Types of Incense

• The two main forms of incense, sticks and cones, offer about the same amount of fragrance and are made of the same ingredients, according to thezenhippie.com. Incense is made of "liquid perfumes and solid base ingredients, such as sandalwood powder, charcoal and a resin known as 'jigit." Cones are sometimes thought of as "more pure" as they don't have the scent, although sight, of the wooden stick burning.
  
  

Choosing a Scent

• Choose authentic incense, made with natural ingredients, as it will smell richer and the smoke is less likely to be irritating, according to thezenhippie.com. If a brand says it is "hand-dipped" it means that it was dipped into synthetic oils for fragrance. Opt for imported brands, coming from India, Tibet, Bhutan or Nepal, as they are most likely authentic.
  
  

Price

• Many stores offer deals such as 100 sticks for $10 or less, as of August 2010.
  
  

Where to Buy

• Natural incense is easily found at international markets, specialty shops or online.