Behind the Brand: Maya Bleu's Eco-Friendly Shark Tooth Candles Give Back to the Ocean and Planet
MAYA BLEU’s Original Shark Tooth Candle ($39.99) is a hand poured soy candle with an eco-friendly wick and includes four handpicked fossilized shark teeth.
A long-time ocean expert and conservationist, Mason Silvia is extremely passionate about the ocean and planet. He studied marine biology in Key West and earned a degree in Alternative Renewable Energy, then in 2020 he launched MAYA BLEU—a line of luxury sustainable candles and other products that were founded with a mission to help save the oceans and educate people about them.
“Our main focus at the moment is to build momentum to get heavily involved with shark research and coral restoration,” says Silvia.
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MAYA BLEU is known for its eco-friendly, 100% soy candles that feature the brand’s trademarked shark teeth design. No sharks were harmed in the making of any of the candles—all of the shark teeth used in the candle wax are fossilized and have been found in the ground by Florida Seashells and Fossils, a group that operates out of South Florida and finds incredible shells, fossils, and shark teeth.
Once the candles have been completely used, soil can be added to the empty recyclable glass jars followed by a provided seed duster that decomposes and grows wild flowers. What’s more, 10% of all profits go towards helping local and small ocean conservation organizations.
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In addition to candles, MAYA BLEU also sells luxe jewelry that is handcrafted in South Florida and an apparel collection of T-shirts and throw blankets featuring stunning ocean nature photography that showcases beautiful creatures and ecosystems. The items are made by demand and not mass produced in order to prevent waste and pollution.
We chatted with Silvia, who shared the inspiration behind the brand’s unique products, future plans, and more.
When was MAYA BLEU founded and what’s the meaning behind the name?
MAYA BLEU was created in early 2020, but this company has been in the making since 2015. MAYA BLEU (or Maya Blue) is a shade of blue that reminds us of the ocean.
Tell us more about your products and what makes them special.
It's our goal to create products inspired by nature. We strive to create products that are eco-friendly and that help educate about our oceans. To give back to our oceans we give back 10% of profits to ocean conservation. Our goal isn't to be another company that cuts a check for a tax break, but to be a company that's involved.
10% of all profits go towards helping local and small ocean conservation organizations.
Do you have a hero product? What’s your favorite?
Our top-selling product has to be our Original Shark Tooth Candle, which is also our favorite! Our candles are hand poured soy candles with a coconut and vanilla scent that was created with a warm summer feeling in mind. Our eco-friendly wicks are made from natural flat cotton threads interwoven with paper threads. Our jars are made from 30% recycled glass and are also recyclable. Our lids are made from sustainably sourced bamboo.
All shark teeth we use are 100% fossilized and hand found in or on the ground. When the candle fully melts you may add soil to the empty jar then place seeded candle duster on top of soil. Add a small amount of soil on top of the duster, then water and keep by the light. Your candle jar will then grow a variety of wildflowers!
Where are your products sold?
You can find Maya Bleu products all over the country in local and large retailers. Our biggest retailer is Florida Whole Foods. We have a store locator on our website that will allow you to look up locations near you to find our products! We also sell off our own website as well.
MAYA BLEU’s Lost in the Tropics Shark Tooth Candle ($35) features a fruity and floral fragrance blend that includes top notes of apple, luscious peach, and ripe grapefruit; middle notes of cherry blossom and hydrangea; and base notes of vanilla.
What's next for the brand?
We plan on launching new lifestyle products, new candles, sustainable fashion, and more. A future goal we have is to eventually build a research center to explore new sustainable resources our environment has to offer and use them to create a family of eco-friendly products. We also have dreams of a MAYA BLEU ocean research lab to grow corals, help fish populations through aquaculture, and promote tours for youth and adult education.
Our vision doesn't stop there—we have many plans to accomplish in the next five to 10 years, and it’s 100% up to our customers and supporters that will help us achieve our goals and mission. We encourage all to reach out with ideas and passions that we should explore and get involved with.
For more information, visit mayableu.com and follow on Instagram: @mayableu_
[Images courtesy of Maya Bleu]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk