These Unisex Winter Fragrances Will Have You Enveloped In Rich Scents All Season Long

Like a brisk walk by the ocean on a chilly afternoon, Misc. Goods Grey Haven captures a moment in time and translates it into a beguiling scent. Featuring moss, pine, and saltwater, it’s deeply earthy, slightly unexpected and very appealing. Upon application, it has a smoky essence with a delicate base that slowly reveals itself. The handsome packaging and bottle also have a decidedly rugged but refined feel, even featuring a bit of poetry (that seems plucked from an Ernest Hemingway novel) etched onto the glass.  

For a winter minimalist looking for a pure and simple scent, try Abel’s Green Cedar. The New Zealand-based brand combines two cedars (Texas cedar and wild-harvested Atlas Mountain cedar) for a refreshing, rich fragrance that feels like a trip to a chic mountain lodge. Top notes of magnolia and cardamom also bring in a delicate spice and depth that I found quite pleasing. Environmentally speaking, it’s also one of the few fragrances that’s 100% natural. Abel even discloses the full ingredient list and location where everything was (ethically) sourced.

Don’t let the name fool you. Boy Smells’ “genderful” fragrance is made for anyone who wants to smell amazing. For their Woodphoria parfum, coconut, pepper and jasmine cozy up with cedarwood and musk for a real nose pleasing concoction that takes advantage of a mingling of masculine and feminine notes. It was love at first spray for this scent, which reminded me of fragrant petals gently dropping into a roaring fire. The sculptural bottle, featuring an exaggerated cap, also makes a striking addition to your bathroom or vanity. 

Musk is one of those classic scents that very much suits the wintertime. But Xtra Milk is not your run-of-the-mill musk. DedCool (whose fragrances are all genderless) has crafted a complex, layered and appealing musk scent with universal appeal. With the addition of bergamot and amber, it's cozy, clean, uplifting, and just a little bit sweet. And if you need a bit more convincing than these words, DedCool also gives you 30 days to sample a scent before you commit.

If a stylish, dimly lit bar serving top shelf whisky could be bottled, well, you would have Dark Suede by Hawthorne. Created by a 5x cologne of the year winner, this scent effortlessly brings ingredients like fruity mandarin and fig with cashmere woods and sandalwood for a cologne cocktail you’ll be reaching for all winter. While it may be considered more traditionally masculine, I thought this scent was nicely balanced, and is certainly suitable for anyone who appreciates a richly enveloping fragrance.

Here’s an intriguing fragrance blend that is both transportive and transportable. TOTC’s Idem (short for Turn of the Century) has crafted a unique scent made with raw, organic cold pressed Jojoba oil that will cure over time, slightly altering the scent – which is also why there are some floating particles in it. A swipe on my wrist revealed geranium, black frankincense, and oak moss, conjuring a vivid winter sunset and entracing woodsy appeal (even if you’re sitting in your living room). The 10 ml roll-on applicator also makes this scent particularly well-suited for popping in your pocket for travel.

Looking to embrace those long, wintery nights? Get lost in Dark Is Night from Henry Rose. This wear- after-the-sun-goes-down scent comes courtesy of Michelle Phieffer (yes, Catwoman herself) and features a mingling of spicy patchouli and smooth vanilla bean. I often find patchouli to be a bit overwhelming, but the top notes of grass and freesia keep things subtle – but still mysterious. After wearing this to a holiday party, I also had multiple inquiries – and statements of total adoration – for what I was wearing. 

Woodsy, smokey, and berries – oh my! Ourside’s Dusk is a study in contrasts. This female, BIPOC-owned brand (manufactured in small batches in the Bronx, NY) has created a scent that is fruity, floral and forest-like. I found it to be sweet when sprayed on my skin before melding into floral mixed with a soft and sensual musk. The fragrance notes also seemed to linger just a bit longer than some of the others, still potent and pleasing after a few hours of wear.