I love to wear perfumes from every single fragrance family. Floral perfumes are great for summer, citrus scents are my go-to when I'm in the mood for a light fragrance, and gourmands are my preferred profile in the winter. But regardless of the season, the best musk fragrances are hands-down my favorite for all-year wear.
The synthetic note (meaning it is designed from compounds that can replicate a natural musk) is known for its skin-like quality. Musks are generally warm and earthy, a bit woodsy, and occasionally powdery. They can also add incredible complexity to and play well with other fragrance profiles, which, as a massive fan of fragrance layering, is a huge plus in my book. Now, the musks that perfume fans know and love are entering a new, and very chic era.
Gone are the days when you'd only find musk notes in woody, oftentimes masculine-leaning formulas, or ultra-feminine floral scents that feel dated and screechy. You’ll now find musk mixed with unexpected notes (think dewy florals or animalistic scents like ambergris) to provide a lighter, cleaner feel, says Carine Certain Boin, a Givaudan senior perfumer. “Fresh and radiant scents are trending,” she reveals to Marie Claire. “These ingredients pair beautifully with musk’s warmth, leading an enigmatic depth to the fragrance with a unique, contemporary freshness.”
I'm personally a big fan of the note and have built up a rather extensive collection of perfumes that feature it over the years. Intrigued? Keep scrolling for the 10 best musk fragrances to enhance your fragrance wardrobe and leave beautiful strangers aching to say hello. Apologies in advance to your credit card.
Best Musk Fragrances
- Best Overall Musk Fragrance: Diptyque Fleur de Peau
- Best Aquatic Musk Fragrance: 27 87 Per Se Eau de Parfum
- Best Leather Musk Fragrance: Balmain Carbone Eau de Parfum
- Best Amber Musk Fragrance: Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur Eau de Parfum
- Best Lightweight Musk Fragrance: YSL Libre Eau de Parfum
Looking for a clean scent with a highbrow vintage feel? Fleur de Peau offers the kind of sophistication that perfectly encapsulates those chic old-money vibes. It mixes musk, iris, ambrette, and pink peppercorn for an elevated freshness that is deepened with a darker base. It's not too powdery or too soapy; it hits just right.
Fragrance Family: Floral Musk
Key Notes: Musk; Iris; Ambrette; Pink Peppercorn
Size: 75 ml
What I Love: It’s not overwhelmingly floral or sweet.
What I Don’t: It can be too powdery for some.
Review for MC: “Something about this classic musk makes me want to lean into my dream dark academia aesthetic. It opens with a lovely, clean powder scent that dries down to a warm amber and musk that relays a nostalgia for the era of refined literature, poetry, and art. And the holiday packaging? As a known Christmas lover, no notes; it is perfect.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey wear Diptyque Fleur De Peau - Holiday Edition Eau De Parfum.
Imagine you’re vacationing in a quaint New England town where you wake up to the smell of fresh linens and the Atlantic sea breeze every morning. If you could capture that aquatic scent in a bottle, you’d get Per Se. It mixes notes of pink and black pepper, musk, and oris butter to awaken the senses with its clean aura before settling into a more rounded and warm musk that’s beautiful on the skin.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: Pink and Black Pepper; Musk; Orris Butter
Size: 87 ml
What I Love: It’s a light, airy musk that feels new and pairs well with other scents for layering
What I Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as the others.
Review for MC: “What a refreshingly unique take on a musk scent. It has an aquatic feel upon first whiff to give you that clean, airy vibe and then dries down to a lovely warm musk floral that just feels so calming. It makes my inner coastal grandmother very happy.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble wears 27 87 Per Sé Eau De Parfum.
What Boin describes as “a musk scent with amazing depth and intricate carnal notes,” Balmain’s latest launch, Carbone, should be on everyone’s radar. It mixes white musk, rose, suede, and patchouli notes for a deep and luxurious scent that starts off fresh and powdery before developing into that robust leather and musk base. It's alluring and bold in the best way possible.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: White Musk; Rose NeoAbsolute; Suede; Patchouli
Size: 50 ml
What I Love: It has a smoky tone that really elevates this warm musk.
