I'm reading all these positive reviews and saying to myself, Something's not right here. I bought one of these and it DOES NOT work well. Sure, if you compare it to an "incandescent bulb," which too many other reviewers suspisciously do, it is marginally better. But if you compare it to a full size black light fluorescent tube, this CF version is sorely lacking. This bulb, used with or without a shade, does not make white, like your teeth or on your clothes, glow brightly. It only marginally makes bright colors pop. The black light effects are not obvious; you have to really look for them. If you think you're going to use these at a party and everyone freaks out, forget it. I think the problem is the bulb is too bright. You would think it makes sense that a fluorescent light, even in CF form, would make black light work better, but it is a poor substitution for "real" black light fluorescent tubes.