Clair de Musc

Clair de Musc, Serge Lutens' subtle olfactory reinterpretation

When Clair de Musc becomes purity

Originally, musk is a raw material of bestial origin. It comes from the secretion of a gland of the musk deer, an animal living in Asia, Siberia or the Himalayas. However, hunting this animal is now strictly forbidden and musk is therefore a reconstituted raw material in perfumery. Its scent is quite strong, animal, woody and very sensual. It is a particularly warm ingredient that often defines the base notes of perfumes. For centuries, it has been considered one of the most aphrodisiac and erotic ingredients in the entire world of perfumery. Yet here it is worked in a very different way. After all, let us not forget that this is a perfume by Serge Lutens and that he does nothing like everyone else! That is precisely where his hallmark lies. The musk here displays an uncommon luminosity and purity. It presents itself as particularly soft and becomes almost akin to crystal. Serge Lutens then says of it that it is «lighter than ever. It promises a caress, he says. Advancing on moonless steps, the musk here forgets the beast to retain only its allure.»

The unique scent of Serge Lutens' musk

Once again, the least one can say of this perfume is that it resembles no other. Clair de Musc opens with an aldehydic and soapy accord. This reveals itself to be quite vintage. Nevertheless, its retro side suits it perfectly! Its heart, for its part, displays a more carnal sensuality built on white flowers. One could almost detect the presence of rose and iris accompanied by a creamy sandalwood. Yet, as always, Serge Lutens has taken great care to keep his secret formula. Its base, meanwhile, proves more powdery and cottony. Clair de Musc is a chaste and innocent essence. Devotees of the Serge Lutens brand will even recognise in it a kind of antithesis to the celebrated Musc Koubäï Khän, which is far more sulphurous and animal. Clair de Musc is therefore a perfume «on the wire», as though in perfect balance on the border of sensuality without ever fully tipping into it. Clair de Musc is akin to a gentle caress that nonetheless presages no debauchery or lust on the horizon.

The Eau de Parfum Clair de Musc by Serge Lutens

Clair de Musc by Serge Lutens. For centuries, musk has been considered one of the most sensual components in perfumery. Serge Lutens wanted a luminous scent that would retain from musk only its purity and softness.

As clear as crystal, this musk draws its transparency through orange blossom and powders itself with white iris from Tuscany. It is a subtle alchemy, inspired by Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, the expression of a style that unites the abstract and the light.

"A musk born from a rock crystal dominating the peaks of eternal snow. A purified, filtered extract, secreted by this luminous astral glow. A clear and soft reflection of moonlight, a perfume in clarity." Serge Lutens

Notes: Musk, Powdery Musk, Bergamot, Neroli Petals, Powdery Iris from Tuscany.

ALCOHOL, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), AQUA (WATER), BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, LIMONENE, COUMARIN, LINALOOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, BENZYL BENZOATE, GERANIOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, CITRONELLOL, FARNESOL, CINNAMYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRAL, EUGENOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, ISOEUGENOL, CI 60730 (EXT. VIOLET 2)