The Muse

Steamed bedsheets. That's the scent. I own a lot of those clean perfumes (Per Se, White Crush, Sun Bleached, Blanche, Et Voila..), and this one is the most realistic of those all. Smells exactly as new bright white sheets that have been washed, dried in the sun and then steamed. Not sharp or pungent, but also has not any sweetness or perfume-like notes. Other "clean" perfumes pursue the clean skin vibe, or soapy profiles, or the just out of the shower scent. This one is the laundry-like type. It is not a lotion or soap, neither is a freshie. It is just clothes out of the washing machine, a white and crisp t-shirt. The scent of going to bed after putting a recently washed cotton or linen sheets. When wearing it, more than wearing a perfume, seems that you just have put on you recently cleaned clothes. Smells just like a clean and neat person that doesn't wear any perfume. I have smelled this kind of people a few times and, while I doubt they were wearing any perfume, The Muse achieves exactly that sensation. Some people just wear recently cleaned clothes that have been warmed with the heat of their body and they smell amazing. I have always wanted my clothes to smell like that, and now I have it encapsulated in a perfume bottle. I personally love that scent, but can understand why most people won't want to smell just like clean cotton clothes when reaching for a perfume.

SO. GOOD. This is the perfect clean scent. Absolutely heavenly on the skin.At first it smells like fresh laundry or like linens dried outside in crisp morning air underneath the sun. It develops a bit over time and becomes more sensual, yet is still clean, and has a gorgeous sweetness to it. Of course I can only speak for myself, but it works amazingly with my skin chemistry. Truly a ‘your skin but better’ scent. Fair to say I’m addicted and plan to always keep a bottle of this in my collection. Bonus point: Extreme sillage and longevity. I’ve never owned a perfume this strong before! I don’t mind though because clearly I enjoy the scent, and most importantly I don’t have to overspray or reapply which means it’ll last longer too. It’s not an affordable product but if you ask me it’s worth every penny :)

This perfume smells exactly like a laundry detergent. I prefer it on clothes rather than skin, as it makes my clothes smell as if they are freshly washed. On my skin, it is quite sweet and fades to a pleasant musky scent. If you want to smell like clean laundry, this is definitely for you. The Muse is inoffensive and suitable for any season. I prefer fresher perfumes to smell clean, like Marc Jacobs’s Cotton. I probably wouldn’t get a full bottle, but I will surely use up my small tester. Update: just after 2 days of wearing it I want to get a full bottle just to be able to return to that clean and pleasant smell. I’ve been complimented on it and I love it on me :) New update after 6 months: I got myself a full bottle and I’m loving it 🖤

Dec 2024: As a musk lover I was deeply disappointed. There is NO musk here. And even after hours - still laundry detergent - nothing else. Would be nice if they added viola or licorice, something. But no. This makes one wonder if Zarko's muse was a laundry lady. Jan 2026: Revisited her after a year long perfume journey. My first perfume review and one of the three Zarko’s in that trio discovery box I got for Christmas 2024. At the time I had over sprayed. The Muse is gentle and needs to be handled carefully. If you think she’s harsh you’ve probably over sprayed. Do a spray walk or just spray the back of your neck. Nothing more. She’s so sweet and gentle. I have completely changed my mind about her. Very cute and clean scent. Adorable.

This is an interesting one. I got a small sample and I hated it at first. Smelled like harsh laundry detergent. But as I kept using the sample, it grew on me. There is something soft and fresh about it too and it didn’t take long until I loved it so much I bought a full bottle. It isn’t a sexy fragrance you wear on a hot date or night out, but it’s perfect for just casual daytime wear. Strangely enough, even though it’s quite simple and linear, it’s probably my most complimented perfume - everywhere I go people always say I smell so good and ask what fragrance I’m wearing. And honestly it’s one of my absolute favorite fragrances now, I really want to try more perfumes by this brand.