Top-Picked Zara Perfumes That Deliver a Luxurious Scent, Yet Cost Less Than £30, Recommended by Our Perfume Experts
Scooping up a luxury-like scent without spending a fortune? Sign us up! When it comes to replenishing your fragrance stash, don't overlook the stellar options from Zara. Even if your budget is as tight as a tourniquet, there's a spritz for every taste.
Believe it or not, bagging a quality fragrance no longer means digging deep into your wallet. A quick peek at those long-lasting perfumes or the best perfumes for women will tell you that designer names dominate the stage, but fear not, dear high street lover. One shining brand that consistently holds its ground amongst its high-end counterparts is none other than Zara. Known for their wallet-friendly offerings and perfumes that give designer fragrances a run for their money, let's dive into the six best fragrances Zara has to offer, handpicked by our beauty team!
Wanna stand out? RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: Saffron, coriander, orange, jasmine, praline, and amber
Got a nose for the unconventional? This spicy and distinctive perfume might just be the one for you. It may not love at first sniff, but that's okay—this fragrance is bound to garner compliments.
Sounds expensive, right? If you're hunting for a premium alternative, check out Baccarat Rouge 540. Pricy but classy!
Who's it for? If you're after an affordable perfume that could become your unique signature scent, then absolutely give Red Temptation a shot.
Ready for sophistication? RRP: £9.99 for 30ml | Notes: Orange blossom, coffee, peach, and raspberry
This is one chic and mature scent that's sure to make heads turn. Designer fragrances are usually potent and long-lasting, but Gardenia cuts straight to the 'worn-in' smell that elegantly clings to your skin for hours, giving it universal appeal.
Love Black Opium but find it overpowering? For those who find the classic Black Opium a bit too intense, give Zara's Gardenia a try. After months of testing, we believe it's a perfect alternative with less overpowering power—in a good way!
Yearning for something fruity? RRP: £9.99 for 30ml | Key notes: Pear, red fruits, jasmine, coconut, and vanilla
This fruity and youthful scent is all about fun. The top notes of pear are paired with a middle of red berries and a vanilla base, making for a sweet, feminine aroma that lingers delightfully on your skin.
Love Dior's J'Adore? This scent is often compared to Dior's iconic gem. A truly feminine and fruity perfume that smells great all day!
Who's it for? Sweet perfume lovers would adore this. Plus, if you love layering your scents, don't miss out on this one.
Fancy getting fancy? RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin, and lavender
In one word, this perfume is pure elegance with its warm and sensual blend of white flowers, mandarin, and calming lavender. It's perfect for evening wear, and the long-lasting scent ensures it's a keeper.
Love YSL's Libre? If you're already a fan of YSL's Libre and seek a budget-friendly alternative or a similar scent that can travel in your handbag for top-ups, this enveloping fragrance is a must-try.
Wanna get Woodsy? RRP: £29.99 for 100ml | Key notes: Grapefruit, cypress, patchouli, vetiver
Equal parts citrusy and woody, Ebony Woods is yet another gem from the genius mind of perfumer Jo Malone CBE. It merges grapefruit with fresh and earthy notes of cypress, patchouli, and vetiver, creating a fragment that's sweet yet spicy.
What's it remind you of? They don't smell exactly the same, but there's a lot of note overlap between Ebony Woods and Jo Loves Pomelo. It's also slightly reminiscent of Byredo Bibliotheque.
Who's it for? Those who enjoy the fragrant, slightly spicy depth of woods in a scent that's cut with a little sweetness will surely love Ebony Woods.
Looking for something elegant? 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 reminds us slightly of YSL Libre in terms of its hearty yet sweet finish.
Love the scent of YSL Libre and Zadig & Voltaire's viral favorite This Is Her? If you're searching for a long-lasting perfume, Fields at Nightfall is another Zara number that keeps a scent for hours, just like YSL Libre.
Extra tip:
With dozens of fragrances currently available from Zara, it's only fair to give credit where credit is due and acknowledge the scents that didn't quite make the cut.
- Apple Juice Eau de Toilette - While it may not last long, this youthful and fruity scent is light and fresh—perfect for a daytime spritz.
- Caramel Temptation - With its elegant and captivating blend of gourmand salted caramel, jasmine, and orange blossom, Caramel Temptation is Zara's new addition to their fragrance lineup, and we think it's a hit.
- Orchid Eau de Toilette - When it comes to a rival of the Victoria's Secret Bombshell perfume, this scent boasting floral rose and lily of the valley notes with fruity peach and apple, paired with a musky base is a strong contender.
How we tested the best Zara perfume:We had a blast wearing Zara fragrances for years, but we also made sure to thoroughly review these fragrances for months to ensure our list is an accurate reflection of the best Zara fragrances available today.One thing to keep in mind is that buying a fragrance online can be tricky because you can't smell it through a screen. That's why we've tested a wide range of Zara fragrances with varying notes and wore each for a full day, focusing on finding the best fruity, woody, fresh, and floral perfumes while considering lasting power and potency.
Figuring out how to choose a perfume that suits your taste can be challenging, but because these Zara fragrances are priced affordably (and with occasional Zara sales offering further bargains), we think all of these Zara fragrances are pretty safe bets. Once you've found one that hits all the right notes, we've also quizzed the fragrance pros on how to make your affordable perfume last longer...
Tips for getting 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 because moisture helps your scent stick around longer.
- Notice the base notes: Pay attention to how the perfume evolves over time instead of just focusing on the initial spritz as some people may prioritize top notes too much.
- Stay moisturized: For situations where you need your scent to take you from desk to dance floor, use an unscented moisturizer on your skin before applying perfume. This helps lock in the fragrance better.
- Assess the fragrance type: When weighing perfume eau de toilette vs. parfum, remember that more concentrated forms, like pure parfum, will cost more and have a longer-lasting scent, while less concentrated versions, like eau de toilette, will cost less but won't last as long.
- Create an aroma: If you have a signature scent, you can get your clothing to smell like it, too! Line your drawers with tissue paper that's been spritzed with your perfume, allowing the scent to seep into the fabrics.
Experience the blend of beauty and affordability with Zara's fashion-and-beauty line, where you can find various personal-lifestyle fragrances that rival designer options. From the spicy and distinctive Red Temptation, perfect for those seeking an unconventional scent, to the chic and mature Gardenia, suitable for everyday wear, Zara's fragrances cater to every taste.
If you're after sophistication, the jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin, and lavender combination in their Fancy fragrance might be ideal. For fruity lovers reminiscent of Dior's J'Adore, Zara's pear, red fruits, jasmine, coconut, and vanilla blend is a worthy alternative.
When searching for something elegant, Fields at Nightfall, with its praline, jasmine, and sandalwood notes, offers a hearty yet sweet finish similar to YSL Libre. For those seeking a woodsy, sensual perfume, Ebony Woods, boasting grapefruit, cypress, patchouli, and vetiver notes, is worth considering.
Remember, affordability doesn't mean compromising on quality. With numerous perfume options available from Zara, picking one that suits your taste is an enjoyable exploration, and their long-lasting scents can rival even the most expensive designer fragrances.
