Unisex fragrances

Unisex fragrances intrigue me. The androgynous combination of feminine and masculine scents, wrapped in one little bottle, can be perplexing. Does it dilute your masculinity? Will it reduce your feminine appeal?

How a woman and a man should smell is a social cliché. And it’s safe to say you either like unisex fragrances or you don’t. If you do, we’ve uncovered a few that work for both women and men.

CK One, R800 for 100ml

Touted as the unisex fragrance, CK One by Calvin Klein got the world buzzing about shared fragrances in the 90s. It opens to fresh fruity notes of bergamot, cardamom, pineapple and papaya before blending into its heart of flowery violet, rose, nutmeg and hedione high cis. But it’s the musk, amber and green tree accord that bring depth to the fragrance in its base notes.
Available at selected Edgars and Red Square stores

Unbreakable, R595 for 100ml

Opposites truly attract with celeb couple Khloe and Lamar. And this is exactly the essence of their first fragrance Unbreakable. It’s love at first sight with top notes of Italian bergamont and clementine that bring a fresh beginning, while Asian saffron and green apple add complimenting hints of a spicy sweetness. A floralcy emerges in the heart with African geranium, sheer jasmine and lily of the valley with juicy red fruits mingling. From the background base notes, a soft sensuality and warmth quietly surfaces as masculine woods wrap around the feminine touches of tonka and vanilla beans.
Available at Foschini and Truworths stores

Wood Mystique, R1,295 for 100ml

Earlier this year, Esteé Lauder launched their Wood Mystique unisex fragrance. As a first for the powerhouse brand, the rich fragrance draws inspiration from the East and opens with the spicy florals of rose distilled, peony and pink pepper. The heart notes blossom into a rose infusion with organic Egyptian jasmine absolute, mimosa provence absolute and ylang ylang as rich, creamy woody scents slowly unfold in the background’s base notes of patchouli essence, leather essence, Indonesian benzoin, cedarwood,
agar wood and raspberry.
Available at selected Esteé Lauder counters

Gaultier², R685 for 40ml

Jean Paul Gaultier breaks through gender barriers with his oriental vanilla Gaultier2. It’s the simplicity of his three notes that make this fragrance so addictive: the mysterious amber (top note), sensual musk (middle note) and sweet vanilla (base note).
Available at selected Edgars and Red Square stores

Rogart, R920

As part of Molton Brown’s Navigation Through Scent collection of unisex fragrances, Rogart is a woody-fresh fragrance – a result of the fir balsam lead ingredient. The juniper and elemi oil top notes blend into the distinctive heart notes of angelica and maple syrup, and the develop into the woody base notes of gaiac wood and fir balsam.
Available at selected Edgars and Stuttafords stores

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