Musk explained: from kasturi to clean white musk
What musk is, why today's musks are made without animals, how kasturi differs from white musk, and how to wear and layer musk every day.
By Perfume X Market4 min read
Musk may be the most worn note in the world that hardly anyone can describe. It is the soft, skin-like warmth underneath countless perfumes, and in India it has its own long history as kasturi. Here is what musk is today, and how to choose one you will wear.
Where musk comes from
The word is thought to go back to the Sanskrit muska, and the original material came from the musk deer of the Himalayas. Collecting it harmed the animal, and the musk deer is now protected: trade in natural deer musk is banned in India and across most of the world.
Today the musk in perfumery — ours included — is made without animals, from materials designed to give the same soft, warm effect. There are many of them, from warm and earthy to clean and powdery, which is why one word can cover scents that smell so different.
Kasturi musk
In India, kasturi is the name people grew up with: a warm, slightly earthy musk, close to the old style of attar your grandparents might have worn. Our Kasturi Mushk is built in that tradition — kasturi musk over amber and sandalwood, worn warm and close to the skin.
White musk
White musk is the modern, clean side of the family: the smell of freshly washed cotton and warm skin. It is soft, a little powdery and easy to wear anywhere. Musk Rizali is ours — white musk with almond and vanilla, clean enough for every day.
Why musk feels so personal
Musk sits close to the skin and mixes with your own warmth, so it smells a little different on everyone. Some people also find certain musks hard to smell at all — a well-known quirk of the nose that varies from person to person. If a musk seems to vanish on you, ask someone near you before you put on more. They can usually still smell it.
How much to wear
Because musk is quiet, it is tempting to keep adding more. Resist it. One stroke of a musk attar on each wrist and one at the base of the throat is plenty; musk builds as your skin warms, and the people around you will notice it before you do. In the heat of summer, a clean white musk is one of the most comfortable scents there is to wear.
Musk in sprays
Musk is also the base note that holds many perfumes together. In our House Parfum line, Nazeen sets peony and lychee over white musk, and White London finishes lemon and neroli with it. For the richest version, Musk Rizali is also one of our five extraits.
Layering with musk
Because it is soft and close, musk is the easiest note to layer. Put a musk attar on first and wear something else over it; it rounds off sharp edges and gives the top scent a warmer, softer trail.
- Musk under oud. Musk Rizali beneath Oud Ameer softens oud enough for daytime.
- Musk under florals. Kasturi Mushk beneath Rajnigandha makes a warm tuberose for evenings.
- Musk under fresh. A touch of white musk beneath a citrus spray such as Silver gives you a clean scent for the office.
Choosing between them
If you like the smell of sandalwood agarbatti and old-style attar, start with Kasturi Mushk. If you like the smell of clean laundry and soap, start with Musk Rizali. If you cannot decide, buy both in the 3 ml size and wear one on each wrist for a day. Our guide to fragrance families explains where musk sits among the others, and you can browse every musk on the shelf.
Questions, answered
Is musk made from deer?
Not any more. Trade in natural deer musk is banned in India, and the musk in modern perfumes — including ours — is made without animals.
What is the difference between kasturi and white musk?
Kasturi is the warmer, earthier, traditional Indian style; white musk is cleaner and powdery, like fresh cotton. Kasturi Mushk and Musk Rizali are our two.
Why can't I smell my musk perfume?
Some people barely perceive certain musks, and everyone gets used to their own scent within minutes. Ask someone close by — they can usually smell it.
