Solid perfumes for men

Solid, Dude: Unisex fragrances in wax form make you think outside the scent box. Here’s why solid perfumes are a good idea. And a few recommendations, too.

A modern take on one of the most ancient forms of fragrance, solid perfume truly does have a lot going for it. In fact, I’ve always wondered why there aren’t more of them on the market, for men and women.

First, the experience feels old-fashioned and ritualistic, like you’re an Egyptian pharaoh getting ready to hold court or a 19th-century dandy heading to the opera. Second, they travel extremely well—light and compact, tiny and elegant. Third, you don’t have to worry about spilling it either at home or in your gym bag. And four, they present good value, as a little generally goes a very long way.

Try one or two of these on for size:

Le Labo Fragrances offers five scents in solid form

New York perfumers Le Labo produce alcohol- and paraben-free wax bars made of almond, coconut and soy bean oils, working it into five of their best scents: Rose 31, Thé Noir 29, Fleur d’Oranger 27, Patchouli 24 and Jasmine 17.
$95 (4 ml), www.6bygeebeauty.com

Diptyque’s touch ups are chic and neat

Paris-based Diptyque of scented candle fame has a host of solid perfumes, all quite elegant as you would expect. They brand their tiny solids as “touch ups” to boost your scent throughout the day as required. Flavours include the black currant- and rose-based L’Ombre dans l’Eau and the fig- and cedar-centred Philosykos.
$50 (3.6 g), www.net-a-porter.com

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics’ solid perfume comes hippie-inspired

Canada’s Lush produces its citrusy signature scent Karma in a solid perfume that borrows heavily from the hippies and head shops from the ’70s, creating a cloud of patchouli, orange and lemongrass behind you. Peace.
$12 (12 g), www.lush.ca

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is a rich, unisex solid

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Elizabeth & James line sports Nirvana Black, a unisex blend of violet, sandalwood and vanilla. This limited-edition solid comes in a luxe mirrored compact for the girlier boys. You know who you are.
$48 (4 ml), www.sephora.com

Pacifica’s solid perfume is green-minded

Vegan line Pacifica touts Lotus Garden, made with organic soy and coconut wax blended with oils, injected with a fresh, green mix of citrus, lotus and jasmine.
$12.50 (10 ml), www.well.ca