Unisex fragrances are those that transcend traditional gender boundaries and offer a versatile approach to scent selection. They are usually much more versatile and have a unique scent profile, often sharing a certain story and making the wearer a part of it. All fragrances can be considered unisex, and anyone can wear any scent, but brands often market fruit or floral-heavy fragrances as feminine, while scents featuring heady notes like wood, leather, and spices are considered masculine.
Some of the best unisex fragrances include Byredo's Desert Dawn, Dior's Eden Roc, and Gucci's The Heart of Leo.
What You'll Learn
Woody and spicy fragrances
Byredo Desert Dawn Eau de Parfum
Byredo's Desert Dawn is a unique combination of warm and floral notes, with sandalwood and cedarwood at its heart. It is rounded out by rose petals and papyrus, preventing the bold, warm scent from becoming too overwhelming. This woody and spicy scent is a staple in any fragrance collection. While some may find it too powdery, it is a perfect choice for a night out, serving as a "compliment magnet".
Maison Margiela 'Replica' Under the Stars Eau de Toilette
This unisex fragrance by Maison Margiela is a sexy, dark, and masculine scent. It combines notes of oud essence, raw leather accord, and black pepper essence to create a long-lasting, memorable fragrance. The perfume bottle is designed with a cotton label and black ink text, paying homage to the original couture line. It is a perfect choice for those who enjoy dark, smoky, woody, and spicy scents.
Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum
Tom Ford's Noir Extreme Parfum is an excellent choice for a boardroom setting. It strikes a perfect balance with its bold, warm, and velvety notes of cardamom, amber, sandalwood, and tonka bean. It is intense and spicy without being too aggressive, making it ideal for commanding attention in a professional environment.
Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette
Chanel's Bleu de Chanel is an iconic fragrance for a reason. It offers a fresh and luxurious mix of grapefruit, cedar, and sandalwood, creating a masculine scent that is perfect for daytime wear. Its versatility also makes it suitable for nighttime use, especially when allowed to dry down to reveal warmer sandalwood notes. This fragrance is one of the top-selling men's fragrances globally.
Terre d'Hermes Parfum by Hermes
Terre d'Hermes Parfum is a cult favourite among fragrance collectors, offering an addictive earthy and spicy accord. The Parfum option provides greater longevity than the EDT, with a strong initial projection. It combines notes of grapefruit, flint, oak moss, and benzoin to create a distinctive and affordable woody and spicy cologne.
Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Masculin Pluriel is a fresh and woody fragrance, a challenging combination to achieve. It features notes of lavender, patchouli, vetiver, and wood, perfectly balanced by the renowned fragrance house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian. While the projection may be lacking due to the soft lavender note, the fragrance offers excellent performance, with outstanding silage and projection of up to 3 metres. It is an expensive yet exquisite choice.
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Citrus and fruity notes
CK One by Calvin Klein
CK One is a classic unisex fragrance that has been a favourite since its release in the '90s. It combines feminine floral notes with masculine musk, resulting in a clean and powdery scent that is truly gender-neutral. The citrus notes in CK One add a refreshing touch to the fragrance, making it perfect for anyone seeking a crisp and modern aroma.
Liis Ethereal Wave Eau de Parfum
This unisex fragrance stands out with its minimalist bottle design and captivating scent. It features notes of white tea and black tea absolute at its heart, while bergamot, blonde woods, musk, and cardamom round out the composition. The result is a warm and fresh scent that is both intimate and inviting. Liis Ethereal Wave is an excellent choice for those seeking a soft and subtle fragrance that leaves a lasting impression.
DS & Durga Black Magenta Eau de Parfum
This unique fragrance combines bold and sensual notes to create an aromatic and compelling scent. It opens with pink pineapple and black pepper, followed by orris concrete, orange flower, and black amber. The scent is complemented by sandalwood, adding a touch of warmth and depth. DS & Durga Black Magenta is an excellent choice for those seeking a strong and comforting fragrance that lingers on the skin.
Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum
Inspired by the fig trees of Greece, this unisex fragrance captures the essence of a summer grove. It features aromatic and green notes with a slightly woody finish. The fig takes centre stage, creating a joyful and uplifting scent that is perfect for spring and summer days. Diptyque Philosykos is an excellent choice for those seeking an escape to the Mediterranean with each spritz.
Henry Rose Dark Is Night Eau de Parfum
This unisex fragrance offers a warm and inviting aroma with its unique blend of notes. It opens with fresh grass and freesia, followed by vetiver and patchouli. The vanilla bean adds a sweet and sophisticated touch to the composition. Dark Is Night is an excellent choice for those seeking an inviting and captivating fragrance that exudes confidence and sophistication.
These fragrances showcase the versatility and appeal of citrus and fruity notes in unisex colognes. Whether you're looking for something fresh and invigorating or warm and sensual, these scents will surely captivate your senses and leave a lasting impression.
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Floral and earthy scents
Byredo Mojave Ghost
Byredo's Mojave Ghost is an exceptional choice for a summer fragrance. It has a cool name and an even cooler scent profile. With a base of ambergris and cedar, it is followed by strong floral notes of magnolia and violet. This combination creates a gentle and airy scent that is perfect for the warm summer months. The fragrance is long-lasting and won't get swept away by ocean breezes, making it an ideal choice for beach vacations and warm-weather adventures.
Maison Margiela Replica by the Fireplace
This fragrance is the perfect choice for cosy winter nights by the fireplace. With top notes of pepper, orange flower, and clove oil, it evokes the feeling of being curled up by a crackling fire. The middle notes of chestnut and wood oil add a touch of warmth, while the base notes of vanilla, balsam, and cashmeran provide a sweet and spicy finish. It is an excellent option for creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere during the chilly winter season.
Malin+Goetz Cannabis Eau de Parfum
If you're looking for a calming and soothing fragrance, Malin+Goetz Cannabis Eau de Parfum is an excellent choice. This unique fragrance combines subtle wafts of cannabis with patchouli, sandalwood, and bergamot. It is perfect for creating a relaxed and zen-like atmosphere, making it ideal for après-ski cocktails, fireside gatherings, and calm evenings at home. While it may not be a standalone fragrance, it is a wonderful addition to your fragrance collection for those times when you want to unwind and find your inner peace.
Acqua Di Parma Blue Mediterraneo Bergamotto Di Calabria
Acqua Di Parma is known for creating long-lasting fragrances, and their Blue Mediterraneo Bergamotto Di Calabria is an excellent choice for a unisex cologne. With a base of vetiver and musk, it features prominent citrus and floral notes that make it perfect for spring and summer. This versatile fragrance can easily transition from day to night, making it a great choice for all-day wear. It will leave you feeling fresh and energised throughout the warmer months.
Boy Smells Tantrum
Boy Smells Tantrum is an exceptional fragrance that seamlessly blends cedarwood, bergamot, and mint. With a strong base of cedarwood and vetiver, it makes a powerful first impression. The scent then evolves with crisp bergamot and mint notes, adding a touch of freshness. This versatile fragrance is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a day at work or a romantic date. It will leave a lasting impression and is sure to become a favourite in your collection.
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Warm and sweet fragrances
Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Afternoon Delight Eau de Toilette
This fragrance combines Madagascar vanilla, madeleine accord, and sandalwood to create a rich, creamy, and sweet aroma. It evokes memories of indulgent pleasures and has received praise for its uniqueness and ability to blend well with other fragrances.
Kayali Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli | 64 Eau de Parfum Intense
This niche fragrance is a bold, warm, and spicy blend of golden rum, vanilla surabsolute, and sugared patchouli. It also features notes of crème brûlée and royal oud, resulting in a decadent and opulent scent perfect for all occasions. While it leans slightly more feminine, it is a versatile choice.
Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum
Although some may find it too masculine, Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum is a warm and spicy fragrance ideal for winter evenings. It opens with fresh lemon essence and saffron, followed by smoky notes of leathery oakwood. It is an intense and sophisticated scent.
