The expert spoke about the trends and nuances of fragrance selection.

Perfume brands have been actively introducing unisex fragrances lately. Roman Oparin, Associate Professor of the Department of General Biology and Bioecology at the State University of Education, told Izvestia on June 16 about the nuances of choosing perfumes.

According to the expert, unisex perfumes often become a compromise. To please a wide audience, producers abandon bright "female" and "male" accents, which leads to the creation of average compositions. Such scents, as a rule, have a neutral smell — fresh, citrus or musky notes. However, it is precisely this versatility that can become their weak point: many of them turn out to be too simple and not memorable.

In addition, Oparin added, selective unisex perfumes often have a higher price, although their composition may be less interesting. Buyers pay for their "niche" status, not for uniqueness.

"Many unisex fragrances emphasize freshness (sea breeze, greenery, citrus), but such notes fade quickly. As a result, you have to apply perfume more often, which means you have to spend more," said the associate professor of the Department of General Biology and Bioecology.

Oparin noted that some women prefer men's or unisex perfumes because of their associations with freedom and minimalism, while "feminine" perfumes may be a better choice. For example, women's skin has a higher pH, which affects the disclosure of aromas. Notes of vanilla or jasmine in women's compositions sound warmer and more voluminous, while men's accents are flat and harsh on women's skin, the source explained.

According to him, smells also play an important role in how others perceive us. Sweet and floral notes are associated with femininity, while woody and leather notes are associated with masculinity. Therefore, for women who want to emphasize their identity, a unisex fragrance may not be the best choice.

"If in doubt, ask your loved ones to evaluate the fragrance after a couple of hours of wearing it, so you will understand how it sounds from the outside," the associate professor concluded.

On March 30, it was reported that citrus, floral, woody, fruity and spicy notes were among the top 5 most popular flavors among Russians, according to a study by Golden Apple analysts. However, 61% of Russians said that when choosing a perfume as a gift for a woman, it is worth giving preference to a 50 ml bottle. The vast majority of men prefer 100 ml bottles (65%). The 15 ml travel format was chosen by 14% of women and 11% of men.