Original Musk Eau de Parfum bottle Original Musk
Edp Concentration Edp
U Gender U
2004 Year 1992
££ Price Tier ££
Sublime Eau de Parfum bottle Sublime

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A
Original Musk
B
Sublime
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Which Should You Buy?

Our Verdict - Original Musk Eau de Parfum
Kiehl's Original Musk is utterly divisive. Some call it an animalic, sensual masterpiece, others can't get past the 'fecal' or 'urine' notes. There's also the current formulation issue, with many lamenting a decline in performance and quality. Try before you buy, obviously.
Favourite
Our Verdict - Sublime Eau de Parfum
This is a real marmite scent - you'll either adore its warm, golden embrace or find it a bit too much. Sublime is a truly classic, sophisticated floral that demands attention, but be warned: reformulations divide opinion, so hunt for a vintage bottle if you want the full, unadulterated experience.
Acquired

Scent Profile

Citrus Floral Fruity Green Sweet Warm Woody Earthy Animalic Fresh
Citrus 20% 20%
Floral 43% 39%
Fruity 2% 5%
Green 3% 3%
Sweet 25% 26%
Warm 3% 7%
Woody 5% 6%
Earthy 8% 10%
Animalic 15% 15%
Fresh 15% 15%

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Original Musk EdP
Sublime EdP

Notes

Shared Notes
Bergamot 45% vs 21%
Only in Original Musk Eau de Parfum
Orange Blossom 55%
Shared Notes
Rose 23% vs 24%
Shared Notes
Musk 46% vs 33%
Patchouli 26% vs 23%
Only in Original Musk Eau de Parfum
Tonka Bean 27%
Only in Sublime Eau de Parfum
Amber 43%

Accords

Original Musk Eau de Parfum Sublime Eau de Parfum
100%
Musky
50%
65%
Citrus
100%
84%
White Floral
86%
57%
Yellow Floral
69%
66%
Sweet
65%
66%
Powdery
47%
Amber
63%
54%
Woody
51%
49%
Animalic
47%
Rose
49%
Floral
49%
48%
Patchouli
Musky shared
100%
50%
Citrus shared
65%
100%
White Floral shared
84%
86%
Yellow Floral shared
57%
69%
Sweet shared
66%
65%
Powdery shared
66%
47%
63%
Woody shared
54%
51%
49%
Rose shared
47%
49%
49%
48%

Performance

Original Musk Eau de Parfum Sublime Eau de Parfum
Moderate (4-6h)
Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Moderate
Projection
Strong
Moderate
Intensity
Strong

Season and Occasion Fit

Original Musk Eau de Parfum

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Summer

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Casual
Also Works:
Office

Its intimate sillage and clean-dirty balance make it suitable for casual and date settings, where proximity enhances its appeal. However, the potential for an 'animalic' impression and variable performance means it's less ideal for formal events or the gym.

Sublime Eau de Parfum

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

Sublime's strong sillage and 'old money' feel make it less suitable for the office, where it might be too overpowering. It excels in formal and date settings, conveying elegance and sophistication, as many reviewers indicated it made them feel glamorous and well-dressed.

Similarity Breakdown

Overall
92%
Olfactory
99%
Notes
90%
Accord
82%
Key Similarities

Both share Citrus, White Floral, Yellow Floral accords and Rose, Orange Blossom notes

Key Differences

Subtle differences in overall composition

Where to buy

Original Musk Eau de Parfum
Sublime Eau de Parfum
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