I must admit, the day I got my Lelo Flickering Touch Massage Candle, I was disappointed. The Lelo name is synonymous with quality and high standards and the initial look and feel of this candle is simply lackluster. It's very pretty, and the black box it comes in is elegant and modern, and there is a protective insert between the wax and lid for shipping, but there are several features that seemed chintzy to me.

The cylindrical candle is made of a black-coated glass. The front has the "LELO" name on it in silver, with the scent name and product name in smaller letters below it. While that doesn't seem so bad at first, the black-coated glass has major flaws once lit; you can see any small scratches in the black coating on the glass (usually created by the sharp edged metal lid) very clearly when the candle is lit because the light shines right through. The glass cylinder also has no spout or wax scooping spoon to get the oil out, so when you pour it, it inevitably runs down the side of the candle and if you don't catch it in time, onto whatever you set the candle down on. I don't know about any of you, but I don't like having to stop mid-massage to find something to act as a coaster for a candle, nor am I a fan of spending thirty dollars on a candle to have some of the product run down the side onto a table.

The metal lid is another problem for me. Not only does it scratch the glass coating, but it clinks and clanks against the glass every time you walk past the table it's sitting on or you move it around.

My least favorite part of the candle is the handle on the lid. It's a loop of translucent neon green (the colors match the fragrances so only the Snow Pear and Cedarwood lid is green) plastic. Somehow, fluorescent plastic just turns me off from a quality item. It honestly seems like they designed the whole candle, remembered they needed a handle, and chose the least expensive option possible. My other issue with the plastic is that it makes me nervous to use the lid to snuff out the candle (by removing the oxygen supply to the flame) because the plastic actually goes through the metal lid and I don't want it melting before the flame is extinguished.

The candle itself is also disappointing until you get to actually use the product on your skin. While enjoying the glow peaking through the scuffs in the black glass of my Lelo Flickering Touch Massage Candle, I noticed a certain something; or a lack of something actually. That something would be fragrance. When I first opened the candle, I could smell the fragrance if I lifted it to my face, but when it's actually burning I get absolutely nothing. I've left it burning for well over a half hour and it doesn't make any noticeable difference.

Luckily, this is where the negative ends and the positive begins. Because once you get enough of the wax melted in this candle, it makes an absolutely divine massage product. The oil it creates melts quickly at a low temperature, and forms a thinner oil than the ever popular Jimmy Jane Afterglow candles, for those looking for a comparison. It can be used to give a massage to a partner on nearly any part of the body (external use only!) or just used to moisturize after a bath or shower. The oil it creates absorbs into the skin better than any other massage candle I've tried, and leaves only the slightest waxy feel on my hands, but never on the area I'm rubbing it into. I'm guessing this might be because I moisturize my hands a dozen or so times a day and they just may not be able to absorb anything else. It also makes my boyfriend's rough and dry skin significantly more supple and workable.

When using this oil on my skin, I'm also able to notice a fragrance in the oil itself. While the scent I notice when I first open the candle and sniff it directly is a lightly sweet woody scent, the scent it leaves on skin for a short while after rubbing it in is almost like a light spicy licorice scent with a floral background. The scent doesn't last long even on the skin though, so I may not try the other scents right away since the scent seems to make so little difference in the overall experience.

(continued in Experience)

Besides the Snow Pear and Cedarwood fragrance, the candle is also available in Pomegranate & Black Pepper and Vanilla & Creme De Cacao. According to the description given by Lelo, the candle contains all natural soy wax, shea butter and apricot kernel oil. I would have to guess it also contains some kind of fragrance oil because it is obviously scented (or at least meant to be). I have ultra sensitive skin and have never been bothered by the temperature or components of this candle at all. Lelo also says that the candle can burn for up to 36 hours but I have to wonder how realistic that is if you were to use it for a massage or skin treatment upon every burning.

For those seeking discretion, this could be easily turned around so the company name doesn't show and passed off as any old candle. And if you know any true Lelo addicts or are looking for a sensual gift for someone, the packaging is more than up to par to proudly give as a gift.

Overall, the product is decent. The box is nice and the massage experience is superior to anything else I've tried. However, as an overall product, considering the flaws in use as a regular candle, the scent issue, and the container design flaws, it will simply never be my first choice. If I hadn't tried other candles, I might not be so critical of this one, but having tried several others on the market, this one just isn't up to the market standards, or those generally set by the Lelo name.