Musk Perfume: A Comprehensive Guide and How To Pick

Featured in perfumeries way back in the 6th century, musk has caught the attention of fragrance lovers throughout history.

The truth is that musk is a super versatile fragrance. One musk perfume might smell floral, while another smells earthy and rich — so, how do you know which one to pick?

Today, we’ll be unpacking all things musk to help you decide which fragrance is right for you. Let’s get into it.

What Does Musk Perfume Smell Like?

Musk perfume is a nuanced scent, and the smell can vary depending on how it’s made or what it’s combined with. However, musky fragrances typically have a warm, earthy, smooth aroma. 

Though the variations in musk fragrances are generally small, they’re still helpful to consider when picking out your new scent. 

Animalistic

Many musk fragrances are described as animalistic. This is because natural musk historically came from the granular secretions of male musk deer. 

The secretion is a brown, aromatic substance that gets transformed into a powder and soaked in ethanol for long periods of time. The result is a warm, woody scent, sometimes compared to fresh soil in the forest. 

Animal-derived musk is extremely uncommon now for ethical purposes — today, synthetic musk scents are used instead, and they still capture the same fragrance experience. 

You won’t be finding any deer secretion in our products — our musk is 100% vegan!

Natural

Musk fragrances are often called natural scents because of their earthy components. 

As we’ve already discussed, one of the main qualities of a musk fragrance is that it’s woody and warm. However, those aren’t the only natural smells in the mix. Many musk fragrances also carry fruity, floral elements and can feature a combination of ingredients like rose, lily, peach, plum, and ylang ylang.

Powdery

Many modern musk scents are described as powdery, and this is especially true for white musk — one of the ingredients used to emulate the smell of musk synthetically. 

White musk is typically made using a combination of chemical molecules or with organic substitutions like ambrette seeds. It’s often described as having a clean smell, similar to freshly washed sheets, baby powder, or clean skin after a bath.

Soft

Even though musky fragrances are thought to be rich and bold because of their traditional origin, there are many synthetic musk fragrances that are more soft and velvety.

Often described as creamy, this type of musk pairs nicely with gourmand scents like vanilla, coffee, and caramel. This musky fragrance is also frequently paired with bold, sharp scents because its softness can help balance the intense fragrance notes.

What Scents Pair Well With Musk?

A little known fact about musk is that some people aren’t able to smell the fragrance on its own. This phenomenon is known as specific or selective anosmia, and an easy way to resolve this issue is to pair the smell of musk with something else.

Even if you can smell musk, pairing scents is an enjoyable way to personalize your go-to scent. Here are six delightful scents that pair nicely with musk.

Bergamot

Bergamont is a bright, citrusy scent. Its tangy undertones are complemented by sweet, floral notes, and it usually brings an uplifting and energizing feeling. 

Together, bergamot and musk create a well-balanced fragrance. Musk is warmer, while bergamot is fresher, and the end result is neither too soft nor too bold.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood is an earthy, woody scent. Featuring smoky, warm notes, this scent is typically described as comforting and grounded.

Cedarwood and musk pair nicely with each other because both scents are earthy and warm. Musk is smoother, while cedarwood is slightly bolder — when combined, both scents are even richer than before.

Plum

Plum is a sweet and juicy scent with rich and tart elements, so it feels playfully indulgent.

Musk can make the playful, flirtier scent of plum feel a bit more refined. When combined, these two smells can create a fragrance that feels sophisticated, but not outdated.

Tonka

Tonka is a sweet, creamy scent that contains hints of almond and vanilla, and it’s often considered sensual.

This creamy, sensual scent benefits from musk's soft touch. Musk and tonka take gourmand fragrances to the next level, giving you a cozy and warm fragrance.

Clove

Clove is a sharp, woody scent often described as rich, warm, and a bit spicy. When used with musk, these notes create a scent that is bold and exotic.

Musk curbs the spiciness in the clove scent just a bit. When combined, clove still has a rich, exotic scent, but it’s a bit smoother than before.

Peach

Peach is a sweet, fruity scent. This juicy fragrance also contains creamy, floral undertones and is perceived as youthful, cheerful, and bright.

Together, peach and musk create a delicious fragrance. When blended, musk brings creamy undertones that enhance peach’s sweet and playful profile.

How To Choose a Musk Scent

At this point, it’s all about having fun trying different fragrances and seeing which one checks everything off your wishlist.

One of the easiest ways to select your musk scent is to base it off of preference and personality. Simply put, your top priority should be to pick something you know you’ll enjoy smelling on a daily basis. 

Once you’ve found a few fragrances you like, think about what you’re trying to embody. If you want something flirty, go for fruity, lighter scents. If you want something fresh, go for powdery musks. If you want something grounded, go earthy.

Don’t forget to test the formula on your skin, too — a fragrance can smell one way in the bottle and totally different on your body. Be sure that it complements your natural scent before locking in your decision.

Must-Have Musk Scents

Still unsure about which scent to choose? Here are two of our must-have musk fragrances.

Me

Snif Me is a shapeshifting musk fragrance that falls on the fruitier end of the musk spectrum. Designed to reflect your skin’s unique chemistry, this formula is characterized by woody, musky, fruity notes.

When you spritz on Snif Me, you’ll first be met with a hint of plum, peach skin, and white moss. Then, the fragrance will settle into an earthy, musky blend of orris and sandalwood. In other words, you’re getting the best of both worlds (and everything in between).

Suganami

Looking for something a little less traditional? Check out Snif’s Suganami. This modern, genderless fragrance features peppery angelica seeds with a touch of green, warm, and earthy myrrh and creamy, alluring musks. 

The final result is a seamless blend of natural woody aromas, bright spices, and a smooth, powdery after-effect. 

Your New Go-To

In conclusion, musk is an extremely diverse fragrance that comes in many delightful forms. Although typically considered an earthy scent, its several variations mean that there’s a musk fragrance for everyone.

We hope you enjoy your journey discovering the perfect musk fragrance for you!

Sources:

Study of compositions of musks in different types secreted by forest musk deer | PMC

Ethanol - CH3CH2OH - CID 702 | PubChem

AMBRETTE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews | WebMD

Specific anosmia as a principle of olfactory perception | PubMed