What did Carolyn Bessette Kennedy smell like? According to Internet lore, the style icon was partial to Abdul Kareem Essential Oils Egyptian Musk, which she bought from NYC street vendors. Described as one of the original skin scents, it's supposedly very soft, pure and innocent. It was quoted in Elizabeth Beller's biography, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy that she referred to it as smelling like "clean, first love". It's even referred to in Ryan Murphy's Love Story, where CBK is expertly portrayed by Sarah Pidgeon.
The oil is basically impossible to buy anymore – there's a few reported eBay sellers, but no one with any stock. However that doesn't mean you can possess the same clean, minimalistic magnetism. There's plenty of other musk perfumes available to us – one that was even inspired by Carolyn. Plus, it feels very Carolyn-coded to choose something not because it's trending, but because it speaks to your level of taste.
10 of the best musk perfumes according to RUSSH, below.
Narcisco Rodriguez For Her
This was created by Narcisco, a dear friend of Carolyn's, as an alternative to her beloved Egyptian Musk. It's clean, soft and feminine with notes of osmanthus, amber and patchouli.
Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
This is an amplified skin-musk that's minimal but also very impactful. I'd describe it as disarming, clean but also kind of sexy.
Kiehl's Musk Eau de Toilette
CBK was a fan of Kiehl's as a beauty brand, so it would be remiss to not include the original Kiehl's Musc fragrance (it's apparently a riff on the original original 'love oil'). This is soft and powdery but has a 90s edginess to it that's fun to wear. Vintage but not daggy or outdated.
Matiere Premiere Parisian Musc
This is definitely a musk for fashion people. It's warm and comforting but with complimenting notes of cedarwood and ambrette.
CHANEL Les Exclusifs 1957
Delicate and refined, this soft musk has notes of honey, powder, cedar and neroli. It's super clean and classic, but with an airy lightness that give it a timeless quality.
Violette FR Avec Amour Perfume Oil
This scented oil is the definition of a 'signature'. There's layered notes of musky amber, santal and vetiver giving it an Earthy sweetness that shifts on each individual wearer.
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
Given CBK was not a fan of adornment or superfluous details, Molecule 01 probably would have spoken to her. The first fragrance of its kind at the time, it contains one singular synthetic note that mimics the smell of skin - it also develops based on the wearer's pH. Given Carolyn’s blonde was modelled on her own hair colour at three, I can't help but think she'd adore the concept of “smelling like herself but better”.
Merit Retrospect
This scent has notes of musk but also flowers and aldehydes to distill a sense of soapiness and nostalgia. I can't help but think it's a fragrance for women like Carolyn who are self-assured and exacting when it comes to their taste. Very signature scent energy.
The AYU Black Musk
While still very musk a musk perfume, this scented oil has a rich Earthiness to it that's grounded but intoxicating. With notes of labdanum, jasmine, sandalwood and henna, it's beautifully meditative.
Images: Getty, @fredericmalle
