The New Intimacy

Body massage candle discontinued
by Jimmyjane

Other Afterglow special edition reviews

The Afterglow: Massage Candle Apotheosis

The body-loving soy massage oil and the complex scent pairings of the Afterglow, presented as a clean white candle in a rich ceramic cup with a pour spout, represent the gold standard in massage candles. Though the absinthe + sugarwater scent doesn't smell like anise, the Afterglow is still worth the price tag.
Published:
Pros
Rich scent doesn't set off allergies, luxurious massage oil. Massage candle apotheosis.
Cons
Doesn't smell like anise.
Rating by reviewer:
4
extremely useful review

Use

Enjoy your partner's body by candlelight, and in the Afterglow share a sensual massage. Jimmyjane's Afterglow candle casts a bright, warm light, and while the wick burns, the fragrant wax melts into a luxurious, body-safe massage oil.

The Afterglow sets the standard with its dual-functioning simple form---I will never again be satisfied by a candle that doesn't nourish my skin* or by a massage oil that doesn't cast light through my room. The complex fragrance only sweetens my impression of the Afterglow.

Receiving a massage with this soy oil enriched with shea butter, jojoba, vitamin E, and aloe is so relaxing that I prefer to experience it in the evening, but on a weekend morning, a massage after a shower is the perfect way to start a day smelling wonderful. If you're in a rush but still want smooth, rich-smelling skin, you can steal a bit of wax and use it on your legs as a lotion, as this wax melts at body temperature. Despite my fragrance sensitivities, this candle is completely pleasant to me.

*As an aside, if you're curious about wax play, pouring massage oil from a soy candle is perhaps the single easiest way to start that conversation with your partner.
  • Who / How / What
    [ ? ]
    Who might this product be best for? How is it best used? What are the best circumstances or situations for using this product?
    • Massage
    • Mood enhancer
  • Body / part areas
    [ ? ]
    What areas on the body can this product be used / what areas does it stimulate best?
    • Shoulderblades
    • Thighs

Texture / Consistency / Thickness / Viscosity

Afterglow's soy-based massage oil feels lighter than I expected it to, and during our first use in the dark, I poured much more than was necessary onto my partner's shoulders. Though we knew to expect a low melting point, my partner and I were both surprised by how cool the wax felt.

The massage oil strikes an ideal balance between enhancing a massage and absorbing into the skin. The wax-cum-oil glides wonderfully between the masseuse's hands and the receiver's body and stays slick for around a half hour. As the massage is coming to its end, the oil is neither oily, sticky, nor slimy. It absorbs naturally, leaving only satiny skin and the faintest scent to be remembered by. Unlike lotions and other oils I've tried, there is no film or residue.

While the oil combines well with the Contour massage stones, we were working on a budget and found it to be completely wonderful using hands alone.
    • No residue
    • Slick
    • Smooth

Taste / Aroma

The absinthe + sugarwater flavor called to me, as I'm known to fall victim to the occasional licorice craving. I love absinthe, and I'm particularly fond of those with a strong anise flavor. When I opened the shipping box, I thought my order had come with those little cedar blocks for keeping moths out of drawers---a very pleasant, natural smell but not at all anise-like. After double-checking Jimmyjane's product description, I see that I shouldn't have expected anise at all:

ABSINTHE + SUGARWATER: Absinthe was long banned for its tendency to loosen morals (and undergarments), making it an irresistible muse for our latest confection. Fragrance Type: Tart Fruit Notes: Fennel and Fig with hints of Lemon and Wormwood

To my nose, the 'wormwood' element is strongly reminiscent of cedar, the 'lemon' is very light and smells like lemongrass, the 'fig' lends a warm and muted fruit scent, and the 'fennel' is not present.

The candle, while it doesn't smell as I expected it to, smells lovely both when lit and unlit. Walking into the bedroom now reminds me of walking into a fairytale forest---the kind with large hemlock and cedar trees, soft moss to walk on, and no underbrush. It is a very gender-neutral scent, and it does smell "green"---just not like the "green fairy."
    • Smells good
    • Strong smell

Performance

When lit, the Afterglow is the prettiest candle I've ever seen. Its high, bright flame burns clean, and the porcelain cup helps to cast the light outward. The scent is intensified and still does not trigger my allergies. (I am beyond grateful for this!)

