Trying to find your signature scent can be a difficult process. There are just so many fragrances out there that finding one that can manage to encapsulate your ever-growing personality whilst still being unique to you can just be really puzzling. That’s why we’ve curated this list of the best gender-neutral perfumes available in Malaysia, so you can smell good while being the best version of you.

But first, let’s learn all about perfumes so you can figure out which perfume is best for you.

There are three main notes that make up the composition of a perfume. The top notes are the scents that you smell first, and it’s also referred to as headnotes. These notes are what gives the first impressions, and also shapes the story of the perfume. The top notes have the highest volatility, which means that it evaporates the fastest, lingering around only five to fifteen minutes. The main purpose of the top notes is to provide an initial scent, then allow for a smooth transition into the heart notes.

The heart notes, also known as the middle notes, compose around 70% of the perfume’s fragrance. These notes will appear as the top notes begin to wane, and remain longer than the top notes, for about 20 to 60 minutes. The intention of the heart notes is to serve as the intermediary scent as the top notes fade and the base notes begin to appear.

The base notes serve as the foundation of the perfume. These notes may last for over six hours, and are usually the richest and deepest scents of the perfume. The base notes will support the lighter accords, and harmonise with the middle notes to provide a well-rounded scent.

Best gender-neutral perfumes in Malaysia

1. Maison Materi Tonka Oriental

Curious why we crowned Maison Materi Tonka Oriental as the Best Eau de Parfum and Beauty Insiders’ Choice Award for the Beauty Insider Malaysia’s Beauty and Wellness Awards 2024? The reason is simple: you will be hard-pressed to find another unisex scent on the market that is as addictive as this one. Tonka Oriental opens with fresh citrus notes of bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon zest. It then transitions to a warm heart of cinnamon, orange blossom, lavender, and praline. The scent finishes with a rich base of Tonka Bean Absolute, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, and cacao. In short, this perfume is warm with bright notes of citrus and sweetened with vanilla, a winning combination!

Why we love it:

  • Perfect for modern urbanites
  • Warm and citrusy with hints of vanilla
  • A unique, hard-to-find scent

Cons:

  • Avoid spraying directly onto the skin

Price: RM189.00

Where to buy: Official TikTok Shop or Shopee

2. Calvin Klein Everyone Eau de Parfum

Starting off strong with the new classic Calvin Klein Everyone, this has an aromatic aquatic scent with fresh citrus notes. Designed to be inclusive of everybody, this unisex perfume aims to symbolise the spirit of the new generation, this fragrance has middle notes of tea and will leave a lingering aroma of musk, cedar, amber, and patchouli, a mesmerising combination of accords that’s sure to leave people wanting more.

Why we love it:

  • Vegan
  • Logo contains a removable elastic band that can be used in other ways
  • Uses naturally-occurring alcohol

Cons:

  • Some users have complained that this scene is not long-lasting

Price: RM305.00

Where to buy: Sephora

3. Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne

A harmoniously spicy blend of sandalwood and cedarwood, with heart notes of earthy nutmeg and titillating ginger, this is definitely one of the best gender-neutral fragrances in Malaysia that’s sure to turn heads. The first fragrance by Jo Malone, this is one of the most sensual yet mysterious scents on the market. Perfect for nighttime, just a few spritzes of this perfume will make you irresistible to anybody who’s lucky enough to catch a whiff of you.

Why we love it:

  • Has an intense scent
  • Has earthy and deep qualities
  • Contains sandalwood which extends the longevity of scent

Cons:

  • Extremely uneconomical price

Price: RM635.00

Where to buy: Jo Malone MY

4. The Body Shop White Musk

Famed for being against animal-testing and active in speaking out for social and environmental rights, The Body Shop launched one of their most popular products to date, the White Musk EDT, making it the most inclusive and affordable gender-neutral fragrance on our list. Iconic in its own right, it has a fresh and floral scent that will make you feel energetic and empowered, ready to take on the world.

