Description
It’s difficult to believe that I have been creating a new holiday fragrance for, now, 19 years running! As you can imagine it keeps me on my toes creatively to find a new inspiration that fits with this holiday theme that I haven’t explored before. (Don’t worry, I’m not nearly exhausted yet!)
This year I wanted to focus, again, on a Hanukkah theme, and while contemplating concepts, I came to this: the Maccabees.
This year I wanted to focus, again, on a Hanukkah theme, and while contemplating concepts, I came to this: the Maccabees.
It was during the Maccabean Revolt that the re-dedication of the Temple, the lighting of the Menorah, and the ‘miracle of the oil’ occurred. As fitting with the mythology of ‘light overcoming the darkness’ at this time of year, MaccaBees is as luminous as it is dark with elements of smoke, rich oil, and beeswax (and touches of honey). Within it there is comfort, safety, and a deep sense of home.
MaccaBees celebrates the candles, and the oil, that have illuminated our world for thousands of years, as well as the light and warmth within us that they represent. (And I have to admit, candles have always been my favorite part of Holiday Season rituals, I’m truly delighted to share this scent with you!)
*VdP sample vials are are full.
Marian (verified owner) –
I bought a roller of Maccabees blind based on Dawn’s evocative description, and my expectations were not disappointed. I cannot stop wearing Maccabees this holiday season—in fact, I am carrying my roller in my purse to share it with my friends as we meet to toast the season.
I adore honey scents, and MaccaBees explores honey in a smoky, luminous, sacred mood. It is a gorgeous reflective scent that is perfect for this time of year. Personally? I like to layer it with Cathedral. Maccabees’ smoky honeyed beeswax mingling with the ancient aroma of Midnight Mass incense conjures up my childhood memories of the hushed glow of winter’s holiday season and wraps me in a sense of cozy candlelit safety midst the deep of winter.
cehcats (verified owner) –
I bought MaccaBees as a large sample size. I’d been looking for scents with a true beeswax scent after trying and liking others.
At the same time, I was searching for a mildly smoky incense perfume that wasn’t typical, green or very floral. My search led me to Dawn. I was familiar with some of her work so I trusted her descriptions.
I happened to find both of my wishes in one scent so I had to try it.
After a minute, this scent started to settle nicely on my skin. It’s a sweet but true beeswax, combined with the prettiest amber, frankincense, myrrh, and touches of soothing scents, gourmand and resin. The vanilla is balanced perfectly.
It conjurs up the best of desserts, holiday candles and lights, and attending a holiday service.
If I could afford it by the gallon, I’d wear it year round, although it works the best for fall and winter. Dawn, please don’t ever discontinue this. MaccaBees has to be one of the most lucious scents I’ve tried. It reminds me of happier times with my family and friends, celebrating, enjoying, sharing food, giving gifts, and being thankful for all the joy.
meredithabieber –
I recently tried 8 samples and this was in my top 4. It is a unique, heavenly honey, beeswax, incense experience. It somehow manages to capture the essence of the lit oil, as the description states. When I wear it I can imagine being in some ancient holy temple with honey sweet incense and beeswax candles burning at the altar, all in the best way. Will be in my fall/winter rotation.
Georgia Steffen –
This is really unique- a proper Hanukkah scent that evokes the feeling of glowing warmth emanating from a lit Menorah. It smells like honeyed beeswax candles with a touch of smokiness and resins. There’s a little cedar, amber, and maybe myrrh in the base as well. It becomes less smokey and mildly sweeter as it dries down.
While I typically wouldn’t want to smell like a candle, this is just ‘perfumey’ enough to bring it out of the artistic realm and become wearable. I love the creativity of this and wish I could sample past years’ releases. It’s genderless and best suited for cooler temperatures.
Sarah (verified owner) –
This has become my cool weather signature, which is remarkable as I usually bounce around perfumes depending upon how I feel each day. Every morning upon waking I spritz this. Elsewhere a reviewer summed Maccabees up perfectly: at once comforting and contemplative. Macc has a way of casting a filter over life, slowing down the pace and quieting thought. No other fragrance makes me feel so cozy, safe and protected.
heathermariebarton1985 –
It smells like beeswax, fruity olive oil and a touch of honey and smoke. It is a unique beeswax/honey scent as it is only slightly sweet. It is a very cozy and comforting scent. I will definitely full size this one. I am not Jewish, but I still think it is super cool that the scent is inspired by the Hanukkah story. A lot of indie perfumeries have Christmas scents and Winter Solstice scents but I have only seen a couple Hanukkah scents before.
anadevice (verified owner) –
Opens with soft, creamy beeswax with a hint of rich honey. As it dries, the unmistakable scent of a gently burning candle emerges, that subtle, smoky scent of melting wax. The realism is quite impressive, and makes me feel really nostalgic. I’m not getting much amber or resin, but there is a soft, almost buttery musk surrounding the flickering candles.
There’s a drop of smooth myrrh oil at the heart of the musk and a hint of gentle oud, giving the musk a rich, golden texture that blends seamlessly with the creamy beeswax. Dries down to a soft amber. This is a comforting scent that brings back lots of memories, perfect for the holidays or anytime you want a cozy atmospheric.
A Terp (verified owner) –
This is absolutely stunning. It’s sweet and slightly smoky but also very soft. It’s comforting and will be in my rotation in the fall and winter.
bvanniekerk4 –
A very natural smelling beeswax scent. Definitely has the cozy and warm DSH vibes we’ve come to love.
viciouscosmetics (verified owner) –
Wowza. The reviews did not lie. This is so accurate to lit candles and oil lamps. This was oddly nostalgia inducing for me, having grown up in a hurricane prone area. Smelling this sends me back to hot summer nights without power, crowded around the radio, eating MREs haha. The beeswax note near is so pretty and the longevity is impressive!
alafries1 –
An absolutely stunning Hanukkah scent. It has the beeswax, honey and incense I look for in a holiday scent. It evokes a lit menorah. I wear it all year round. If you like honey scents, this one is for you!
carter –
I like this but it’s a little too sweet for me. My skin brings out its salted-caramel-graham-cracker qualities, but my favorite aspects of it are the beeswax and smoke. So, doesn’t quite match my tastes, but I can see why people love it 🙂