Amber Vanilla

Olfactory Experience

Zara's Amber Vanilla launches with a juicy burst of mandarin and grapefruit, immediately tempered by a rough pink pepper. This opening is brash compared to I by Widian's smoother citrus introduction. The heart unfolds with a smoky incense note, reminiscent of a newly extinguished candle, mingling with the sweeter tones of tobacco and a medicinal saffron. The tobacco leans toward pipe tobacco, but without the sweetness. It deviates noticeably from the original's more nuanced spicy profile. The drydown is where the largest divergence occurs. The Zara exhibits a plasticky oud accord, alongside a straightforward leather and amber blend. This combination creates a cloying sweetness, with a synthetic amber edge, unlike the more refined, resinous amber in Widian.

Is it Worth It?

This scent is best suited for the cooler months, specifically autumn evenings. It works well for casual settings like a coffee date or a relaxed dinner. The sweetness might be too much for warmer weather. I’d also avoid wearing this in more formal environments.

The Performance Stats

I get about 5-6 hours of longevity with this fragrance. Projection is moderate for the first hour, reaching about an arm's length, then it settles closer to the skin. I wore this during a casual weekend outing and found it faded quite quickly in the cooler air. Indoors, it performed slightly better, but never became overpowering.