Why we love it:

  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Comes in a recyclable glass bottle made with 42% recycled glass
  • Part of a full-range line of White Musk products

Cons:

  • Often sold out

Price: RM139.00

Where to buy: The Body Shop MY

5. Romano Eau De Parfum Grandiose

This brand is seriously underrated. The Grandiose EDP by Romano is rich, musky, yet incredibly inviting. It has fruity-floral top notes of bergamot, grapefruit, and apple, followed by sensuous middle notes of nuts, caramel, and chocolate. The scent will gracefully fade into notes of musk, amber, and sandalwood, and trust us, this is the kind of scent that will turn heads. It’s no wonder that this fragrance won Beauty Insider Malaysia’s awards for Best Fragrances 2023, Best Eau de Parfum, and Readers’ Choice Award!

Why we love it:

  • Long-lasting
  • Suitable for day and night
  • Intense

Cons:

  • Avoid spraying on too much is a little goes a long way

Price: RM 51.55

Where to buy: Shopee, Lazada

6. House of 4711 Acqua Colonia Lemon & Ginger Eau de Cologne

A passionately fresh scent, this scent will be like walking down sunlit paths through the streets of Italy, even if you’ve never stepped foot there before. Launched in 2009 by perfumer Alexandra Kalle, it has main accords of citrus and spicy notes, whilst still retaining a fresh and aromatic glamour. The bottle itself is a spectacle of luxury, designed to have characteristics of the old world with a modern zing.

Why we love it:

  • Has strong retaining power
  • Made with natural ingredients
  • Free from oil, sulphate, and paraben

Cons:

  • Some users have commented that the scent is too reminiscent of household cleaning products

Price: RM102.00

Where to buy: Sephora

7. Le Labo Santal 33

This list of the best gender-neutral perfumes in Malaysia just wouldn’t be complete without the famed Santal 33 by Le Labo. Loved by the likes of Alexa Chung, Justin Bieber, and Ryan Reynolds, this unisex fragrance has a captivating depth of spice, smoke, and wood. Inspired by the plains of the American West landscape, Santal 33 is a cult favourite, and we can definitely smell why.

Why we love it:

  • Has floral and warm top notes
  • Handmade
  • Cruelty-free

Cons:

  • Extremely uneconomical price

Price: RM1050.00

Where to buy: Perfume Malaysia

8. Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Parfum

A warm and woody scent with citrus, spice, and vanilla heart notes, the Tam Dao by Diptqyue is one of the most unique scents available in Malaysia. Launched in 2013, this scent was inspired by the brand’s founder, Yves Couslant’s own childhood memories of being in Mysore. It has rich accords of smokey and milky sandalwood, intwined perfectly with the zest of coriander and the warmth of amber, making it one of the best gender-neutral perfumes in Malaysia.

Why we love it:

  • Lasts eight to ten hours on the skin
  • Ideal for layering with other scents
  • Suitable for both day and night

Cons:

  • Extremely uneconomical price

Price: RM899.00

Where to buy: Kens Apothecary

9. Maison Francis Baccarat Rouge 540

Born from the wits and evocation of master perfumer Francis Kurkdijan himself, the Baccarat Rouge is an intense embodiment of luxury. With top notes of Egyptian grandiflorum jasmine and saffron, and accords of fire and Moroccon almond, this is a classic unisex perfume that’s unquestionably one of the best gender-neutral perfumes in Malaysia. It has a hefty price tag to be sure, but it’s definitely one of the finest fragrances in the industry.

Why we love it:

  • Extremely long-lasting
  • Suitable for both day and night
  • Intensely lingering

Cons:

  • Extremely uneconomical price

Price: RM2138.00

Where to buy: Zalora

10. Tom Ford Beauty Ombre Leather

Sleek, sexy, and smooth – the all-encompassing Ombre Leather by Tom Ford definitely makes the ranks of the best gender-neutral perfumes in Malaysia. Deeply floral yet masculine in its own trait with wood and tobacco accords, it’s a symphony of some of the best scents known to man. Acutely unique with its top-hitting leather scent, it deepens over time to a softer, warm scent due to its impartial layering.

Why we love it:

  • Celebrated for its one-of-a-kind scent
  • Intensely tactile
  • Ideal for night-time wear

Cons:

  • Extremely uneconomical price
  • Divisive scent, you will either love it or hate it

Price: RM815.00

Where to buy: Sephora

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