The Musc
Essential Parfums (2018)

On-the-nose rendition of white musk, that form of baby food for the olfactory bulb. Billowy, slightly powdery, with accents of orris-like wax, this is the scent that, in its variants, runs the domestic gamut from fabric conditioner to baby wipes. The only point of deviation here is an ever-so-slight raising of the temperature by a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance of ginger. This is ‘Essential’ in a stripped-to-the-basics kind of way, which sadly seems to preclude the ‘Exceptional’. That is my main gripe with this line – many decent perfumes, but none that are great, with only Bois Impérial coming anywhere close to that latter descriptor.

Clean, airy mix of hair spray and laundry musks. Reminds me somewhat of baby powder products in the opening. Leans fem to me throughout.

Projection is very strong and persistent, pushing into cloying territory for me. Lasts all day.