Scent Has No Gender: A Guide to Unisex vs. Gendered Perfume

Picture yourself walking through a department store perfume section. On one side, bottles in sleek black packaging with sharp, angular designs sit under a sign that reads "Men's Cologne." On the other, elegant curves and pastel hues are displayed beneath "Women's Perfume." There's an invisible line dividing the counter—one you've probably never questioned.

But here's the thing: Have you ever wondered why this division exists? Is there something fundamentally different about the liquids in those bottles? Can a man really not wear a rose perfume? Should a woman avoid woody, smoky scents? And what does "unisex fragrance" even mean?

The answer might surprise you: the gendering of perfume is one of the most successful marketing stories ever told, but it has very little to do with the actual scents themselves. In this guide, we're going to deconstruct this invisible line, explore the history of how fragrance became gendered, and most importantly—give you the confidence to wear whatever makes you feel amazing, regardless of the label.

Part 1: A Brief History - Why We Started Gendering Scents

Perfume Wasn't Always "For Him" or "For Her"

If you could travel back in time and tell historical figures like King Louis XIV or Napoleon Bonaparte that their beloved floral fragrances were "for women," they'd be utterly baffled. Throughout most of human history, fragrance was simply... fragrance. It was a luxury enjoyed by those who could afford it, regardless of gender.

Napoleon famously loved Eau de Cologne—a light, citrus-forward fragrance—and would go through dozens of bottles per month. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs, both male and female, wore rich, resinous perfumes made from myrrh and frankincense. In the courts of Versailles, men liberally applied floral waters and heavy musks. The idea that certain scents "belonged" to one gender would have seemed absurd.

The 20th Century Invention: Marketing Creates Gender

So what changed? In a word: marketing.

The modern perfume industry as we know it began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As mass production made fragrances more accessible and the middle class grew, perfume houses saw an opportunity: why sell one product to a household when you could sell two?

The strategy was brilliant. By creating distinct "Pour Homme" (For Men) and "Pour Femme" (For Women) categories, brands could double their market. They developed entire advertising narratives around what a "masculine" man should smell like (rugged, woody, fresh) versus what a "feminine" woman should smell like (soft, floral, sweet).

This gendering intensified in the post-World War II era, when rigid gender roles were strongly reinforced in Western society. The 1950s and 60s saw the rise of powerfully marketed gender-specific fragrances: think of iconic campaigns showing dashing men in suits or elegant women in evening gowns, each with their "appropriate" scent.

By the 1980s and 90s, the division was so entrenched that entire fragrance families became coded as masculine or feminine. The marketing had worked so well that people genuinely believed certain smells were inherently "for men" or "for women."

But here's the truth: this was always about selling products, not about any natural law of scent.

Part 2: Deconstructing the Scent Codes

To understand how fragrance became gendered, we need to look at which notes were assigned to which gender—and why these associations are completely arbitrary.

What Are "Traditionally Feminine" Notes?

When we talk about fragrances marketed to women, we're typically referring to compositions built around specific ingredients that have been culturally coded as "feminine" through decades of advertising.

Common "Feminine" Notes:

• Florals: Rose, jasmine, peony, lily, orange blossom, tuberose, iris
• Fruits: Peach, raspberry, strawberry, pear, blackcurrant
• Sweets & Gourmands: Vanilla, caramel, praline, cotton candy, honey
• Soft musks: Powdery, clean, delicate musk varieties
• Light citrus: Often paired with florals for a fresh-floral effect

The Vibe: Fragrances in this category are often described using words like romantic, soft, playful, elegant, delicate, sweet, and feminine. They're meant to evoke traditional notions of femininity: grace, beauty, gentleness, and allure.

But here's the reality: There is nothing inherently "female" about a rose. Roses don't grow exclusively in women's gardens. The association is purely cultural. In fact, rose has been worn by men throughout history, including in traditional Middle Eastern attars that are decidedly masculine in their regional context.

→ A perfect example of this modern floral approach is Love's Divine—a beautiful floral bouquet of rose and peony with an addictive vanilla and caramel base. It's marketed as a fragrance that celebrates femininity, but we've had countless customers report that their partners "steal" it because they love how it smells. Scent transcends labels.

