Photo Courtesy of Chopard

If there’s one thing that reaches the extremes of luxury and sophistication in perfumery, it must be musk. This wonderful animalistic note constitutes the base of the most opulent of fragrances. It balances the olfactory composition of a scent and adds a one-of-a-kind touch of feminine sensuality and warmth to the fragrance. When it comes to benefits, this precious ingredient makes a perfume last longer, as it works as a fixative that reduces the evaporation rate of the other ingredients. After all, isn’t that what we all look for in a fragrance?

Musk was first used by Arab perfume makers, as musk deers are found in Eastern countries such as India and Pakistan. As one of the most expensive luxury goods exported from the East, this olfactory gem is becoming rarer every day and its scent is being developed in laboratories using plants that share similar olfactory properties such as Garden Angelica, Musk Flower or Ambrette seeds.

With fall coming your way, a warm scent will be your best choice. With this in mind, we have chosen the best musk-based fragrances out there for you. Before you hit the fragrance store and treat yourself to a musky perfume, join us in the Photo Gallery below to check out our picks and make this ingredient a must-have in your fragrance collection.

Mirella Haddad