If there’s one brand (designer or otherwise) that does musk to perfection, it’s Narciso Rodriguez.
Since its fragrance debut in 2003, the company founded by the award-winning American designer (who could forget his dresses for Carolyn Bessette and Michelle Obama?) has made its name with perfumes that all have a musk theme.
Apparently, the designer is very involved in the creation of the fragrances and his renowned attention to detail shows in the results.
The brand has two main collections – For Her and Narciso – and has been remarkably consistent with the quality of its releases.
The bottles also deserve a mention for their minimalist and modern style.
Where known, the name of the perfumer/s is included in brackets after the name of the fragrance.
Our Top Recommendations
Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDP (Christine Nagel & Francis Kurkdjian)
This Narciso Rodriguez 2003 release is where it all started. Created by two perfumers at the top of their game, it’s hugely popular for good reason.
It opens with the warmth of fresh African orange blossom and fruity osmanthus notes. Bergamot adds a touch of citrus crispness.
The large dose of musk, with soft amber in support, is unashamedly sensual and surprisingly potent for an EDT.
The drydown is earthier in style, with notes of vetiver and patchouli.
Setting the standard for all Narciso Rodriguez fragrances to follow, it bagged the British FiFi Award for Best New Fragrance in 2003 and the Fragrance of the Year/Women’s Nouveau Niche award in 2004.
Released in 2006, the sweeter EDP version is also highly recommended.
Narciso Rodriguez Essence EDP (Alberto Morillas)
Looking for an ultra-clean, almost laundry-ish scent? Then this 2009 release is well worth sniffing out.
Master perfumer Alberto Morillas gives floral notes of rose and iris the powdery and soapy treatment. They’re wrapped in musk, with benzoin giving the composition a resinous vanilla feel.
Cool, chic and slightly metallic, it’s been compared to Estée Lauder Pleasures (which Morillas co-created) and Nivea Crème. We think that’s a good thing as it captures its simplicity and appeal.
Discontinued but still much in demand, best shop around for this one online as it’s going for eye-watering prices.
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso EDP (Aurélien Guichard)
This 2014 release marked the launch of the Narciso range, with its easily recognizable cube bottles. We’re yet to find one in the line we don’t love.
It opens with a superbly creamy note of gardenia – rich, heady, and intoxicating. A delicate Bulgarian rose note lingers in the background.
The heart is dominated by a luxurious and enveloping musk, while the double dose of cedar – black and white – and vetiver in the drydown gives this EDP woody and earthy depth.
Don’t let the seemingly pure stone-white cube fool you – it’s pure seduction in a bottle.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her L'absolu EDP (Aurélien Guichard)
This 2015 release makes a big and bold statement from the get-go.
It couldn’t be any other way with indolic tuberose and jasmine at the fore, which is perfectly partnered with wafts of powdery musk.
The patchouli in the drydown, wonderfully spicy and warm, is blended with a slightly sweet amber accord and creamy sandalwood.
We’re not sure why this intense, irresistible and deliciously dark beauty was discontinued. Hunt it down while you can.
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso EDP Poudrée (Aurélien Guichard)
Launched in 2016, Poudrée is the second addition to the Narciso range and, as its name suggests, is all about sensual powderiness.
There's plenty of that in the opening where Bulgarian rose mingles with fresh jasmine. It's stylishly sweet and thoroughly addictive.
All Narciso Rodriguez scents riff on musk and this one extends the powdery theme in a clean way, without ever being clinical.
After all that airiness, it's grounded in a woody drydown of cedars (black and white) and vetiver.
Bravo to perfumer Aurélien Guichard for another stellar creation!
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Fleur Musc EDP (Calice Becker & Sonia Constant)
We normally say: don’t judge a perfume by its bottle. But it in the case of this 2017 release, with its Barbie-pink colour, the scent is equally audacious standout stuff.
A powerful statement rose makes its presence felt right from the start. Pink peppercorns add soft spice, while peony amplifies the freshness.
The captivating musk is complemented by the warmth of an amber accord and patchouli in the drydown.
If you want to blend in with your surroundings, please look the other way. If you want to make a grand entrance and leave a devastatingly chic trail, spray away.
Narciso Rodriguez Santal Musc EDP Intense (Caroline Sabas & Sonia Constant)
One of the less-known Narciso Rodriguez releases, from the Oriental Musc Editions Collection produced for the Middle East market, this 2017 creation has quality written all over it.
The signature Narciso Rodriguez musk is there, of course. But it's the sandalwood – creamy and rich – that shines in this EDP.
Its sensual warmth is developed with the resinous spice of cardamom and the woody-floral hues of ylang-ylang.
Other EDPs from the range – in particular, Amber Musc and Rose Musc – are worthy of your attention, too.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Pure Musc EDP (Sonia Constant)
This 2019 addition to the For Her line epitomises pure wholesome goodness.
It's fresh and green in the opening, yet comfy and cosy at the same time.
White florals amplify that effect, while the synthetic cashmeran adds musky woodiness to the soothing mix.
On paper, this EDP sounds simple, but Sonia Constant, who has produced several great fragrances for the fashion brand, gives it refined character.
With its gentle musk caress, it’s one of our favourite bedtime scents.
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Rouge EDT (Sonia Constant & Nadege Le Garlantezec)
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Rouge EDP is a rich fragrance with lashings of musk and pronounced notes of iris and rose.
Launched in 2019, the EDT version is not a radical reinvention of the original but is well worth exploring if you want a more toned-down experience of the brand's trademark musk.
It opens with notes of rose and lily-of-the-valley. The latter gives the scent a tinge of green freshness.
The musk comes through soon after that and is complemented by the vanilla-ish tones of tonka bean in the woody drydown.
Narciso Rodriguez Narciso EDP Ambrée (Aurélien Guichard)
The Narciso range took a tropical direction with this 2020 release.
Opening with fruity-floral notes of frangipani and ylang-ylang from Madagascar, the mood is lush and languid.
An amber accord – warm, cosy and powdery – is teamed with sultry musk.
Cashmeran stands out in the drydown and maintains the beautiful and softly sweet musky-amber vibe.
It feels like we’re on an exotic summer vacation whenever we wear it.
The 2021 variation, Narciso Eau Néroli Ambrée EDT, with its more citrus disposition, is also worth checking out.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Fleur Musc EDT Florale (Sonia Constant)
Some people might find For Her Fleur Musc EDP too full-on and opulent (is there such a thing?), so this 2020 creation can be seen as a gentler version, with its own appeal.
There's bergamot freshness at the top, with pink peppercorns adding a softly spicy aspect.
Powdery rose blooms in the heart of the scent. Of course, the signature Narciso Rodriguez musk is there to sensualise it all, and touches of amber and patchouli wrap it up oh so gracefully.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Noir EDP (Sonia Constant)
So the latest addition (2021) to the For Her range is perhaps not as dark as its name suggests... But that doesn't mean this EDP isn't another goodie.
The intro features the subtle fruity sweetness of a plum note.
The brand's signature musk is given vanilla-ish, slightly nutty qualities through the adroit use of heliotropin. A tender rose note adds to the powderiness.
Settling with a suede accord, which accentuates the powdery, musky feel, it’s more of a skin scent.
Richard Goller is a fragrance and grooming blogger. His blog is called Fragroom. A senior editor with 20 years' experience, his blog allows him to combine two of his passions: engaging content and the always-intriguing world of fragrances. When he isn't blogging, you'll find Richard indulging in his newly found passion for balcony gardening.
