Fig

Notes & Nuances

Zara's "Fig" opens with a jarring grapefruit candy sweetness, a far cry from the original's refined citrus. Pink pepper is amped up, lending a nose-tickling sharpness that clashes with the synthetic mandarin. The heart attempts incense, but it manifests as a vaguely smoky bathroom air freshener. Tobacco is present, yet unfortunately resembles cheap pipe tobacco rather than a cured, leathery leaf. The base arrives quickly: oud, but scrubbed clean of all character, leaning towards a medicinal bandage note. The promised leather is a ghost, replaced by a cloying amber that clings like cheap glue. A plasticky element dominates this drydown.

How Long Does it Last?

Longevity is surprising, sticking around for 6-7 hours, though mostly as a skin scent after the first hour. Projection is moderate initially, reaching about an arm's length, before quickly receding. Tested in an office setting and found it distracting.

Conclusion

This is an autumn evening fragrance, attempting cozy, but ending up awkwardly out of place. I envision a character who tries too hard to project sophistication, wearing this to a dimly lit cocktail party and feeling profoundly uncomfortable. Best suited for cooler weather and casual environments where subtleties are unlikely to be noticed.