Zen by Shiseido

Adorable fragrance 💚 total versatility and timeless 🍀

Reading that it smells like Coco Mademoiselle, not even close! It doesn’t resemble it in scent, longevity, or trail; this is in a lower league. It’s true that Zen has good initial potency and longevity, but the scent isn’t similar at all. Moreover, the name doesn’t fit Zen: it is indeed spiced, pleasant, and distinctive, but Zen would be something softer, whereas this is potent. In my opinion, it’s okay, but regarding scent-to-price, I wouldn’t buy it again because it doesn’t fully convince me, and certainly not at that price.

😍 Exquisite! I own Coco Mademoiselle and they’re similar; my friends ask what perfume I’m wearing and can’t tell the difference. The main difference is longevity: Chanel lasts longer and has a better trail. Shiseido Zen is more citrusy and feels better during the day, whereas Coco feels fresher at night. Zen is more youthful, Chanel more elegant, though I recommend both for all ages and occasions.

I’d never heard of it before, so I took a blind leap and fell in love. It has an air of Coco Mademoiselle but is more citrusy and juicy at first, becoming soapy as it dries. In fact, I prefer it because Chanel leaves me feeling under the weather. The longevity is brilliant and the price is nothing to write home about.

It’s one of those perfumes few people wear but they’re riicoooos. It’s not identical to Mademoiselle, yet it recalls it through its citrus-floral touch; I consider it more sophisticated, whereas Chanel feels more cheerful, though that’s just my perception. I wear what I like, regardless of the season. But for me, evening scents should awaken something mysterious. It’s delicious, definitely.

I’ve finally finished this little treasure. Everyone said it smelled like Coco Mademoiselle. It resembles it quite a bit, but this patchouli is drenched in pineapple juice and sparkling grapefruit. It’s most similar when dry, although Zen is more woody. I also detect apple, giving it a bitter twist. For me, there’s no trace of incense. I dislike comparisons; it’s better suited for summer. I’m already well-stocked this summer, but I’ll be repurchasing next year and it will be my go-to, I promise. It has good longevity (6-8 hours) and lasts forever on clothes. Recommended.

The other day we tried it out with some friends to gift it to a girl and it was fun. At first, everyone loved it, but over time most started to develop a bit of an aversion. It’s a citrus patchouli but special. The opening is rich in nuances, fresh and full of colourful notes, easy to please. Then it gets complicated, gaining intensity and character. In the heart, I notice a dead, dry patchouli, not very fleshy, with a pineapple that’s not syrupy, not sweet, not exotic. It seems to add nothing but bad vibes, almost no scent, lots of acidic, fibrous water (darker than lemon) and a hint of incense. It intensifies with the incense and cedar: a woody accord without warmth and some histrionic citrus. I love this wolf in sheep’s clothing. I tested it on my skin and, if asked what it was, I’d say without a doubt that it’s masculine. I want to smell it on my friend’s skin to see her impressions. I’m considering buying it; it’s not easy to find a woody, fresh, summery patchouli that feels sober and refined.

Fresh and excellent for mild or hot temperatures. It starts subtle, sweet, and fresh, but dries down to become intense and special. A floral woody scent with a delicate freesia that blends perfectly with fruity and woody notes. The best part is its trail hours later: a clean, fresh patchouli that makes it well-balanced. Unlike others that start strong and fade quickly, Zen grows with time. Elegant, refined, and radiant; an exquisite work.

I picked it up at a duty-free shop and found it distinct, though I hesitated a bit at first. I know it’s a fragrance about harmony and the zen concept, as its name suggests. I bought a 100 ml bottle and had bad luck: an ex-partner threw it off the shelf almost new, so I didn’t get to try it much. Perhaps I won’t buy it again, but it certainly is original.