HEM Hexagonal Incense - Kamasutra

• The scent has a warm, oriental character, full-bodied rather than light or airy.
• It reads as sensual and inviting, which suits evenings far better than a crisp morning.
• The slim hexagonal box is deep red and amber, with the HEM mark at the base and the name running down its length, so it looks at home on a shelf or bedside table.
• It is a stick incense, so it asks only for a match, a holder and a little stillness.

Bedrooms and living spaces are the natural home for a fragrance like this, along with a meditation corner or an unhurried evening routine. It is a scent for the end of the day: lit while you read, unwind or simply sit, then left to fade on its own.

These are self-lighting sticks. Light the coated tip, let it flame for a few seconds, then blow it out so it glows. Stand the plain end in a heat-resistant holder with an ash catcher beneath. Incense sticks usually burn for roughly half an hour to an hour, though this varies, so check the listing details if timing matters to you. Burn in a ventilated room and never leave it unattended.

This is HEM, a well-known name in Indian incense, and the hexagonal box is the format the brand is recognised by. The sticks are made in India, the country whose long incense-making tradition shaped the warm, spiced style of fragrance sold as masala incense.

The rich, romantic character makes it a thoughtful present for someone who loves an atmospheric home, or an easy addition to an evening-in gift for a partner. It is affordable to share, simple to use and comes in a box that needs no wrapping.