Candle Review: Romance by Shirlee Scented Candles

by Jen Ebersol

Brand:Romance by Shirlee

Type: 22 oz. Triple Scented Candle
5 oz Aromatherapy candle
Wickless Chunky Monkey Votive

Fragrances:
Triple Scented Candle in: Cotton Candy, Lemon Drop, Red Currant
Aromatherapy: Litsea and Basil
Wickless Votive: Monkey Farts, Raspberry Zinger, Zesty Orange

Scent Strength: Well fragranced except for fluke Chunky Monkey Votive (explanation below, still smelled scrumptious)

Introduction to my Romance by Shirlee review:

I have a confession to make… this was originally supposed to be a spring review! I know,
I know!… I carefully picked out scents and colors I thought would be appropriate for spring. Alas, life had other plans and a spring review this did not turn out to be. But if any of you are like me, seasonal candles are great, but we burn our favorite scents year round regardless (I bring to your attention a certain obsessed lemon lover/editor of Candlefind:0)So, if any of the following scents I reviewed strike your fancy, please be sure to visit Romance by Shirlee. If on the other hand you’re a die-hard seasonal candle burner, I’d encourage you to bookmark Romance by Shirlee if you want to try these fragrances next spring.

What did my Romance by Shirlee candles look like?

My first impression of these candles is that they were so pretty in a very dainty, simple elegance sort of way. Maybe it was because I chose pastel colors and had a girly moment. But each product had a label with the name of the company in a neat sort of cursive with a soft, light graphic of a pink rose in the background.My triple scented candle was in a hourglass shaped jar. Red Currant was on the top (light purple), Lemon Drop in the middle (light yellow), and Cotton Candy on the bottom (light green). Perfect colors for spring, don’t you think?

My Wickless Chunky Monkey Votive was white with pink and orange chunks of Raspberry Zinger and Fresh Orange.

Last but not least, I tried a 5 oz. Aromatherapy candle in Litsea and Basil in what I believe is called an apothecary jar. Since I was going for “all-natural,” I chose to make this candle dye free.

How did my Romance by Shirlee candles smell?

Red Currant

“Sweet and tart at the same time, red currant is a thoroughly modern, intoxicating berry scent that hypnotizes and charms all who smell it.”

An excellent description! This is a fragrance I wouldn’t mind burning in my home year round! If you’ve never burned/warmed Red Currant in your home and you are a fruit lover, I’d highly recommend it for your next scent perusing purchase! It was indeed the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Red Currant may also be preferred among men. I lit this candle once, and from then on, it was pretty much my husband that kept relighting. Since Red Currant was the scent on top, this fragrance certainly grabbed his attention. He is very picky as to what is too strong or “stinky” (artificial smelling), so wonderful job, Shirlee!

Lemon Drop

“This little yellow, sugar coated jewel will make you pucker up! refreshing crisp scent, not overly sweet. Has a wonderful scent throw!”

This was a great transition scent from Red Currant because Lemon Drop is another winning aroma. I think because Red Currant is a combo of sweet/tart and Lemon Drop is sugar/sweet, they each have similarities that compliment each other while at the same time being completely different scents. Lemon Drop smelled just like the real thing and was a yummy and refreshing fragrance in my kitchen.

Cotton Candy

“A best seller! A blend of fresh strawberry and french vanilla. The aroma of the Carnival & Circus!”

Ahhh! This scent is perfect for summer, at least around northwest Ohio, because of all the local county fairs that are taking place around this time. And like fairs that wrap up towards the tail-end of summer, I was sad to smell Cotton Candy go. This aroma smelled just like the real deal, and I was surprised at its strength! Before I burned this candle, I just assumed Cotton Candy wouldn’t be a strong fragrance. I thought the last fragrance in my jar might be tainted, as I have never tried a triple-scented candle before. But boy am I glad I was wrong! Cotton Candy held its own and there seemed to be no contamination from the two scents that preceded it. This was a fun fragrance, and it seemed a fitting end to what will probably be my last official “summer” candle of the season.

Wickless Chunky Monkey Votive

“Highly fragranced with Monkey Farts – Raspberry Zinger & Zesty Orange! Layered in pink chunks (Raspberry Zinger) with chunks of orange (Fresh Orange) poured over with the best selling fragrance Monkey Farts!”

The votive smelled soooo good in the little plastic bag it came in. But gosh darn it, I warmed it in a ceramic tart warmer in my kitchen and the scent just didn’t carry well. In Shirlee’s defense, I wonder if the thickness of the ceramic dish I own doesn’t heat up the wax enough for the scent to distribute into the air, especially because this votive was so thick.

My stairway is just beside my kitchen. I couldn’t smell this votive/melt in my kitchen, but I would walk through clouds of fruity fragrance at the top of my stairs. Go figure! I’m telling you folks, this smelled scrumptious in the bag. I wouldn’t discount it all together based on my opinion. I still think it was the darn ceramic warmer, what a waste of a good chunky monkey! I’d be willing to try it again with one of my metal tart warmers since I think the metal allows the wax to get hotter.

Litsea and Basil

“Refreshing herbal blend opens with litsea, lemon zest, yuzu and dew fruit followed by dew dropped geranium, jasmine and sweet herb basil with just a splash of Italian vanilla and herbed milk musk.”

This was a very “Spa-esque” scent that I very much enjoyed. It was great for taking the few long, hot baths I managed to fit in before this review. My nose really picked up on the lemon, perhaps an herbal aroma, and just a touch of that soothing vanilla. I requested a 5 oz. jar so I could burn the candle in my smaller bathroom, but I liked the fragrance so much I moved it to my kitchen. Now, I didn’t really expect to be able to smell Litsea and Basil in the open space of my kitchen. The candle was very small for a room of that size. But…you guessed it! I could still faintly smell this relaxing, revitalizing fragrance from the little 5 oz. jar! If my little jar could do that, imagine what a wider-mouthed jar could do…

How did my “Romance by Shirlee” candles burn?

Nice and clean. No wasted wax or soot on the jars.

Shirlee’s website feels feminine and friendly. When you visit her site, Shirlee’s personal voice message gives the impression of a genuine, caring candle professional that takes pride in her business and the quality of her work. Or maybe it was the gracious email correspondence I had with her. While Shirlee also offers a wide range of bath and body products, my favorite link was actually “Romantic Ideas” under the General Information category. Oh, and be sure to click on the “Romance Buds” link under Freshner Collection. Shirlee has created a fragrant product that looks like a real rose made out of very thin slices of wood. The wood is also available in different colors. It sounds unique and romantic to me:0).

When you pick up your candle from Shirlee, be sure to take some of her romantic ideas to share with someone you love.

With Fond Hopes for Romance to our Readers,

~ Jen

Visit Romance by Shirlee