Kiehl's Original Musk perfume oil

I never used to understand those people on Make up Alley who made dramatic statements about how their lives would be ruined should a certain favourite product ever be discontinued - always seemed to be a little over the top. But so help me if Kiehl's Original Musk ever becomes discontinued I may have to lay siege to Kiehl's HQ because I love this so much it has become almost a part of my identity - it is MY scent!

I actually didn't like the smell when I first tried it in Liberty a couple of years ago.. I detected something vaguely potentially headache-inducing in it, the same thing that prevents me from using Hei Poa monoi oil even though I love the idea of it and the pretty bottle! However this only seems to last a few seconds (in fact I don't even notice it now) before the oil 'dries down' to a beautiful powdery musky floral sweet something or other. I wish I knew how to describe scents in more eloquent terms but I can't - all I know is that I love this scent and it seems to work well with my skin.

(I will however copy some of the ingredients from the Kiehl's website for those who are curious):


Our special Musk “recipe” begins with an initial creamy, fresh citrus burst of Bergamot Nectar and Orange Blossom...followed by a soft floral bouquet of Rose, Lily, Ylang-Ylang and Neroli. Finally, Original Musk Eau de Toilette dries down to a warm, sensual Oriental finish of Tonka Bean, White Patchouli and, of course, Musk...the soul of this distinctively modern scent...


Can't say I get anything citrusy - it smells much softer somehow than that but hey - them's the ingredients!


Original Musk is the only scent I've ever worn that multiple people have commented on. Not in an 'ooh, what perfume are you wearing?' way - it's not that obvious. More likely what will happen is that someone in close proximity will start sniffing the air with a slightly puzzled air, and enquire as to what that lovely smell is (cue smug flourish of wrist).

I love how the oil melts into the skin, and the scent lingers. Something about it is just more sensual than spraying some harsh sneeze-inducing perfume on your skin. I wear this year round; it seems as appropriate on sultry summer days as it does on cold winter ones.

I also adore the glass vial, pictured above (although the label has faded away somewhat). Unfortunately Kiehl's has changed the packaging of it's perfume oils to a roller ball format (and they're now called Essence Oils) which I am a bit dischuffed about. Something about upturning the small vial, and how it sits on my dressing table like a secret potion, I love. I haven't run out of my vial yet and when I do I will purchase the roller ball, but I'm even wondering if I can somehow transfer said rollerball contents to my vial - that's how much I love it.

The oils come in three other scents - Grapefruit, Vanilla, and Coriander. If the vanilla one is anything like Kiehl's discontinued vanilla body lotion which I absolutely loved I would certainly love to try that, and I like the sound of the coriander one too. I think the oils used to come in Cucumber too as I purchased a cucumber roller ball off eBay a while ago. However it smelled so unpleasant and artificial I threw it away - maybe a dud or had just gone off or something. Anyway I digress...

Have you tried any of the Kiehl's perfume oils, or are there any other musky oils you'd recommend?

Kiehl's Essence Oils with roller ball applicator retail at £21 for 7ml.