The 16 Best Musk Perfumes You Need to Try

Musky fragrances say a lot about you and your personality. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best musky perfumes you should look out for to try for yourself. Having a heavy musk scent may sound overpowering, however, it’s an enticing fragrance for you to wear, and is highly adaptable for both night and daytime events. Let’s take a closer look at the top 16 fragrances you can look forward to trying on your next fragrance expedition. 

 

Black Opium Eau de Parfum

Although traditionally a sensual fragrance, the new Black Opium fragrance released in 2014 by Yves Saint Laurent resembles sweeter initial notes. However, the muskiness of the fragrance develops over time, and after a few hours of maturation on the skin. This fragrance is perfect for an evening out when you’re looking to add another element of allure to your look while you’re out and about. 

There areseveral other fragrances on the market that have been inspired by this designer classic, with similar musk notes of pepper, cedarwood, and initial hints of coffee. These notes are what put fragrances like Black Opium on our list of best musky perfumes you have to try. 

 

Oud Wood Eau De Parfum

This Tom Ford classic is a must-have for anyone who wants to add more dynamic to their fragrance. Perfect for elevating your daily getting-ready routine, the fragrance is inspired by spices and incense buried in temples, giving it a musky note throughout its development on the skin. The fragrance is also perfect for both men and women, as it is complex enough that it will emphasise different notes depending on who wears it. 

Using this fragrance as the original inspiration, the Oud Wood scent has been carried through intoseveral other products available from other outlets. 

 

Tobacco Vanille Eau De Parfum

Tom Ford has done really well with their releases of musky fragrances, making them a top feature of best musk perfumes for you to try. The Tobacco Vanille fragrance was inspired by those classic London gentleman’s club scenes, where cigars are lit and cognac is flowing. 

Although inspired by swinging 20s imagery, this is a sophisticated scent to be enjoyed by those with a taste for smokey, musky notes with floral undertones. The fragrance has also been the source of inspiration forother fragrances trending in 2023. 

 

Alien Eau De Parfum

The Alien Eau De Parfum is perfect for the busy working woman who wants her scent to transform with her through the daytime to evening. Just like the powerful women in the world, this scent is a dynamic combination of spice and cashmere wood undertones, with more elements of hardwood and musk coming through throughout the day. 

The wood and spice combination is a trend for musky fragrances this year, with Alien being a driving force behind some of thebest musk fragrances available for you to try. 

 

Vanille Fatale Eau De Parfum

With a driving note of vanilla in the initial scents of this perfume, Vanille Fatale is another Tom Ford that is all about the musky notes, perfect for the rugged man looking to add assertion to his personal brand, or the woman who wants to let the world know she means business. 

With thenotes of leather, wood, tobacco, and oak moss coming through in the base notes, this fragrance has certainly made a name for itself as one of the best musk fragrances around, inspiring the creation of others looking to harness similar undertones. 

 

F***ing Fabulous Eau De Parfum

Another Tom Ford fragrance that has inspired so many others, this slightly edgier take on a classic musky scent is a game changer in the fragrance market today. Having drawn on notes of herbs and wood, the scent develops into a naturally musky aroma as the heart and base tones of leather pull through the initial herbaceous scent. Using leather notes as a grounding scent for fragrances is something many have recreated to produce similar aromas yielding more floral elements to complement the musky tones, giving rise to otherfabulous products on the market today. 

 

Ombre Leather Eau De Parfum

When integrated into a best-selling perfume, leather undertones evoke images of empowerment and dominance, alluding to a musky scent that says you mean business. Combine this with further undertones of jasmine and moss, and you’ve got a fragrance that will build your confidence on a night out or during an important business meeting. 

The Ombre Leather fragrance does all of the above and has served as a main point of inspiration for other fragrances looking to channelleather-like aromas in their brands. 

