Musky Perfumes Are the Most Versatile Tool in My Fragrance Wardrobe – Meet My Favourite Scents
'Consequently, 'musk' is elusive to pin down, there are many interpretations ranging from airy with hints of powder to deep, animalic and amber-like,' she adds. Emma also shares that 'each musk has its own nuance' and that it has the ability to 'enhance the scent trail.'
What kind of notes best complement musk?
'Musk pairs well with a wide range of floral and powdery notes, which blend seamlessly to enhance each other,' shares Thibaud.
'At Maison Crivelli, we often use musks as a drydown, combined with vanilla and leather. They allow us to highlight textures and prolong the trail of the perfume,' he explains. 'You'll find it in the background of some of our best-sellers such as Hibiscus Mahajad, Oud Maracuja and Tubéreuse Astrale, where it brings roundness, elegance, and a tactile sensuality that anchors the composition while amplifying its emotional impact,' Thibaud says.
According to Emma, musk pairs effortlessly with 'delicate, dewy florals', such as Jo Malone London's Wild Bluebell cologne. 'Whilst deeper, magnetic musks can give even more gravitas to incense notes or create the perfect foil for the iridescence of citrus,' she adds.
How to best layer musky perfumes
Emma suggests 'layering a minimal, airy musky scent with a soft citrus such as bergamot.'
'Alternatively, use musk to illuminate rich balmy white florals and let them take flight, this makes a mesmerizing way to wear musk into the evening,' she explains.
Thibaud agrees: 'I would pair musks with fresh notes such as citrus or peony, or with soft powdery notes like violet or iris. These combinations create contrast and reveal new dimensions of both the musk and the supporting notes.'
What are the challenges of creating a musky scent?
'As with any formula, true artistry lies in the balance of ingredients and musk can make or break a fragrance,' shares Emma. 'I have heard perfumers refer to musks as the triangles of the orchestra (if a bright and shimmering musk) or the garlic in cuisine (if rich and animalic),' she says.
'Musk requires a high level of technical skill to be handled well. One challenge is to avoid a flat or overly linear structure, especially since musks are often very diffusive yet subtle,' explains Thibaud. 'The goal is to blend them elegantly so they feel both complex and soft, with long-lasting qualities that stay close to the skin without losing their character,' he says.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue Arabia
29-07-2025
- Vogue Arabia
The Hormone Gap: Why Women Are Turning to Holistic Healing for Answers
When I first attended a womb retreat, it didn't make sense to me. As a chronically stressed out lawyer the idea of slowing down, embracing my cycle, or practices like womb steaming were nonsensical. I wanted real solutions. I didn't understand that the root cause wasn't an unhealthy body, but an unhealthy system that was dysregulating my body. In a world where systems are designed in the masculine, being healthy looked like restrictive dieting, over exercising and discipline, whereas the feminine is cyclical and in flow. And it's not just 'woowoo.' When you consider the fact that most medical research only included men until the early 90's, you begin to understand the root of this imbalance, and why so many women are turning elsewhere for healthcare. While it could seem like cortisol face or lymphatic drainage are nothing more than social media trends, they've risen in popularity because there's a need. And for women, it starts with the nervous system. The importance of nervous system regulation 'A dysregulated nervous system doesn't always look like anxiety or panic,' says Dr. Mariana Riveros, a functional medicine doctor at SHA Wellness. 'Often, it hides in plain sight, disguised as gut issues, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue, skin flare-ups, or even autoimmune conditions. That's because the nervous system isn't just in the brain, it's in the body. It communicates with your gut, your adrenals, your ovaries, your immune cells.' According to Dr. Riveros, women are often turning to holistic medicine for hormonal health, because it works in tandem with the nervous system. Instead of treating ailments, like hypothyroidism, infertility or PCOS with medication, practitioners will take a step back and look at quality of sleep, stress levels, and diet. Oftentimes, the root cause is an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which leads to dysregulation, depletion of nutrients and an imbalance in hormonal health. 'When the nervous system is stuck in survival mode, fight, flight, freeze, your digestion slows down, because your body doesn't prioritise breaking down food when it thinks you're in danger,' she says. 'This can lead to bloating, IBS symptoms, food sensitivities, or that constant discomfort in your belly you can't quite name.' Here's the challenging part. The cure? It's not a pill, a day at the spa (althought we love those), or even a month-long retreat. It's a lifestyle change that allows you to slow down and be present consistently. The best way to regulate a nervous system is quality sleep, limiting screen times, and healing the gut through foods rich in pre and probiotics. Dr. Riveros recommends products like Seed, Milamend, and Cymbiotokia's Liver Health+ to help your body rebalance and replenish. Other practices like breathwork, infrared saunas and spending time in nature can also help your body activate its parasympathetic response. Seed DS-01® Daily Synbiotic AED184 Milamend Heat Healer Energy Sauna: With Triple Threat Technology AED8,700
Vogue Arabia
27-07-2025
- Vogue Arabia
Drinking Water is Not the Best Way to Stay Hydrated, According to a Scientific Study
