I really enjoy these candles, and for the price I have never found anything better. I have tried all the scents and they are really quite wonderful.

I tend to have a strong sense of smell, to the point that many perfumes, candles, and air-fresheners will give me severe headaches. I have had no problem, however, with any of the Dona Massage Candles. Initially, out of fear for my sensitivity, I ordered the Blue Lotus scent as there seemed to be little danger of it having a sort of sticky-sweet-artificial scent (like cough syrup and bad air fresheners) which can often make me nauseous. Having now tried all the candles, I can assure you that none of them are very syrupy-sweet or cheap smelling. Acai, Pomegranate, and Mangosteen, while healthy fruit scents, smell crisp and clean like real fresh fruit and not overripe at all. The scent of these candles lasts well over 24 hours from them burning, so if you have a problem with lingering odors this may be an issue. I, however, have had no problem with their lingering effect.

The texture of these candles can be a bit weird. The idea is that the Dona Massage candle is made of a soy-based candle wax that is designed so that while it burns, it leaves a warm massage oil, as apposed to wax, to be used on your partner. They claim that unlike a regular candle, the massage candle burns at a lower heat, melting faster and cooler so that it is safe for your skin; I find this to be both true and untrue.

The candle in its unlit solid form feels much the same as any other candle. With a little body heat the candle will begin to soften under you fingers, but still remains quite waxy, and would not make much of a lotion. Instead the texture is waxy, much like paraffin wax. Ordinarily a massage candle will take 30-45 minutes for enough oil to melt for a massage, but in reality this candle takes at least 60-75 minutes to be ideal.

While there is some melted wax at the 45 minute mark, there really isn't enough for even a full back massage, and the texture will be quite gritty and thick; failing to soak into the skin well at all. While you may have enough oil/wax at the 45 minute mark, the texture will be off and will fail to make for a successful massage. Instead, it will feel like hot wax trying to be rubbed into your skin; rolling, pilling, cold, hard, sticky, waxy film coating your skin. The key with these candles it to let them burn for a good long while, as the longer they burn the more even the texture becomes.

If you wait and let the candle burn a bit longer, the wax seems to become better emulsified with the heat, creating a better massage oil and less of a wax. The longer heat is applied the more the texture becomes that of a true oil, soaking and gliding on and into the skin, without so much film left behind. The only downside is that with this longer heat exposure the wax gets quite hot, too hot to pour directly onto the person's skin. It should instead be poured into your hand before applying to your partner's sensitive skin to avoid burns. This can lead to a huge mess as hands are not the best containment vessels for liquids. My husband, when using this candle, tends to drip wax all over our sheets, leaving visible proof of the night's activities; white, crunchy wax drippings all over our sheets, floor, and side-table.

I like the fact that the candle is self-contained in a tin jar with a matching lid for easy transport and storage.

I will say, that had I initially known the amount time that it takes them to burn to get the texture just right, I probably wouldn't have ordered them. After owning one my opinion changed and I have consequently bought all the other scents and I feel that they are totally worth buying again.

The Dona Massage Candles are a take them or leave them type of product; you are either going to love these candles for their scents and low price, tolerating the amount of finessing they take, or you are going to hate them. I really like the scents and I don't mind the extra time it takes to get them just right.