The Muse

The Muse, inspired by Zarkoperfume The Muse (2020)

Minimalism defines The Muse: a powdery white musk with a cotton accord that many people compare to freshly washed linen. White flowers sit lightly in the middle and never become a bouquet. Underneath, skin musk and amber add a little warmth, and a pale 'white oud' accord gives a muted woody undertone. The opening can feel slightly harsh before it settles.

About the original

Zarkoperfume describes The Muse only in abstract terms, as clean, innocent and warm, summed up as 'Clean, Innocence, Love'. The note pyramid commonly quoted comes from a retailer rather than the brand. That source dates it to around 2020, credits Zarko Ahlmann Pavlov and calls it a tribute to his wife. Two flankers have followed, The Muse Breeze and The Muse Velvet Vanilla; this page is for the original.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Zarkoperfume stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Fans of laundry-fresh musks will feel at home with it. It is minimalist and powdery in character, and some wearers find the cotton accord tips into soapy or detergent-like territory.

Related scents

• Zarkoperfume Pink Molecule 090
• Zarkoperfume The Youth
• Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: White Oud, White Musks

Heart notes: White Flowers, Cotton Accord

Base notes: White Oud, Skin Musk, Amber

Musk opens with a crisp, clean edge and a pale woody note underneath.

White flowers and the cotton accord form the heart, powdery and fresh like clean linen.

Skin musk and amber close it out, a little warmer than the start but still clean.

Is this the original The Muse or a flanker?

The original. The Muse Breeze and The Muse Velvet Vanilla are later flankers.

Does The Muse smell like laundry?

Many people compare it to fresh laundry because of its cotton accord and clean musk. Some find it soapy.

Is The Muse a women's perfume?

Retailers differ, with some listing it for women and others as unisex.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. In the EU you can also choose FedEx Express for €14.99. To the UK, Switzerland, Norway, the US and Canada, delivery is €5.99. To all other countries, it is €9.99. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Zarkoperfume and The Muse are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Zarkoperfume in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.