Frédéric Malle is introducing a new home collection called Rubber Incense. It’s a “high tech” version of a lavender sachet, a plastic slab scented with existing perfumes : Marius & Jeannette (anise), Rosa Rugosa (rose), Jurassic Flower (peach and lavender accented floral), Saint Des Saints (Indian temple incense), Russian Nights (spicy violet), which are also available as candles and were developed by perfumers Sophia Grojsman, Carlos Benaïm and Bruno Jovanovic.

“The idea originated from candle prototypes scented with Saint des Saints perfume hidden in Frédéric Malle’s closet which emitted such a marvelous fragrance that opening the closet became a true pleasure. Rubber Incense was born. Designed to perfume small spaces like closets, dressing rooms or car interiors, Rubber Incense releases perfume for a long time without using electricity or a refill.”

$110, available in Marius & Jeannette, Rosa Rugosa, Jurassic Flower, Saint Des Saints, and Russian Nights. Rubber Incense is sold at Editions de Parfums boutiques, shop.fredericmalle.com, and Barneys New York. Via press release

The more that women’s fragrances begin to smell alike in one pink synthetic blur, the more I find myself considering the men’s fragrance section.  The overly sharp woody or harsh herbal notes that traditionally signify a “male” scent aren’t my cup of tea, but there are plenty of men’s fragrances that make for an interesting and distinctive feminine perfume.

A combination of desperation and curiosity led me to the men’s counter at Nordstrom, where I was promptly shied away from Kiehl’s Musk by a female salesclerk.  “That’s for men,” she said, about the slightly animalic musk scent that has been called a mall cognate to Serge Lutens’s hot and sweaty Muscs Koublaï Khan.  So what if someone raises an eyebrow about a cross-gender spray-and-play?  The men’s section contains novelty and surprise, two qualities that have been lacking in recent women’s issues.  There are gems at the men’s counter that are sure to intrigue if not outright delight.  Here are some that I wear myself and buy for men, straight from the mall:

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Among my perfumes that are the equivalents of t-shirt and jeans, Roger & Gallet fragrances share a top spot with L’Occitane Green Tea and Parfums de NicolaïL’Eau à la Folie. The classical cologne, Bois d’Orange and Fleur d’Osmanthus are among my Roger & Gallet favorites. They are easy to wear and are perfect for those days when you want something refreshing and not overly demanding.

In addition, the low price (18€ or $25 for 1 oz bottle) makes them accessible. A low price doesn’t have to mean a poor quality perfume (and I would argue that the worst quality perfumes on the market today are among the most expensive). The Roger & Gallet collection is created by excellent perfumers. For instance, Fleur de Figuer was designed by Francis Kurkdjian, Bois d’Orange by Dominique Ropion, and Gingembre by Jacques Cavallier.

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Giveaway: Neela Vermeire Creations would like to give away a discovery set of its three fragrances–Mohur, Bombay Bling and Trayee–to one Bois de Jasmin reader.

How it works: Please leave a comment answering the following questions: “1) What is the most dramatic, bold fragrance you’ve tried? 2) On the other hand, what understated, subtle perfumes do you enjoy?” Each participant will be assigned a number, and the winner will be selected via a random number generator. Draw is now closed; I will announce the winner this weekend.

Giveaway explanation: anybody from the US or overseas can enter as long as you answer specific questions explained in the contest rules. If a winner does not respond within a week, I reserve the right to randomly pick a runner up.

Key Change and Nina Z! Congratulations! Please contact me .

I reserve the right to pick another winner if I don’t receive a response within a week.