Beauty Bulletin: A Modern Take on Candles

While candles have always been the driving force behind home fragrance, this spring, a bevy of modern iterations are launching. “Clients are looking for unique items and great gifts,” says Bettina O’Neill, vice president of cosmetics and fragrance at Barneys New York. “And they are willing to pay a premium for them.” The newest novelty from Parisian perfumer Diptyque is its Hourglass Diffuser, which emits scent from an enclosed wick in the center. From the innovative Frédéric Malle comes Rubber Incense, plastic slabs designed to scent small spaces for up to six months, while Jo Malone is launching luxurious padded hangers. Nest Fragrance and Fornasetti Profumi have appealing new renditions, too. “It’s all about the quality,” says O’Neill, “and less of a price concern.”