An autumn to discover your own scent. Fragrances chosen by type, curated by ZUTTO

Perfume, room fragrance, aroma spray—there are so many kinds of scented items. In this feature, we'd like to help you find a scent that suits your own taste. We'll also introduce these items from a gift-giving perspective, so please use this as a reference when choosing a thoughtful present.

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Contents
▼ Items for Enjoying Scent
　　A Fragrance Is a Work of Art

　　How Do You Choose a Room Fragrance?
▼ How We Perceive Scent Is Personal
　　Three Staff Members Try to Tell Them Apart
　　1. HETKINEN
　　2. ROOTS ROSE RADISH
　　3. RATHBORNES 
　　4. Carthusia
▼ Recommended Items by Scent Type
　　1. Floral
　　2. Citrus
　　3. Green
　　4. Fruity

　　5. Woody
▼ [Limited Time] 100BON Aroma Sprays
　　"Mind Line" — 7 Scents
▼ If You're Not Sure How to Store It

　　The Proper Way to Store Perfume

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When I wander into a busy city, I sometimes catch a "city scent." It might be a smell I'm encountering for the first time, or one that feels nostalgic, but for me, having grown up in the countryside, the lovely scent of perfume worn by so many people passing by on the street was, I think, a kind of symbol of the city—something I secretly longed for.

Where I live now, the everyday scents I notice change with the seasons: in spring, the gentle fragrance of flowers carried on the wind; in summer, the smell of earth and green grass rising up after the rain; and in autumn, the faintly smoky scent of burning fields that lets me know the season has arrived. No matter how many times these scents come around, they give me a comforting sense that this is where I belong.

As for perfumes and aromas that extract and blend scents from nature, I love the way that, in that brief moment of fragrance, they seem to carry me off somewhere extraordinary, somewhere different from everyday life.

Now, let's talk about fragrance.

Just as a painter combines "colors" to create a painting, and a composer combines "sounds" to create a piece of music, a perfume is a work created by combining "fragrance materials." Rather than simply sensing a pleasant smell, it's not a bad idea to quiet your mind, open your heart, and let your thoughts wander as you enjoy a scent. In the tradition of kōdō (the art of incense appreciation), this way of enjoying scent is called "listening to the fragrance."

A Fragrance Is a Work of Art

That said, you don't need to think about it too seriously to enjoy it. If you come across a scent that feels like "this is it" at first impression, that alone can enrich your everyday life.

First, the perfumes we introduce at ZUTTO fall into three categories: "eau de parfum," "eau de cologne," and "solid perfume" (a wax-based, kneaded perfume). Let's take a look at how they differ.

Perfume is mainly composed of "fragrance oils, alcohol, and water." Because the fragrance oils tend to linger relatively long, you can enjoy how the scent changes over time—from the first impression when applied to the skin, to how it evolves, to the faint trace that seems to remain quietly on the skin as it fades.

　▼Types of Perfume (general guidelines)

　・Parfum (15–30% fragrance concentration / lasts 5–7 hours)

　・Eau de Parfum (8–15% / about 5 hours)

　・Eau de Toilette (5–8% / 3–4 hours)

　・Solid Perfume (2–3 hours)

　・Eau de Cologne (3–5% / 1–2 hours)

Solid perfume is a solid-form fragrance made from "fragrance oil and wax." While eau de parfum uses alcohol to volatilize the fragrance so it spreads over a wider area, solid perfume contains no alcohol, so it gives off just a subtle scent close to where it's applied. It's gentle on the skin and even offers a moisturizing benefit, making it a safe choice for sensitive skin.

And here's something else worth mentioning, even though it's not a perfume.

TORPLYKTAN / Aroma Candle (Massage Candle)

After you've been soothed by the candle's glow, you can use it as a massage oil as well. The scent, created by an aroma specialist inspired by the four seasons of the Nordic region, offers a truly relaxing time.

>> See the product page here

The Soothing Effect of Room Fragrance

If perfume is like an accessory you adorn yourself with, room fragrance is a scent meant for comfort and healing. It's well known that aromas can help shift your mood, but I think having a lovely scent to relax in at home truly brings peace of mind.

Room fragrance is also an easy item to choose as a gift. Since each scent used to gently perfume a space in daily life carries its own theme, it's easy to select one that matches the mood of a room or the personality of the person you're giving it to. Whether it's a birthday, a housewarming, a wedding celebration, Christmas, or an anniversary, it suits the mood of any special occasion—so there's no wrong season or moment to give it.