 

Halfeti Eau De Parfum

What do you get when you build a strong base with notes of agarwood, leather and tonka bean? A beautiful musky fragrance that can only be identified as the genius of Penhaligon in their release of Halfeti. The fragrance was released in 2015 and has pioneered musk and spice scents to inspireother fragrance creators around the world. The undeniably musky development of this fragrance throughout the day is what has earned this fragrance a spot on our list of best musk fragrances you need to check out. 

 

Love, Don't Be Shy Eau De Parfum

This fragrance was designed to remind us all of our first love, with the initial aromas of honeysuckle to represent the innocence of the first meeting and the butterflies of excitement we feel during the initial stages of a new relationship. The fragrance grows into more sophisticated aromas of musk, vanilla and caramel, symbolising the growth of love between two people. Harnessing the sweet aromas that develop into musk undertones is a popular journey forfragrances to try if you’re into musky scents. 

 

Chance Eau De Parfum

Chance has always been a popular option for a fragrance you can wear at any time of the day. Its elegance and sophistication fit into most occasions and is a scent that elevates femininity and softness for women. Chance is designed by Chanel and is the perfect fragrance for anyone who wants to incorporate an element of luxury into their routine. With notes of fresh lemon and musk, thisperfectly balanced perfume is ideal for the dynamic woman. 

 

Le Labo, Santal 33 Eau De Parfum

This fragrance is all about the excitement and thrill of the great outdoors, with aromas of smoke from a wood fire driving the fragrance forward. Although the brand was developed prominently as a male fragrance,recent interpretations have harnessed the notes of iris and cardamom combined with the musky leather to make it equally enticing for either men or women.   

 

Paradoxe Eau De Parfum

Paradoxe is a fantastic fragrance for anyone who wants to combine musky aromas with citrus freshness. The fragrance was initially designed by Prada, but the inspiring integration of orange blossom aromas has given life to an array ofother fragrances that drive similar scents with musky finishes. This fragrance is one of the best musk perfumes out there and is perfect for daytime wear or early evening sundowners. 

 

Decadence Eau De Parfum

One for those who want to channel their inner glamorous side, Marc Jacobs’ Decadence is all about luxury. The spicey initial scents of pepper and coriander awaken the senses as the fragrance matures into a sophisticated balance of vanilla and musk to round the perfume off. This is the perfect addition to a woman’s wardrobe who wants to dress to impress and is great for daytime wear or a night out on the town. 

Similar fragrances have drawn on the great notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom, adding depth and complexity to the fragrance. 

 

Delina Parfums de Marly

The Delina Parfums de Marly is an essential addition to this list, with strong musky aromas stemming from the heart and base notes. This wonderfully feminine fragrance drives fruitiness in its initial scent of sweet fruits like litchi and rhubarb. As the fragrance develops, its complex and dynamic composition is revealed as it develops into a musky masterpiece.Similar fragrances that have been inspired by Delina Parfums de Marly incorporate hints of Turkish rose and cashmere. 

 

Erba Pura Eau De Parfum

A musky sensation for both men and women to wear, Erba Pura Eau De Parfum by Xerjoff is a different take on musky fragrances with highly unique notes of Sicilian citrus fruits inspired by the Italian Mediterranean lifestyle. The musky vanilla integrations offragrances inspired by this perfume develop over time as the scent develops with a few hours of contact on the skin. This is certainly for anyone who wants to turn heads and is perfect to wear on a night out on the town or for any occasion where you want to make a statement. 

 

Gentle Fluidity Gold Eau De Parfum

Gentle Fluidity Gold by Maison Francis Kurkdjian was inspired by the coming together of two identities, represented by the contrasting fragrances of spice and musk in this complex, yet delicious perfume. This final addition to our musky perfume list is an incredible scent for the woman who wants to stand out and embrace the entirety of her personality.Adaptations of this fragrance embody the original elegance intended for this type of fragrance, drawing on notes of wooded musks and fruity smoothness.