Musk is Great

First Impressions & Dry Down

Musk is Great promises a clean, bright musk experience, and it mostly delivers. The opening is a cheerful citrus blast – the bergamot and mandarin are quite prominent, though leaning a bit synthetic. A definite resemblance to Initio’s Musk Therapy is there, maybe hitting around 89% accuracy. The magnolia heart emerges quickly, adding a creamy floral touch that keeps it from being purely soapy. Unlike the original, I detect a slightly sharper, less rounded black currant note which can be a little jarring. The sandalwood in the base is where the clone deviates the most; it's drier and less creamy than Initio, opting for a slightly scratchy, woody feel.

Projection Power

Longevity is surprisingly decent . I get about 5-6 hours on my skin, with moderate projection for the first hour before settling closer. It's a safe office scent. Don't expect beast mode performance. It is what it is.

Bottom Line

Zimaya's Musk is Great is a solid option if you're after the *idea* of Musk Therapy. Is it a perfect dupe? No. It has its synthetic edges, particularly in the opening and the drydown's sandalwood. But considering you can pick this up for a tenth of the price of the original, the trade-offs are justifiable. If you're a musk fanatic with a budget, this is a no-brainer. If you demand absolute perfection and natural ingredients, save up for the Initio.