The FZOTIC Journal
Q&A by perfumer Bruno Fazzolari. Answering your questions about fragrance, creativity and art. Plus occasional industry rants about and deep dives.
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Ask Bruno: Why can’t I smell my own perfume?
I love fragrance, but find it hard to know what a scent truly smells like while wearing it. I usually need to smell it on someone else or wait days...Read more -
Ask Bruno: Fragrance Hobby vs. Fragrance Business
If you had one piece of advice for someone who is about 3 years into their fragrance 'hobby' (addiction, let's be real), what would it be?Read more -
Soft Focus
Soft Focus is my love letter to summer. I wanted to capture that sense of relaxed indulgence, the feeling of being completely at ease yet subtly invigorated. It's a fragrant...Read more -
Lampblack: The Smell of Ink
Since it's full of burnt stuff, the smell of ink is closely related to the smell of smoke. It's also related to the smell of leather, but ink has it's...Read more -
Can't Find Your Signature Scent? Here's Why
You've started a fragrance collection; maybe you've even become a little obsessed with perfume, but you're still struggling to find a signature scent. If you're not finding your signature scent, here...Read more -
7 Fragrant Reasons Why I Love the Summer Heat!
I’ve heard the chorus chanting for pumpkin spice everything, but I’m not ready yet! Here are seven only-in-summertime smells that keep me hanging on to summer; loving every brutally hot day, especially...Read more -
Why I Hate Valentine's Day
I hate Valentine's Day. It's not a popular position for a perfumer to take. Instead, I should be selling you something sexy or sentimental. Or something with lots and lots of...Read more -
Why Vetiver Soothes Anxiety + What Vetiver (Really) Smells Like
When I'm feeling uneasy, I usually reach for vetiver. The scent is soothing and soulful. Vetiver speaks to my whole self and all my mixed feelings: the sun and the...Read more -
Americano, or Why Weaker is Sometimes Stronger
"We sometimes confuse potency with quality... It is easier to make a perfume that shrieks than one that is lovely and pleasing." –Edmond Roudnitska. Have you ever over sprayed a...Read more -
How Perfume Made Me a Happier Person
I’m formally trained as a painter and self-taught as a perfumer. One of the most frequent FAQs I get asked at parties is some variation of “How did you get...Read more