Buying fragrance online is sometimes a gamble. You can't smell it. You can't test how it evolves on your skin. And most product descriptions are worse than useless - "fresh and woody" could mean anything from a sharp citrus punch to something your grandmother wore in the 1980s.

After 20 years as a retail buyer - across many different categories - I've watched countless customers waste money on things they won't use. The problem isn't that they chose badly; it's that they were never given the tools to choose well. So here's what I've learned so far about selecting unisex fragrances, understanding what makes quality products last, working with independent brands, and curating the kind of scents I actually want to wear.

At Renley Hawthorn, we stock two exceptional unisex brands: Malin+Goetz and Blomb. They cover different audiences, price points, and approaches to fragrance, but they share one thing: they're built to last, both on your skin and in your collection.

Why Most Unisex Fragrances Disappoint (And How to Avoid Them)

Let's be honest: "unisex" has become a marketing term for bland. Brands think if they strip out anything remotely distinctive, they'll appeal to everyone. The result? Average fragrances that smell fine for twenty minutes, then vanish.

I hate scents that disappear after an hour. It's the single biggest complaint I hear from customers, and it's why I'm ruthless about what I stock. If a fragrance doesn't have the strength and longevity to justify its price, I won't carry it. That means essential oils, quality ingredients, and eau de parfum concentration as standard — not the watered-down EDT formulations most high-street brands push because the margins are better.

A proper unisex fragrance isn't neutral. It's versatile. It balances traditionally masculine and feminine notes so confidently that anyone can wear, they glide seamlessly from daytime to nighttime, and all this without it feeling like a compromise. Woody warmth tempered with brightness. Soft florals grounded by spice. Citrus lifts over deep, earthy bases. The best unisex scents are bold and distinctive; they just happen to work on everyone.

What I Look for as a Buyer (And What You Should Look for Too)

When I'm choosing a fragrance for Renley Hawthorn, I start with five non-negotiables:

1. Independence and brand philosophy
I'm not interested in brands you can find in every department store. Renley Hawthorn is about discovering makers who prioritise craft over mass appeal, who have a clear point of view, and who aren't cutting corners to hit a price point.

2. Essential oils and natural ingredients
Synthetic compounds fade fast. Essential oils last. It's that simple. Brands like Malin+Goetz build their fragrances around natural ingredients and apothecary-inspired formulations, which is why their scents have staying power. Blomb takes a similar approach - quality ingredients at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage.

3. Packaging that values restraint over ostentation
Both brands we stock take a similar approach: simple bottles, understated boxes, nothing overdesigned or excessive. The appeal is in the quality of the materials and the clarity of the design, not in unnecessary embellishment. It's confident, not showy, and that restraint is exactly why I chose them.

4. Longevity you can trust
If it's not eau de parfum strength, I'm not stocking it. EDT formulations might be cheaper to produce, but they're a false economy for the customer. You'll end up reapplying three times a day and burning through the bottle in weeks.

5. Customer fit
This is where experience matters. Blomb is brilliant for everyday wear - something distinctive and personal that doesn't require a significant investment. Malin+Goetz is for when you want to treat yourself or gift something luxurious, when global recognition and apothecary credibility matter, or when you're buying for someone who appreciates established quality. Every brand I stock needs to serve one of those needs exceptionally well.

Why We Chose Malin+Goetz and Blomb

These two brands cover different tastes and needs without compromising on quality.

Malin+Goetz: Credibility and Craft

Malin+Goetz is globally recognised, apothecary-inspired, and built for customers who want serious longevity and sophistication. At £88 for 50ml, it sits at a higher price point, but you're paying for natural ingredients, essential oil concentration, and genuinely unisex formulations that work across occasions. It appeals to customers who value established brands with a proven track record.

Their range is modern, versatile and never boring:

• Strawberry - Crisp, modern, not sweet. Perfect for daytime or casual wear.
• Leather -  Smooth, elegant and quietly sensual. Soft florals and warm woods capture the feeling of something well loved and timeless. My go to for evenings.
• Bergamot - Top notes of bergamot and grapefruit, base notes of sandalwood and amberwood. Fresh but grounding - one of my personal favourites.
• Cannabis - Balances wild notes of bergamot, black pepper and cedarwood with soft, floral notes of muguet and magnolia.
• Vetiver - Elegant, clean, green and quietly confident; this take on vetiver trades the traditional smokiness for freshness.

These aren't trend-driven. They're the kind of scents you'll still be wearing in five years.

Blomb: Independent, Affordable, Exceptional

Blomb is a small, truly independent maker available in only a handful of UK retailers. It appeals to customers looking for something distinctive and unique without a high price barrier. At £39 for 50ml, it's exceptional value - and it's eau de parfum strength, so it lasts.

We stock six unisex fragrances in the range, with gentle guidance: three lean masculine, three lean feminine. But honestly, wear what you like.

Our best sellers:

• No. 7 Studly - Rich leather with pops of bergamot and mandarin. Woody yet fresh. This one has sold consistently well since we launched.
• No. 27 Tranquil - Opens with creamy coconut and rich labdanum, softens into tobacco and worn leather, with earthy vetiver, smooth sandalwood, and oakmoss. Quiet, grounded, perfect for evenings.

The other fragrances -  No. 11, No. 23, No. 15, and No. 03 - each have their own character, and we've had customers discover unexpected favourites.

