Masculine and feminine fragrances

The world of fragrances can feel like an inaccessible one. Where on earth do you start? Which ones are worth the price tag? We road tested some of the newest fragrances on the market, and shared six that may be worth the investment. If, like me, you are seeking to breach the world of masculine or unisex scents (they just seem to last so much longer!) read on for which scent profiles best suit you.

Scent profile: On the other side of the spectrum, Olympea Flora is pop pink feminine. A whole bouquet of roses, with bottom notes of blackcurrant, it’s moderate-lasting and reminiscent of the now-discontinued Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet.

Scent profile: As suggested by the price tag, James has mighty projection and staying power. Half a spritz is all you need. A heady scent of amber, wood, and musk, it leans heavily masculine. However, I envision this being worn by a male or female CEO who spends weekends at their log cabin in the Blue Mountains.

Scent profile: An o ce favourite, Gentleman is boozy cinnamon, warm wood, and soft iris – certainly a head-turner. Long-lasting with impressive projection, this scent is now part of my personal collection despite it leaning masculine as the name suggests.

Scent profile: Another o ce favourite. Feminine and moderate lasting, Dean Street smells like apricot, citrus, and yellow florals. The scent is clean, packs projection, and despite being named for a street in London, reminds me of a Bondi girl at brunch.

Scent profile: My favourite of the femmes, this is a sparkling fruity fragrance blended with warm wood - a richer, classier version of nostalgic beachy body mists. Moderate-lasting and feminine, it does evoke fruity cocktails at sunset, as the name suggests. There is also something decidedly ‘fizzy’ about the perfume.

Scent profile: The most gender neutral of the bunch, I envision this fragrance being worn by a plant mum or dad to the farmer’s market, or perhaps tending to their windowsill herb garden. Moderate lasting with a lower projection, it smells of lime and green florals.

What we’re talking about

All the latest in fashion, health and beauty with CW fashion editor, Anja de Rozario.

Fast fashion retailer H&M has announced a collaboration with luxury fashion house Mugler, which will be available on the former’s website and in select stores from Thursday 11 May. The new collection will feature womenswear incorporating Mugler’s signature oversized shoulders and cinched waist, as tribute to designer Thierry Mugler’s greatest hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s. It will also include menswear and several “gender fluid” accessories, such as jewellery featuring the iconic Mugler star. The price point for the collection will reportedly range from as low as $34.99 for T-shirts to $749 for leather trench coats.

To learn more, visit hm.com

New research from the Universitas Surabaya and the University of

South Australia shows that while social media may compound negative body image issues, it’s only through a lens of perfectionism that it can affect body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

BDD is a mental illness characterised by constant worrying over a perceived or slight defect in appearance. It affects men and women almost equally, with one in 50 people suffering from the condition.

“Social media is rife with content that perpetuates stereotypes of the body ideal,” says UniSA researcher Dr Nada Ibrahim. “It may seem that body image stereotypes on social media are responsible for serious body image conditions such as BDD, but this research shows that social media alone cannot cause such serious issues. Instead, it plays an indirect role in predicting BDD.

This study was conducted in Indonesia with 385 women aged 18-25.

“Women who struggle with negative aspects of perfectionism – that is, thinking and feeling that they are not good enough against any measure – are more at risk of BDD. And social media pressures can heighten this. But we must remember that BDD is a chronic mental disorder. If we only look at the risks of BDD from the perspective of social media, or think that only socio-cultural factors are to blame, then we could easily overlook correct diagnoses.”

The researchers say that programs to promote media literacy and positive body images could help young women using social media to better filter content and prevent body image issues.