What Are "Traditionally Masculine" Notes?

On the flip side, fragrances marketed to men typically center around ingredients that have been coded as "masculine" through similar marketing narratives.

Common "Masculine" Notes:

• Woods: Sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, oud (agarwood), pine
• Spices: Black pepper, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, clove
• Aromatics: Lavender, rosemary, sage, basil (the "fougère" accord)
• Leather: Often synthetic, evoking the smell of leather goods
• Earthy notes: Patchouli, oakmoss, tobacco
• Fresh aquatics: Sea salt, marine notes, fresh air accords
• Citrus: Often sharp and paired with woods or aromatics

The Vibe: Fragrances in this category use descriptors like rugged, sophisticated, confident, grounding, natural, clean, and powerful. They're designed to evoke traditional masculinity: strength, stability, adventure, and authority.

But again, the reality: Wood doesn't inherently smell "male." Cedarwood has been used in incense and perfumes worn by people of all genders for thousands of years. The "masculine" association is a 20th-century Western marketing construct.

→ Fragrances like Blue Velvet, with its musky, spicy cardamom and woody notes, exemplify this sophisticated, grounding quality. It's often described as feeling like a "second skin"—natural and authentic. While it leans into traditionally masculine codes, many women are drawn to its depth and elegance because it makes them feel powerful and confident.

The Arbitrary Nature of It All

The key insight is this: these associations are learned, not innate. Different cultures have completely different ideas about which scents are masculine or feminine. In many Middle Eastern countries, for example, men regularly wear heavy, sweet oud fragrances and floral rose attars—scents that would be marketed exclusively to women in the West.

The notes themselves are neutral. It's only the marketing narrative that assigns them gender.

Part 3: The Rise of the True Self - What Is a Unisex Fragrance?

Defining Unisex Fragrance

So, what exactly makes a fragrance "unisex" or "gender-neutral"?

In the simplest terms, a unisex fragrance is one that is intentionally created and marketed to be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of gender. These fragrances deliberately avoid leaning too heavily into the traditional "masculine" or "feminine" scent codes we just discussed.

Common characteristics of unisex fragrances:

• They often build on notes that have universal appeal: citrus, light woods, clean musks, soft spices, tea, and aquatic notes
• They tend to be balanced rather than extreme—not overly sweet, not overly smoky
• They often have a minimalist, modern aesthetic in both scent composition and packaging
• They're frequently created by niche perfume houses that reject traditional gender marketing

Brands like Le Labo, Byredo, Diptyque, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian have built their entire identities around the unisex concept, arguing that fragrance is a form of personal expression that has nothing to do with gender.

The Philosophy Behind Unisex

But here's the beautiful truth that the fragrance industry is increasingly embracing: every fragrance is unisex if you love how it smells on you.

The label "unisex" is, in many ways, a transitional marketing term—a bridge for an industry moving away from rigid gender categories. It gives permission to consumers who have been conditioned to stay in their "lane" to explore more freely.

The real evolution isn't about creating a third category called "unisex." It's about recognizing that scent is inherently personal and individual. A fragrance that smells incredible on you might smell mediocre on your sibling, your friend, or your partner—because of your unique skin chemistry, body temperature, and natural scent.

Can a man wear a powerful rose scent? Absolutely. If it makes him feel confident and he loves how it develops on his skin, then it's his scent.

Can a woman wear a deep, smoky leather and tobacco fragrance? Of course. If it makes her feel powerful and sophisticated, then it's perfect for her.

The question isn't "Is this for men or women?" The question is "How does this make me feel?"

The Growth of Gender-Neutral Fragrance

This shift isn't just philosophical—it's a major market trend. The gender-neutral fragrance market has experienced significant growth in recent years, particularly among younger consumers (Millennials and Gen Z) who reject rigid gender categories in all aspects of their lives, from fashion to beauty to fragrance.