But here's the real winner: Blomb Explore Packs at £9.50. Four mini scents that let you try before committing. This solves the biggest problem with buying fragrance online - you can't smell it first. With the Explore Packs, you can test on your skin, see how they evolve over hours, and decide which one you love. It's low risk and high reward.

How to Choose a Unisex Fragrance (The Practical Bit)

Start with Personality, Not Gender

Think about lifestyle, energy, and the impression you want to leave. Someone looking for something bold and distinctive might love Blomb 11 or 15. Someone drawn to established, sophisticated brands might gravitate toward Malin+Goetz Bergamot or Leather.

I'm biased - I prefer woody, masculine scents with something fresh to balance them out. Blomb 7 and Malin+Goetz Bergamot are both in regular rotation for me because they balance richness with brightness. If you like the idea of depth without heaviness, start there.

Understand the Notes (And How They Evolve)

Every fragrance has three layers:

• Top notes - What you smell first. Bright, fleeting. Usually citrus or fresh.
• Heart notes - The character. Floral, spicy, herbal. This emerges after 10-15 minutes.
• Base notes - The foundation. Woody, earthy, warm. This is what lingers for hours.

When you read a fragrance description, you're predicting how it will evolve on your skin. For example:

• Blomb No. 7: Top - bergamot, mandarin. Heart - rich leather. Base — woody depth. You get freshness first, then warmth settles in.
• Malin+Goetz Bergamot: Top - bergamot, grapefruit. Heart - ginger and muguet. Base - sandalwood, amberwood. Bright opening, grounded finish.
• Blomb No. 27 Tranquil: Top - coconut, labdanum. Heart - tobacco, worn leather. Base - vetiver, sandalwood, oakmoss. Creamy and rich, then earthy and contemplative.

If you know what notes you're drawn to, you can make confident choices even without smelling the fragrance first.

Consider Context

Where will you wear it?

• Daytime or office: Fresh, crisp, or lightly woody. Malin+Goetz Strawberry, Blomb No. 15 Juicy or No. 23 Fresh.
• Evenings or special occasions: Richer, deeper. Malin+Goetz Leather, Blomb 7.
• Casual or everyday: Versatile and approachable. Malin+Goetz Bergamot, Malin+Goetz Cannabis.

Try Samples Where Possible

If you're new to a brand, start with the Blomb Explore Packs. If you're buying Malin+Goetz, read the notes carefully and choose based on what you're drawn to. Our descriptions are detailed for a reason - they're meant to help you predict how a scent will feel on your skin.

Prioritise Longevity

All the fragrances we stock are eau de parfum strength. That means they last for hours, not minutes. If you've been disappointed by fragrances that fade too quickly, this is why - EDT formulations are weaker and cheaper to produce. We don't stock them.

Common Mistakes When Buying Fragrance Online

Buying based on hype alone
Influencers get paid to promote fragrances. That doesn't mean the scent is good or right for you. Trust your instincts and read the notes.

Ignoring concentration
EDT vs EDP matters. If longevity is important to you (and it should be), stick to eau de parfum.

Not sampling first
If you're unsure, try before committing. The Blomb Explore Packs exist for this reason.

Assuming unisex means boring
The best unisex fragrances are bold and distinctive. If it smells like nothing, it's a bad fragrance - not a good unisex one.

Gifting Unisex Fragrance

If you're buying for someone else, keep it simple:

• Focus on personality and vibe, not gender.
• Stick to versatile or lighter scents for first-time gifts (Malin+Goetz Strawberry, Blomb 27).
• Beautiful packaging or mini sets elevate the gift - the Blomb Explore Packs make excellent, low-risk presents. Super popular with our customers this year.

Why Renley Hawthorn

We don't stock every brand. We stock the right brands - the ones that prioritise craft, longevity, and independence over mass appeal. If it's available in every department store, we're not interested.

Both Malin+Goetz and Blomb offer essential oils, unique formulas, and thoughtful packaging. They're built to last, both on your skin and in your rotation. And we make it easy to buy confidently online: clear descriptions, best-seller guidance, and sample packs so you can explore without risk.

Fragrance is personal. It should reflect who you are, not what gender you are. And with the right guidance, buying online doesn't need to feel like a gamble.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between EDP and EDT?
Eau de Parfum (EDP) has a higher concentration of fragrance oils (15–20%) and lasts longer. Eau de Toilette (EDT) is lighter (5–15%) and fades faster. We only stock EDPs.

Can I wear my partner's fragrance?
Absolutely. Unisex fragrances are designed to work on anyone. Skin chemistry will make it smell slightly different on each person, but that's part of the appeal.

How long should a 50ml bottle last?
If you're wearing it daily, 3 months. If it's occasional, 6 months or more. EDPs are concentrated, so you don't need much.

Do unisex fragrances smell different on men vs women?
Yes, slightly. Skin chemistry - pH, diet, natural oils - affects how a fragrance develops. 

What if I don't like the fragrance once I've tried it?
Start with the Blomb Explore Packs (£9.50) to test before committing to a full bottle. It's the smartest way to discover your favourites without the risk.

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Find out more at the Renley Hawthorn 'About Us' page or 'Shipping Information' - we know that you want your gifts delivered quickly and so we try to get orders out same day.

If you like to shop local make use of our free same-day delivery in all FY8 postcodes by spending over £30.

Shop Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Wellbeing, Accessories, Candles & Scents, and Pets, and give something that becomes part of someone's winter. Read our other blog The Gifts People Actually Want.