By Pam, added 1/9/12

Brand:
Universal Voodoo

Type: Melts

Fragrances:
Big Bad Apple
Extreme Passion
Ooey Gooey Goblin
Orange Jasmine
Tapestry

Cost:
6 piece simmering wax, approx 3 oz- $5
Simmering wax sample,approx 1/2 oz-$1

Strength: Strong

Introduction to my review on Universal Voodoo:

I love anything and everything unique. I'm the type of person who chooses "atypical" things. If I have the choice between two candles and one is scented in Fresh Orange while the other is Orange Passionfruit Eggnog Cupcake, I will choose the latter. That's why I immediately took notice when I saw the unusual scents offered by Universal Voodoo, a business that specializes in both simmering wax and perfume oils. 

Universal Voodoo has been around for about 14 years and was originally called Candles by Cow. Tod Cowsill (owner) explained how he had picked the original name just to pick something without any intent of keeping it. But then, people started finding the site and ordering so, he kept it open. After some time, the name changed to Alternative Breeding, but was changed again in July 2011 to Universal Voodoo which is now here to stay. 

Universal Voodoo's site is a very straightforward, uncomplicated website.... no frills or fuss..... but what they offer is anything but simple. Most of the scent blends are gutsy and really push the envelope of what one typically sees on a wax company's scent list. In addition, they are continually adding new scent blends to the website, so there is always something new and exciting to try.

I had been wanting to order from this company since I first discovered my love for wax melts. So when they had a sale, I pounced!

What do my melts from Universal Voodoo look like?

I ordered several clamshell packs in various scents. Shipping was fast, even though I ordered during a sale. I received my order in less than two weeks.

When my box arrived, I could smell a mixture of delicious aromas through the sealed carton. Opening my box, I was greeted by three large brown bags, each containing a handful of plastic clamshell packs. Each pack had a cardboard insert with the name of the company, the scent, and instructions for use clearly seen through the front of the pack. The clamshells were received intact and everything was very clean and neat. A few of the packs came with a special note attached informing the customer of the date when the wax will be fully cured, or ready to be used. I found this information very helpful. I also received a generous amount of sample wax cubes in individual plastic bags.

How did my melts from Universal Voodoo smell?

I have tried various types of wax including soy, paraffin, and soy/paraffin blends. On the Universal Voodoo website, it is unclear what type of wax is used. I sent off an email to the owner about this, and received a reply the same day.

"The simmering wax is a blend of soy wax, mineral wax and botanical oils. I used to use 100% soy but I found that the all-soy wax can over heat easily with tarts and let off an odd smell when it does. It also would release all the fragrance right away and not last for very long. So I tested different formulas until I got the results I wanted".

After trying a handful of scent blends, I am happy to report that Mr. Cowsill settled on the perfect formula. With each scent, I melted very little wax to get a strong, long-lasting scent throw. I have tried larger melts from other companies that didn't perform half as well as what I discovered with my Universal Voodoo melts. 

Now onto my review....

Big Bad Apple

"Macintosh Apple, Bourbon whiskey, brown sugar, and clove"

Whoa ! This is knock your socks off powerful ! The macintosh apple must have been fermented with the whiskey because it becomes an authentic smelling apple cider. My entire house was quickly scented with a robust cider aroma, which smelled as strong and fresh at the six hour mark as it did when it initially melted. At one point it settled down to a slowly simmering warm apple clove which I could detect in the air 15 hours later. This is the perfect spicy apple scent for those days when the air chills and the leaves turn beautiful Fall colors.

Extreme Passion

"French Vanilla, Lotus Blossom, red berries, sugar cane, and white musk"

This smells like a fine ladies' vintage perfume. The berry is prominent but there is the hint of a powdery floral in the background. It is one of the most unique and heavenly aromas I have smelled coming out of my burner. Sultry, but spirited... the scent had me taking deep breaths and then closing my eyes in delight.

Can we taste a scent? If you can, this is mouthwatering, as if the most exotic fruit has just been cut open!

In closing, I must get more of this scent since it was one of the sample cubes I received. I love, love, LOVED it!

Ooey Gooey Goblin 

"Green Apple, Candy Corn, & Caramel"

This is such a savory aroma and it is making me want one of those caramel apples on a stick. It's a warm, cozy scent with a gentle sugary background.

I mainly smell a very fresh and realistic green apple with caramel. While the candy corn was not as evident on dry sniff, I can detect it during melting as a buttery backdrop to the apple. The caramel does not overpower the blend, as some caramels do, but is perfectly balanced with the juicy green apple.

Orange Jasmine

"Sweet Orange, Jasmine, Green Tea, and Chamomile"

This is a big room scent... or should I say a big HOUSE scent ! I feel like I've been transported to another place entirely... maybe a tropical oasis where I recline next to a night-blooming jasmine bush sipping orange flavored tea. Oh yeah!!!!! 

This scent is everything you can imagine... uplifting, calming and soothing all at the same time. The orange adds sweetness and a sense of refreshment to the overall effect, while the herbal chamomile simply soothes. This is the perfect scent on a day when you want to relax and unwind. I'm so impressed how softly scented the jasmine is, as a stronger, more heady floral would ruin the intended aroma.

Tapestry

"Cucumber, Fig, Cedarwood, and Lime Peel & Herbs"

I detect mainly fig and cedarwood, making this a lovely earthy aroma. It's not extremely strong, but eight hours later, I still smell cedarwood.

Of all the scents I reviewed here, this is the one I would choose as the most universally likeable. It's one I would pop in the warmer to freshen up my home for expected guests. It's not as strongly bracing as Orange Jasmine, Extreme Passion, or Big Bad Apple, nor is it sugary sweet like Ooey Gooey Goblin. It's more of a spa-type scent and one I'd reach for during all four seasons of the year.

Closing to my review…

I was very satisfied with both the products I received and the exemplary customer service from this company. Ordering was easy, shipping was reasonably quick, and my email questions were answered promptly.

I give the simmering wax from this company my highest recommendation. In my opinion, the scent throw of the wax lasts an above-average amount of time as compared to other brands I have tried. The scent blends are unique and everything smells very authentic and fresh... no artificial notes in these blends.

All in all, this is a company I will return to again and again to re-experience the many exclusive blends they carry.  Definitely give them a try if you are looking for unique.

Happy wax shopping!

~ Pam

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