Black Pepper & Cedarwood

Bottom Line

This fragrance is best suited for cooler weather, specifically early autumn or late spring. The citrus and pepper make it a good choice for daytime wear, but the somewhat cloying drydown prevents it from being a top choice for formal settings. It works best in casual situations like running errands or grabbing coffee with friends.

Notes & Nuances

Zara's Black Pepper & Cedarwood kicks off with a vibrant, almost fizzy citrus – less like bergamot orchards, and more akin to lemon-lime soda. The pink pepper is assertive, not subtle, creating a slightly sharp, nose-tickling effect. The heart introduces a woody dryness, certainly cedar-prominent, but with an undercurrent of something green and slightly bitter, like crushed stems. The dry down attempts a smooth sandalwood, but ends up with a more synthetic agarwood impression, reminiscent of a dusty, old bookshelf, leaving a lingering medicinal quality from the initial pepper. It deviates with a plasticky edge to the sandalwood in the base.

Projection Power

This is a moderate performer. I get around 5-6 hours of wear, with projection initially extending to about an arm's length, then quickly settling closer to the skin. I wore it during a day of meetings and found it faded significantly by lunchtime, needing a respray to maintain any noticeable presence.