There is a strange story that Yankee Candle has had to quell over the years of why one of their most popular scented candle fragrances in their scented candle range disappeared for a few years - not that you'll find it anywhere "official" online until now. Appearing originally in 2003, "Baby Powder," by Yankee Candle rallied around expectant mums and dads who probably loved the idea of storing up baby goods ready for their new arrivals and cooing over the thought of Johnson & Johnson's likeminded products to protect their loved one, offering buyers a candle with the same name and the same original perfume. However classic that "Baby Powder," has become due to popularity and adoration, it was taken out of the market around 2006 and reappeared late last year. During the loss of "Baby Powder," Yankee Candle tried at least a dozen scents to replace the brand by pushing buyers towards the washing powder scents and likewise conditioner perfumes like "Ocean Wave," Island Sand," "Sun & Sand," and "Sunwashed Linen," now replaced by "Country Linen." Rumour has it however, Johnson & Johnson were not happy with Yankee Candle for formatting the same scent as their globally famous baby talcum powder - and tried to take Yankee Candle to court for infringement of copyright. How J&J could ever think Yankee Candle would be out to snatch sales is beyond me and, it's not as if supermarket only brands of likewise baby talcum powder have done anything to change their own scents - that much - that separates the J&J products to similar products on the market. Something must have turned to bring Baby Powder back!


Whichever reason it is, Baby Powder has a massive loyal fan base even though it may not be a scent that I particularly enjoy, it smells exactly like the famous "certain" American brand's same name talcum powder for babies (ooh-I-wonder-who-that-could-be!) that shall not be repeated forever more! The strong wavering tone of flowery baby body cream floats through the air as soon as this candle is lit and the flowery talcum scent embodies the candle completely even though the scent acts as the top scent whilst flowering Lillies is certainly apparent in the middle. The base tone however has a hint of light and refreshing strawberry vanilla, just to give the candle a bit of respite but you'll need the most sensitive of noses to pick it up. No surprise to find indeed that last year, Yankee Candle brought out a "strawberry vanilla" candle that has several reminders of "Baby Powder" without the flowery scent. Compared to what Yankee Candle would like you to believe that this is a light candle on scent, it is far from it - Baby Powder can induce headaches when left burning for a couple of hours, heady and usually lingers for a bit once the candle has been extinguished. The scent diffuses tobacco, cooking smells and practically all kinds of bad odour you place this candle within. The candle also burns in a balanced way when left on a level surface and if you buy it through the house warmer jar style (the house warmer jars were first released in 1995 and have always been dishwasher safe), this is an excellent air tight storage country style glass jar that has a heat insulated base and after the candle has diminished and the jar washed out, makes an ideal classy looking dispenser for cotton wool in baby's room! The glass however is not shatterproof and the sides at the top of the rim are not cool when the candle is lit. I remember dropping a medium glass jar one day and the rim was smashed to pieces, making an awful mess whilst splinters from the glass were all over the place! As with all scented candles especially those made within glass structures, special extra care should be taken at all times!


It is however the different formats of Baby Powder that buyers have to look out for - not that YC will ever tell you the types that are not worth buying! The plug in scent for example isn't as heavy as the wax tart forms, or the small, medium or large jars which are best for all round fragrance. Whenever my mum has stayed at a hotel and takes a scented candle with her to freshen up the room she stays in, the smallest house warmer jar that Yankee Candle sell, isn't just handily suitcase or handbag sized - it also produces a great spread of scent that is just enough for a short stay and to give rooms a nicer smell than put up with the dry smell from most air conditioners. However not all scents are by default strong in the glass jars and Wedding Day and Baby Powder are both scents that she quite likes even though I find the Baby Powder too flowery if the candle has been left lit for four hours.


Another format that doesn't work terribly well are the bargain basement priced single "housewarmer jar" cardboard scented tabs for cars. These look like 2D versions of the famous glass jars and are supposed to either be hung from your central rear view mirror or grab handles in cars that may have an additional hook for suits/hangers. The tabs in most scents work well, but when Baby Powder is purchased, the scent doesn't last for very long in cars, particularly susceptible to heat and constant dryness in a car's interior, which wastes and dries out the scent far too quickly. The limited edition reed diffuser is very rare and very hard to get. One of my friends received this format for Christmas and reports that there is very little scent that comes through the reeds - so be warned! Another bad idea is the tealight candles. Yankee Candle are forever making tealights in their scented candle fragrances and I've yet to find one fragrance they sell which is actually strong enough to justify buying. For the best spread around, either consider the wax tarts (of which you'll need a potpourri burner to burn the candle) or any of the small, medium, 2 wick or 3 wick tumblers or even the large house warmer jar if you are feeling flush!


There are of course tons of different formats of this scent available, such as:

Wax Tart (22 grams, 8 hour duration, 90p each.)
Scented Powder Sachet (28grams, 3-4 week duration, £2-99)
Votive candle (1.75 oz 15 hour duration, average price £1-75 to £2)
Small housewarmer jar candle (7 oz 25-40 hours duration, £7-99)
Medium housewarmer jar candle (14.05oz 60-75 hours duration, £13-99)
Medium 2 wick tumbler (12.5 oz 45-50 hours duration, £12-99)
Large housewarmer jar candle (22 oz 100-150 hours duration, £17-99)
Large 2 wick tumbler (22.7 oz 70-90 hours duration, £16-99)
Lidded glass tumbler (7oz 35-45 hours duration, £8-99)
Car tab housewarmer jar cardboard freshener (6-8 weeks duration, £1-99)
Car air vent gel pack (4-6 weeks duration £2-85, 3 pack additional at £5-98)
Car Pump 'n' Go clip on air vent freshener (4-6 weeks, £7-20)
Tea light scented candles (240 grams, 4-6 hours per candle, 12 in a box £5-99)
On-The-Go Travel scented air freshener pen (limited edition) (£5-99, 65 sprays duration, contains odour eliminator additive.)
Plug In Scent (£5-99 4-6 weeks duration, 2 capsules per box, also fits old Air Wick plugs.)
Plug In Plug and "free" scent starter (£14-99, 4-6 weeks duration, also fits old Air Wick plugs.)
Reed Diffuser (limited edition) (£11-99/£13-99 8fl. oz, 12 reeds 4-6 weeks duration.)


It goes without saying that if you want a fresh, pungent and childhood sparked memory flooding your home, Baby Powder by Yankee Candle should be considered. Flowery, sweet, white and pure to look at and yet quite talcum powder like in its approach, it isn't a candle that will suit buyers who are after something which is light and airy unless you buy a votive/sampler in this brand as the votives are never too heavy and never strong enough on their own to scent a room. However, that said Baby Powder is a lovely scent to consider if you just miss your childhood and for that reason alone, it is well worth the price and quality matched by Yankee Candle's usual reputation. Just watch the burning times; anything longer than four hours may well induce a headache! Thanks for reading. ©Nar2 2010


www.yankeecandle.co.uk