Skip to main content We have been told that we need to drink 2.5 litres of water a day to stay well hydrated. Yet, there is a drink that seems to perform this function even better. A scientific study reveals what it is July 22, 2025 Photo: Iuliia Pilipeichenko Milk hydrates more than water, a study confirms. Here's why we should drink more of it, especially in summer When it comes to hydration, water always seems to be the obvious answer. We know how much water we need to drink per day, but is there an alternative that can bring more hydration to the body other than just water? A scientific study reveals this to us: among the various beverages analysed, milk – both whole and skimmed – was found to be among the most hydrating, even surpassing mineral water in some conditions. But how is this possible? The explanation is to be found in the nutritional composition of milk. Milk or water: which hydrates more? A study changes the rules A study from theUniversity of St. Andrews in Scotland, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, compared different beverages in terms of hydration by analysing fluid retention levels in the hours after drinking. The result? Milk scored higher on the hydration index than water. "Milk contains natural sugars, proteins and fats. These nutrients slow the emptying of the stomach, helping the body retain fluids longer," the researchers explain. Why does milk hydrate more than water? Here's what makes milk a great hydrating drink: High electrolyte content (such as sodium and potassium), which help the body retain fluids Presence of protein and carbohydrates, which slow digestion, prolonging the presence of water in the body Balanced osmolarity, which promotes water absorption by cells When does drinking milk help to hydrate? Although water always remains the most recommended drink under normal conditions, there are times when milk can be an even more effective choice, for example: After strenuous physical activity, to replenish fluids and nutrients In children and the elderly, to promote more complete hydration In periods of mild dehydration, when fluids need to be better retained Milk is therefore also a useful beverage for hydration, particularly in specific situations where retaining more fluid is important. It is certainly not a substitute for water, but it can be added to it intelligently if the need arises. Beware if you are milk intolerant It should be remembered that not everyone can drink milk. Those who are lactose intolerant or have special digestive conditions should consult their doctor. Alternatively, some plant-based drinks (such as soy or oat milk) may offer a good compromise, but they do not achieve the levels of hydration that cow's milk has.
Vogue Arabia
22-07-2025
- Vogue Arabia
'The Devil Wears Prada 2': Shooting, Cast, Release Date, Synopsis and Everything About the Most Awaited Sequel
It looked like it was one of those internet rumours that come and go from time to time, but nope. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a reality and will be released much sooner than we imagined, just in time to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the 2006 film directed by David Frankel in which he adapted the novel of the same title by Lauren Weisberger that was a bestseller since its publication in 2003. In it, Weisberger narrated in the first person her experience as assistant to the editor-in-chief of one of the most important fashion magazines in the world, Runway . A sort of transcript of this magazine that served as a vehicle to uncover the vanities of the fashion world, but also to give the importance it deserves to an industry often branded as frivolous and insubstantial. It was in 2006 when this adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada , which has even had a musical version in London and New York, hit theatres. A cast with Meryl Streep in the role of Miranda Priestley, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt ran like clockwork for a film that became an instant classic and garnered two Oscar nominations that year, for Streep's performance and Patricia Field's incredible costumes. Since then, the film has positioned itself as a reference work for all fashion lovers and has become the less brainy and rather more punkish reverse of other feature films that delve into the world of fashion, such as Robert Altman's unforgettable Pret-a-porter . And in Hollywood where a dearth of ideas has become a running joke, the sequel was a given. What's more, Streep, Hathaway and Blunt took the stage at the 2024 SAG Awards to recreate one of the film's iconic scenes and hint that something was brewing. And so it has been. Who's in the cast of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'? As we've already discussed, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt will return as Miranda, Andy and Emily once again. Stanley Tucci is confirmed to return as Nigel. Joining the cast is Kenneth Branagh in the role of Miranda's husband. Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak and Justin Theroux will also be in the cast. The one who will not return, confirmed, is Adrien Grenier, who in the first installment plays Nate, the real villain of the film according to some fans. What is 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' about? Miranda Priestley has to deal with the loss of influence of luxury magazines and, above all, the lack of advertisers in traditional media. Runway is not what it used to be and to get it afloat again she will have to desperately get the investment of a group of luxury brands that now runs. Emily, the unfortunate character of Emily Blunt in the first of the films, has finally been able to travel to Paris fashion week. Nothing has been announced about Andy Sachs, the recent journalism graduate played by Anne Hathaway. We will remain expectant. Is it possible to see the trailer of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'? Not yet. Only a clip has been advanced in which the heel of the original film has been multiplied by two and the iconic phrases of the first feature are heard in the background.
