**REVIEW** Dève Herbes Pure Floral Waxes **UPDATE**

**UPDATE** Welp, I got to take a good whiff of the Tuberose wax and... It is so strong that I almost burned my nose hairs. I exaggerate. It is a strong-smelling wax and because I have no real idea of what Tuberose is supposed to smell like, I'm confused. This is what AI says about the smell of Tuberose:

it is "a floral scent that's sweet, exotic, and intense, with undertones that can include: honey, White flowers, Creme brulee, Jasmine, Gardenia, Green and spicy notes, Almond, Coconut, Vanilla, and Animalic notes."

Yeah, well, I got none of that... With this wax, I smell pepper, pepper, pepper, turmeric, and not much else. There is almost nothing floral hitting my nostrils. It's not a stinky scent but it's not something I really want to walk around smelling of - unless I can blend another fragrance into it. Oddly, one of my neighbors said she smelled a little bit of Gardenia. That confuses me even more. Also, as AI suggested in my original review below, Tuberose much have more fatty acids. I can feel that it is a lot more pliable right out of the jar than was the Mimosa. And, by the way, the wax's color reminds me of turmeric. Odd.

It feels softer than the
Mimosa wax

When I get a chance to melt this down and use it, I will do another update. As of now, I am going to be gifting the nieces and SILs with tins of both versions of the wax. That means I will really have to find a way to balance out the pepper scent in the Tuberose version... In the meantime, I found my other (larger) tins to use for the wax/oil concoction.

(I have melted it down and the pepper smell is less pronounced, thank goodness. I find this to be more emollient - slightly - than the Mimosa.)

Looks smoother & neater in the tin

If I really want to fancy up the tins when I gift them, I can press a design into the wax with one of those seal thingies...

*****

What, you might wonder, is "floral wax". I know I wondered. Now I know and, ladies, I am obsessed with this stuff...

I'm surprised that I am just now even hearing about floral wax. I've been into natural skincare and haircare for so long that I thought I was familiar with all the oils, lotions, and potions out there.  Then I happened across this:

the wax inside and enclosed in a baggie

That is a jar of Dève Herbes ("herbs of God") Pure Mimosa Floral Wax. Like I did, you might be wondering what a floral wax is. I had to go and have a conversation with ChatGPT to get this:

floral waxes "are by-products of the essential oil extraction process, and they carry many of the beneficial properties of their respective flowers."

Do tell.

The only way I even heard about floral wax is because last year I bought some Fenugreek oil from the Dève Herbes brand and the wax has been coming up in my Amazon suggestions ever since. Finally,  I had to take a peek. And I am so glad that I did because - not to keep wearing out this tired phrase, but - this stuff is a true game-changer.

The brand has 4 floral waxes on its India-based site, but Amazon.us has the Mimosa and Tuberose waxes. I chose the Mimosa to try out first.

What are the possible benefits?

Again, I had to ask Chat...

Mimosa Floral Wax

• Skin Benefits:

  • Moisturizing: Mimosa wax is highly emollient, meaning it can help to lock in moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and soft.
  • Soothing: It has calming properties that can soothe irritated or sensitive skin. This makes it a good option for those with delicate or reactive skin.
  • Protective Barrier: It forms a light, protective barrier on the skin, helping to shield it from environmental aggressors without clogging pores.

• Hair Benefits:

  • Conditioning: Mimosa wax helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and adding shine.
  • Scalp Care: Its soothing properties can also benefit the scalp, helping to calm irritation or dryness.
  • Moisture Retention: It locks in moisture in the hair, making it feel softer and more manageable.

Tuberose Floral Wax

• Skin Benefits:

  • Nourishing: Tuberose wax is rich in fatty acids, which nourish and rejuvenate the skin, helping to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
  • Emollient: It provides deep hydration and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
  • Aromatherapy: The luxurious scent of tuberose can have mood-lifting and stress-relieving effects, adding a sensory experience to skincare routines.

• Hair Benefits:

  • Hydration: Like mimosa wax, tuberose wax helps to retain moisture in the hair, making it ideal for dry or damaged hair.
  • Fragrance: It imparts a delicate, long-lasting floral scent to the hair, which can be a lovely addition to hair care products.
  • Scalp Nourishment: Its nourishing properties can also benefit the scalp, helping to maintain a healthy environment for hair growth.

Both mimosa and tuberose floral waxes are gentle and versatile, making them excellent additions to natural skin and hair care products.

Okey-doke then. 

First impressions:

The wax arrived and I was disappointed and confused.  I'd expected to see what I'd recognize as wax. Nope. The jar contained a baggie of various-sized pieces of crystallized-looking rocks. I watch so much crime TV, I wondered if I'd been sent a jar of drugs. Or candy.

Looks a little like crackled candy.

Also, there were no instructions on how to use the wax so I had to do some Googling. To use the wax as a skin or hair emollient (my goal), I'd have to melt it down with some carrier oil. This was complicated, and a bit messy. I used sweet almond and apricot oils as carriers and did the melting in the microwave.

I haven't even used that large piece yet.

What I got:

The first time, I did get a decent result of a product that I could use on my skin but the wax was still more solid-feeling than I wanted and difficult to work with.

The 1st attempt -
not as soft as I wanted

I melted it down again and added more of the oils. Finally, I had something that I could use. I stored it in an empty container I had lying around. 

The 2nd attempt - 
much softer

I can rub my ringers over the oil and apply it to my skin, hair, and scalp. The wax did re-solidify, as expected, but the heat of my fingers warms it enough to use. I don't want to make it any less thick because I like being able to control how much my fingers pick up - if that makes sense. Also, I don't want to over-dilute the wax. (I'm going to do that for the wax I use on my scalp.)

