10 best men's fragrances women will love too

When it comes to smelling good, these gorgeous scents are the ultimate crowd-pleasers

By Balvinder Sandhu - 26 May 2023

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Choosing a scent is personal, but we have been somewhat conditioned to think of certain fragrances as 'feminine' or 'masculine'. Part of this is due to cultural factors such as the gender associations of scents on people around us, as well as perfume brands marketing types of smells that are for women and men. But who's to say that colognes are only for men, especially if the scent suits women too?
Traditionally, scents that are muskier are labelled as for men, while floral and fruity ones are seem as suitable for women.

In recent years, brands have come up with unisex or gender-neutral perfumes. Edouard Dorize, general manager of Aura Prestige Pte Ltd, explains that women and men have been open to trying scents that are not targeted at them.

“We have seen a rise in women exploring less sweet, floral, fruity scents and opt for soft woods like Atelier Cologne Santal Carmin, EX NIHILO Santal Calling and/or Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume,” he says. “Similarly, there has been a small group of men who are open to trying something sweet and floral, provided it doesn’t smell overly feminine. Examples include Bond No. 9 New York Nights, EX NIHILO Fleur Narcotique, EX NIHILO Gold Immortals and Nishane Hundred Silent Ways.

“It could be said that any fragrance is gender-neutral but the fact that brands emphasise it shows that people want to be recognised for their individual taste and not for their gender,” he adds.

Perfumes that are marketed towards men feature scents that anyone can appreciate. Mr Dorize lists sandalwood, ginger, Virginian cedar, tonka bean and most citruses, especially grapefruit and lemon, as some of the more 'masculine' ingredients traditionally used in fragrances for men.

He estimates that 35% of female consumers purchase gender neutral scents.

Here are 10 scents for the woman who doesn't want to be defined by labels.

Ralph Lauren Ralph's Club EDP, from $135

1/10

Rich woody notes are combined with bold, spicy facets, resulting in a scent that celebrates the fullness of life – and anyone who inspires this feeling in others.

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Gucci Guilty Pour Homme EDP, from $160

2/10

This reinterpretation of the original scent is woody, aromatic and spicy, with strong notes of chili pepper and fresh rose. It also contains Orange Blossom Absolute, which is traditionally used in female scents, and is a symbol of romance and innocence.

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Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory Extreme EDP, $173

3/10

It's a powerful scent that blends spicy woods and biting freshness. The highly-concentrated ingredients make this perfume more intense, so you'll definitely make an impression.

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Penhaligon's Endymion Concentre EDP, $310

4/10

Endymion was Zeus' most handsome son and this is a deeply masculine scent, with base notes such as leather and and incense.

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Cartier Declaration EDT, from $109

5/10

Leave a woody, spiced trail wherever you go with this vivacious, botanical scent. It's the latest variation of the original Declaration launched in 1998 and contains a medley of ingredients – such as cedar and citrus leaves – that bring it to life.

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Hermes Eau de basilic pourpre de cologne, $253

6/10

Soak up the joy of summer with this scent from Hermes. It's light and airy, yet sensual, with basil as a key ingredient.

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Givenchy Gentleman EDP, from $155

7/10

A floral scent with sage blend and narcissus flower at the heart; it also contains a deep woody accord. Ingredients include cedarwood from Himalaya, sandalwood from Australia and vanilla from Madagascar.

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Armani Prive Thé Yulong EDT, $260

8/10

Explore the Yulong Mountains with this aromatic combination of black tea and green tea extracts. This unisex fragrance also has citrus notes that give it a refreshing feel.

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D by Diesel fragrance, from $94

9/10

This is the first gender-fluid fragrance by Diesel and it contains two sustainably-sourced ingredients – bourbon vanilla infusion from Madagascar and diva lavender heart from Provence. Sensual, warm and addictive – what's not to love about it?

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Celine Bois Dormant EDP, from $425

10/10

Bergamot and juniper give this scent a delicately bitter touch – in a good way – while cedar and vetiver add a woody aroma. It's intended for day use and is a discreet cologne that conjures the luxurious comfort of English flannel.

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Credits:

Photography: Nur Athirah Annissa Binte Juma'in

Art direction: Adeline Eng