweater Weather Collection:
- Tailgate
- Pumpkin Woods
Pumpkin Collection:
- Pumpkin Carrot Cake
- Creamy Pumpkin
- Roasted Pumpkin Butter
2012
Holiday Traditions Collection:
- Sugar and Spice
Spirits of the Season Collection:
White Barn Winter Collection:
- Orange Clove
- Lavender
- Vetiver
Snow Day Collection:
Forest Collection:
- Woodland herb---lush green fragrance reflects the splendor of woodland herbs by blending sage & forest woods with a touch of cinnamon & spice!
- Moss and Cedar Flower---A fragrance that embodies the mossy heart of the forest with earthy notes of climbing moss, cypress and vetiver
- Dark Berry & Bark--- A medley of dark berries and rich, earthy woods transports you deeply into a fragrant and shaded grove of the forest
- Wild Vetiver---blend of vetiver, green leaves, neroli, coriander and a touch of black pepper.
- Blackforest Wood---An aromatic blend of white fir, juniper, blackberry oak and forest berries conjures up one of the worlds most magnificent forests
- Enchanted Woods---A rich blend of chestnut, maple, nutmeg, creamy musk and vanilla bark that transports you to the most magical part of the woods.
- Red Oak Tree--- An impressive blend of apple, red oak, white cedar and a hint of agave fragrance celebrates the majestic oak tree.
Destinations Collection (tour the world with fragrance)
Eucalyptus Collection: (I cant remember seeing any of these nationwide)
- Eucalyptus Mint #1 - with its abundance of its clear and bright notes, eucalyptus mint is an invigorating and fresh fragrance.
- Eucalyptus Mint & Lilac #2 - when the unforgettable scent of lilac flowers conspires with invigorating eucalpytus mint a romantic floral fragrance blossoms.
- Eucalyptus Mint & Apple #3 - crisp crunchy notes of macintosh apples mix with eucalyptus mint resulting in a delightful and bright fruit fragrance.
- Eucalyptus Mint & Guava - the scent of guavas fresh from the tree transforms invigorating eucalyptus mint into a mouthwatering tropical scent.
- Eucalyptus Mint & Herbs #5 -
- Eucalyptus Mint & Rain #6 - a cooling scent of raindrops is the perfect match for invigorating eucalyptus mint creating a lush fresh fragrance.
- Eucalyptus Mint & Vanilla #7 - notes of creamy vanilla bear mellow the invigorating aroma of eucalyptus mint producing a refreshing new vanilla scent.
- Eucalyptus Mint & Spice #8 - cinnamon, sweet clove and nutmeg give eucalyptus mint a soft warmth and help form a uniquely enticing fragrance.
White Barn Autumn Collection:
- Chocolate Bacon Cupcake
- Pumpkin Carving
- Farm Apple Cookie
- Sweater Weather
- Cedarwood Oak
- Blueberry Pumpkin Patch
- Roasted Pumpkin Butter
- Toffee Glazed Popcorn
- Creamy Pumpkin
American Boardwalk Collection:
- Salt Water Taffy?
- Ice Cream Shop?
- Root Bear Float?