Major retailers now feature dedicated "unisex" or "gender-free" sections. High-fashion houses that once had strict gender divisions are launching their first unisex lines. Even celebrity fragrances—traditionally hyper-gendered—are moving toward more neutral positioning.

This is the future of fragrance: personal, expressive, and free from limiting labels.

Part 4: The Only Rule That Matters - Wear What Makes You Feel Amazing

Your Skin Chemistry is Unique

Here's something the perfume industry has known for a long time but doesn't always emphasize: a fragrance smells different on every single person.

Your skin's pH, your natural body oils, your diet, your hormones—all of these factors interact with perfume molecules to create a scent that is uniquely yours. This is why your best friend's signature scent might smell incredible on her but disappointing on you, and vice versa.

This biochemical reality makes the whole concept of gendered fragrance even more absurd. If the same perfume smells different on every person, how can it possibly be "for women" or "for men"? It's for whoever it smells amazing on.

From "Is This For Men or Women?" to "How Does This Make Me Feel?"

The most important shift you can make in your fragrance journey is changing the question you ask yourself.

Instead of: "Is this appropriate for my gender?" Ask: "Do I love how this smells on me?"

Instead of: "What will people think?" Ask: "Does this make me feel confident, attractive, or powerful?"

Instead of: "Should I be wearing this?" Ask: "Does this feel authentic to who I am?"

When you catch yourself hesitating at the perfume counter because a scent you're drawn to is in the "wrong" section, remember: that section is a marketing invention from the mid-20th century. It has no bearing on whether that fragrance will be perfect for you.

Finding Your Scent Without Labels

If you're ready to explore the world of fragrance beyond gender categories but feel overwhelmed about where to start, here's a simple approach:

1. Focus on fragrance families, not gender labels

Think about which types of scents generally appeal to you:

• Do you love the smell of forests, wood, and earth? Explore woody fragrances regardless of their marketing.
• Are you drawn to flowers and gardens? Try florals without worrying about their "femininity."
• Do you love the smell of spices, resins, and warmth? Dive into oriental/amber fragrances.
• Are you energized by citrus and fresh air? Explore fresh and aquatic fragrances.

2. Test on your skin, not on paper

Perfumes smell completely different on paper blotters than they do on your skin. Always test a fragrance on your body and give it several hours to develop before deciding if it's "you."

3. Ignore the marketing imagery

That bottle with the beard-oil model or the one with the flowing evening gown? They're just packaging. Focus on the liquid inside and how it makes you feel.

4. Start with your instincts

What are you naturally drawn to? What scents in your daily life make you pause and inhale deeply? These are your clues. Trust them more than any gender label.

→ Still not sure where to begin? Take our personalized fragrance quiz to discover scents that match your unique personality and style—completely free from gender assumptions. Our recommendations are based on what resonates with you, not outdated marketing categories.

Conclusion: Beyond the Label

Let's recap what we've learned:

Gendering fragrance is a modern marketing invention, not an olfactory reality. For most of human history, people wore scents they loved without worrying about gender.

Notes are just ingredients, not statements about masculinity or femininity. Rose isn't "for women" any more than cedarwood is "for men." These are cultural associations, not natural truths.

Unisex fragrances are simply permission slips—transitions in an industry moving toward a more personal, expressive future. But the truth is, every fragrance is unisex if it makes you feel amazing.

Your skin chemistry is unique, which means the same perfume will smell different on you than it does on anyone else. This biological fact makes gender labels even more meaningless.

Personal preference is the only thing that matters. The most important question isn't "Who is this for?" but "How does this make me feel?"

The Invitation

The invisible line in the perfume aisle is dissolving. On one side isn't "men's scents" and on the other isn't "women's scents"—there's just a beautiful, diverse world of fragrances waiting to be explored.

You don't need permission to cross that line, but if you did: here it is. You are officially allowed to smell like whatever you want. Floral, woody, sweet, smoky, fresh, spicy—if it makes you feel confident, attractive, powerful, or simply yourself, then it's your scent.

The future of fragrance is personal. It's expressive. It's free.

So go ahead—wear what makes you feel amazing. Scent has no gender. It only has you.