At this point, I can assume we’ve graduated from the belief that fragrance must be gendered. While, yes, some scents lean more traditionally “feminine” or “masculine,” the lion’s share of potions smell incredible on absolutely everyone, regardless of how you identify. In fact, an increasing number of fragrance houses are shrugging off gender-based perfumes entirely, instead focusing on unique elixirs that celebrate individuality—and are meant to be shared.
There’s just something sexy about sharing fragrance with a significant other. Perfume is inherently intimate, as it sits physically close to the skin, and using the same bottle as your partner feels a little bit like holding on to a special secret. Those “You smell so good!” comments may even have a more meaningful impact. So I decided to conduct a little experiment: share unisex fragrances with my fiancé for 30 days to ultimately land on a collab signature scent. We started out each morning with the same exact spritz, then came home and swapped details (how long it lasted, any standout compliments earned, etc.).
I highly suggest this exercise if you’re in the market for a new crowd-pleaser perfume; I may be a biased beauty editor, but I honestly thought it was fun! In case you need a jumping-off point, see below for our final four winners.
1. Tom Ford Eau d’Ombre Leather Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Leather accord, ambrofix, vanilla tincture, ginger, coriander, cardamom
If I had to pick just one winner, it would probably be this Tom Ford potion. Imagine sipping a hot toddy curled up in a worn leather armchair situated in a cozy, oak-paneled library—that’s the vibe you get with each whiff. “It’s like the ‘old money aesthetic’ in a bottle,” my fiancé shares. (Can you tell I’ve trained him well?)
It’s dark and leathery, yet it has sweet vanilla, ginger, coriander, and cardamom notes that keep it from leaning too woody. Interestingly, the cardamom blooms much more on my skin than my fiancé’s. (Everyone has a unique pH, which is why fragrances smell different on everyone!) Regardless, we both received countless compliments while wearing it, and friends were always floored to find out we were wearing the same exact scent. We both also commented on how long it lasts; even after a long workday, I could still catch a whisper of Eau d’Ombre Leather on his collar.
2. Jovan I Want You to Want Me Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cashmeran, pink pepper, rose, gourmand musk
This $16 scent was such a surprise hit. Rose notes typically read more “feminine,” but here it’s combined with cashmeran, pink pepper, and a gourmand musk for more of a warm, spicy touch. Imagine tangled, sun-warmed sheets in the late morning—fresh, soft, and cozy. Musks are also known for working with your body’s chemistry for a unique, subtle skin scent, which I think is just so sexy.
Interesting is the best word to describe it, as a couple people asked me which fragrance I was wearing (and were then pleased to find out it was tagged at just $16 on Amazon!). It doesn’t last quite as long as the other options—we both noticed it wear off within a few hours—but you can really give yourself a good spritz without worrying about it becoming too overpowering.
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty 21:50 Rêverie Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Tobacco leaves, plum, vanilla, tonka bean, cedarwood
“If you like a vanilla with a difference, you’re going to love this fragrance,” Victoria Beckham herself previously told me about her newest perfume. “It’s my favorite out of all of our fragrances so far.” She also shares it with her husband, David, as it’s inspired by a dinner date the pair had in Java, Indonesia. So obviously, I needed to toss it into the mix.
You definitely get whiffs of vanilla, but the fragrance is grounded by a base of smoky tobacco leaves, crisp cedarwood, and tonka bean, which make the sweeter note smell much earthier and more sophisticated. The vintage-inspired emerald-and-gold flacon also resembles a 1920s flask, which just oozes sensuality. My fiancé was quick to point out this “cool-looking bottle,” noting that the design makes him want to break it out more frequently. Like the Beckhams, we’ll continue to share this one on date nights.
4. Parfums de Marly Althair Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, elemi, guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk
Okay, clearly, my fiancé and I have a thing for woody gourmands because we also could not get enough of Parfums de Marly’s bourbon vanilla scent. It’s basically cozy season in a bottle with notes of cinnamon, guaiacwood, ambrox, and praline, in addition to bourbon vanilla. Yet it also features orange blossom, bergamot, and musk, which give the perfume a noticeable warmth. In fact, we both used the word “bright” to describe the fragrance, which just goes to show how strongly those fresher, fruitier notes shine through.
Althair also has the most gorgeous dry-down (most perfumes from the iconic Parisian fragrance house do); on my skin, those fruity notes really shine through before evolving into a rich, slightly nutty base that lasts well over eight hours.
10 More Unisex Fragrances I Love
Maison Margiela
Replica By The Fireplace Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Clove oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accord, cashmeran
This obsession-worthy fragrance ranks number one on our list of best Replica perfumes, and once you smell the dreamy blend of clove oil, chestnut accord, cashmeran, and vanilla, you’ll undoubtedly understand why. It’s warm, cozy, and slightly smoky—and surprisingly perfect no matter the weather.
Glossier
You Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Pink pepper, iris, abrox
Ah, I couldn’t forget Glossier You, now could I? The musky potion is meant to smell different on everyone (no really, it does), making it the ultimate unisex scent.
PHLUR
Father Figure Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Fig, jasmine, sandalwood
Father Figure is truly intoxicating. The earthy, warm blend of fig, jasmine, and sandalwood earns me compliments every time I wear it.
Ellis Brooklyn
Après Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Juniper berries, bourbon, cedarwood
Après-ski energy in a bottle? Sign me up. It evokes fresh evergreens and the wintry outdoors with whiffs of boozy vanilla to keep things interesting. It’s a perfect gift for the couple who loves a good ski trip.
DedCool
Milk Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Amber, bergamot, white musk
My fiancé and I always smell faintly like DedCool’s Milk, as we use the brand’s laundry detergent. (Try it—you won’t be disappointed!) Once you fall in love with the scent, I highly suggest grabbing the eau de parfum version for a daily spritz.
Le Labo
Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Australian sandalwood, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet, smoky wood alloy, ambrox, leather accord, musk
Le Labo’s Santal 33 is a universal crowd-pleaser. If you adore woody scents (and somehow haven’t tried this best seller), consider this a sign to add it to your collection.
Golf le Fleur
French Waltz Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Mandarin, nashi pear, lychee, magnolia, mimosa, jasmine, rose, muguet, musk, sandalwood
This is my fiancé’s favorite floral, and not just because it was created by Tyler, the Creator. It’s at once sweet and musky, like how you might smell after dozing off in a sun-drenched garden for an hour.
Perfumehead
Cosmic Cowboy Extrait de Parfum
Key notes: Galbanum, cinnamon bark, orris butter, Whiskey a Go Go, angelica root, tobacco leaf, amber, cacao blanc, musk
I can’t say enough good things about Perfumehead’s Cosmic Cowbody (neither can our beauty director, Erin Jahns, who I was originally influenced by to give it a spritz). Described as “smoky, boozy debauchery in a bottle” and inspired by nightclubs of the Sunset Strip in the 1970s (I mean, swoon), it’s warm, spicy, and overall intoxicating.
D.S. & Durga
Debaser Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, green leaf, pear stem, fig, coconut, iris, blond woods, tonka bean, moss
Debaser just smells expensive. With notes of ripe fig, iris, creamy coconut milk, tonka, and dry blond woods, it provides a fresh and warm experience that feels like a splash of luxury.
Henry Rose
Jake’s House Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Marine, neroli, musk
Most unisex scents lean woody or gourmand-like, but Jake’s House is nothing short of a fresh, aquatic dream. A marine scent, it’s positively bright, refreshing, and slightly salty, which somehow smells even better as it dries down.
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