We all know that feeling of dread when we reach the end of our favourite high-end perfume. Maybe it was last year's Christmas gift from the parents, or maybe it was a self-indulgent splurge. Whatever it was, the stark realisation of needing to dish out a minimum of £100 to replace our holy grail scent is not a vibe. That was, however, before Zara perfume dupes entered the scene.
It goes without saying that Zara is our high-street go-to for all things clothing, but it's also a fragrance gold mine. Surprisingly, similar to the Marks and Spencer perfume dupes that we've seen steal the show from designer equivalents, from light and floral to dark and musky, Zara's catalogue of scents is wide enough to cater to the desires of every fragrance-phile, and then some.
Whether your favourite designer scent is the internet-breaking Gypsy Water by Byredo, or Lancôme's fun and fresh La Vie Est Belle, you're bound to find the perfect £19.99 version (or less) in Zara's perfume section. Plus, if you're saving on perfume, you might finally be able to splash the cash on those cowboy boots you've been eyeing up for far too long...
Rachael Martin, Grazia's beauty editor says: 'I have conflicting thoughts regarding Zara's perfume dupe offering. Firstly, I think it's worthwhile noting that I don't believe a dupe can be an out-and-out carbon copy. A high-street giant just can't replicate the expertise and research behind iconic scents created by some of the most established fragrance houses. That said, if authenticity isn't your MO and if you're sticking to a budget the Zara perfume dupes could be good options. They do smell similar, granted, but you will need to reapply more regularly.'
We've put together an edit of the best Zara perfumes alongside their designer counterparts. Shop our top picks below.
Shop: The Best Zara Perfume Dupes
www.zara.com
Scents don't get much more holiday ready than Sol de Janeiro's iconic Brazilian Crush Cheirosa '62. The heady blend of pistachio and almond meshes beautifully with jasmine blossom and rich, salted caramel accords. It's no wonder then, Zara found itself inspired - notes in the (now viral) Moonlight also include pistachio and blossom. While there are several Sol de Janeiro dupes on the high street, we're inclined to cite this one as the best. High praise indeed. Shop Zara Moonlight here or the original Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa '62 for £24.
www.zara.com
If you want to smell expensive on a budget, look no further than Zara's Red Temptation, which is a near-perfect dupe for the Maison Francis Baccarat Rouge. With corresponding top notes of sensual jasmine and rich saffron, and middle notes of amber and moss, these two scents are practically indistinguishable. There are a few Baccarat Rouge dupes on the high street to choose from. However, you can grab Zara's £22.99 Red Temptation or the Maison Francis Baccarat Rouge for £245.
In fact, when beauty writer Georgia Scott, put it to the test, she noted: 'Much like the rest of us, I wanted to try out the viral dupe of the Baccarat Rouge fragrance from Maison Francis Kurkdijan - Red Temptation from Zara has been spotted all over TikTok for giving the £235 fragrance some tough competition. If you love an intense, oud-y scent - I'd definitely recommend this fragrance. To top it off, it lasts on your skin and clothing for hours and I have to say, I'm always guaranteed to receive compliments whenever I wear it - need we say more?'
www.zara.com
Nope, this is not a drill. YSL's Black Opium - a scent we all know and love - has met its match with Zara's £8.99 Gardenia. Lying at the heart of these perfumes are notes of orange blossom and black coffee, with base notes of vanilla to take the edge off. The result? A sweet/spicy fragrance that is addictive, in every sense of the word. Shop Zara's incredible dupe Gardenia, or Black Opium for £76.
www.zara.com
Light, fruity and delicate are the most fitting words to describe Chanel Chance along with its high street counterpart: Zara Applejuice. The fragrances intertwine notes of grapefruit, jasmine and musk, to create a romantic and tender fragrance. Shop Zara's £8.99 high street version or Chanel's Eau Tendre priced at £73.
