The Shift Away from 'His and Hers'
Across the GCC, fragrance shopping is increasingly driven by note profile and mood rather than strict gender categories. Industry data points to GCC shoppers building a 'fragrance wardrobe' — multiple scents chosen for different occasions rather than a single signature scent — and unisex fragrances fit naturally into that rotation because they aren't limited to one context.
What's Leading the Category
Riiffs' Seasons Drift is a good example of where the category is heading: a soft, contemplative EDP built around the changing of seasons rather than a masculine or feminine theme, designed to be worn by anyone. Rayhaan's Terra leans into a more complex spiced-oriental direction with cardamom up front, while staying versatile enough to suit a wide range of wearers. Ahmed Al Maghribi's Marj takes a richer, deeper approach that still reads as broadly wearable rather than gendered.
Why This Matters for Gift-Giving
Unisex fragrances also solve a common problem for gifting in Bahrain and the wider Gulf — you don't need to know someone's exact preference as precisely when the scent itself is designed to flatter a broad range of people. It's part of why these releases tend to perform well during Eid and wedding-season gifting periods.
Trying Before You Commit
Because unisex doesn't mean one-size-fits-all on skin chemistry, it's worth testing a small amount on your own skin (or asking about a sample) before committing to a full bottle, especially with more complex spiced or amber-heavy compositions.