Ginza by Shiseido

It smells like Mon Paris at first, then fades away, but every time I wear it, I get compliments and I don’t even realize how well it suits me.

It’s a lovely fruity-floral-woody scent that brings back childhood memories and my Barbies’ doll cream. On my skin, it smells like fruity shampoo, which sometimes surprises me. I could wear it without fear, but it’s not my daily fragrance. The opening reminds me of Eden Sparkling Lychee 39, but in Ginza, the fruitiness lasts all the way through, whereas on my skin, the Kayali version becomes more masculine. I regretted the purchase because that sweet fruity note soon became overwhelming; I won’t be repurchasing.

I thought a lot about buying it because I had a sample that didn’t quite convince me… life’s coincidences, they gifted it to me, I stored it without appreciating it and forgot about it. This summer, looking for a perfume for lunch, I tried it after showering and it was a miracle. I was surprised: it doesn’t leave a strong trail, it’s pleasant, fresh, fruity, and not intense. I can clearly smell the pomegranate and magnolia, and as it dries, the sandalwood starts to show. The trail lasts at most an hour or two, but like with other perfumes, you just reapply and you’re good. For me, it’s a daily perfume, not for dinners, but for work, family gatherings, or eating outdoors. I wouldn’t buy it myself; it reminds me a lot of Guerlain’s Mon, although I notice this one is a bit sweeter. It’s a youthful perfume, it gives me that feeling. Ginza is an icon for many collectors, but for color lovers, I have it, I’ll use it up, but I won’t buy it.

Okay, here’s something weird: a pleasant discord, a flawless kitsch; it’s like a high-speed carriage ride through things I hate and love equally. Well, ‘hate’ is too strong, maybe ‘bore,’ but not really. Oh, I don’t know what’s going on here, Ginza, but you’ve got me intrigued. This smells like a mom in a rugged SUV and a pompous saleswoman selling organza blouses at a Goya Street pop-up, just as much as a gallerist dressed in neutrals with oversized poplin shirts. There’s nothing Japanese, but there’s a delicate fruity note spinning with soapy, talc-soaked woods—light, wrinkled, posh, luminous, and distant. I like it more. There are animalic trails, paper notes, Hermès vibes, and pencil shavings from emptying a drawer; a deceptive fruity floral with a little twist. Sometimes thick notes emerge, like sweet cream, buttery, incomprehensible. A lot of noise and few nuts, or vice versa, I don’t know what’s happening. Distinguished. With a slow, clean, classic death, but no—accented with elusive citrus and powdery notes… and yes, here it comes. Just like Lagune: a Cheap and Chic Moschino burst, that mythical, unique, perfect scent, bottled in the 90s in shiny black and red like a cartoon car’s hood. But where Cheap lands as cool auntie, Ginza lands as not-so-cool auntie. This lady is more serious, a bit stiff, and doesn’t share secrets, but she’ll definitely make better gifts.

I have a love/hate relationship with this perfume. I bought it blindly reading the description and at first, it was a fiasco… I absolutely didn’t like its opening, it seemed very strong, but as it dried, I started to appreciate its notes and it began to catch my eye, but its longevity and sillage (don’t kill me) seemed excessive, I got dizzy, so I put it aside for a while and gave it another chance applying it more indirectly. Nothing… it never fully pleases me, something bothers me and it feels strong, but, and here comes my love/hate, every time I wear it, I get many compliments. But well, in the end, even though others like it, it’s a scent that for some reason never fully identifies with me, so I think when I finish it, that will be the end of my era with Ginza.

It’s a beautiful scent, I see it as very feminine. Sweet yet fresh at the same time, like you just showered, super nice for spring and summer. It’s not a perfume bomb and neither am I looking for that, it’s lovely if you like fruity florals. Recommend trying it first.

It’s a very refined scent that draws attention gently, delicate and subtle. I think it shines more in warm environments. It gives me that feeling of being wrapped in a persistent note, perhaps the freesia, which is sweet and acidic without being loud.

I really like it, especially the dry down: it starts fresh and then evolves into soft flowers and gentle wood, which I love. It’s not intrusive; you breathe it in yourself. I see it as ideal for work or a café on a terrace. It’s not my absolute favorite, but I’d buy it to enjoy it. It doesn’t trail, so no one will catcall you, but you’ll tell yourself that you smell great.

I adore it for spring and summer. I live in northern Spain, and it feels fresh and elegant at the same time. Suitable for any occasion, I would buy it again.

I’ve been looking for a substitute for my daily wear, the In Black for her by Massimo Dutti, and I think this one has a chance. They aren’t the same, but they have what I’m looking for: soft, fresh, and pleasant for work. It’s not a powerful bomb or overly sweet; it has a well-made combination of notes without an artificial smell, something that happens with Mon Paris EDP, which on my skin smells more synthetic.

The opening of pomegranate and pink pepper is rich and juicy, with a nice balance between sweet and acidic. I’d also say it has pear. After five minutes, the florals appear without losing the fruity notes. On my skin, it smells like white flowers, although I only notice the jasmine. As it dries, you notice a light patchouli that isn’t earthy, along with creamy sandalwood and the balsamic aspects of cedar. It has moderate trail and lasts 4-5 hours. It’s a simple, pretty, and relaxing perfume, something zen, but it feels a bit unstimulating and boring. Also, it doesn’t have fantastic performance. Scent: 6.5/10 Longevity: 4.5/10 Trail: 5.5/10 Value: 4.5/10 Versatility: 7/10 Packaging: 6/10 Would I buy it again? No, I didn’t buy it.

A gorgeous and feminine fragrance. At first, it seems like just another fruit, but soon you realize it has something unique. The pomegranate opens with sweetness, then the flowers unfold in a symphony. On my skin, the jasmine stands out; mixed with patchouli, it creates something sensual and feminine. It’s not for night, but for everyday wear. It works wonderfully on cloudy, humid days, leaving a trail on clothes that blends beautifully with stronger scents later in the evening.

It’s a super youthful scent, perfect for gifting to a young girl.

I’m so glad it’s not just another novelty, but a safe bet with lots of pear and bergamot. It has more character than other brands’ new releases and, besides being pretty, it has something special. Maybe it’s the pink pepper and pomegranate, but for me, it has honey echoes. Très jolie.

I’m so glad it’s not just another novelty, but a safe bet with lots of pear and bergamota. It has more character than other brands’ new releases and, besides being pretty, it has something special. Maybe it’s the pink pepper and pomegranate, but for me, it has honey echoes. Très jolie.