Unisex perfume: why oriental perfumery ignores gender
By Atyab
Rose for women, woody for men: this distribution seems natural. In reality, it dates back to the late 19th century and stems from a commercial decision, not an olfactory reality.
A recent, Western convention
Before the industrialization of perfumery, no one gendered perfumes. 18th-century European courts wore flowers, ambers, and leathers indiscriminately. Male/female segmentation appeared when houses sought to double their market by selling two products where one had sufficed.
This logic never took hold in the Gulf, where perfumery followed its own trajectory.
What this changes in practice
In a souk in Riyadh or Dubai, you don’t ask for a men’s perfume: you ask for an oud, a rose, a musk. The criterion is the ingredient, not the intended wearer.
As a result, rose is a masculine note there just as much as a feminine one, and leather is worn by everyone. This is why almost our entire catalog is unisex.
A telling example
Reef 42 combines peach, rose, and musk. In Western perfumery, this pyramid would automatically be classified as "women's." In the Gulf's logic, it is simply a fruity floral, worn by whoever wishes.
Conversely, Reef Niche 1—saffron, caramel, leather—would be categorized as "men's" in Europe, even though its gourmand facet makes it widely worn by women.
How to choose without relying on gender
- Start with the olfactory family, not the label. See our guide to olfactory families.
- Judge the sillage: it is what determines if a perfume suits your usage, not its classification.
- Test on your skin: the result varies more from one person to another than from one gender to another.
The case of explicitly feminine perfumes
Some compositions remain positioned as feminine by the houses themselves, such as Lady Reef. We respect this positioning on the product page without making it a constraint: nothing stops you from wearing it otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Can a man wear a rose perfume?
It is actually one of the most classic masculine notes in the Arab world, generally associated with oud or patchouli.
How do I know if a perfume will suit me?
Identify the family you already wear and look for its oriental equivalent. Our guide to choosing your first oriental perfume details the method.
Can a perfume be shared between two people?
Yes, and it is common. A large size then makes perfect sense.
Explore: our complete catalog, which is mostly unisex.