tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post2497176974954172967..comments2024-03-29T05:13:21.130+00:00Comments on Perfume Shrine: Frequent Questions: The Many Versions of Shiseido ZenPerfumeshrinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-9046075080975074042022-08-06T15:38:15.807+01:002022-08-06T15:38:15.807+01:0050 years ago, I was working in the cosmetics dept ...50 years ago, I was working in the cosmetics dept of a major dept store (now owned by Macy's) when Shiseido was first introduced in this country, (early 1970's). I worked the aisle it was sold on, so was given training by Shiseido company reps prior to its debut.<br /> As I recall, Shiseido is billed as the oldest cosmetics company in the world, having grown out of Kibuki theatre Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-37486380846341637012017-11-10T19:17:51.323+00:002017-11-10T19:17:51.323+00:00My Classic Zen is all that I have worn for the las...My Classic Zen is all that I have worn for the last 45 years. My Uncle got it for me as a Christmas gift when I was 15 (I will be 60 on the 20th of this month). My first experience was with gift set my Uncle bought. Sadly all they manufacture now is cologne. Where have all the other products in the Classic line gone??? And what is the closest fragrance in the market to it? PS... just a quickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-28323264180054368832016-03-11T08:30:34.721+00:002016-03-11T08:30:34.721+00:00Excellent information, Ink, thank you so much for ...Excellent information, Ink, thank you so much for bringing it on here!! <br /><br />Yes, the prices asked are quite illogical sometimes. Vying for the obsessed collector pays handsomely I suppose. Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-77156176366901578672016-03-05T05:16:54.273+00:002016-03-05T05:16:54.273+00:00I know nothing about perfumes, but I think the &qu...I know nothing about perfumes, but I think the "intermediary Zen" might still be in production. I am currently living in Kyoto and got a bottle from Takashimaya—a major department store—for my mother. The lady in charge of the Shiseido section offered three bottles, the New Zen, Intermediary Zen and Rosarium, describing them as combination of Western smell and Japan, Japan-like smell Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12717732878164823819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-9205036953271521812013-02-07T08:36:52.394+00:002013-02-07T08:36:52.394+00:00Anon,
that's amazing info!!! (re: Shiseido In...Anon,<br /><br />that's amazing info!!! (re: Shiseido Inoui=Jessica Simpson Fancy Love) I'd never imagine it so.<br />I DO know that Fancy (the original) has LOTS of fans and should be a great fragrance and am no perfume snob, but wouldn't have pegged them to go after a long-forgotten "green". <br />Goes to show you, one should smell everything, after all. <br /><br />ThanksPerfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-59983461947092860502013-02-05T16:56:26.393+00:002013-02-05T16:56:26.393+00:00I still use the original black bottle Zen and also...I still use the original black bottle Zen and also Inoui. I was disappointed when Inoui was discontinued. In Macy's one day I was given a small sample of perfume on a tester. Smelled familiar but did not buy it. Finally hit me that it reminded me of Inoui. It was Jessica Simpson's Fancy Love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-28852817248959987752012-09-19T11:11:47.890+01:002012-09-19T11:11:47.890+01:00Shokoofe,
I guess there's no easy answer. It ...Shokoofe,<br /><br />I guess there's no easy answer. It all depends on packaging, typefaces etc. and of course your own "tenacity" of skin: do you usually have this problem? I don't think it would be viable for anyone to counterfeit the old versions and honestly, is the new one a best-seller which would justify that? Usually that happens with very popular fragrances.<br /><br />Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-86950006280811056312012-09-19T11:09:15.521+01:002012-09-19T11:09:15.521+01:00Jared,
you're welcome. I can see how the diff...Jared,<br /><br />you're welcome. I can see how the different versions would be extra confusing!Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-76062813451745141532012-09-18T21:38:32.978+01:002012-09-18T21:38:32.978+01:00hi,I have a question,I BOUGHT zen perfume but its ...hi,I have a question,I BOUGHT zen perfume but its lasting is about 1 hour,how can I UNDERSTAND IT IS FAKE or not?!!!!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09018593626724288112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-73716007875220230462011-07-17T04:44:34.309+01:002011-07-17T04:44:34.309+01:00I'm glad you went through and delineated the d...I'm glad you went through and delineated the different versions of Zen! I was in Macy's today smelling things and came across these different versions at the counter. I picked up the Cologne and was instantly entranced. I couldn't take my nose away from my hand- it was the weirdest, most interesting thing I've smelled in a long time. I instantly bought a bottle- and so cheap! Now Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09424300101969094900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-60612356943979554142010-02-02T18:07:33.564+00:002010-02-02T18:07:33.564+00:00Anon,
