Belle Fleur Mayan Tuberose is a bold white floral candle, and its fans call it the bedroom candle. I tried it on Valentine’s Day, and here is the brand story, my notes and how I would use it.
Blissfully fragrant, the ancient Mayan culture held the tuberose sacred to their Goddess of Beauty and Love. Like the divine females in ancient mythology, this signature scent is the embodiment of strength and femininity. Her beauty is rapturous and will enslave you as she is impossible to resist. With an aura that is at once mysterious, alluring and complex, Mayan Tuberose is destined to be a timeless classic.
The two adjectives Belle Fleur uses on their website to describe Mayan Tuberose are seductive and carnal. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I thought this would be the perfect day to try this fragrance.
To hear Meredith, Belle Fleur Founder & Creator, describe this scent will make you want to bathe in it. She calls it a “bedroom candle” as her customers swear but it’s aphrodisiac qualities.
This fragrance reminds me of Susan Sarandon in this photo*. It’s very mature and feminine. It’s also comfortable in its own skin and not trying to be anything else or more complicated than it is. It’s naturally bold and sexy. It exudes confidence without effort.
Tuberose is clearly the big player in this fragrance but it’s nicely supported by a soft base of vanilla, white musk and sandalwood. If you’re looking to be surrounded in an intoxicating floral, this fragrance is for you.
Pair it with a nice bottle of wine and some chocolate dipped strawberries for a romantic evening with your Valentine.
Fragrance intensity 5/5. Burn quality 4/5.
Photo from susandevy.wordpress.com.
The story behind Mayan Tuberose
According to the brand, the ancient Mayan culture held the tuberose sacred to their Goddess of Beauty and Love. The description of the candle plays on that idea, calling it strong, feminine and hard to resist.
On the Belle Fleur website the two words used for Mayan Tuberose are seductive and carnal. That tells you straight away this is not a shy, fresh-linen kind of scent.
Meredith, the brand’s founder and creator, calls it a bedroom candle, and she says customers swear by its aphrodisiac qualities. You can read more of her thinking in our interview with the Belle Fleur founders.
Why Mayan Tuberose smells so strong
Tuberose is the main player here, and it is a big white flower with a reputation for a heavy, creamy scent. The Wikipedia page on tuberose describes the flower as highly fragrant, which fits what I noticed.
The soft base of vanilla, white musk and sandalwood supports it without competing. Those three make the floral feel rounder and a bit warmer rather than sharp.
I gave it a fragrance intensity of 5 out of 5 and a burn quality of 4 out of 5. A 5 means you will notice it quickly, so keep it for a room you want to scent fully, and be careful in a very small space.
Using the Mayan Tuberose candle well
With a scent this strong, shorter burns are enough. An hour or two usually fills a bedroom or living room, and you can snuff it out while the scent still lingers.
If you enjoy bold florals, you might also look at the Voluspa Tuberosa di Notte or the Linnea’s Lights Tuberose candle. Comparing them side by side is the easiest way to learn how much tuberose you like.
For the evening itself, my suggestion was a nice bottle of wine and some chocolate dipped strawberries. It is a fun idea if you want to match food to the mood of a candle.
Is Mayan Tuberose for you?
Mayan Tuberose is for people who love florals and do not mind a rich, mature scent. If you prefer light, clean or citrus scents, you may find it too much.
My comparison in the review was to a confident, comfortable actress in a vintage photo: mature, feminine and unforced. If that mood appeals to you, it is worth a try.
As always, scent is personal. Try a small size or a sample if you can, and let a new candle burn for a full hour before you decide.
Candle care for a strong floral
Strong florals reward good habits. Trim the wick to about a quarter inch before every burn, because a long wick makes more soot and a hotter, harsher scent.
Let the wax melt all the way to the edge of the jar on the first burn, and then keep each session to a few hours. A candle that tunnels down the middle wastes wax and delivers less fragrance.
Place Mayan Tuberose on a heat-safe surface, away from curtains, and never leave a flame alone in a bedroom. A candle that suits a romantic mood should also be put out before you sleep.
If the scent ever feels too heavy, open a window for a few minutes. A big white floral like tuberose is easier to enjoy in fresh air than in a sealed room.
Another idea is to use it for a special occasion only. Because Mayan Tuberose is so intense, saving it for an anniversary or a quiet weekend keeps it feeling like a treat, and it will last much longer.
You can also pair the burn with your own routine: dim lamps, soft music and no strong food smells in the room. A candle works best when the space around it is calm.
Finally, remember that a scent is only as good as your comfort with it. If Mayan Tuberose feels like too much one evening, snuff it and try again another day.
How to describe the Mayan Tuberose style
If a friend asks what Mayan Tuberose is like, I say it is a confident floral, creamy and rich, with a soft vanilla and wood base. It is not a fruity or fresh candle.
People who like perfumes with big white flowers will probably enjoy it. Those who prefer airy, green or citrus scents should try something else.
The Mayan Tuberose rating of 5 out of 5 for intensity is the number to remember. It tells you that one candle is plenty for most rooms.