Montale Arabians Tonka Eau de Parfum
Montale Arabians Tonka is a warm and spicy fragrance featuring notes of bergamot, rose, and tonka beans. It also includes exotic Eastern ingredients such as saffron, brown sugar, and deep woods, resulting in an addictive and unique trail. This fragrance is a bestseller and a must-have for fragrance collectors.
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Tom Ford's Black Orchid is a spicy, dark, and sensual fragrance that gained immense popularity upon its release in 2006. It features a complex blend of vanilla, chocolate, spices, patchouli, and amber. While initially marketed towards women, it is a completely unisex fragrance, with softer notes on female skin and a darker, more potent scent on male skin.
Henry Rose Dark is Night
Henry Rose's Dark is Night is a warm and inviting fragrance with notes of grass, vetiver, freesia, patchouli, and vanilla bean. It is an excellent choice for those seeking a unique, long-lasting, and captivating scent. It received high praise from reviewers, who described it as "sweet yet sophisticated."
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Tobacco and vanilla notes
Tobacco and vanilla are a match made in heaven when it comes to unisex fragrances. The warm, sweet, and spicy aroma of tobacco blends beautifully with the creamy, sweet, and comforting scent of vanilla to create an alluring and sensual fragrance. Here are some of the best unisex colognes with tobacco and vanilla notes:
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
This iconic fragrance by Tom Ford is a perfect blend of tobacco and vanilla, with additional notes of cacao, tonka bean, dried fruit, and sweet wood sap. It's a bold, spicy, and sweet scent that leaves a lasting impression. The tobacco and vanilla combination gives it a sexy, spicy air, while the rich, smooth vanilla adds a touch of sweetness and longevity. It's a long-lasting fragrance that makes a statement.
Parfums de Marly Herod
Herod by Parfums de Marly is a luxurious and elegant fragrance with a beautiful blend of tobacco, vanilla, cinnamon, and other spices. The tobacco note is utterly amazing and is complemented by the sweet vanilla and spicy cinnamon. It has a maturity and classiness that make it perfect for office wear, and it can garner compliments throughout the day. It's a sexy and captivating scent that dries down into a rich and resinous cologne.
Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb Extreme
Spicebomb Extreme is a smooth, warm, and spicy fragrance with a unique blend of tobacco, vanilla, lavender, and cumin. The tobacco note gives it a rich and warm character, while the vanilla adds a touch of sweetness. It has excellent longevity and strong sillage, making it one of the longest-lasting scents in its category. It's a versatile fragrance that can be worn during the day or at night.
Guerlain Tobacco Honey
Tobacco Honey by Guerlain is a unique twist on the classic tobacco and vanilla combination. It features notes of tobacco, honey, cloves, anise, tonka bean, vanilla, sesame, oud, and sandalwood. The sweetness of honey mingles beautifully with the spices, and the fragrance dries down to reveal rich woods. It's a cozy and wearable scent that strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and spiciness.
21 Man Made Sweet Tobacco Spirits
This fragrance takes you on a journey to long, sweaty nights spent in smoky dive bars. It has a boozy, sweet, and animalistic scent with notes of citrus, dried fruits, saffron, manuka honey, vanilla, tonka bean, exotic woods, musk, and of course, tobacco. It's a strong and long-lasting fragrance but surprisingly wearable, making it the perfect party scent.
These fragrances showcase the versatility of tobacco and vanilla notes, creating a range of scents that are warm, spicy, sweet, and sensual. They are perfect for those who want to make a statement with their fragrance and exude confidence and sensuality.
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Frequently asked questions
For a summer scent, try Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo – Fico di Amalfi. It's a fresh, clean, marine scent with dominant citrus notes and a beautiful base of smooth benzoin and fig tree.
For a date night, you could try Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur. It's an incredibly popular fragrance that mixes with both male and female pheromones to create different scents.
A good option for a signature scent is Le Labo Santal 33. It's a distinctive, woody scent that's designed to make you feel confident and leave a lasting impression.
For a luxury option, try Xerjoff Naxos. It's an incredibly mass-appealing, alluring, and captivating scent with a zesty and citrusy opening, followed by honey and tobacco leaf.