Jovan Musk Oil was introduced to the world in 1972, and by 1978, every woman had a bottle—well, seventy seven million dollars worth of bottles. Based on a synthetic version of an animal pheromone, “musk” was mixed with a light floral scent. It was widely marketed as a fragrance that had massive sex appeal. It was the wild ’70s, the sexual revolution was in full tilt and the response to an earthy and sensual fragrance was rapid and complete. Gone were those bottles of prissy Chantilly! Banished forever were those Avon generic scents in high-buttoned boot bottles! Emeraude? Give it to your Grandma, these were racy new times.
Every so often, in a fit of starving artist creativity and nostalgia, I will try and revive something that I have stumbled upon during my vintage roamings. Some work—leg warmers. Some don’t—Mork and Mindy rainbow suspenders… oops! But I have to say, at the risk of sounding like a braggart, Jovan Musk Oil is one of my triumphs. These days, it is unique. The odds are miniscule to none that you will enter a room full of Jovan wearers at a hipster party, or a super martini bar. Few people really remember its scent (yes, I realize Kevin does, but he is a rarity and still obsessed with his fourth grade teacher) except perhaps subconsciously, so when you flounce by someone and leave that musky aroma, people will transform into a vaguely familiar sort-of bliss.
Let’s face it, 1970s or not, this oil still smells totally fantastic and retro. And the greatest thing of all? It retails at about eleven dollars at your local drugstore! A complete bargain for a little memory lane sniffing and some revamped sex appeal. So for the Girl on a Budget, stroll right past that Bergdorfs and flip them a jaunty wave. Goodbye, Guerlain! Toodles, Tom Ford! Head straight to the closest Duane Reade for that little orange box of Jovan Musk Oil heaven. But stay away from Jean Nate After Bath Splash if you can. You’ll be a stronger woman than I.
