Zen (new) (2007)
by Shiseido

I just tried this the other day. Without knowing what are in it, I just love the opening combination of juicy fruit. And it'won't take long until I can smell white musk and incense.

I'm not very good in discribing the note-thing. But I agree with you, Scentsitivity, that this one is a "decent fragrance for a lady"

I was surprised to find no one else has reviewed the most recent incarnation of Zen. Before getting to the fragrance, I would note the hype from Shiseido’s USA website (link: http://www.sca.shiseido.com/catalog/index.cfm?brand=15), which tells us that it is “scientifically created to produce calming brain wave patterns that occur during Zen meditation” and categorizes it as a “Floral Spiritual Woody” (one of the craziest classifications I have ever heard of). I would like to see test data on the brain wave patterns. For myself, I can say that I felt a greater than typical level of anxiety while testing Zen, and no, I do not blame Zen for it! I do find this type of marketing to be a turn off.

To the fragrance itself, it boasts ingredients including “water hyacinth, gentian, Eastern moss, bamboo, violet, iris and Asian Kyara wood,” doubtless to convey its oriental roots. Instead of thinking of it as a “floral spiritual woody”, I would characterize it as a “light floral woody”, very feminine and pleasant. If you like light floral scents, Zen may work for you. I think it is a decent fragrance for a lady.