Massage Candles: Hot Oil, Wandering Hands and Nowhere to Be

You're face down on a towel with the lights low, and they've gone quiet behind you. There's a warm, heavy drip between your shoulder blades. It runs down your spine, then their hands follow it, slow and slippery. You've stopped thinking about anything at all. Somewhere around the small of your back, you get an idea about where this could be going.

"Want a massage?" is a much better offer when it doesn't mean forty seconds of distracted shoulder squeezing while someone looks at the TV. A massage candle makes it feel deliberate. It melts into warm oil for your skin, and it sets a very good mood while it does.

Warm oil is a very decent excuse to linger

It's simple: warm oil helps your hands move over skin without dragging, and it feels incredible while it does. You don't have to turn the bedroom into a spa. Start with their back and shoulders, then give it far longer than you think you should. The inside of the thighs and the small of the back are very good places to take your time, and it builds nicely if you keep stopping just short.

Keep it a massage if that's what you both want. It can lead to sex, but it isn't an advance payment.

Pick a scent you both like

You're going to smell it up close, so choose something you both enjoy. The Wild Pink Rose Massage Candle is a soft, romantic option, and the Grapefruit Sandalwood is crisper. The Hemp Seed 3-In-1 Massage Candle melts into an oil with a blend of natural oils. You'll find more in our candle collection.

Rather skip the flame? Massage oil gets your hands slipping along nicely with nothing burning nearby.

Let it cool before it touches skin

Let a little oil melt, blow out the flame, and let it cool until it's comfortably warm. Test a small amount on your own wrist first. Then pour it slowly, from a little height, onto their back or into your hands. Don't assume it's fine because the label says massage. Follow the candle's instructions, as these are different from regular candles, and regular candles aren't safe to use this way.

While it's lit, keep it supervised on a stable, heatproof surface, well away from bedding and anything flammable. Put a towel down to protect your sheets. Oil can stain.

Use real lube for the rest

Massage oil's for skin, not a replacement for personal lube. Keep it away from genitals, and remember that oil can damage latex and polyisoprene condoms. Our massage oil vs lube guide explains why. Keep a proper personal lube nearby in case the night changes direction, and wash your hands before you head south.

Then take your time. The candle's not going to lose interest because you've spent longer on the shoulders than you planned.