Whenever I get a massage, whatever stress I’m holding onto magically disappears. This is precisely why giving your partner a massage — or receiving one from them — is an easy way to initiate sex. It naturally relaxes your mind and body, which makes it easier to get in the mood. Plus, massages can be sensual AF. This got me thinking: Could a massage candle be the ultimate mood-setter?
Timing is everything, and receiving the Flickering Touch Massage Candle from LELO couldn’t have happened at a better time. After putting it to the test multiple times, I have some thoughts — and I’m sharing them below, along with the final verdict on whether a massage candle is the ultimate mood-setter.
What is the LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle?
Unlike other candles, including those used for BDSM wax play, LELO’s Flickering Touch Massage Candle is specifically designed to melt into a warm oil that’s safe for skin contact. Because of this, it’s formulated with soy wax, which naturally has a low melting point, as well as apricot kernel oil and sheath butter. Shea butter contains vitamin E and helps the skin retain moisture. Meanwhile, apricot kernel oil deeply nourishes and improves skin health since it’s loaded with antioxidants like vitamins A and E.
Together, these ingredients melt into a massage oil that’s silky, smooth and long-lasting. Furthermore, the candle has up to 36 hours of total burn time and is available in three aromas: Black Pepper & Pomegranate, Snow Pear & Cedarwood, and Vanilla & Crème De Cacao.
How to use the LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle
The trick to using this candle is to trim the wick down to about ¼ of an inch before each burn and to let the candle burn for anywhere between 25 and 30 minutes. The former keeps the burn clean so the wax can melt more evenly without getting too hot; the latter, meanwhile, spreads the temperature evenly throughout.
After the wax has melted evenly, blow out the flame and let the candle cool for up to 30 seconds. From here, test the temperature by dipping a finger into the melted wax. If it feels comfortable, it’s safe to pour the liquid directly onto your hands or the area you want to massage.
Why a massage candle can help set the mood
It’s multi-sensory
Activating your senses can get your body primed for arousal. And the Flickering Touch Massage Candle directly stimulates the senses of smell and touch for both the giver and receiver. Better yet, the candle also makes the environment more erotic. After all, nothing screams “romance” quite like soft candlelight glow and intoxicating aromatics. All of this, together, naturally tantalizes your senses, which in turn makes it easier for pleasure to unfold.
It relaxes the body and mind
Additionally, using a massage candle also helps set the mood by relaxing your mind and body. On top of releasing physical tension, massages also release endorphins — the body’s “feel-good” hormone — and soothe the fight-or-flight response. Consequently, it’s easy to stay grounded and present and ultimately get in the mood to get it on.
It creates a low-pressure sensual starting point
Sure, massages involve slow touching and warm oil, but they’re not inherently sexual. Rather, the goal is to release tension and promote relaxation. This mindset shifts the focus from performance to presence, which makes it easier to establish a connection between you and your partner. This, subsequently, allows desire to build gradually and naturally. It makes sex feel organic rather than forced.
My experience with the LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle
To put this candle to the test, I decided to turn my bedroom into a hotel room replete with food service (read: snacks on a cute cutting board my husband and I could easily eat in bed), a movie, and of course, candlelit ambiance. Although I’m a true vanilla girl through and through (it’s been my favorite scent for as long as I can remember), I went with the Black Pepper & Pomegranate aroma because I thought my husband would love it, and he did. The smell was light and pleasant, but more than that, he was amazed by how nice the oil felt. He kept raving about how soothing it felt on his skin while I was massaging his back.
When we switched roles, I quickly realized he wasn’t kidding. I was blown away by how luxurious, silky, and smooth the formula was; it was beyond nourishing on my dry, eczema-prone skin, and the warm oil heightened the experience and made it feel more intimate. And though we didn’t have sex that night, simply touching each other and using this candle to give each other massage’s was incredibly bonding and connecting.
What I really love most about this candle, though, is that it’s increased my sexual appetite. Taking the time to massage my husband and vice versa has made us want each other more and made room for more intimacy in our relationship. We’re closer — and hornier—than ever, and it’s all because we regularly use this massage candle on one another. After testing all three aromas, I can confidently say Vanilla & Crème De Cacao is my favorite. It’s decadent and airy, with a scent that’s subtly sweet, perfectly creamy, and silky smooth.
So… Is a massage candle the ultimate mood-setter?
TL;DR: Yes. Lighting a massage candle instantly transforms any environment, making it more romantic and sensual. Better yet, it’s a super effective sexual wellness tool; using it can help you decompress and release stress. Plus, it fosters intimacy between two people by facilitating touch and connection, which ultimately lets desire enter and unfold. Beyond that, it smells amazing. The aromas never fail.
Needless to say, the LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle now has a permanent place on my nightstand — and it deserves one on yours, too.
