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What makes a fragrance feminine/masculine?

So I have to admit that I have a problem telling if a cologne is directed towards a particular gender, except in very obvious cases (like Old Spice). For example, Speick is described as very masculine. I like Speick a lot, but when I first smelled it, "This is very manly" was not a thought that came to mind. More like, "This smells really good," if you're wondering. Are there quantifiable differences between feminine and masculine scents, as to what ingredients or proportions they have? I have read some about perfume classification, but it seems like just about any type of scent can be appropriate for anyone.
 
I think I've seen many more scents described as "unisex" lately. As far as gender differences are concerned, I think of floral scents as being feminine. There aren't many clear rules, though....look at how many male colognes are rose-based, etc.
 
Are there quantifiable differences between feminine and masculine scents
Not any more it seems. I just boils down to who is wearing them. (wonder what would happen if I put on some Chanel #5 when in my biker leathers with all my piercings in? Tusks are not considered a 'feminine' piercing jewelery.:biggrin:)

Historically some scent families were considerred 'feminine' such as the florals
and others "masculine" such as the fougères but the introduction of such scent families based on synthetics as 'marine' have really blurred that disctinction.
 
I had an older client that always smelled nice. The scent was familiar but I could not place it. I finally got the courage to ask what he was wearing and he informed me it was Guerlain Shalimar. He was able to pull it off.
 
For example, Speick is described as very masculine. I like Speick a lot, but when I first smelled it, "This is very manly" was not a thought that came to mind. More like, "This smells really good," if you're wondering.

I really enjoy Speick EdC and my better-half tells me the scent is not feminine at all... :001_cool:
 
for me, masculine scents need some kind of heavy musk in them, and some heavy woody undertones....anything too floral i find quite feminine,,,,interestingly though i recently obtained (from my mum, who was given it as a gift) some Jo Malone "Pomegranate Noir"....designed i think as a perfume, it is very musky and heavy without being too sweet and we both thought it was more like an aftershave than a perfume....so the dividing line between masculine and feminine can sometimes be quite thin
 
Actually Old Spice was originally geared towards women!

With many women based tolietrys and soaps

Austin said:
I had an older client that always smelled nice. The scent was familiar but I could not place it. I finally got the courage to ask what he was wearing and he informed me it was Guerlain Shalimar. He was able to pull it off.

+1 a testament to confidence :001_cool:
 
Masculine/feminine in scents is like pornography ("I know it when I see it"); you know it when you smell it.

The distinction has been blurred of late, though, as mentioned. Calvin Klein purposely marketed a scent for both sexes, and why not? "Broadening the base" has always been a feature of success in sales.

For me? I let my wife smell any potential scent. If she says "girly," I don't buy it. It's pretty simple.:001_cool:
 
Actually Old Spice was originally geared towards women!

Guerlain's Jicky was originally for men, but women have adopted it with such exuberance that now it's known as a "women's fragrance."

Sean Connery was reportedly a fan of this scent. :thumbup:
 
I think it's a somewhat fluid definition--masculine vs feminine. It's pretty subjective, but I personally find Speick to be quite masculine. I tend to think of really florally light scents as feminine and woody/spicy strong scents as masculine. Of course, a nice rose can be just the ticket for even the most masculine of men, so it's all depends on the user and the person smelling them I suppose.
 
...when I first smelled it, 'This is very manly' was not a thought that came to mind. More like, 'This smells really good...'

Trust your instincts. Your nose has already given you your answer. :biggrin: The idea of a fragrance being strictly feminine or masculine is mostly just marketing. We have a great insight thanks to the traditionally scented shaving products we use into an earlier time, prior to all the mass marketing hype of multi-million dollar advertising campaigns, a time when men frequently wore scents that would be considered in the present time to be pretty feminine. Even today, amongst high end fragrances you will not see many being touted as "pour femme" or "pour homme". Instead these fragrances houses leave it up to the wearer to determine if a fragrance is appropriate for them.

Trust your nose if you find something that peaks your interest. Look past the advertising and and the shape of the bottle. Ask yourself, does this fragrance fit my personality? Does it work with my chemistry? And most importantly, how do you feel when you wear it? Always try it on your skin and if it works for you then go with it. You will likely have people asking what is that wonderful fragrance you're wearing. Check out www.basenotes.net for great insights, reviews, and suggestions.
 
Some studies have shown that
The most sexy smells on a man for a woman are:
The natural scent of another woman.
The natural scent of clean sweat.
Female fragrances on men.

Now, generally women tend to use floral, sweet and powdery fragrances, but with such fragrances like the classic guerlains, it can be really hard to discern between masculine and femenine perfumes. I have received tons of compliments on florals like fleur du male and shalimar light.
 
Some studies have shown that
The most sexy smells on a man for a woman are:
The natural scent of another woman.
The natural scent of clean sweat.
Female fragrances on men.

Now, generally women tend to use floral, sweet and powdery fragrances, but with such fragrances like the classic guerlains, it can be really hard to discern between masculine and femenine perfumes. I have received tons of compliments on florals like fleur du male and shalimar light.

Scientific studies show that the smell women find most aphrodisiac is anise. Maybe that explains why women were constantly hitting on me when I used to wear Lolita Lempicka.
 
Scientific studies show that the smell women find most aphrodisiac is anise. Maybe that explains why women were constantly hitting on me when I used to wear Lolita Lempicka.
Or Rive Gauche PH :w00t:

I have also read something about pumpkin pie.
...
No seriously. Pumpkin pie.
 
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