Ambraliquida
by L'Erbolario

A curious little thing from the Cali-phobic L'Erbolario. Although I don't usually subscribe to gendering in scents, this has an old-school powder feel to it that's unmistakably feminine. It's structured around dry white musk, a touch of styrax, and spiced vanilla—but all three notes sit low and work together to produce a surprisingly clean and unobtrusive skin scent. It's actually quite impressive—sort of a powdery musk version of Geza Schoen's minimalist aesthetics. I couldn't pull this off, but for those who might be interested in a transparent talc-type perfume that won't choke you out, this one might be worth a look. It's a great price, too.

Comme des Garçons' Odeur 53 might be a distant relative.

Pros: Takes ordinarily cloying notes and deploys them to great effect.
Cons: Hard to think of this as unisex—it's basically a feminine affair."