Musk Tahara Al Faransi

This is one of my favourites in the musk line by AKAF. I bought 3 different musk perfumes (along others) after spending over an hour with the perfumer in his shop in Birmingham. I tested almost all he had on display and chose 3 musks: this one, massilia, and wasima. I immediately picked the citrussy notes (lemon, verbena) and I asked if he added cocoa in the notes too. Apparently it was the hazelnut note, which is very earthy and rich here. The richness of the hazelnuts here gets even better with the sandalwood, giving it a slightly woody vibe too. The rest of the notes are more tamed,including the honey, rose and lotus. Saying that, these 3 add mild sweetness to the perfume without making it a sweet or floral musk. I'm addicted to this one, especially with the citrus and nut notes mixed with the soapy white musk. I will likely be buying more of it when my bottle finishes.

This is a delightful soft sweet vanilla musk. I did not get the opening citrus, and hazelnut notes, it went straight to the musk, vanilla with a slight rose fragrance. Perfumes smell different on us all. Once it warmed with my skin I could smell sandalwood and the sweetness of honey. This is a beautiful oil that comes in a gorgeous 9ml bottle and you only need a drop or two on your finger to apply to your pulse points. Light, sweet and warm is what I get, this is a fragrance that will not overpower the senses. Delicious and a great add to your collection.

This is happiness in a bottle. It opens with a summery note of lemon/verbena and a delicious hazelnut note. The hazelnut here is not a cloyingly sweet like nutella, but feels more earthy and savory. After an hour, this becomes a creamy skin scent on me. Another beautiful musk from this house.

A delightfully lush floral musk with excellent longevity (over 12 hours) and moderate silage.The notes that are most prominent on my skin are hazelnuts, lemon, honey, lotus, rose,and musk. I smell luscious.

now this is nice. the hazelnut is fleeting (alas) but lovely. and the dry-down is a clean, soapy, yet slightly sweet musk, rather addictive, actually (i thought i didn't like it and then kept sniffing my arm. i think i'll get a bottle of this. ha.)

Well.... I may or may not be smelling the same batch as others, but my impression of Musk Tahara is that of an extremely WHITE, plush musk. If I use my imagination I can smell the softest hazelnuts and touches of the other notes mentioned. But at no time do I notice Taif Rose. Very similar to many a high quality white musk from the middle east - powdery, soft, pureness. Very gentle but persistent. The thick paste looks identical to that sold in a beautiful bottle by Al Rehab called 'Musk al Aroosah' (musk for the bride) and also smells quite similar to the edp sold by Lattafa as Khalis Musk (pure musk). White musks have a distinct role in the Arabian world, as it appears they are used (among other things) for personal hygiene, for layering, on honeymoon, and to calm small infants! Naturally, many houses would offer their own version. While white musk is not generally my favorite fragrance, I would love to smell this white world of freshly laundered, calming goodness on more people. Ideal for those resistant to the notion of perfume.... or those looking for a 'safe' exotic gift. ;) Update - no wonder at the difference in impressions! I am reviewing 'Musk Tahara YEMENI' - which has different notes than Musk Tahara.

When I smell this it brings me back to being in the town of Sorrento, Italy “The Lemon Capital of the World.” The warm and lemony scent reminds me of all the little Lemon themed shops. To me this scent sits close to the skin but whenever I catch a whiff I’m instantly transported back to Sorrento.