An Old Favourite

Perhaps one of the very first unisex fragrances, Kiehl’s Original Musk Oil, $98; is finally available in New Zealand at Smith & Caughey’s Queen St and Newmarket stores. Its being released as part of the Limited Edition New York Heritage Collection to celebrate 160 years.

Despite the business being in family hands for much of its life, the Original Musk Oil has mysterious beginnings. So Kiehl’s lore says it was found in the late 50s in a vat labelled, ‘Love Oil’ in the flagship store’s basement. It is thought to have been created by a relative of the Kiehl’s founding family – a Russian prince, no less! It didn’t see the light of day until 1963 when it was reformulated and released.

This does of course, coincide with the free love, hippy movement when earthy tones was very much in fashion. Some say that as a fragrance, musk and patchouli came to the fore during this decade for hinting at the exotic and mysterious. Think ashram visiting hippie returning from India or Goa decked out in beads.

It is a delightful smell, not too floral, not too woody. On me, it has a traditional smell – it reminds me of my grandmother. It’s a pretty straightforward musk scent and makes a very definite and pleasant change from all the other fragrances flooding the market lately.

- tamsin xoxo

On counter now at Smith & Caughey’s Queen St and Newmarket stores. Call (09) 377 4770 or (09) 524 8049.