What I Don’t: It’s very potent upon first spritz and does not let up. It may be too intense for some who are looking for something more subtle.
Review for MC: “What does it mean to smell expensive? It means Carbone. The fresh, warm white musk rounds out this rich, smoky leather to give the smell more dimension. It’s what I’d imagine nepo babies who went to boarding school in Switzerland and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list would wear to meetings with their hedge fund managers. So fellow bougie girlies, this is what you should be reaching for ASAP.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble wear Balmain Paris Carbone Eau De Parfum.
With a burst of bold top notes, this is arguably the most complex and interesting musk scent on this list. It opens with a bright floral profile of neroli and lavender, gradually growing into a spicy cinnamon. Moments later, it dries down with a rich, warm base of vanilla, musk, and cedar. What could’ve been a disaster of mixing too much at once instead creates something so buttery and soothing that it’s love at first sniff.
Fragrance Family: Amber Musk
Key Notes: Bergamot; Vanilla; Cinnamon; White Musk
Size: 100 ml
What I Love: It’s rich and a complex layer of gourmand, green, and musk notes.
What I Don’t: There’s a hint of spice that can come across as too Christmas-like for some.
Review for MC: “As an Aquarius, it is a rule that I must gravitate towards more unique and complex fragrances. So, it’s no shock that this is one of my favorite scents ever. You’re hit with a lot of bold notes—bergamot, neroli, cinnamon, musk, vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli—that work harmoniously together for a lovely, warm, spicy musk that lasts all day. It really feels like a warm winter hug.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble wear Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur.
Flirty and fun, Libre excites every one of my senses. It’s a light floral mix of lavender and orange blossom that is airy and delicate at first spray. But it is quickly warmed by a grounding vanilla and musk base, making for a perfect everyday scent. Consider this your favorite body-hugging knit dress in perfume form.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Lavender; Orange Blossom; Musk Accord; Vanilla
Size: 5.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a light floral that pairs so lovely with its heavier musk and vanilla notes.
What We Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as we’d like.
Review for MC: “This is truly a delightful mix of florals, musk, and vanilla. I feel a boost of energy and happiness with one whiff. I like to spritz this on when meeting new people or going on a first date to leave a lasting impression. ” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble wears YSL Libre Eau De Parfum.
Palatine hits the sweet spot (pun intended) of celebrating its bold floral and warm notes without overwhelming the wearer. The scent is a mix of mandarin, sandalwood, and musk for a gourmand smell that is evenly balanced and full of depth.
Fragrance Family: Floral Musk
Key Notes: Mandarin; Sandalwood; Musk
Size: 2.5 fl oz.
What I Love: It strikes the perfect balance between sweet floral and warm musk.
What I Don’t: It still skews on the sweet side, which might turn off those who are floral-averse.
Customer Review: “Another amazing new niche fragrance from Parfums de Marly. It has such a beautiful dry down. I have been a Delina girl for years, and I have received so many compliments. I am so amazed that I have received even more compliments since wearing Palatine. Just buy it. I just love it!” — Nordstrom
Beloved by fans and beauty experts everywhere, Merit’s first foray into the fragrance world has become an instant hit (It even made our list of Best New Perfumes of 2024). Quiet luxury in perfume form, this combines bergamot, jasmine, and musk to give you a creamy musk that isn’t too heavy. And the bottle, with its abstract and modern design, is a stunning work of art in and of itself.
Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy
Key Notes: Bergamot; Jasmine; Musk
Size: 30 ml
What I Love: It’s a soft and creamy scent that won’t overwhelm you.
What I Don’t: It’s almost too subtle; we’d love for it to smell a bit stronger.
Customer Review: “Unique, clean, luxurious, romantic, grown. This fragrance takes you to a new level. It’s an immediate upgrade. It makes me feel relaxed, like I’m lying on a quiet, sun-soaked beach in Italy. Smells of jasmine and vanilla. It’s creamy, strong, and not overpowering. It’s an extrait, so you get a more pure fragrance. Longevity on my skin is excellent, I typically lose a scent in a few hours, this is long wear. If you’re a signature scent seeker, this is the one.” — Sephora
Crowned Marie Claire’s Best New Perfume of 2024 overall and one of Beauty Editor Samantha Holender's personal favorites, consider this an elevated iteration of the classic 2013 Amber Musk. You experience the same warm, earthy base, but the added santal note brightens the scent for something that feels a bit more modern.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: Amber; Musk; Santal
Size: 1.7 fl oz.