what a fabulous story!! Yes, the fact that ...Anon,<br /><br />what a fabulous story!! Yes, the fact that there is the same name attached on different versions creates something of a loss of how to appreciate each for its own merits. I like the spiciness of the newest Zen. I just wish it persisted more and had a more "singing" or challenging base.Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-20934947146731958322010-02-01T21:58:06.040+00:002010-02-01T21:58:06.040+00:00Talk about synchronicity! Last week, I was trying ...Talk about synchronicity! Last week, I was trying to remember the name of the bowling-pin-shaped bottle that my mother had in her perfume collection in the early 1970s. Someone on Makeup Alley correctly identified it as the original Zen, so for nostalgia's sake I promptly went to my local Shiseido counter on Saturday to try the new Zen in the square bottle. It was a dry, spicy fragrance, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-62985170260925226322010-02-01T21:12:24.360+00:002010-02-01T21:12:24.360+00:00M,
indeed the drawing of the flowers was ever so ...M,<br /><br />indeed the drawing of the flowers was ever so delicate and the boule cap was even more precious (the spray lacks this).<br />Innoui I briefly recall as spectacular. I han't leaped when I had the chance and now it's long past my chance....Oh well!Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-38567681386086698112010-02-01T20:11:25.780+00:002010-02-01T20:11:25.780+00:00I used to wear the original and what a lovely bott...I used to wear the original and what a lovely bottle that was. Needless to say I never kept them. I am not a "bottle person" - some people just buy a scent for the bottle ! That is not me. <br />I find the new ones lacking . <br />Did you ever smell their Inui that was around that time too? <br />It was just the best "green" . Sadly we don't get that anymore either.lady jickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09013352537776588166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-20453883290053106422010-02-01T17:17:21.264+00:002010-02-01T17:17:21.264+00:00Dagney,
thanks, I was puzzling on how to characte...Dagney,<br /><br />thanks, I was puzzling on how to characterize it laconically and it seemed like the proper summation. <br /><br />I guess every company needs to have some utterly confusing line of similarly named of fragrances!Do try the classic again, I think it's terrific in the intense heat and in snowy weather too. (it loves extremes)Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-467482464833117712010-02-01T15:50:17.021+00:002010-02-01T15:50:17.021+00:00I've tried Zen Classic and "unsettling&qu...I've tried Zen Classic and "unsettling" describes it perfectly. There's really nothing else quite like it. The current Zen White is very refreshing, I've been meaning to get a bottle. The new version is nice but yes, generic. Your article has inspired me to give Zen Classic another try. Thanks!<br /><br />DagneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-70364093838433079512010-02-01T13:42:56.709+00:002010-02-01T13:42:56.709+00:00MK,
I think (but might be wrong) that the design ...MK,<br /><br />I think (but might be wrong) that the design with the rather zig-zag lines reflects the various panels which are slided in those rooms to hide and reveal things. (somewhat like doors, but more delicate) I might be just imagining things, though, don't mind me!<br />Yeah, wearable and linear sums it up well. Thanks!Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-70604399715130789182010-02-01T13:37:30.176+00:002010-02-01T13:37:30.176+00:00M,
you're welcome, it's quite annoying, I...M,<br /><br />you're welcome, it's quite annoying, I agree. They could at least introduce numbers or something to differentiate, since I understand that keeping the name has to do with copyright issues etc. <br /><br />The modern Zen is nice (do try it just for the heck of it) but unremarkable; lacks some backbone. The summery one is quite refreshing.Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-7992874800761146682010-02-01T13:33:59.193+00:002010-02-01T13:33:59.193+00:00Jamie,
thank you! How very interesting! Both abou...Jamie,<br /><br />thank you! How very interesting! Both about your grandmother and about the comparison between ZW and Elle. Now I have to test them side by side, you know, enabler!! <br /><br />Have a great day :-)Perfumeshrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06222733129203280662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-79713086197809872502010-02-01T13:11:12.729+00:002010-02-01T13:11:12.729+00:00I liked old Classic Zen and the black bottle is ve...I liked old Classic Zen and the black bottle is very interesting compared to the new blocky cube bottle ( not very handbag- friendly either ) I know it was inspired by Japaneses tea rooms but I am trying hard to see it myself! :D I also find new Zen quite linear though it is very wearable.Mystic Knotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-40093321173012765232010-02-01T01:52:37.187+00:002010-02-01T01:52:37.187+00:00Thanks for clarifying this one, E. I was wondering...Thanks for clarifying this one, E. I was wondering about the new version, and now I know to give it a pass. I like both the classic Zen and the (old) white Zen. Why must they confuse us this way?BitterGracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18262639525430954930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792393342962796253.post-6968178597939569012010-01-31T23:09:59.672+00:002010-01-31T23:09:59.672+00:00Very interesting article! My grandmother wore the ...Very interesting article! My grandmother wore the original Zen Eau de Cologne and I have Zen White. I find Zen White to be very nice (plus as a bonus, it supposedly has special notes with soothing properties meant to relieve stress). Funnily enough though, my sister always thinks I'm wearing Elle by YSL (which is one of my all time favorites) when I have it on.Jamie McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03013949712881225149noreply@blogger.com