To prevent tunneling, Jimmyjane suggests letting the Afterglow burn for thirty minutes to liquefy the top layer of the candle. We've let ours burn at least 45 minutes, but the edges and corners have stayed solid. In order not to waste one gram of this precious wax, I've been paring the solid parts with a razorblade and regrouping them toward the center of the candle. Because it does not burn evenly despite the high price and low temperature wax, I'm not able to give the Afterglow the five-star rating it would otherwise deserve. The problem is easily cured with a bit of attention (you'll be trimming your wick to 1/4 inch before each use regardless), so the candle is still well above 3.5.

Jimmyjane advertises 32 hours of burn time, but I regret to say I will not be wasting all of this lovely wax by testing their claim. After your Afterglow has provided mood lighting for 30+ minutes (you won't likely want to wait longer), the oil will pour cleanly onto your lover's back, and it provides the perfect amount of slip to give a light, sensual massage. The texture is perfect for everything except petrissage, but deep tissue massage is not necessary for an Afterglow experience.
    • Absorbs into skin nicely
    • Feels natural

Packaging

Jimmyjane packages the candle attractively with their signature Rorschach wax drip-patterned, red sash-wrapped box. Information about candle care is included. If you intend to give an Afterglow candle as a gift, your recipient will be able to smell their gift before it's opened---but I'm sure they won't mind.

The ceramic candle housing is a rich white color and clinks satisfyingly when you set it on the headboard, having drizzled warm massage oil from the convenient spout. I will be keeping this cup long after the candle is gone. The Afterglow is shipped with a plastic film keeping warehouse dust out, but the seal is not reusable. If you had several scents, you might want to cover some with Saran Wrap to keep the fragrances from muddling each other.
    • Elegant packaging
    • Very informative packaging
    • Would make a nice gift

Personal comments

I am very sensitive to scents and am allergic to several artificial fragrances. Jimmyjane's Special Edition Afterglow does not aggravate my allergies. The scent of the candle does fill the room, both when lit and unlit, and I occasionally catch a whiff of it when I'm in other rooms. The Afterglow is unique, dare I say a breath of fresh air, in that the scent is strong and still wholly pleasant for me. While I wouldn't want to have several in the house at the same time, I will buy another Afterglow when we've used this one up. Personally, I might try a new scent for variety's sake, but I'm happy enough with absinthe + sugarwater that I would buy it again if I didn't want a change of pace.
Follow-up commentary
I still thoroughly enjoy every Afterglow I'm able to bask in, and the scent of the Absinthe + Sugarwater candle has actually grown on me even more. (I liked it originally, but after a few weeks I was able to forget about the absent fennel note, and come to love the timberland scent that the candle actually has.)

I was so excited that such rich flavors could be burned without upsetting my allergies that I decided to try two additional scents.

Lychee + Lapsang is wonderfully fruity and light, and I got my first Lapsang Souchong tea to sip as I burned it. As I took it out of the box, I was a little afraid that it would trigger my allergies---but once I lit it, the smell was fine. This scent is much more feminine than the gender-neutral Absinthe + Sugarwater, which is something to bear in mind if you like swapping morning massages with a masculine lover. I've been stopped on the street and told that I smelled nice when out and about with this wax in/on my skin, so it's a crowd-pleaser scent for someone feminine.


An aficionado of capsaicin, I sought out the discontinued Habanero + Grapefruit scent as well. I enjoy burning it, but I do see why it was discontinued---it has a bit of a soapy smell, and it doesn't come close to comparing with the new scents that have come to take its place. I am glad I've got it, though---judging by old ad copy, I know that this scent was manufactured last about two years ago. The wax is still richly scented and burnable, and still becomes a nice massage oil or moisturizer. It is a bit more grainy than the newer candles I have, though, and I have to continually nurse it to keep a wax tunnel from developing. So since I have a two-year-old candle which has kept its scent and burnability, I know that my newer, nicer-scented candles are made to last. Because the wax has become more grainy, though, I can tell myself "it's better to burn it now while it's in top condition!" I don't know about you, but sometimes with ephemeral things like candles, if I really enjoy one I'm hesitant to use it because I don't want it to run out. Now I have a little impetus to light my lovely Afterglows as often as I please.
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This review was edited by
  • Selective Sensualist Contributor: Selective Sensualist
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  • Contributor: nanners
    thanks
  • Contributor: Cowgirl-Cutie
    Great info, thank you!
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