Zanzi

I have to admit that I bought this because I didn't have a perfume that started with a Z. So I found Zanzi, and am glad I like the scent. It's very warm, soft but not a sleeper, quietly luxurious. As suzycurlyq has already said, the notes listed in the Miglin website are different from what Fragrantica has here, so there are some pleasantly unusual things going on, especially the marula which I don't think I've smelled anywhere else. I also like the African daisy, and chamomile works very well in this scent. This perfume is calming like a light blanket on a cool summer night. Very nice! 10/31 edit: This was moved into the love category as I am reaching for this and wanting to wear it more often than practically anything else I have right now. I'm in a Zanzi phase and it's going fast, will definitely purchase again soon.

Zanzi EDP In memoriam—Marilyn Miglin (1938-2022). Zanzi EDP is one fragrance—unlike many today—in which the scent actually matches its marketing (juice color, box design, artwork, name). Golden herbal juice that certainly does have an earthy, un-sweet floral accord that fits with the marketing list of notes including chamomile, East African marula tree oil (don’t know what that smells like) and/or “magnolia tree leaves” (even magnolia the blossom is to my nose, not very sweet, at least as compared to other flowers). I don’t happen to love magnolia in fragrances, finding it adds an uncomfortably watery effect to compositions, and I emphatically dislike most fragrances marketed as chamomile-heavy (I have given away chamomile-famous frags like 1881 Cerruti ) . So, I don’t love Zanzi—that nebulous “I’ve smelled this note or accord before and it has annoyed me elsewhere” situation has struck again, as I’m sure it has done to you in the past. It may be the maruja, the magnolia, the chamomile or all three. But I will say that the resulting combination renders this fragrance very different even from other dry, herbal, “yellow” frags. And I am so glad someone—dear Marilyn Miglin—thought to release such a fragrance. I don’t feel she was a trend-follower, even when she released a chypre in the late 70s heyday of chypres, and even when she slapped a “Vanilla” on a flanker in the flanker-happy and vanilla-heavy 2000s. Her fragrances each smelled distinct from other fragrances in the same category/family, and so it is with Zanzi. I can only pray that the Miglin firm maintains the great Ms Miglin’s large and impressive canon and creates new fragrances that are equally distinctive.

Opens very herbal/spice sack like my girl Gtabasso said below. Then the chamomile and honeysuckle shine. But without much sweetness. Sometimes I just throw a random few drops of different essential oils into a carrier oil in my hand and rub on my chest and neck when I’m not in a ‘fume mood. This reminds me of those days. Then what I’m guessing is the iris and woody notes combine to create a sort of dry, clean, musky skin scent. Like a big hug. Comfortable and easy to wear. I dig this little cheapie!!

Weird and herbal. Not bitter like oakmoss and doesn't smell like chamomile tea. But kind of like sniffing a bag of herbs at a health food store. Almost a little like licorice or anise. Good for summer. Chamomile, vetiver and woods. No florals. No sweetness. I am wearing in winter and not a big fan. Will try again in the heat of summer.

This is gorgeous. This is Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDT before it was a thing, also making this Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely before that was a thing. But warmer. This is the original! Marilyn Miglin’s fragrances don’t get enough credit.