How We Perceive Scent Is Personal

「いい香り」と聞いて思い浮かべる香りは千差万別。Everyone has a different scent in mind when they hear the words "a nice fragrance." Even with the very same scent, differences in perception mean that people's likes and dislikes can vary widely. That's exactly why it's so hard to choose a fragrance when shopping online. So, we had three staff members with different preferences smell four room fragrances and four perfumes each, and mapped out the results in a chart.

Even though these are four different scents, you can clearly see that impressions of the same scent vary slightly from person to person. We also asked for specific comments on each fragrance.

①HETKINEN / Room Fragrance (Happy Holiday)

The consensus was that HETKINEN carries a Nordic atmosphere within its natural quality. While each person's impression differed—fresh from the bath, tea, incense—they all shared a common thread of a warm, soothing scent. HETKINEN's fragrance comes to us from Finland, the land of forests. Made using only naturally derived plant ingredients, with no artificial fragrances or additives, this scent transforms your room into a space of healing.

②ROOTS ROSE RADISH / Solid Perfume (Cedarwood Myrrh & Clove)

Made using only additive-free, plant-derived ingredients, ROOTS ROSE RADISH's solid perfume seems to consistently give a natural impression. The container, made from natural seashells, is gorgeous and charming, making it a perfect gift for anyone who prefers a natural scent that isn't too strong.

③RATHBORNES / Reed Diffuser (White Pepper)

RATHBORNES, a long-established brand with over 500 years of history, offers a reed diffuser with a subtle scent that different people describe in different ways. Being born in Ireland, it's a unisex scent that's both sweet and refreshing, suited to a stylish Western-style room. It has a cheerful, gorgeous quality that would make a lovely impression in Western-style interiors or in places guests visit, such as entryways and bathrooms.

④Carthusia / Eau de Parfum (VIA CAMERELLE)

Many described Carthusia's Eau de Parfum as a crisp, cool, sophisticated scent for urban adults. Carthusia's theme is to recreate a "legendary perfume" born on the island of Capri, floating in Italy's sparkling sea. In the base notes, you can also detect a rich musk, making it a great choice as a gift for those who favor modish fashion or an elegant style, or for anyone who wants to choose a scent from a tasteful, high-end brand.

What items would you recommend by fragrance type?

1. Floral

Reed Diffuser (Dublin Tea Rose)

A scent reminiscent of that happy, peaceful moment when you bury your face in a bouquet of roses. There's also a soft touch of vanilla sweetness, but it never feels heavy. Perfect for shabby-chic interiors or decoratively styled rooms.

Solid Perfume Solid Perfume (Jasmine & Clary Sage)

The scent of holding real jasmine flowers in your arms. Fresh, refreshingly sweet jasmine is gently accented by the nutty aroma of clary sage.

2. Citrus

Deco Candle (BANHO-CITRON VERBENA )

A scent just like lemon candy. This candle strikes a delicate, exquisite balance—as if a soft breeze of musk and vanilla drifted through a room filled with lemons.

3. Green

Solid Perfume Nerikoshui (solid perfume balm) (Vetiver & Lemongrass)

The scent of a fresh breeze as you lie in a meadow. A smoky, woody green citrus fragrance that gives you the refreshing feeling of being lost in nature.

4. Fruity

Aroma Reed Diffuser (Pine Forest)

A joyful scent, as if you had a mouthful of pineapple. Relax with its refreshing quality and delicious aroma.

5. Woody

Eau de Parfum (Désir Vétiver & Iris Eau de Parfum)

The deep scent of trees paired with a hint of spice brings a sense of calm. A unisex fragrance that men can wear too.

 

The Right Way to Store Perfume

Perfume can be enjoyed for its lovely scent for about one to two years after opening. As long as there are no visible changes in appearance, color, or smell, it should be fine to use. However, if you notice the color has darkened or the scent has changed, this may indicate deterioration, so we recommend avoiding direct application to your skin in that case.

◆Avoid direct sunlight and places with extreme heat, cold, or high humidity.

Not just direct sunlight—light from fluorescent lamps and other sources can also cause deterioration. For perfumes you use less often, make sure the cap is properly closed and store them somewhere with minimal environmental changes, such as inside a cosmetic box.

◆It's important to keep the cap or lid tightly closed.

Perfume is prone to evaporation by nature. To prevent it from unknowingly running low, always make sure the cap is securely closed before storing it. Wiping the spray nozzle after each use can also help prevent clogging.

Cosmetic Box / Kurashiki Ishou Keikakushitsu

Scent is one of the things that shapes a person's image. Whether worn on the body or used to change the mood of a room, fragrance items can transform an impression. Why not try wearing a scent you love and see how it changes your image and atmosphere?