By the way, it wasn't until I had warmed the wax that I could get a good sense of its smell. I'd read various descriptions in other reviews and they ranged from good to bad. In my opinion, the Mimosa scent is lovely, but it is really hard to describe. I get a flor-herbal scent that is more floral than herbal. It's sort of earthy and warm-smelling, the way a beautiful hippie girl wearing flowers in her hair might smell. Weird description, I know. By the way, it does fade not long after I've applied it to my skin. 

The results?

Using it on my face first is where I got hooked. I applied my regular moisturizer (Neutrogena), then applied the wax. Before I applied my sunscreen, I wanted to see how the wax made my face feel so I waited about 15 minutes (to let it settle?), then ran my hands ove-

Oh, my! My, my, my... My skin had a velvety-silky feel and it wasn't greasy at all. I can compare the feeling to what a cream-to-powder foundation feels like. My skin was soft and had a sort of plumped texture. 

The sunscreen that I applied last didn't change the nice feeling. What is even better is that a couple of hours later when I was about to apply more sunscreen to go outside and empty the trash, my skin had lost none of that lovely softness. It really was like the wax had locked in my moisturizer. It feels great now, but it's going to be awesome in the drier winter weather.

Using this on my scalp is harder. That's why I said I will further dilute another batch. In order to get enough on my fingers to apply to my scalp, I had to scrape out a little of the wax with my nail. It might be that I will just need a deeper container for the hair wax. ~shrug~

What I did manage to apply (to about one side and the back of my scalp ) does feel good. Maybe the Tuberose will be better for that... Right now, I'm obsessed with what the wax does to my face.

Bottom line:

Y'all know me by now. Once I fell in love with it, I had to put this wax on a Subscribe and Save. Luckily, it's not pricey (just under $10 on a subscription and just over $10 without), and the jar should last me several months. I have set the subscription for every 3 months but I don't think I will need to re-order that often - maybe every 6 months is closer to what I'd need. It takes very little of the wax to treat my face and neck. I will also be using this on my scalp and hair only occasionally but, still, I won't need to replenish my supply for months and months. (Although, I am thinking of whipping up batches to send the ladies in the family for Christmas.)

Also, I did order one jar of the Tuberose version. I wasn't going to but I went to ask Chat about some of the differences between the two:

Mimosa floral wax and tuberose floral wax, while similar in some aspects, have distinct differences due to the unique properties of the plants they come from. Here are the main differences:

1. Source and Scent:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Source: Derived from the flowers of the Mimosa tree (Acacia dealbata).
  • Scent: Mimosa has a light, powdery, and slightly sweet floral scent with hints of green. It’s more subtle and delicate compared to tuberose.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Source: Obtained from the flowers of the Tuberose plant (Polianthes tuberosa).
  • Scent: Tuberose has a rich, intense, and heady floral fragrance. It’s sweet, creamy, and more opulent, often associated with luxury perfumes.

2. Texture and Consistency:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:
  • Texture: Mimosa wax is typically a bit lighter and less dense, making it easier to work with in formulations. It blends well into skincare and haircare products without being too heavy.
• Tuberose Floral Wax:
  • Texture: Tuberose wax tends to be richer and more solid, giving products a more luxurious feel. It’s excellent for formulations that require a more substantial consistency, like balms or thick creams.

3. Skin Benefits:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Targeted Benefits: Better suited for calming and protecting sensitive or irritated skin. It’s great for maintaining skin moisture balance without overwhelming the skin, making it ideal for everyday skincare.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Targeted Benefits: More nourishing and rejuvenating, making it excellent for mature or dry skin. Its richness makes it suitable for nighttime or more intensive treatments where deeper hydration and nourishment are desired.

4. Hair Benefits:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Hair Focus: It’s excellent for adding light moisture and shine, making it ideal for taming frizz without weighing the hair down. It’s particularly good for fine to medium hair types.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Hair Focus: Better suited for deep conditioning treatments, especially for dry, damaged, or thicker hair types. It helps in sealing moisture and providing a luxurious scent, making hair care feel more indulgent.

5. Aromatherapy and Sensory Experience:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Effect: Provides a subtle, calming effect due to its gentle and soft fragrance. It’s often used to create a soothing atmosphere in skincare routines.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Effect: Has a more powerful, mood-lifting impact due to its intense fragrance. It’s often used in luxury products where the sensory experience is a key component.

In summary, mimosa floral wax is lighter, more calming, and better suited for everyday use, especially for sensitive skin and fine hair. Tuberose floral wax, on the other hand, is richer, more nourishing, and ideal for those seeking intensive care and a more luxurious, aromatic experience.

I don't want to subscribe to both scents so I will decide which I like better first. Based on what the Chat said, I'm guessing I might end up choosing the Tuberose version... But I do like the hippie scent of this Mimosa.

Final thoughts:

This is one of those products that makes me feel like I've been missing out on something really good - not in a fad or trend type of way - but as something that can be useful every day, all the time. The price is good and the brand seems to have a good reputation. Their fenugreek oil was definitely the real deal. I am still trying to see if there is a USA-based site for them. The brand site I found is in India, with an international phone number and a WhatsApp account. You can switch the dollar choice between US, AUS, etc. They also have Facebook and Instagram accounts. I prefer to buy their items through their Amazon storefront  (which can be tricky to find), but the inventory is somewhat limited. They have an About Us page on their brand site.

I am excited to have this Mimosa wax and can see myself using it from now on. I am very curious about the Tuberose. It will be interesting to see which one I prefer. I will do another post or an update when I receive the Tuberose wax.

Peace

-- Free