White Musk

I went through several bottles of The Body Shop's "White Musk" perfume oil in the past, noticing that the formula has clearly changed after L'Oreal's acquisition in 2006. While it's still an enjoyable scent, I feel it's lost some of its former charm and now appears overly synthetic compared to its pre-2006 version. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when it was marketed with a black cap, this perfume oil had a potent intensity that lingered throughout the day and left a lasting impression on fabrics. I miss those vintage bottles! The last bottle I purchased had a white cap in 2007, but even then, I detected a shift towards a more synthetic and weaker fragrance. Since then, I've stopped buying it and only tested the newer version with a purple label. Unfortunately, it's even more forgettable to me now. While others might appreciate its current form, for someone who experienced the original "White Musk", it's a great shame that this iconic scent has lost its essence over time.

I revisited this scent a few years ago, instantly transported back to my teenage years in a warm, powdery, musky embrace. I wore it almost daily until they reformulated and redesigned the packaging from purple to clear. The new version is noticeably weaker and has shorter longevity. I'm currently on my final bottle of the original formula and won't repurchase once it's gone. Extremely dissatisfied and eagerly seeking a suitable replacement.

This perfume evokes strong nostalgic feelings for me as it's been a familiar scent to me since my sister has worn it for decades. I often combine it with Narciso Rodriguez FH or Pink Sugar, and always carry the oil version in my purse as it is the best musk fragrance I've ever encountered, conveying both sensuality and softness.

I'm perplexed by others' reactions, for when I catch a whiff of this scent, I'm immediately transported to a common public restroom, with its distinctive notes of disinfectant and cleaning products used in those areas.

I nostalgically recall wearing this perfume during my junior high years, when its sweet aroma would linger on me for an eternity. Its exceptional longevity and impressive projection left a lasting impression. Considering its affordable price point, it was an outstanding value at the time. My fondness for musk in fragrance base notes is well-documented, and this perfume certainly satisfied that craving.