9 Musk Perfumes Editors Love
9 Musky Perfumes to Add to Your Collection
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There is nothing quite like getting the compliment that you smell good. Regardless of the season, perfume can act as an invisible veil of "something extra," the perfect complement to an outfit or makeup look that can just as easily get all eyes on you. Though it's a classic beauty accessory, certain scent profiles lend themselves to specific times of year — florals in the spring, citrus in the summer, and ouds in the winter, for example. While you can wear musky notes year-round, the cool fall weather is the prime time for the ingredient to shine.
Historically coming from animals like male deer or civets, musk perfumes of today are typically made of a synthetic version of the molecule meant to mimic the scent of skin. They are often paired with other, more fragrant notes — think gourmand, heady, or sweet scents — as a base note to help add a deeper, cosy vibe.
Whether it's a straight-up musky perfume or used as a base, middle, or top note, these fragrances range from subtle to bold. They can be great for people who don't typically like perfume or prefer scents that feel like a warm hug. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, POPSUGAR editors have tested countless musk perfumes to recommend only the best that deserve your attention.
Read ahead for the cosy fragrances you need in your collection.
Best Affordable Musk Perfume
Lattafa Musk Mood Eau de Parfum Spray ($20)
This perfume is so good you'll be shocked to find out that it's only $20. It effortlessly blends fruity citrus notes with white musk and sandalwood to create a soft, almost powderlike scent that smells clean, sweet, and inviting. The 3.4 fluid ounce bottle will last you a while, too.
Best Woody Musk Perfume
No.04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil ($65)
Sometimes, the best perfumes come in oil form, and so is the case with this gem from Maison Louis Marie. Because of its formula, it's inherently less potent than a traditional eau de parfum or cologne, but still lingers on the skin all day. One swipe to your pulse points leaves behind a trail of sandalwood, vetiver, and amber wood.
Best Floral Musk Perfume
Donna Karan New York Cashmere Mist Eau de Parfum ($107)
This scent is a classic for a reason: it smells damn good. Cashmere Mist has been re-created into everything from deodourant to lotions, and every single iteration of the scent is a winner. Moroccan jasmine and bergamot are combined with sandalwood and musk to create a perfume that's universally loved by all.
Best Luxury Musk Perfume
Chanel L'Huile Vanille Body Oil ($230)
Chanel's body oil is one of the few that manages to leave a glow behind while sinking into the skin immediately, all while leaving behind a gorgeous scent trail. It is lightly fragranced with a mouthwatering combination of lime blossom and musky vanilla that pairs well with any other fragrance in your collection or can be used alone for a your-skin-but-better vibe.
Best Powdery Musk Perfume
Kayali Musk 12 ($25)
When you want something light, airy, and in no way offencive to the nose — you need this Kayali perfume. It smells like the most gorgeous baby powder, thanks to notes of jasmine, musks, and sandalwood. This also makes it the perfect scent to layer with stronger perfumes.
Best Skinlike Musky Perfume
D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What Fragrance Enhancer ($75)
D.S. & Durga created a masterpiece with this perfume, and it's truly one of a kind. The star note is Iso E Super, which has a musky, woody aroma that smells like nothing and everything all at once. Called a "fragrance enhancer," it does just that: intensifies the notes of whatever you put on top of it. Still, even when worn alone, its blend of bergamot and amber is sure to yield all the compliments.
Best Aquatic Musk Perfume
Le Monde Gourmand Beau Bleu Eau de Cologne ($25)
Aquatic musk perfumes can be hard to get right; oftentimes, they end up making you smell too much like ocean water. Le Monde Gourmand's Beau Blue is the exception. Salted lemon and pink pepper make up the top notes, violet leaves shine in the middle, and watery musks round it out for a scent that feels cosy yet fresh. The longevity on this one is about three to four hours, but if you match it with a formula that has complementary notes like the brand's 000 oil, then you can easily boost its performance.
Best Unisex Musk Perfume
Mizensir Ambre Magique Eau de Parfum ($285)
This scent feels like the coziest of cashmere blankets. It's warm, creamy, and sweet thanks to notes of orange blossom and bourbon vanilla absolute, in addition to cardamom essence. This is also a unisex perfume, so you can guarantee the compliments will be flying from all directions.
Best Heady Musk Perfume
Krigler Lovely Patchouli 55 ($35)
This Krigler perfume will turn heads — no questions asked. Amber, musk, patchouli, and vanilla are some of the notes that make up this deliciously woody perfume, and though it is pricy, the sillage it leaves behind is incredible, so you will only need a spray or two to get you through the entire day. Its strength is not something that everyone will love, especially those not used to niche perfumes, so we recommend trying a sample of this one before committing. Still, be forewarned: you may end up falling in love.
