Subtle and surprising, unisex fragrances are more complex than the feminine and macho stereotypes of many scents out there. Not always obvious, big-name crowd pleasers, they can guarantee youll find something a lot more exciting and unique. Heres ELLEuk.coms top ten
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The newest of the bunch, Wonderwood is a self-proclaimed “positive overdose of woods, woody notes and synthetic wood constructions (Wood gone mad)”. With cedarwood, sandalwood, incense, pepper and nutmeg (among other ingredients) this is a rich fragrance that is surprisingly wearable.
Wonderwood EDP, from £48 by Comme des Garcon. Available nationwide, enq: 020 7494 6220
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Created in 1986 Eau Lente focuses on the opopanax ingredient, a resin from an Iranian tree. The opopanax has a hint of vanilla, which combined with cinnamon and a mix of Indian spices gives Eau Lente a hint of incense combined with a soft, sweetness.
Eau Lente EDT, from £45 by Diptyque
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Created by self-taught perfumer Maurice Roucel for Frederic Malle, this musk scent with hints of clove, cinnamon and vanilla is sweet and heady. It smells of leather, tobacco and is a warm, rich scent. Definitely not one for shrinking violets.
Musc Ravageur, from £85 by Maurice Roucel for Frederic Malle
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Atelier Flou is a new French fragrance house masterminded by Jean-Francois Cabos (who used to own Balenciaga) and perfumer Jacques Chabert (creator of Chanel’s Cristalle, among others). Disappointed at new scents on the market Cabo enlisted Chabert to create three new fragrances for the Atelier.Flou house. All are men’s fragrances but Eau d’Aviateur has a fresh citrus scent that suits women too. Housed in an opaque black bottle, buy this for your boyfriend and he won’t be able to see that you’re using it too.
Eau D’Avateur, £74 by Atelier.Flou. Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie, 5th Floor, Harrods. Enq: 0207 893 8797
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This woody fragrance is quite masculine but suits women just as well as men. With woody vetiver, heady patchouli and citrus verbena it has quite an unusual scent; Persian fennel resin, clary sage and juniper make this a comforting fragrance to wear. Terre de Bois, from £40 by Miller Harris
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Another floral, but this is less sweet and more green thanks to apple and coriander; it also has a hint of musk.
Synthesized geranium leaf EDT, £36 by Malin + Goetz
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L’Occitane’s The Vert is a green scent which transports you instantly to the countryside with one whiff. With bitter orange, jasmine, cedar and thyme it is just as popular with men as it is women because it gives a clean, fresh aroma.
This cologne has been on shelves for over 200 years. While the exact composition of the fragrance is top secret, we have been told (and can smell) some of the ingredients. Bergamot, orange and lemon give it a fresh, zingy smell, while lavender, rosemary and neroli offer a calming balance to the scent.
Eau de Cologne, from £10.95 by 4711
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Another citrus scent but with hints of pine, musk and black pepper it combines a warmth with the fresh citrus. Created in 1902 it has more of a modern-classic vibe than a vintage 108 year old feel. Sophisticated and sensual, it is an easy-to-wear fragrance whatever your gender.
Ok, so this isn’t labelled a unisex fragrance but it is a floral men’s scent which makes it ideal for girls too. With bergamot and orange blossom, the scent is at first fresh and sweet, drying down to a powdery aroma.
Fleur de Male EDT, from £28.50 by Jean Paul Gaultier