Did you know that perfume dates back thousands of years ago and the ancient Egyptians were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture? If you are looking into buying some perfume in the near future but are wondering “what does musk smell like?” you are in the right place. We have put together this short guide to share more about the musk fragrance scent.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of the musk smell found in perfumes.
Musk Misconceptions
First, let’s dive into some of the common misconceptions about musk. Musk is believed to be a big, strong stinky scent. The truth is that musk in perfumes is the total opposite.
The scent in the perfume world is more subtle and if it were to be a color it is white. Musk in a perfume formula has a powdery but almost nothing smell that can be likened to the scent of a baby’s skin.
Companies use musk in perfume as a balancing base scent that gives the perfume fragrance a lingering warmth and depth.
What Does Musk Smell Like?
Describing the exact scent of musk found in popular fragrances such as Mont Blanc 100ml can be a bit tricky because there are dozens of musks to choose from. Although, musk is used in pretty much every fragrance the human nose has a hard time detecting its scent.
The most common synthetic musks to choose from include:
Habanolide
This synthetic musk scent is a bit “woody” and it has a metallic undertone. You can compare it to a hot iron that is running over a nice clean shirt. This particular musk is a bit stronger than other synthetic musk options.
Galaxolide
Galaxolide musk scent is a bit more floral and sweet. You can compare the smell to clean bed sheets or when you open up a dryer full of freshly dried clothes. This option is mostly found diluted in a solvent which makes its consistency a bit syrup-like.
Ethylene Brassylate
This musk scent option is a bit on the sweeter side. You can smell hints of spices, vanilla, and wood in ethylene brassylate. This is popular in perfumes and musk colognes that want a more intense floral and sweet smell.
Ambrettolide
Ambrettolide has a more soapy scent or aroma. This option also has plenty of fruity undertones. The scent of ambrettolide replicates ambrette seed oil, which comes from the musk mallow plant.
Feeling Like a Musk Fragrance Pro?
We hope that now that we answered the question “what does musk smell like?” you are feeling more knowledgeable about this scent and you can make a more informed decision while shopping for musk perfume.
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