www.zara.com
Both Lancome's La Vie Est Belle and Zara's Red Vanilla are reminiscent of fresh bouquets on a warm spring day. Although less than half the price, Red Vanilla holds its own against the high-end equivalent, with floral notes of peony and iris, tangy tangerine and sweet raspberry. Shop the high street £12.99 version or the Lancome La Vie Est Belle for £66.50.
www.zara.com
Miss Dior is one of those instantly recognisable fragrances; the floral scent is both fresh and sensual, much like Zara's £17.99 Nude Bouquet. Zara's Miss Dior dupe contains notes of cherry, peony and vanilla, to produce an almost-identical vibrant and powdery fragrance which leaves a mark. Shop the Zara dupe, or the original Miss Dior for £143.20
www.zara.com
Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is another all-time favourite, so we were delighted to come across Zara's impressive dupe, Oriental. Like Flowerbomb, Oriental features top notes of bergamot and freesia, with vanilla lying at the core of this fragrance, and base notes of patchouli lingering long after that first spritz. Pick up Oriental for £12.99 or the original Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf for £76.
www.zara.com
Zara's charming fragrance Orchid, £12.99, is loaded with fresh and fruity notes of rose, lily of the valley and peach. It's musky, woody and warm, and bears a close resemblance to Victoria's Secret Bombshell for £59. Both are as unapologetically feminine and bright as each other.
www.zara.com
Zara’s Sand Desert At Sunset isn’t to be sniffed at – if you’ll pardon the pun. It’s a fragrance with depth thanks to tobacco and tonka bean, and keen noses will instantly recognise its similarity to Granado’s Tonka, £49.30. A little goes a long way, and it sits on the skin beautifully.
On the fragrance, Rachael Martin, Grazia Beauty Editor, says: 'Zara's Desert at Sunset was all over my TikTok so consider me intrigued. If you love an intense, summer time ready scent then this one is likely to reel in the compliments.'
www.zara.com
Zara's Memorable Aura has been making the rounds on TikTok for its shocking similarities to the classic Mugler Alien Goddess (the original, not the Intense). Once they both dry down, they smell identical. As well as this, both have gorgeous notes of vanilla and jasmine. Shop Zara's spot-on dupe, or Alien Goddess for £80.75.
www.zara.com
Sharing notes of vert de bergamot and spearmint, Zara's Waterlily Tea Dress is almost identical to the internet sensation that is Byredo's Gypsy Water. Both fragrances combine citrus and woody notes, resulting in an enchanting scent that is the definition of that girl. Shop Zara's £15.99 version or the original Byredo Gypsy Water for £150.
www.zara.com
We can't think of a better scent to wear this cosy season than a woody fragrance, reminiscent of a night by the fire with a lulling crackle in the background. That's exactly what Maison Margiela's famed perfume, By The Fireplace so perfectly achieves, so we were stunned to find a similar olfactory experience in Zara's Bohemian Oud. Shop Bohemian Oud for £22.99, or the original By The Fireplace for £60.
www.zara.com
It's hard to forget the phenomenon that was Paco Rabanne's Lady Million, the scent created for the femme-fatale evoking notes of honey and patchouli, neroli and bitter orange. Similarly seductive is Zara's Woman Gold, combining spicy and floral notes resulting in an irresistible scent for just £12.99. Shop Zara's Woman Gold or Lady Million for £71.
Where To Buy The Best Perfume Dupes?
Zara isn't the only high street store where you can shop dupes for much-loved designer perfumes. & Other Stories has also been hailed for its collection of fragrances that are close alternatives to high-end perfumes. From Eau de Toilettes to Eau de Parfum, there's no doubt you'll find a dupe somewhere in its range.
Marks and Spencer is another retailer that has branched out in terms of fragrances. In fact, one of their latest releases, a £19 M&S perfume has gone viral for all of the right reasons. As well as trending scents, they also do dupes of designer favourites that we know and love.
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.