16 Zara Perfumes That Smell Really Expensive

Key notes: Saffron, cocoa, vanilla, jasmine, vanilla orchid, amber

Intensity: High

Made with a 35% concentration of oils for an intense aromatic experience, this luxurious perfume is heady with sweet vanilla, spicy saffron and an expensive-smelling bouquet of jasmine and orchid. A head-turning, grown-up, winter scent that is bound to earn you compliments time and time again.

Key notes: Cardamom, jasmine, sandalwood

Intensity: Medium

This fragrance is part of Zara’s collection with Jo Malone CBE, and it smells just as luxurious as you would expect. As the Energetically New York name suggests, this is a super vibrant, energetic fragrance that features lots of fresh, spicy notes.

“This isn’t my usual kind of scent (I’m more of a gourmand girl), but after smelling this, I was converted,” says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. “It’s super fresh but also quite sexy thanks to notes of jasmine and sandalwood.”

Key notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin, lavender 

Intensity: Medium

This perfume will transport you to fun and carefree summer nights, even in the dead of winter. It has notes of orange blossom, jasmine, mandarin and lavender. As you might be able to tell, it’s super similar to YSL’s iconic Libre fragrance, so if you like that, then you will love this.

Key notes: Saffron, orange, jasmine, praline, moss, amber

Intensity: Medium

This Zara bestseller is usually out of stock, so move quickly if you want to try it. If you’re not familiar with the scent, it has a spicy saffron and coriander opener, which moves into bitter orange and jasmine, before drying down into an addictive base of praline, moss, woody amber notes and musk. Heaven.

“This is my all-time favourite fragrance from Zara,” says Lindsay. “It’s incredibly warm, sweet and sensual, and it smells so much more expensive than it actually is.”

Key notes: Pink pepper, clove, ebony wood

Intensity: High

Zara has the woody scents if you’re looking for that, too. Ebony Wood is infused with scents of pink pepper, clove and ebony wood, so it’s a little bit spicy and earthy at the same time.

“This is the perfume I put on when I want endless compliments,” says Lindsay. “I’ve honestly never smelled anything like it before. It’s incredibly luxurious (as to be expected when it was created with Jo Malone CBE) and even my mum is obsessed.”

Key notes: Bergamot, ginger, tangerine, amber, orange blossom, blackcurrant

Intensity: Medium

Bergamot is always a classic note in fragrances—who doesn’t love that fresh, citrus smell? This eau de parfum also contains notes of tangerine and orange blossom. I think it works year-round, but I’d wear it especially in the spring and summer months. However, if you want to put a spring in your step this winter, this is the scent to go for.

Key notes: Grapefruit, tangerine, vetiver

Intensity: Light

I love this fragrance because it’s a bit mysterious. It has fruity notes of grapefruit and tangerine for a fresh feeling, but it’s also got an indulgent touch of vetiver. It’s one of those scents that captivates you on the very first spritz.

Key notes: Bergamot, tangerine, red berries, lily, ylang-ylang, amber

Intensity: Medium

When a fragrance is named Amber Fusion, you know you’re getting something a little warming and sophisticated. This scent has unexpected floral notes of lily and ylang-ylang alongside sweet red berries, juicy bergamot and tangerine, and the star of the show—amber.

Key notes: Jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, cedar

Intensity: Light

Here’s another cheerful and bright pick. The unabashedly floral fragrance contains scents of jasmine, peony, rose (of course), and sweet vanilla. Rose scents can often be polarising, but I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t like this.

Key notes: Cherry, plum, almond, vanilla, tonka bean

Intensity: High

Gourmand fans, this one is for you. If you enjoy Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry, you will like the smooth cherry, almond and tonka bean notes in this. It’s fruity, sweet, mysterious and totally delicious.

Key notes: Fruit, sunflower, vanilla, musk

Intensity: High

Although it references it in the name of the perfume, this isn’t actually as marshmallowy as I’d imagined—more mango and peach gummy bear. Despite that, it’s so delicious and fruity—a perfect sweet scent for summer.

Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, apple blossom, vanilla, praline

Intensity: Medium

Don’t be fooled by the name. Yes, this has hints of caramel, but it’s actually quite a fresh take on a gourmand scent. This sweet perfume blends vibrant citrus and crisp apple blossom with a smooth and creamy hint of vanilla and praline. Delicious.

Key notes: White, milk and dark chocolate, Chantilly cream, vanilla, passion fruit, peach

Intensity: Medium

New from Zara is the cocoa collection, which captures the scent of chocolate in different forms. Cocoa Bliss is absolutely delicious, with notes of white, milk and dark chocolate throughout. Add in hints of Chantilly cream, vanilla, passion fruit and peach, and this smells almost good enough to eat. “This smells like sipping a delicious cocktail during sunset on holiday,” says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.

Key notes: White chocolate, Chantilly cream, suede

Intensity: High

Another great scent from Zara’s Cocoa range is Cocoa + Latte. It’s been hugely popular amongst those who like milky, sweet scents. It’s utterly delicious. But what makes this one stand out is the addition of suede, which gives it a grown-up leatheriness and takes the edge off the chocolate. It’s been selling out fast, so move quickly if you see it in stock.

Key notes: Apricot blossom, jasmine sambac, praline

Intensity: High

If there’s one scent that Zara does unbelievably well, it’s vanilla. This particular fragrance is the brand’s more intense interpretation of a classic vanilla perfume, with notes of praline and jasmine sambac making it totally addictive.

Key notes: Bergamot, lemon, pear, leather accord, bamboo, patchouli, vanilla

Intensity: High

In my opinion, leather scents smell so expensive, and this Zara one is no exception. A leather accord is beautifully balanced by bergamot, lemon and pear, giving this an uplifting edge.