Shunga massage candle by Shunga Erotic Art

When I started seeing these massage oil candles, I got really excited. I'm not usually into sensual massages, but multifunctional usage, and pure awesomeness of a candle that melts into massage oil got me curious. It's a really great idea.

I purchased this candle on sale. After opening it when I got home, I quickly figured out why this scent (Lavender) was on sale and the others weren't. The Lavender scent is crazy strong. So strong that I think if you sniff it too closely, you're likely to lose your sense of smell for a minute or too. It's not bad at all, but it is a very very strong, flowery scent.

The Vanilla scented one, which I was able to smell at a nearby store, was much lighter and, overall, much more pleasant.

As I said, I really like the idea behind this line. I adore candles (use them a lot for sensuality), and I've been wanting to try out massage products lately, so this was a perfect fit.

I can't say I'm not happy with it. I'm just not as impressed as I thought I would be.

I love the feeling of the hot wax as soon as it hits my skin, but I do wish the heat lasted a little longer. It seems like one second its hot, the next its completely cool. I'm not sure if that's fixable as far as the candles ingredients go, but it's something I'd prefer.

Once melted, the oil is slick and easy to use. It takes quite a few spoonfuls to work correctly, but it does do it's job accurately. It feels good, all soft and slippery, especially if you're with someone who knows what they're doing, and it's nice knowing that afterward your skin will smell so good (although it's so thick you might want to shower afterward).

My biggest problem, I think, is that the oil the wax melts into just...kind of feels like wax. I expected the oil to feel like... well... oil. Thin, maybe. But as Coal (my boyfriend) rubbed it into my back, it just felt like he was rubbing wax over me. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

When using, make sure to blow out the candle before spooning out the wax, keep your hair out of the way (if the wax/oil gets into it, it can be quite painful and annoying), and make sure you don't put the spoon near the flame when you set it down (we almost had this problem).

I haven't been able to try another brand yet, but I plan to so I have more to compare this to.

Overall I do like these candles. The concept is great, it smells good, and it gives me an excuse to seduce my way into getting a massage.

One thing this candle did do for me was create an awesome atmosphere. I lit this one near the bed (within arms reach, but far enough away not to risk a fire) and let it sit for a while to melt while I waited for Coal to get home. Nearer to that time, I lit a lot of small candles around the room (only a few others scented), turned off the light, and waited.

Coal's reaction was strange, but priceless. I could hear him coming and positioned myself on the bed to be cute and seductive. He opened the door, took one breath while looking around surprised, and sort of collapsed onto the floor, still holding the doorknob. Another breath later, he bounced back up, backed out the door, and snapped it closed, leaving me alone again.

Needless to say, I was completely confused. I sat, wide-eyed and deserted, for about 30 seconds before the door burst open, Coal striding through, his shirt already half off and the door slamming behind him. The night went on like I had hoped.

I learned later that when he disappeared, he had run to our flatmates room, told him he'd be back in "about a day and a half", and said that the room smelled "like... romance!".

The experience definitely made me appreciate the uses of my new candle.