Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy

Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy

$425 at Bergdorf Goodman

Inspired by the smokey bars of the 1970’s era Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, this virile cologne might be technically unisex, but the deep, rich notes of suede, tobacco, musk and amber commingle to evoke a Midnight Cowboy kind of masculinity that always succeeds in drawing people in.

Molton Brown Milk Musk

Best Subtle Musky Cologne

Molton Brown Milk Musk

$120 at Neiman Marcus$120 at Saks Fifth Avenue$72 at John Lewis

Musk scents don’t always have to grab you by the nose. Case in point: this subtle eau de toilette, a less concentrated form of fragrance, that blends musk with warm vanilla, amber and white cedar for a more subtle, but still attention-grabbing, vibe.

Diptyque Fleur de Peau

Best Floral Musky Cologne

Diptyque Fleur de Peau

$220 at Diptyque

If you think you can’t wear a floral scent, this one is your gateway. Yes, there are floral notes like iris and turkish rose, but the addition of musk lends an earthy, sensual element (that skin smell, remember) and aldehydes add a clean, soapy quality that plays well with both ends of the floral/musk spectrum and makes this wearable both day and night.

Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur

Best Luxury Musky Cologne

Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur

$330 at Neiman Marcus$148 at John Lewis

A double helping of musk (in both the heart and base notes) makes this one of the most iconic musk fragrances available. A burst of freshness from bergamot, mandarin and lavender in the top notes gradually gives way to an animalist and deeply seductive musk fragrance that will never go unnoticed.

Initio Magnetic Blend 7

Best Wood Musky Cologne

Initio Magnetic Blend 7

$310 at Bergdorf Goodman

Worn on its own, this musk-forward fragrance is surprisingly light but still very much noticeable. Fragrance enthusiasts, however, love to spray this on before adding another scent on top. It adds a musky, skin-on-skin element to almost any other fragrance when you want to sex it up a little.

Creed Aventus

Best Iconic Musky Cologne

Creed Aventus

$95 at Nordstrom$550 at Walmart$365 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Creed has been making fragrances since 1760 and even though Aventus only came out in 2010, it’s one of the best selling scents from the brand—and for good reason. The bold, masculine combination of fresh citrus, warm woods and earthy musk powerfully projects confidence for whoever wears (and smells) it.

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

Best Aquatic Musky Cologne

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue

$110 at Ralph Lauren

What makes this eau de toilette so popular is the mix of aquatic and fresh elements with the deeper musky base notes. The combination turns it into one of the most iconic men’s fragrances available, not to mention one of the most wearable for pretty much every occasion.

Offcourt Performance Body Spray

Best Musky Body Spray

Offcourt Performance Body Spray

$12 at offcourt.com

Musky scents aren’t just about darkness and carnal vibes. White musk especially blends well with woods and fresh notes for an elevated but clean aroma. Not only does this body spray utilized that to great effect but it helps deodorize, too, so you stay fresh for hours.

Fulton & Roark Tybee Solid Cologne

Best Solid Musky Cologne

Fulton & Roark Tybee Solid Cologne

$60 at fultonandroark.com

Blended to evoke the crisp air of the beach, this musk-based scent is surprisingly light and summery—a welcome break from the deep, dark scents you commonly associate with musk. The innovative solid application is inherently more subtle (apply it just to your pulse points) but that’s kind of the point with this one.

Jovan Musk

Best Old School Musky Cologne

Jovan Musk

Now 13% Off$16 at Amazon

When you think of a man’s musk cologne, something like this comes to mind. First release in 1973, it is Musk with a capital M—animalistic, arousing and in-your-face sexy like the dance floor at Studio 54. While it definitely smells old-school (we’ll say “classic), it’s just as cool now as it was back in the 70’s.

Le Labo Another 13

Best Niche Musky Cologne

Le Labo Another 13

$97 at Nordstrom$227 at Walmart$220 at Saks Fifth Avenue

You may think Le Labo is all about Santal 33, but don’t sleep on this musky concoction from the brand. The musk in this brew is subtle and paired with the other fresher notes lends a quality that calls to mind fresh laundry and soap (in a good way).

Arquiste Peau Eau de Parfum

Best Sexy Musk Cologne

Arquiste Peau Eau de Parfum

$205 at arquiste.com

The warm notes of this incredibly sexy cologne are meant to evoke skin—more specifically, skin on skin, if you know what we mean. The animalistic quality of musk is used to the effect, but in a more subtle way, and is bolstered by spices and a hint of freshness.

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Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men’s Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving.

Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, has been testing colognes (and musky fragrances) for the past decade, so we absolutely know what we’re talking about.

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