Naomi Jamieson
Scent is a powerful thing. The right blend can spark memories and emotions or even add a certain ambience to your day. Thus, if you're someone who wants to boost the cosy feelings of the autumn/winter seasons, we can tell you that these musk perfumes were made to be paired with chunky knits and soft blankets.
There's a reason why musk scents are such a popular genre among the best long-lasting perfumes. The obvious being that most musk aromas have great sillage and project beautifully (hence why they're often used as base notes), but they also give the feel of being wrapped in something comforting. They’re soft, warming and ever so slightly sweet all at once, making them an ideal choice for those who prefer to steer clear of fruity perfumes or florals.
That being said, these rich blends are nuanced. They can be woody, ambery and even creamy, meaning they're a versatile pick even outside of the colder months. In our experience, musks always score highly in terms of universal appeal. So, if you're keen to add a cosy, smoky signature to your collection, these are the nine musky fragrances we love...
9 beauty editor-approved musky perfumes to have on your radar
From amber perfumes to more powdery florals, a musk scent can be many things, but something they all have in common is their chic and comforting feel - especially where these nine are concerned.
RRP: £150 for 50ml | Key notes: Rose petals, cedarwood, vetiver, silk musk
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
For a long time, this Byredo number was the closest thing I had to a signature scent. It is the ultimate creamy, woody, musky scent, with one of my favourite perfume notes, cedarwood, taking centre stage. I’m a firm believer in wearing whatever scent you like, whenever you like, but these qualities mean that it works well at any time of day. It’s the perfume equivalent of an oversized chunky knit jumper that you can dress up for Sunday lunch somewhere fabulous or curl up in on your sofa.
RRP: £99 for 50ml | Key notes: Bergamot peel, mandarin, freesia, jasmine petals, waterlily, vanilla orchid, jasmine sambac absolute, amber, sandalwood, musk
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Phlur has won over the hearts of fragrance fans around the world with its hugely diverse perfume portfolio. Opening with soft-not-sickly vanilla, Soft Spot is a lovely skin scent, balancing fruity and floral notes without ever leaning too heavily into either fragrance family and wearing down to tell-tale musk. It’s not particularly punchy, but it is moreish and one you’ll probably want to spritz and re-spritz.
RRP: £190 for 50ml | Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white magnolia, blackcurrant, white sandalwood
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
This is like a burst of autumnal sunshine in fragrance form. There’s an initial citrus hit, but it’s subtle enough that it doesn’t take away from the undercurrent of white and rose musks. Along with these, soothing sandalwood rounds out the woody base. Its price tag is quite luxurious, but the newer hair perfume is a nice way to try this scent for less.
RRP: £153 for 75ml | Key notes: Musks, iris, ambrette seeds, pink peppercorn
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson and Lucy Abbersteen
Lucy: I’ve previously described this scent as opening with a fizziness in our guide to the best Diptyque perfumes – which Fleur de Peau unquestionably is. A beautiful floral musk that’s made a little spicy thanks to pink pepper, this fragrance has that “Parisian chic” feel that typifies the brand as well as the comforting effect of a musky base. It’s wearable and gorgeous.
RRP: £62 for 50ml | Key notes: Pink peppercorns, iris, ambrette, ambrox
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Arguably, the fragrance that got us all hooked on skin scents, Glossier You isn’t the kind of perfume that bursts into the room demanding the attention of anyone and everyone present. Rather, it’s a soft and cosy musky scent that – arguably like all perfumes – smells different on every wearer. The initial hit of pink pepper, supported by a soft injection of iris, wears down to that cosy feel that can only be imparted by ambroxan and ambrette seeds. Excitingly, Glossier has just expanded its fragrance portfolio to include two new iterations of You; which you can read all about in our Glossier Réve and Doux review.
RRP: £245 for 75ml | Key notes: Mandarin, bergamot, pear, violet petal, musk, sandalwood
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett and Lucy Abbersteen
Lucy: Parfums de Marly’s newest fragrance manages to be very sweet without tipping into gourmand territory. It opens with juicy pear, which, I personally find is more noticeable on clothes than the skin. Here, it manages to strike just the right balance between fruity, floral and powdery for something that somehow feels familiar the first time you spritz it; it makes me think of Parma Violets from an incredibly chic and sophisticated sweet shop.
RRP: £165 for 30ml | Key Notes: Mandarin, bergamot, pink pepper, trio of rose, peony, Lily of the Valley, musk, vanilla, ambroxan and cashmere wood
Reviewed by: Sennen Prickett
If you’re looking for a musky floral perfume, Creed’s Eladaria needs to be on your radar. I’m not the biggest rose fan, but this fragrance dries down to a beautifully soft and subtle floral scent. Oozing luxury and chic sophistication, it boasts the perfect balance of floral, powdery and musky, with its gently warming blend of pink pepper, trio of rose and ambroxan. This is definitely an easily likeable scent that I reach for when I’m attending a special event or occasion, thanks to its ability to leave a sweet, delicate and sensual impression upon others.
RRP: £170 for 50ml | Key Notes: cardamom, iris, violet, Australian sandalwood, cedarwood and musk
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
Warm, leathery and incredibly chic are the four words that always spring to mind when I catch a whiff of Le Labo's iconic Santal 33 scent. It's smoky and woody, like that of a glowing campfire, but there are also delicate hints of powdery iris and violet, which soften Santal's fiery side, for a fragrance that is rich but comforting. It's therefore a great option for the autumn months, but I have also been known to wear it in the summer too, such is its versatile and intoxicating allure.
RRP: £98 for 50ml | Key Notes: White musks, mimosa, blonde woods accord and rice steam accord
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
For another musky Diptyque option, allow me to present L'eau Papier. Unlike some of the scents on this list, its notes are far more delicate and subtle, but still as comforting as ever. Airy hints of rice steam hit soft, powdery swirls of white musk, mimosa and blonde woods, for a perfume that is both fresh and effortlessly inviting. It's like a fresh white t-shirt or finely-knit jumper, and ideal for those who don't gravitate towards very heavy amber or spice fragrances. It's a scent I personally reach for most in the winter and springtime.
What is musk in perfume?
Musks have long been used in perfumery, but though they were once animal-derived, alternatives have been used in their place for decades. Today, as luxury fragrance house Creed notes, musk notes in perfume are either down to synthetic musk or a plant-derived alternative.
What does musk smell like in perfume?
Musk is an animalic note that manages to be lots of things at once; creamy and softly sweet, some describe it as being slightly woody or powdery. There are no hard or fast rules in perfume, but musks are often middle or base perfume notes that you smell as the perfume wears, which is what gives off that cosy impression.
