Anisha Riggs
Many women enjoy wearing men's fragrances, and some perfumes originally marketed for men have become so popular among women that they are now sold as unisex fragrances. Women often choose a men's fragrance because they find traditional female scents too synthetic or floral. Masculine fragrances are often cleaner, simpler, and more natural-smelling. Popular men's fragrances that women can wear include Terre d'Hermes, Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, Bvlgari Black, Lacoste Blanc, Tom Ford Noir Extreme, and Versace Eros. Some women also enjoy wearing zesty, fresh, or deep, woody perfumes that are typically marketed for men. Ultimately, the choice of fragrance is a personal one, and many people choose scents that they love regardless of the gender the perfume is marketed towards.
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What You'll Learn
Women's preferences for men's fragrances
Some specific men's fragrances that women reportedly enjoy include:
- Terre d’Hermes
- Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
- Bvlgari Black
- Guerlain Eau Boisee
- Dior's Eau Savage
- Prada Infusion d’Homme
- Lacoste Blanc
- Tom Ford Noir Extreme
- Versace Eros
- Gucci Pour Homme II Eau De Toilette Spray for Men
- Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette Spray for Men
- Bvlgari Man in Black
Additionally, some women may prefer unisex fragrances, such as Annick Goutal's Eau d’Hadrien, which was originally created as a men's scent but is now marketed as unisex due to its popularity with women. Ultimately, as one source points out, fragrance preferences are highly individual, and there are no rules when it comes to choosing a scent—it's all about what you personally like.
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Unisex fragrances
Many fragrances are marketed towards a specific gender, but this categorisation is largely based on packaging, marketing and strength, rather than the scent itself. Perfumes that are labelled as "for men" can often have floral notes, and women often choose fragrances with tobacco and woody notes.
Some women prefer men's fragrances because they tend to be "cleaner and simpler", and more natural-smelling than women's perfumes, which can be overly sweet or synthetic.
There are many fragrances originally made for men that are now considered unisex because they are so often bought by women. These include Eau d’Hadrien by Annick Goutal, which has citrus notes of Sicilian lemon, grapefruit, and green mandarin, and Terre d’Hermes, which has a fresh scent.
Other unisex fragrances include:
- Byredo Desert Dawn Eau de Parfum
- Liis Ethereal Wave Eau de Parfum
- Victoria Beckham Beauty 21:50 Rêverie Eau de Parfum
- DS & Durga Black Magenta Eau de Parfum
- Dior Eden Roc Eau de Parfum
- A fragrance inspired by Indonesia with notes of tobacco leaves, plum, vanilla, and cedarwood
- A fragrance with notes of pink pineapple, black pepper, orris concrete, orange flower, black amber and sandalwood
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Masculine fragrances worn by feminine women
Many women enjoy wearing traditionally masculine fragrances and some men's fragrances are now sold as unisex perfumes. Women may choose a masculine scent because they prefer a more natural, clean, and simple aroma. Some women also find that typically feminine perfumes are too heavy, too sweet, or too floral.
One of the most popular men's fragrances worn by women is Eau d’Hadrien by Annick Goutal. This scent is citrusy, with notes of Sicilian lemon, grapefruit, green mandarin, and ylang-ylang. Other popular Goutal men's fragrances worn by women include Eau de Sud and Mandragore.
Another popular choice is Creed, a centuries-old French luxury goods house that only launched its fragrance line in 1951. The brand's Acqua Di Parma Colonia has been a favourite of both men and women since its launch in 1916. With its fresh, citrusy, woody, and sweet notes, it has been favoured by political and Hollywood elites for decades.
Other traditionally masculine fragrances that women enjoy wearing include:
- Dior's Eau Savage, a classic men's fragrance with notes of mandarin, orange, neroli, Tunisian iris, cedar, and Somalian incense.
- Terre d’Hermes, a woody and aromatic scent.
- Guerlain Eau Boisee, a fresh and woody fragrance.
- Tom Ford fragrances, including Noir Extreme, Grey Vetiver, and Bvlgari Black.
- Versace Eros.
- Rituals Maharaja D’Or, with its warm, spicy base of cardamom and patchouli, and fresh pine top notes.
- Byredo Super Cedar, a woody scent.
- Escentric Molecules 01 and 02.
- Dior's Spice Blend, a soft, rich, and addictive scent.
- Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte (originally named Eau de Cologne d’Hermes), a strong citrus scent with notes of lemon, mandarin, papaya, mango, oak moss, and patchouli.
Ultimately, the choice of fragrance is an individual one, and many women choose to wear masculine or unisex scents simply because they enjoy the smell, regardless of the gender the perfume is marketed towards.
