Gourmandgrl Goes "Masc"
I'm a firm believer that you can rock any scent your heart desires, and it's up to each person to determine their preferences. But as someone who gravitates towards all things sweet/gourmand (which Western fragrance culture often labels as "femme"), I've been woefully lacking in my knowledge of what are frequently referred to as "masc" and "unisex" leaning blends.
As a result of this realization, I've set on a mission to test as many as possible that are labeled this way. Will I personally wear them? For the most part, no - but I've been delighted to experience the variety outside my own "scent preference bubble", and have been majorly impressed by a few. So regardless of whether they fit my own vibe, it's still been a pleasure to go beyond my comfort zone and explore other areas more.
As this is an ongoing project, I plan to update periodically - but here are my standouts so far:
L'Homme
This is my favorite all-occasion "masc"-labeled blend I've tested, and I have a feeling it will be hard to beat! The subtly-citrus + herbal-green neroli opening is refreshing, making way for the creamiest ivory bar of softly-spiced soap in the dry-down. Clean, classy - and its addictive appeal made me huff the tester strip long after taking it home.
Tobacco Honey
Objectively one of the highest-quality fragrances I've laid my nose on, in all of the scents I've ever smelled. Honey is such a tricky note to do justice - very few portrayals are true-to-life for me, and even the more realistic iterations often fall short in some way. This felt so real it was like I could see the honey pouring in front of me in slow-moving, golden-amber motion. It is beautifully tempered, but not overpowered by, the smoothest tobacco note you'll ever encounter.
Luna Rossa Sport
This is one that I've added to my own wishlist; while I'd love smelling this on someone else, I'd actually enjoy wearing it myself too. Luna Rossa Sport is in the best lavender-vanilla blends I've run across, and I love how comforting and soothing it is. The name is definitely a misnomer, as there's nothing "sporty" about this - unless your sport involves a hoodie, Netflix on the couch, and naps.
Aqua Media Cologne Forte
Growing up around the real thing, I'm not easily wowed by citrus in fragrances - yet this is among the most masterfully-crafted citrus blends I've had the pleasure of sampling, in my entire life. While grapefruit isn't listed, it brought to mind the rinds of sun-ripened grapefruits while they're still on the tree - green leaves included... unlocking a childhood memory for me, of hiding in the branches of my family's grapefruit tree. A realistic must-try for citrus lovers, no matter your gender.
Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême
I can't adequately describe what Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême does to me - but if you've read my review of it, you already know haha. Enough said!
XXI: Art Deco - Blonde Amber
In a class of its own, I consider this to be one of the best "autumn gourmands" on the market - and in the top tier of fragrances I've tested in general. While not listed, I interpret the dried fruits as a fruit-infused rum in the opening - with one of the most beautiful tobaccos in the mid, and a velvety-suede base. Resinous, warm amber ribbons its way throughout. Alluring and rich, XXI: Art Deco - Blonde Amber had me spellbound from first sniff!
Y Eau de Parfum
As a millennial girl who grew up around every variety of "blue shower gel" fragrance under the sun, this scent profile has a special place in my heart... and so far, Y Eau de Parfum wins this category for me. It's blue shower gel, but make it luxury - with juicy green apple, cooling juniper, fresh lavender, and sultry musk. My new favorite deep-blue blend!
Gourmandgrl
After reading this blog, I thought, if all perfumes had the same design and all-black color...the concept of gender in scents would surely be less clear than it is now. (And while that's a design that LUSH has done in the past, it's not something that should be done across society. lol There's no diversity.) I'm supposed to be the same generation as you, but I had no idea what "blue shower gel" smelled like! If you were to annotate it, how would you explain it? Please let me know!
"Which fragrances have you enjoyed outside your 'scent comfort zone' lately?" Hmm,This is MOMO from Miyashinma. It reminded me of what you said about certain perfumes sometimes smelling like the soles of your feet.
Apparently MFK is available to try in about 10 very limited stores!😯
I've never even tried Baccarat Rouge, so I'm a little curious. A perfume that's not overpowering is a precious thing to me, so I'd love to give it a try! Thanks for letting me know!
Yes, if you keep using citrus and fruit scents, you start to miss vanilla!😉
Thank you. You chose a good example to help me understand better, didn't you? Hmm, I see. Maybe if I try a few from the same genre, I'll get a better sense of what an average blue shower gel is. Do you have any recommendations for "blue shower gels"? Maybe something as well-known as Sauvage level would be trying!👍
You are correct that the "feminine vs. masculine" debate comes up often in the forum.
