Musk Perfumes

What smells like musk? In its purest form, musk smells sharp, earthy, and animalic. As it sits, you’ll also notice sweet leather notes, along with hints of chocolate and coffee.

You’ll find musk in just about every perfume on the market today, which comes as no surprise. Wild and seductive, musk has been valued for its aphrodisiac power and sensuality for centuries. It can also be used to comfort, much like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket of fluffy goodness. Plus, perfumers love musks because they extend a scent’s longevity and help harmonize a scent with its more dominant components – adding a warm, soft character to either light, clean, dark, or spicy compositions.

Musk got its start in the perfume industry as an ingredient derived from the scent glands of male deers (yes, that was a thing). Thankfully, this animal is now happily protected, and the menagerie has been left out of the equation. In today’s beauty world, a safe, synthetic version of animal musk has taken its place. Alternatively, certain ingredients like angelica root and ambrette seed are also used by perfumers to recreate the familiar musky smells we love.

Musky scents are unquestionably enthralling. Just a few spritzes of these powerful musk-based fragrances can transport you to a different place entirely. And when it comes down to it, few do it as well as Maison Martin Margiela with its REPLICA Bubble Bath Eau de Toilette. A citrusy blend of soap and bergamot opens this fragrance, followed by sweet floral scents of lavender, rose, and jasmine. Patchouli, coconut, and musk (of course) comprise the base notes. If you like this fragrance, you might also like REPLICA Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette, an enveloping musky fragrance from the same beauty house.

Perhaps you’d prefer something more feminine. In which case, explore Tom Ford’s White Suede Eau de Parfum, a soft amber suede for women that pulsates with a sandalwood-infused woody accord. This is a musk perfume for her that seeks to convey a powerful message of pure, unbridled desire. For a modern take on musk, check out Yves Saint Laurent’s Exquisite Musk Eau de Parfum, for both men and women. This is one of those cases where the name really says it all. Powdery, ambery, and definitely musky – Exquisite Musk is as enticing as it is arousing, while offering just enough warmth to keep things comfortable. In other words, the perfect scent for an intimate evening.

Explore our curated collection of musk perfumes and colognes for both men and women. Dossier’s creations are handcrafted using only the finest natural ingredients from Grasse, France, and are a much more approachable – and less expensive – alternative to some of the world’s most costly luxury brands. Shop now and get free shipping with three or more items in a single purchase.