Musk in perfume: what it smells like and which FAAN bottles use it

Musk is the note you notice least and miss most. It rarely announces itself. It sits under the other notes and makes a scent smell like skin instead of like a bottle. Here is what it is and where it sits in our range.

What musk smells like, and what it does not

Musk is soft and warm, close to skin, and a little powdery or sweet. Think clean laundry, a cashmere scarf, the inside of a collar. White musk leans fresh and soapy. Other musks are rounder and warmer.

It does not smell animal or dirty in a modern perfume. Natural animal musk belongs to the history of perfumery, and today's musks are made as aroma materials. The note name tells you what the scent is like, not what the material is, and we cannot say which material a particular bottle uses.

How perfumers use musk: top, heart or base

Musk is a base note. It evaporates slowly and gives other materials something to hold on to, so the dry-down smells fuller and lasts longer. It also smooths the join between woods, resins and flowers. In some scents it is nearly all there is: a clean, skin-close veil.

Musk in the FAAN range

Six bottles list musk, all in the base:

• Amjad Coral: musk with Ambrofix, Akigalawood and cedar. Fresh and woody, Extrait.
• Qasida Sahm: musk with oud, nagarmotha, amber, leather accord, vetiver and wolfwood. Fruit first, dark last.
• Qasida Senses: white musk with sandalwood, patchouli and woody notes. Fruity and floral.
• Amjad Kingdom: musk with labdanum, ambergris and Amber Xtreme. Powdery and resinous, Extrait.
• Qasida Purity: cashmere musk with sandalwood milk and vanilla. Creamy white floral.
• Qasida Bidaya: white musk with vanilla bean, benzoin and leather. Warm and resinous, Extrait.

What musk is paired with in these pyramids

Musk does different work in each. With cedar and Akigalawood (Coral) it is dry and clean. With oud and leather (Sahm) it softens the dark finish. With sandalwood milk and vanilla (Purity) it makes a creamy veil. With labdanum and ambergris (Kingdom) it makes a powdery, resin-soft base. With benzoin and leather (Bidaya) it brightens a warm base.

Wearing advice: season, sprays and who tends to like it

Coral, Senses and Purity are the light ones, listed for spring and summer or spring and autumn, with projection 2 or 3 out of 5. Sahm is listed for autumn and spring. Kingdom and Bidaya are listed for autumn and winter. Musk-heavy scents tend to work on clothes as much as skin: one spray on a shirt keeps it for hours.

People who like clean, quiet, close-to-skin scents tend to love musk. People who want a loud scent may find it too plain. It is a good choice if you are careful about perfume at work: see perfume at the office.

If you like musk, start with Amjad Coral

Coral shows musk at its cleanest, with cedar and a woody amber material, under pear and citrus. Read the Amjad Coral review for the full picture. If you want it creamier and closer, take Purity. If you want it in a deeper, powdery resin, take Kingdom. Citrus often opens a musk scent, so the bergamot guide is a good next read. To compare more bottles, see which FAAN perfume to choose or browse all FAAN perfumes.

FAQ

Is musk made from animals?

Not in modern perfumery. Today's musks are made as aroma materials, and the note name describes the smell.

Which FAAN bottle is the cleanest?

Amjad Coral and Qasida Purity are the cleanest, one dry and woody, one creamy and floral.

What if a bottle is sold out?

Ask to be notified on the product page. Orders take 3 to 6 working days in the Netherlands and 5 to 8 working days in the rest of the EU.

Related reading

• Bergamot in perfume: what it smells like and which FAAN bottles use it
• FAAN Amjad Coral review: notes, strength and when to wear it
• Perfume at the office: how much is too much