I think you'd actually really enjoy Aqua Media Cologne Forte, since it's so realistic/well-done (and not overpowering) - so if you do get the chance to test it, I'd love to hear your experience! Is MFK a brand sold in Japan?
Also I understand the feeling of continuing to crave vanilla... we are either cursed or blessed lol 😂
That is fun to hear how we're the same generation! 👯
"Blue shower gel" scents are kind of like the "masculine"-smelling equivalent of the "female" fruity-fresh "shampoo" profile (like Fernanda's Pink Euphoria, Fiancee's Pure Shampoo, and any of the Aqua Savon blends):
So often a juicy/fruity green apple, but then additional elements are added that feel less sweet/fruity like the "female" counterparts (so the "masculine" version has heavier/greener lavender, juniper, sage, etc.).
Prada L'Homme is truly a milestone in perfumery.. Delicious. Also, Allure Homme Extreme is a perfume I've worn for years and definitely need to repurchase it!
Some designer men's perfumes you might also like and try are Montblanc Platinum, similar to Santal33... or the Gucci Guilty Elixir, similar to Amouage Reflection.
To answer your question, I don't really like to step out of my comfort zone, but I tried Louis Vuitton Imagination, which many consider a "soapy" perfume (which is not my typical fragrance), end I liked it!!
I'm not sure I'd buy it, but it was interesting to step out of the comfort zone a bit.
Haha very true about Imagination being pricey 😅 but yes, luxury does have a price!
I've never heard of Art Landi before, or Art 01 - Acqua Mia - but lemony and crisp sounds lovely, always appreciate the chance to smell refreshing citrus. It sounds appealing, especially if similar to Imagination; thank you as always for your recommendations!!
Thanks for the suggestions! No.. I haven’t tried Jo Malone’s Hinoki & Cedarwood yet, but I’ve come across it many times online! The Hinoki note has always intrigued me.
Does it remind you the smell of a SPA?
And yes, Imagination is so refreshing! I just wish it were a bit less expensive ahah, but hey, it’s a luxury brand after all!
Another fragrance that gives me that same refreshing effect is Art 01 - Acqua Mia by Art Landi: super lemony and crisp. Have you ever tried it?
A "milestone of perfumery" is a great description of Prada L'Homme. And Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême really is amazing - excellent idea to repurchase!
Something that also reminds me a bit of Allure Extrême: have you tried Jo Malone's Hinoki & Cedarwood?
I appreciate your recommendations, will definitely have to get my nose on Montblanc Platinum and Gucci Guilty Elixir!
That's okay if you don't prefer to go out of your comfort zone, but so glad you enjoyed LV Imagination!! I just tested it for the first time and really liked it too - very refreshing, and I was surprised by all the nuance/variety.
I keep thinking I oughta try more masc stuff but then... idk. I fear anything I like would feel largely too samey with things I already own. I've tried a number of "for men" cheapies and found them to all smell very nearly the same. but I'm poor and less eager to look into pricier options. I suppose it's worth a shot just to try whatever I can smell, though. maybe next time I'm at Sephora, hmm. I am eager to try Green Lover tho. really gotta try that one. I have unironically considered the blind buy but I need to keep to my money limit when it comes to blind buys, and that limit is $15. but I found somewhere to get a decant from, so that'll happen eventually! one day. but as a non-binary person, I'm very over the gendered marketing. but that's also a whole other topic!
Definitely understand the caution about falling for something too expensive, that's a reasonable fear - but you could always buy a decant (maybe larger than a sample, but smaller than a full bottle - to make it more affordable)!
oh, no, I more meant that if I tried something and really liked it, it'd just kinda suck if it were a pricier choice. lol but yeah I'll definitely just. try stuff and see.
I hear you on comfort zones, but that's great you've ventured out occasionally (when it suits you best)! And that's completely valid about the gendered marketing/being non-binary.
So far I haven't spent money on testing "masc"-leaning scents, just tried them in stores for free - but I know that isn't always possible if living further away from fragrance stores. Definitely worth trying though at Sephora if you're already there and are curious!
I'm glad you enjoyed Susan from Al-Rehab, serendipitous find with it being a blind-buy!
Thanks for commenting, I enjoy getting to hear from you!
Me when Gourmandgrl mentions tobacco honey in a blog post: "Oh, I should really sample this 🤔"
How do you feel about animalic-forward masc fragrances? I noticed that my nose scrunches up a bit whenever civet or castoreum appear in a scent pyramid. I think that's the profile most outside of my comfort zone. Now, I have to figure out whether I dislike the genre as a whole or just haven't found my niche.
I never want to recommend anything that isn't great, but I also get scent is ultra subjective 😅 so I won't be offended if you hate Tobacco Honey (I've tested it a couple times in-store at Neiman Marcus, not sure if you have one near you!).
