Le Labo will convince you that candles need not be effeminate, and can indeed be perfect for a so-called "masculine" household. Not only does Le Labo make the soaps and lotions of my dreams, but they also make some of the best candles. And while my boyfriend generally makes his own candles (seriously, with pine sap), the only other scents he allows into his home are ones from Le Labo.
Le Labo's scents tend to veer toward woodier notes. While that's not manly, it is more gender neutral than, say, a bouquet of fresh flowers. For example, Le Labo's trademark Santal 26 scent offers a smoky, leathery fragrance, and doesn't bear any cloying sweetness or lingering artifice. Instead, it's a pure, simple smell that would work just as well in a kitchen as it would in a bathroom. So not only are these scents gender-neutral, they're location-neutral as well.
I've also noticed that you don't have to burn a Le Labo candle for the fragrance to become noticeable. That isn't to say that it's overpowering, but simply that its scents are noteworthy and quickly dispersed throughout a room.
One of my very favorite Le Labo candles is undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a gift for a special occasion that will last for months on end (and realistically, years, if you don't light it much), I would definitely spring for the concrete candle. This incredibly unique offering is actually poured into a concrete pot and is enormous (and also enormously expensive). But for a candle that doubles as a conversation piece, this is the way to go.
If you're looking for something a bit less imposing, the majority of Le Labo candles are packaged in a chic glass cup with a wide base and slightly tapered top. Once you've burned out the candle, these little containers are absolutely beautiful as vases or as a home for your succulents.
Pros: Gender-neutral scents, quick-dispersing, beautiful packaging
Cons: Like Diptyque, these Le Labo candles are very expensive
Buy Le Labo candles from Nordstrom starting at $65