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Why women choose men's fragrances
Women opting for men's fragrances is not uncommon. While the distinction between men's and women's fragrances is profound, it is mainly the packaging, marketing, and strength of the fragrance that categorize it as "male" or "female". Here are some reasons why women might choose to wear men's fragrances:
Au Naturel Organic Smell
Women often prefer men's fragrances because they have an au naturel organic smell, whereas traditional female scents can smell too synthetic or "perfume-y". Some women prefer their beauty products to be organically natural, and men's fragrances often provide that natural aroma.
Simpler and Cleaner Fragrances
Some women prefer men's fragrances because they tend to be cleaner and simpler. Men's fragrances are often described as crisp, fresh, tangy, and a bit edgy, providing a light masculine fragrance that can be appealing to women who want a more androgynous scent.
Woody and Smoky Scents
Women who like woodsy and smoky smells often gravitate towards men's fragrances. These scents tend to be marketed as "for men," but many women enjoy them as well. Woody and smoky notes can create a warm and intimate aroma that appeals to women who want to project a confident and sophisticated image.
Unisex Appeal
Some men's fragrances have become so popular with women that they are now sold as unisex fragrances. This shift towards unisex fragrances is also driven by a rejection of strict gender norms. Many individuals, including women, choose fragrances that align with their self-perception and how they wish to be perceived by others, regardless of the intended gender of the fragrance.
Skin Chemistry
From a biological standpoint, men typically have oilier skin, which makes certain scents, like woody and spicy notes, more pronounced and long-lasting. Women, on the other hand, often have drier skin, causing lighter and more volatile top notes to stand out initially but fade quicker. Some women might prefer the way certain men's fragrances interact with their skin chemistry, resulting in a longer-lasting and more appealing scent.
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Recommended men's fragrances for women
Many women enjoy wearing men's fragrances, and some men's fragrances are so popular with women that they are now sold as unisex perfumes. Women often opt for men's fragrances because they tend to be cleaner and simpler, with a light, androgynous scent. Here are some men's fragrances that women might enjoy:
Eau d’Hadrien by Annick Goutal
Originally a men's scent, this fragrance is now often bought by women and is sold as a unisex perfume. It has strong citrus notes, including Sicilian lemon, grapefruit, and green mandarin, with ylang-ylang and aldehyde notes.
Infusion d’Homme by Prada
This fragrance has top notes of mandarin, orange, and neroli, middle notes of Tunisian iris, galbanum, cedar, and vetiver, and base notes of benzoin, frankincense, and Somalian incense. One woman describes it as "clean and simple, with a light masculine fragrance."
Dior's Eau Savage
This fragrance was created by French master perfumer Edmond Roudnitska and launched in 1966. It is considered a classic, similar to Chanel No. 5.
Lacoste Blanc, Tom Ford Noir Extreme, and Versace Eros
These fragrances are marketed exclusively for men, but one woman recommends them as scents that women can wear.
Terre d’Hermes
This fragrance is supposed to be unisex but is mainly marketed toward men over 40. However, one 30-year-old woman says she prefers it to any more feminine equivalent.
Guerlain Vetiver
This fragrance was originally launched as a men's scent in 1959 but is now worn by both men and women. It has a fresh, light, and earthy scent.
Code Red Eau de Parfum
This woody and aromatic men's fragrance is recommended by a woman who worked in the men's department of a store and wanted to smell "sexy and mysterious."
Sauvage
This popular men's fragrance is described by one woman as beautifully versatile, with a fresh scent thanks to bergamot and a woody dry-down that lingers.
Ultimately, the choice of fragrance is a personal one, and many women enjoy wearing men's fragrances that are clean, simple, and woody rather than sweet and floral.
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Frequently asked questions
Many perfumes marketed towards men can be used by women, and vice versa. Ultimately, the perception of a perfume as masculine or feminine is subjective, and fragrance is an art form that enables self-expression. Some women prefer men's fragrances because they tend to be "cleaner and simpler", with a more natural scent. Some men's fragrances that are popular among women include Dior's Eau Savage, Guerlain Vetiver, and Prada Infusion d’Homme.
Many fragrances are marketed as gender-neutral or unisex. Some examples include:
- Byredo Desert Dawn Eau de Parfum
- Liis Ethereal Wave Eau de Parfum
- Victoria Beckham Beauty 21:50 Rêverie Eau de Parfum
- DS & Durga Black Magenta Eau de Parfum
- Dior Eden Roc Eau de Parfum
- Turquatic by MAC
- Jo Malone fragrances
Fragrance is a form of self-expression, and choosing a scent that aligns with one's personality and style can help boost confidence. Gender-neutral fragrances offer a way to express oneself free from the confines of gender stereotypes.
When choosing a gender-neutral fragrance, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and the type of scent you are drawn to. Some fragrances may lean more floral or citrusy, while others may have muskier or woodier notes. It's also important to keep in mind that the perception of a fragrance can vary from person to person, so it's worth exploring and experimenting with different options to find the one that resonates with you.
