Gardenia

How it Smells

Zara's Gardenia is definitely aiming for Pi by Givenchy, and it gets respectably close – I'd say about 86%. The opening is a blast of mandarin, like Pi, but here it’s sharper and a little more synthetic. The tarragon and rosemary add a green, aromatic edge, a slightly bitter counterpoint. The heart develops with anise and neroli – these are nice. Then, the drydown becomes a cozy blend of vanilla, almond, and tonka. This clone leans heavier on the almond than Pi, making it slightly sweeter and less woody overall. Still, it hits that same gourmand-adjacent feel.

Conclusion

Gardenia is a great everyday option if you like the idea of Pi but don't want to shell out the cash. Yes, it has a touch of that Zara "cheapie" DNA, especially in the opening. But the drydown is really pleasant. This works well as a casual, comforting scent for fall and winter days. Perfect for the office or running errands. This is a solid deal . If you love the *idea* of Pi but don't want to shell out for the OG or worry about using it sparingly, give Gardenia a try.

Performance Reality Check

Longevity is moderate. You'll get around 4-5 hours of noticeable scent, then it sits closer to the skin. Projection is okay for the first hour, leaving a small scent bubble. I would consider overspraying if you want better performance but just keep in mind the opening might get a bit much!