Emotions N°01 Vetiver Pamplemousse

Notes & Nuances

Zara's Emotions N°01 Vetiver Pamplemousse starts with a surprisingly tart grapefruit – almost aggressively citrusy, like concentrated juice – softened by a touch of sweet mandarin. The pink pepper is there, adding a whisper of spice. It diverges from the inspiration pretty quickly as the incense note comes across quite harsh, almost medicinal, contrasting heavily with the brighter opening. The tobacco and saffron are present, but sit further back, never quite fully developing. The base is a muddled mix of something vaguely oudy, a hint of smoky leather, and a sweet amber that borders on cloying. In the drydown, that medicinal incense persists far too long, becoming somewhat tiring. It never achieves the smooth, blended character of the inspiration.

Bottom Line

Wearing Emotions N°01 Vetiver Pamplemousse, you gain a bright, citrus-forward opening that's pleasant enough. You lose the refined complexity and sophisticated blending of the inspiration. Where the original feels like a carefully curated experience, this leans more towards a straightforward, linear scent. This works in a pinch, and might satisfy those looking for a basic citrus and smoky fragrance, but it lacks the unique elegance of the Widian.

Wear time & Sillage

I get about 5 hours of solid wear from this one. Projection is moderate, extending to about an arm's length for the first hour or two, then settling closer to the skin. I wore it during a workday at the office. It didn't offend, but it also didn't wow. I also tested it at an outdoor restaurant, and it faded quickly in the open air.