FRAGRANCE | Original Musk (Blend No. 1) EDT by Kiehl's is classic animalic goodness with a touch of pretty

halfwhiteboy - Kiehl's Original Musk 01

Musk has long been a key ingredient in perfumery. From controversial beginnings that saw the critical decline in the population of a certain deer species, we thankfully now have synthetics that replicate the scent. To think that musk was derived from the sex glands of a male deer, expectations of some pungent, animalic funk are justified and perhaps, logical. However, while the musks we smell in today's fragrances are not all skanky—as some are even clean-smelling or powdery—they still do carry a distinct animalic warmth. So where does Kiehl's Original Musk stand?

To my nose, Kiehl's creation is on the pleasant side although I suspect some people may still find this juice a little too animalic for their tastes. Predictably, musk is a constant here from start to finish. There's a nondescript citrusy zing upon first spray but it dissipates almost right away. The musk stretches its limbs, covering ground and filling the scent with its primal but sexy essence. A melange of florals then surround the musk, adorning it with a subtle sweetness, a touch of soapy freshness, and a powdery attribute. These to me help in presenting a more agreeable image of our main character.

halfwhiteboy - Kiehl's Original Musk 02
halfwhiteboy - Kiehl's Original Musk 03

The result smells clean and inoffensive (to me at least), peppered with occasional hints of saltiness. Though not identical in scent, the vibe reminds me a bit of the current, watered-down formulation of YSL Kouros. It's far from the roaring musks of Karl Lagerfeld Classic or some Areej Le DorĂ© powerhouse. Any association with the musky scent of a sweaty lumberjack is unwarranted because this smells just so fresh and put-together. To be clear, its innate animalic sex appeal is still intact. It's simply glossed over, thinly veiled under an assortment of "prettifying" agents that render the frag easily unisex but with a slight masculine slant. 

The scent has considerable staying power although it doesn't really venture far away from your skin that much, at least after two or so hours. It's light enough for any weather or time of day—unless perhaps if it's exceedingly hot and humid. All said, I think Kiehl's Original Musk is well worth trying. 

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