These Genderless Fragrances Are So Good You'll Never Go Back to ‘His' or ‘Hers'

Elle

5 days ago

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Some days call for a bright floral scent, while others (or nights) call for sultry, darker aromas. Who said you have to go to a designated gender-specific section on a site or in a store to satisfy your olfactory taste?
While anyone can wear fragrances (it's your money!), it's no secret that perfumes and colognes have been separated and marketed to consumers by notes, sizes, and packaging. Women's scents are often smaller in size and found in soft pastel boxes; men's cologne appear bigger and are typically doused in black, navy, and brown hues. Thankfully, times are changing, and fragrance companies are no longer marketing to specific people, but looking beyond the binary to make the scent world an inclusive place.
Whether you prefer leathery, tobacco scents or a creamy, floral edge, we pulled the best unisex fragrances from our own stash. We pored over dozens of customer feedback to present the 13 best genderless fragrances you'll never grow tired of.
Key notes: orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, elemi, guaiac wood, ambrox, praline, musk
Size: 2.5 fl oz
The vibe: Althar houses everything you'd want a toasty cabin getaway to smell like—vanilla, woods, and musk. At first whiff, vanilla opens the aroma but slowly fades to the background to give the wood, musk, and bergamot notes the spotlight. Althar feels like a rich, luxurious version of your favorite seasonal latte.
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'I wish I could jump out of my skin and hug myself when I wear Althair. It's sultry and mysterious and feels like snuggling up under a fleece blanket on a colder winter night.'—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Key notes: coconut water, cardamom, black pepper, sandalwood, salted musks, fig leaves, jasmine petals, lily of
Size: 2.2 fl oz
The vibe: While packed with a plethora woods—sandalwood, cedarwood—the salted musk and floral medley pull through more. Woodphoria is strong in composition but light enough to be a daily scent.
Boy Smells rating: 4.57/5 stars
A Boy Smells reviewer says: 'The packaging is very nice, the bottle itself sturdy and looks good on my vanity. The scent is one of the best, it makes me feel like a gender neutral woodland fae creature! Floral and woody, it's like magic.'
Key notes: bergamot, plum, anise, leather, rum, vanilla, patchouli, amber, milk
Size: 1.7 fl oz
The vibe: Despite the title, Dark Rum by Malin+Goetz has a bright opening. The scent is made of fruity and earthy notes, like plum, patchouli, and amber, that meld seamlessly with the leather, rum, and vanilla ending.
Nordstrom rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'This is a beautiful scent. Warm and slightly fruity and so perfect for autumn. I'll be wearing this daily all season. Lasts a long time on me and I love that it also suits my partner as I like that he loves it too as it cuts down on the amount of bottles we travel with. Very pleased with this one.'
Key notes: bergamot, lemon, saffron, plum, praline, oakwood, papyrus
Size: 1.7 fl oz
The vibe: If you like leathery, spicy scents that leave you guessing by the minute, Rouge Chaotique takes you on a ride. Saffron, plum, and a hint of lemon are the first impressions you get as the wood and oud warm up to your skin.
Nordstrom rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'I was waiting for a true gourmand from this brand since forever! Byredo usually goes towards fresh opening scents, unconventional uni fragrances. This one is definitely leaning feminine and is a syrupy bomb! Plum isn't for everyone, so I'd say it's not a safe blind buy. It's leaning heavy and autumn-winter appropriate. Lasts over 24h on clothing and all day on skin. Beautiful!'
Key notes: apple hookah flavor, tobacco absolute, bourbon vanilla, pure jungle essence
Size: 1.7 fl oz
The vibe: As the name suggests, Smoking Hot is the compliment you'll receive from everyone passing by. At its heart is tobacco, a spicy, sexy note that usually overpowers, but plays well with bourbon vanilla.
Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'If you could bottle a lingering stare of a sexy man from across the room in a smokey speakeasy in Harlem or Paris—that's the essence of Smoking Hot. It's sensual and alluring. Say hello to your new first date fragrance.' — Danielle James
Key notes: peony, violet leaves accord, white musk
Size: 3.3 fl oz
The vibe: Where My Heart Beats is as romantic as the cream bottle it's housed in. The scent feels like a walk through a botanical garden at night time; soft florals mix with musk to leave an intoxicating sillage.
Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'Whenever I have a scent that's too overpowering, Where My Heart Beats adds a subtle touch of softness without completely masking its darker notes. Musk blankets the skin with warmth for a sexy enhancement to any fragrance cocktail.'— Nerisha Penrose
Key notes: apple, blackcurrant, saffron, vanilla, rose, tonka bean, moss
Size: 1.6 fl oz
The vibe: Channel your inner punk with this unique, nocturnal fragrance that works as an every day, signature scent. Punkstar isn't for those who want to be shy; notes like blackcurrant, saffron, vanilla, rose, and raspberry add a playful burst to the spicy scent.
Moodeaux rating: 5/5 stars
A Moodeaux reviewer said: 'Now the scent has been sitting for over an hour, I am in love with it. I was looking for a musky scent, but still fruity to match my personality and this is it. The incense smell comes through just enough but not to over power the other scents. Def a scent that will also linger when I leave the room, or your car or the person's bed. Excited to step out with this one.'
Key notes: lavender, bergamot, neroli, amber, musk, tonka
Size: 1.3 fl oz
The vibe: We've been spoiled to think of lavender as a spa-only scent. Lavande 32 introduces a new way to enjoy lavender via fresh, floral notes with added richness from tonka bean and musk.
Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'When I heard the brand was launching a new scent focused around lavender, I thought it would be more of a spa scent–light, more aromatherapy, perhaps pairing well with sleepytime tea. But if you've always loved the smokey, mysterious, slightly dirty tones of Santal 33, but want something a little less ubiquitous, try sniffing this. It smells like that slightly dirty base plus the top notes of your favorite male perfume.'— Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
Key notes: coconut water, peach skin, salted musk
The vibe: No need to book a flight to experience a whiff of the tropics. Lost in Paradise by Chris Collins takes everything you love about vacations—coconut water, juicy fruits, and florals—and bottles it up in a salty-sweet scent you'll spray over and over again.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: 'One of my favorite fragrances! It's not a rich, milky coconut. It's like coconut water and sunscreen. Unisex but more feminine leaning. I smelled it once and HAD to have it. So happy I have a full bottle now!'
Key notes: aldehydes, bergamot oil, white floral accord, jasmine, sandalwood accord, white musks.Size: 6.7 fl oz
The vibe: Aquatic and fresh, 724 is the year-round scent that blends with whatever scenery you enter. It's a bit more complex than the classic, laundry-clean scent, thanks to white florals, musk, and sandalwood.
An ELLE editor says: 'For me, it was love at first spritz with this scent and was crowned Best Genderless Perfume for our 2023 Noteworthies. The name plays off of 24/7 and is inspired by urban living. A powdery scent, it has an upbeat aroma that reminds me of days walking through the bustling streets of New York City (sans a subway smell). '— Danielle James
Key notes: French mimosa, violet leaf, cashmere, crisp amber, white leather
The vibe: Who needs a trip to a botanical garden with this in your purse? With a name like 13 Stems, you know you can expect florals and greenery to burst with each spritz—and that's exactly what happens.
Thirteen Lune rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'Relevant's 13 Stems scent is my favorite garden fresh perfume. I love that it's light, very clean, and invigorating, which makes this a energetic way to start your day.'—Nerisha Penrose
Key notes: Myrrh, Australian sandalwood, vanille accord
The vibe: Tom Ford fragrances capture your attention from the first spritz—and Myrrhe Mystere is no different. This dark, powdery, spicy scent is the warmth you need for the impending winter chill.
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: 'This smells sophisticated and sexy. It is a very warm woody & spicy scent. My boyfriend tried it on and it wears so well on him! Works on me too but a different vibe.'
Key notes: grass, vetiver, freesia, patchouli, vanilla bean
The vibe: Dark Is Night isn't too dark to the point where it's standoff-ish. The scent is actually inviting and warm, courtesy patchouli and vanilla, and brightens with help from fresh grass and freesia.
Henry Rose rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Henry Rose reviewer said: 'Exceptionally long-lasting with fantastic projection. So sweet yet sophisticated, it's like a dream. This fragrance made my day - truly a fabulous experience!'