Boasting some of the most affordable and luxe-smelling scents on the market, the best Zara perfumes include options to suit every taste – from sparkling fruits to warm, woody florals.
While guides to the best long-lasting perfumes will always feature big names, from Chanel to Diptyque, one affordable store continues to impress and has cemented its spot among industry giants: Zara. The retailer's own brand scents are so popular, in fact, that a few of their blends – namely Red Temptation and Golden Decade – are even counted amongst the best perfumes for women (and certainly the best cheap perfumes), thanks to their budget price point and chic formulas. Not only that, Zara fragrances are also often said to rival more premium and iconic blends, both in terms of notes and impression.
So, if you're looking to add a new and affordable signature to your collection, our team knows the Zara perfume portfolio inside out and has spritzed both new and familiar favourites to write this guide to the best of the best below. Plus, we've also included some expert tips on how to get the most from your scents of choice...
The 6 best Zara perfumes, reviewed by our beauty team
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
RRP: £9.99 for 30ml | Key notes: Pear, red fruits, jasmine, coconut and vanilla
This fragrance is youthful and fun. The top notes of pear are accompanied by a middle of red berries and a vanilla base, all making for a fruity and feminine aroma that lingers on the skin.
Smells like: This scent is often compared to Dior's J'Adore Eau de Parfum, which is a truly iconic fruity and floral and feminine perfume.
Who should buy it: Sweet perfume lovers would love this. It dries down to a vanilla base that pleasantly reminds you just how good you smell throughout the day. Plus, if you love layering, this scent is a must-try.
RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: Saffron, coriander, orange, jasmine, praline and amber
This perfume is definitely one that grows on you – and it's perhaps not one that everyone will fall in love with at first sniff. However, it is a truly distinctive perfume that is bound to draw in compliments.
Smells like: Baccarat Rouge 540 – if you're looking for a more premium alternative, 540 is as luxe as they come.
Who should buy it: If you want an affordable perfume that could become a unique signature scent, we definitely recommend Red Temptation.
RRP: £29.99 for 100ml | Key notes: Grapefruit, cypress, patchouli, vetiver
Equal parts woody and citrusy, Ebony Woods is another of Jo Malone CBE's creations that marries grapefruit with fresh and earthy notes of cypress, patchouli and vetiver.
Smells like: They don't smell exactly the same, but there's a lot of note crossover between Ebony Woods and one of Malone's best-loved fragrances, Jo Loves Pomelo. It's also slightly reminiscent of Byredo Bibliothèque.
Who should buy it: Those who like the fragrant, slightly spicy depth of woods in a fragrance that's cut with a little sweetness.
RRP: £9.99 for 180ml | Notes: Orange blossom, coffee, peach and raspberry
This is truly a premium-smelling scent. Designer fragrances are usually very potent and long-lasting, but this can also mean an intense – or even slightly suffocating – scent when first applied. Gardenia bypasses that and cuts straight to the "worn-in" smell that sits gracefully on the skin for hours, giving it universal appeal.
Smells like: If you love the sophistication of this perfume, then you'll love YSL's Black Opium.
Who should buy it: For those who find the classic Black Opium a bit too too intense, after testing this Zara number for several months now, we think it's a less overwhelming alternative – in the best way.
RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin and lavender
In a word, this perfume embodies elegance with its warm and sensual blend of white florals, mandarin and calming lavender. It's long-lasting and perfect for an evening scent.
Smells like: YSL's cult-favourite Libre, which smells so luxe and clings beautifully to your skin and clothes all day long.
Who should buy it: If you're already a fan of YSL's Libre and are looking for a cheaper alternative or a similar scent that can live in your handbag for top-ups, this enveloping fragrance is idea.
RRP: £19.99 for 100ml | Notes: Praline, jasmine and sandalwood
With a rich blend of praline, jasmine and sandalwood, Fields at Nightfall has an evening feel (as the name promises) that also reminds us slightly of YSL Libre in terms of its hearty yet sweet finish.
Smells like: YSL Libre and Zadig & Voltaire's viral favourite This Is Her, which is beloved for its floral and woody aroma.
Who should buy it: If you seek a long-lasting perfume, this Zara number also has a similarly strong lasting power to YSL Libre, retaining the same scent from the initial spritzes hours later.
How we tested the best Zara perfume
We have been wearing Zara fragrances for years, but have also been reviewing these fragrances consistently for months to ensure that this list is reflective of the best Zara perfumes available to buy today. But of course, as master perfumer Ruth Mastenbroek notes: "Buying a fragrance online is notoriously challenging because of the obvious limitation – you can’t smell through a screen."
A small selection of the Zara perfumes our beauty team have tested.
Thus, we've tested a wide range of Zara fragrances with a variety of different notes to select the best from each fragrance family, wearing each for a full day – all with the goal of helping you make an informed choice before buying. As well as seeking out the best fruity, woody, fresh and floral perfumes, we also paid close attention to factors like lasting power and potency to determine which budget Zara scents are truly the best.
Figuring out how to choose a perfume to suit your taste can be tricky, but due to their lower price points (and the occasional Zara sale offering further bargains), we think all of these Zara perfumes are pretty safe bets. Once you've found one that strikes all the right notes for you, we've also quizzed the fragrance pros on how to boost its longevity...
Tips for getting the most out of your affordable perfume
We got all the experts tips on how to get the most out of your affordable perfume.
- Spray on wet skin: "The best time to spray perfume on your skin is right after your shower," says Iember Gordon, fragrance expert and head of marketing at The Fragrance Shop. "This is because moisture gives your scent something to hold on to, so spraying [it] on after your skin has been freshly washed boosts its staying power."
- Notice the base notes: "Some people may pay too much attention to the initial spritz [of a perfume], as they are sold on the top notes, without hanging around to see how the fragrance develops over time," Mastenbroek notes. "While helpful, some people may place too much importance on these notes."
- Stay moisturised: "For 'desk-to-dancefloor' situations, use an unscented moisturiser on your skin before you apply perfume," says Gordon. "This will help lock the fragrance in better as it gives a moist skin impression."
- Assess the fragrance type: When weighing up eau de toilette vs parfum, remember that "perfume and cologne are sold in different ratios of fragrance oil to alcohol," as Gordon explains. "The more concentrated forms, like pure parfum, will cost the most and last the longest, while the less concentrated versions, like an eau de toilette, will cost less and the spritz won't last as long."
- Create an aroma: "If you have a signature scent, you can get your clothing to smell like it as well," says Gordon. "Line your drawers with tissue paper that has been spritzed a few times [with this perfume] and allow the scent to permeate the fabrics."
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