What I Love: The santal adds a brightness to the musk for a more fun spin
What I Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as others on this list.
Customer Review: “I really love this perfume offered by Aerin! It smells like a cozy fall night by the fireplace. It has a warm and sweet scent with Sandalwood, Rose, Vanilla, and Amber. Mix it with other perfumes to make it smell even better. The creator, Aerin, says it feels like a warm hug, and I think that’s true!” — Nordstrom
The original Glossier You sits on the pantheon of musk greats for good reason. It combines pink pepper, iris, and ambrox (a natural ingredient extracted from clary sage) for a warm powder scent that adapts to your skin’s chemistry. It leaves you with a unique smell that feels customized just for you. Is there anything chicer than a bespoke experience? We think not.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: Pink Pepper; Iris; Abrox
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It smells different on each person, providing a more bespoke scent experience.
What We Don’t: It’s not as long-lasting as we’d like.
Customer Review: “My favorite perfume I’ve ever owned. Bought it the second I smelled the bottle at my friends house. I’ve turned at least three people on to this perfume, it’s the only one I’ll buy now.” — Sephora
A mix of white musk, bergamot, and wood gives you that skin-like feel that’s intimately warm and cozy, like being held by the love of your life (or that situationship that you’re currently obsessing over). If you can’t immediately be close to that person, spritzing this on might be the next best thing.
Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy Musk
Key Notes: Skin Musk; Bergamot Nectar; Blonde Wood
Size: 1.7 oz.
What We Love: It’s a warm and cozy scent that feels comforting.
What We Don’t: It can be too subtle for some and fade quickly.
Customer Review: “This is one of those perfumes that you have to spray on your skin to experience it truly. When it’s sprayed on a tester stick, it smells like alcohol and almost nothing. I did not get the hype at all. But when I sprayed it on my skin, it really does smell like a warm hug. It’s so hard to explain.” — Sephora
What Is a Musk Perfume?
Musk is often referred to as a “second skin” scent, which Boin describes as soft and warm. “It enhances the long-lasting power of the fragrance and brings more comfort,” she says. Musks can range from a clean and pure profile to a sexier, even animalistic makeup reminiscent of natural skin.
“It provides a sensual, earthy aroma and often serves as a base note that can anchor lighter, more fleeting scents,” adds Monet. “Notes like woods, ambers, and resins are commonly paired with musk to enhance its longevity and depth.”
What to Look For in a Musk Fragrance?
- Profile
Boin says that a musk fragrance must feel natural to you, as they are multifaceted scents that can range in smell. What a scent smells like on your skin might be totally different on your best friend (cool!), and that's one of the fun things about each person's unique olfactive personality. “Whether you prefer a gentle, clean radiance or a more daring, sensual edge, the right choice will reflect your unique style and feel like an extension of yourself,” she says.
- Notes
Monet adds that you’ll want to look for a musk with ingredients known for their lasting power, such as wood, resins, and ambers. “The balance and synergy between ingredients, rather than relying solely on musk, is key for a long-lasting scent that wears well throughout the day,” she says.
- Layering Options
While a musk fragrance can stand on its own, it makes for a great base for a fragrance layering wardrobe. “It layers easily with other scents, adding sensuality and a cozy, enveloping feeling,” says Boin. Want to add brightness to a floral? Add a musk. Looking for a clean spin to a citrus note? Add a musk. Trying to deepen a woody or ambery scent? She says musk will round out those warm scents with an added dose of mystery. The possibilities are endless. Seems like it's time to go fragrance shopping.
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How We Tested
To compile this list of the best musk fragrances, we scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. We also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks and asked independent and staff testers to try a mix of cult favorites and new launches.
For each musk fragrance we tested, we assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasts, and its overall scent as the day went on.
Meet the Experts
Carine Certain Boin is a senior perfumer at Givaudan.
Alexandra Monet is a perfumer at DMS-Firmenich.