I saw you hate "astringent tobacco", and same here - but this one is NOTHING like that, it's soooo smooth and subtle; just makes everything feel like velvet to me.
You're not alone - I'm totally with you in civet/castoreum being the most outside my comfort zone, too!
Maybe we need to make a forum post, to solicit help in finding the best animalics for people who normally hate them?? 🤔 Lol
Thank you for commenting, love getting to hear your thoughts! 💖
As such, my appreciation for florals has been steadily increasing, especially after undergoing the grandpa juice treatment.
My bottle of ÔIKB arrived, I'm waiting for Doraphilia and already eyeing some greener, indolic tuberoses. So far, Sorcinelli's Lascia ch'io pianga seems to be the most raw rendition, despite leaning a bit feminine.
Naturally, I've realized I prefer flowers that smell a bit on the vegetal, or even withering side, so earthy undertones like patchouli and oakmoss are more than welcome. I suppose I'm bound to become a chypre addict.
Other than Chanel's masc products, I think Masque Milano and Ormonde Jayne would also be perfectly wearable for you. I don't have any particular products in mind, but these brands have a restrained, timeless elegance, with wearability being the name of the game.
I hear that grandpa juice is the gateway drug for masculine florals haha - that's great you've been enjoying them more.
Love indolic tuberose too, but those twists (vegetal, withering, earthy) are a good idea for keeping it within the scope of what you enjoy.
I haven't looked into Masque Milano beyond the blogs, but I've heard a lot about Ormonde Jayne - appreciate you providing recs, and thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
I haven't tested Eros Najim yet - but seeing that there's caramel AND oud, it sounds like the type of oud I'd like 😍 appreciate you sharing, and glad you're enjoying it, too!
I'm not generally into oud either - but have you tried Tom Ford's Oud Wood? That was another oud I tested recently that I was surprised by - super smooth/velvety, with nuances of dried fruit!
As far as going out of my personal comfort zone. I actually don't love wearing fragrances that are very blue. Almost any mens fragrance that can be sampled at Sephora is very hard for me to wear. At some point I'd like to give one or two a try. Something in them makes my olfactoy feel saturated and at some point they all start smelling the same to me. I'm guessing there's gotta be at least one I'd like.
Always interesting to hear others' takes on fragrances they don't normally wear. Nice post!
You definitely need to try Aqua Media Cologne Forte, especially since you enjoy citrus/freshies!
I get what you mean about the super blue fragrances - a lot of them can be sharp/pointed/overdone, so I'm picky. Making your olfactory feel "saturated"/all smelling the same is so accurate!
For a more "subtle" dark blue type, have you tried Bleu de Chanel?
Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your thoughts, always appreciate it!
I've really enjoyed #afternoon swim though which is unisex. I also thought #ken smelt so good as well although I felt it was a little too masculine on me I'd love to smell it on somebody else.
Afternoon Swim is perfect for you since it's a refreshing citrus, really does feel like taking a dip in a pool - and Ken was a nice blend too (but totally understand preferring it on someone else); thank you again for sharing both with me, so I could try them with you! 💖
Since you enjoy citrus freshies and lavender/vanilla combos like I do, I'd love to hear what you think if you test Luna Rossa Sport (at Ulta/Sephora) and Aqua Media Cologne Forte (at Neiman Marcus)!
I am definitely not a blue shower gel type of girl as you know lol, but I will make it a point to try Y sometime and expand my own comfort zone! And I've never even looked at any of Prada's line for men before... honestly, I was prejudiced against the bottles and the 'sport' in the name, but now I'm curious.
I don't blame you about the blue shower gel types lol - but if you ever try Y, I'd be curious to hear what you think!
I hear you on the "sport" names 😅 luckily anything "sport" mentioned here (Prada Luna Rossa Sport and Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême) have zero "sport" vibes going on haha - those are 2 of my favorites; would love to hear if you test either, since they both surprised me in very good ways!
(Also that Luna Rossa Sport bottle is actually SUPER satisfying to hold/spray lol)
Thanks so much for commenting, always enjoy hearing your thoughts! 🤗
Have you tried #dior homme intense? My wife uses it and she absolutely rocks it.
I hear you on having a hard time figuring out what to test, it can feel overwhelming when outside of what we're familiar with.
I've received recommendations, but I've also just gone to stores and tested anything and everything I can that's in front of me.
I haven't tried Dior Homme Intense yet - but given how much I loved the creamy-powdery iris in Prada L'Homme, I'll look into it. Glad to hear your wife loves it, too!
Always appreciate your support!