The claim: Air Wick is changing the home-fragrance category again with its new Air Wick Life Scents Collection. This first-of-its-kind collection features new scent technology with constantly changing fragrances crafted to mimic real-life experiences. Unlike other home fragrances that have just one fragrance note, each scent uses patent-pending technology with three distinct fragrance notes that are easily experienced alone, but also work together to provide one harmonious multidimensional experience that evokes unique, personal memories.
Cost: $4.99 for a two-pack of scented oil; $4.99 for the plug-in warmer
Where: Grocery and discount stores
I placed the Air Wicks Life Scents in our family room, the largest room of the house. The scent of Turquoise Oasis spread within minutes. I had adjusted the warmer's rotating dial to the highest intensity level. It proved too strong. The smell was overpowering. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, if you have a sensitive nose.
The scent, of course, is perhaps the best way to judge these popular devices. While this particular odor didn't quite remind me of a warm sea breeze, both my wife and I liked its potency. It made the room feel as if someone had just cleaned it, fresh and welcoming. As she said, “it permeated the room more than a burning candle.”
Another plus: It was easy to use, and the rotating dial is handy when you find your house overpowered by manufactured smells. By all means, this is worth the money.
I don't like cologne or perfume, so I wasn't counting on testing the new Air Wick Life Scents Collection to be a pleasant experience.
To my surprise, the Lush Hideaway scent is subtle without being overwhelming.
I honestly can't tell much of a difference among the three fragrances, wild berry, coconut water and fresh mint, that make up the Hideaway scent, but that's really not that important to me.
I like the fact that you can adjust the Air Wick to allow for a light or heavier scent, and I found a good balance pretty quickly.
When I walk in the door at my house, I can catch just a whiff of it; yet, when I walk into the room where the Air Wick is plugged in, I'm not knocked out by the smell.
These fragrances offer a good balance for my home, and I'm very pleased with the results.
The Air Wick scented oil systems have been around for a long while. The newest incarnation is the Life Scents line — in this case, the Spring Edition. I tested the Mystical Garden fragrance, full blast, right off the bat. I have smaller and larger rooms that open to each other, and having it on the highest setting was fragrant and overpowering.
After I put it on the lowest setting, however, I began to notice the nuances in the scent. The Mystical Garden lays claim to hints of marshmallow, raspberry and rose. I can't say I detected any of these individually, but I can say that I noticed a shift in scent. I lean toward more earthy-smelling fresheners when given a choice, and this one is not. But it wasn't too perfumey or floral. I like it.
After a week of it being plugged in on low, it's used maybe a quarter of the oil. I'd say it's a great precursor to spring, if you're into air fresheners. Me? I can't wait to get those windows open!
— Chrissy Zirngibl
