Boasting some of the most affordable and deceptively luxe scents on the market, the best Zara perfumes include options to suit every taste - from sparkling fruits to warm, woody florals...
While the list of best long-lasting perfumes still features all of the usual suspects from Chanel to Diptyque, one brand continues to impress, solidifying its own spot among the giants in the industry: Zara. The retailer's lineup of in-house 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 to mention the Zara fragrances that are said to rival more premium and iconic blends both in note and impression.
So, if you're looking to add a new, affordable signature to your collection, our team have become regulars at the Zara perfume counter, spritzing both new and familiar favourites, to bring you the best of the best - plus expert tips on how to get the most from your chosen scents...
7 best Zara perfumes, chosen 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: £7.99 for 30ml | Notes: Pear, red fruits, jasmine, coconut and vanilla
This number is youthful and fun, the top notes of pear are accompanied by a middle of red berries and a vanilla base, giving a fruity and feminine aroma that lingers on the skin.
Smells like: This scent is said to be very close to Dior's J'adore, which is a truly iconic perfume
Who should buy it: Sweet perfume lovers - it dries down to a vanilla base that will pleasantly remind 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 perhaps not something that everyone will fall in love with at first sniff. However, it is a truly distinctive perfume that is bound to draw 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 will become your unique signature scent, we definitely recommend Red Temptation.
RRP: £7.99 for 30ml | Notes: Apple, pink grapefruit, jasmine, violet and sandalwood
We found that it's the sort of perfume that is not immediately noticeable but still leaves a subtly clean and crisp aroma that comes through in wafts throughout the day. The only downfall is that it is not quite as long-lasting as others.
Smells like: Applejuice offer a similar dry down to Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, which is in itself a sparkling fruity and floral number.
Who should buy it: Fruity without being overly sweet, Applejuice is a perfume for those who like feminine fragrances that are also fresh.
RRP: £7.99 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 also means that they can sometimes be slightly suffocating when first applied. Gardenia bypasses that and cuts straight to the worn-in smell that sits gracefully on the skin for hours, giving a 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 Black Opium too intense, after testing for several months now, we think it's less overwhelming - in the best way.
RRP: £7.99 for 30ml | Notes: Rose and lily of the valley, peach, apple, musk and amber
If you liked the sound of Applejuice but want something a little more hearty, Zara Orchid is just that. It has all the light, fresh appeal of Applejuice, plus woody base notes that add an extra dimension.
Smells like: Maison Margiela's On A Date offers a similar musky and floral blend, with the addition of vetiver and pink pepper.
Who should buy it: For those who prefer a warmer blend, we found that it dries down to be musky and creamy, leaving the floral top notes to fade into the background.
RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin and lavender
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 a fan of YSL's Libre and are looking for a cheaper alternative or a similar scent that can live in your handbag, this enveloping fragrance is a must.
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 scent, which is beloved for its floral and woody blend.
Who should buy it: If you want a long-lasting perfume, it also has the same strong lasting power as YSL Libre, keeping the same scent from the initial spritz for hours after.
How we tested the best Zara perfume
We have been wearing Zara fragrances for years now and have also been reviewing our product selection consistently for the last nine 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 - to help you make an informed choice. As well as seeking out the best fruity, woody, fresh, and floral perfumes, we have also paid attention to factors like lasting power and potency to determine which budget Zara scents really are 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 Zara sale that offers further bargains, we think all of these Zara perfumes are pretty safe bets. And once you've found one that strikes all the right notes, we've also quizzed the fragrance pros on how to boost 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 your signature scent 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," explains says Master Perfumer Ruth Mastenbroek. "While helpful, some people may place too much importance on these notes."
- Stay moisturised—"For desk-to-dancefloor situations, use an unscented moisturizer 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 "perfume and cologne are sold in different ratios of fragrance oil to alcohol," explains Gordon. "The more concentrated forms, like pure Parfum, will cost the most and last the longest, whilst 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 and allow the scent to permeate the fabrics."
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