No.627 Modern Muse

No.627 follows Estee Lauder's Modern Muse closely at the start, with a slightly sharp mandarin top note giving way to a clear, dominant jasmine-and-lily heart that most reviewers single out as the fragrance's defining feature. Tuberose adds a touch of creaminess without tipping into anything overripe, and the base settles into musk, patchouli, amber and vanilla for a warm, slightly powdery finish. The white-floral character that made the original a dual-impression fragrance - lush and dewy to some, woody and musky to others - comes through well here, though the musk doesn't build quite the same room-filling powderiness the designer version is known for. It reads a touch quieter and more linear across the wear, without the slow unfolding of facets that keeps Modern Muse interesting hours in. Still a solid, crowd-pleasing white floral for anyone who wants that jasmine-forward, quietly confident character for the office or a date without the premium price.