Vetiver Eau de Cologne (2008)
by Zara

I was excited to try another vetiver by a less familiar designer, but I was disappointed with the weakness. I also had suprising difficulty in keeping up with the many early and drastic changes in the scent. It starts out a bit limey and bright, perhaps like the post-2000 Guerlain, or a very muted Creed OV. A minute or two in, even before the alcohol is gone, there's a very rapid transition to something with more wood and florals, closer to Mugler Cologne. Then, as the strongest of the soapy notes recede after a few more minutes, a flowery grassiness like 4711 becomes evident, with just a dash of dusty, twiggy wood. The kaleidoscopic changes that this scent undergoes are fun if you have the chance to follow along with them, but because of the weakness (even for an EdC) I'm not sure when I'd really use it. I suspect I'll put the vial in my mini toiletries kit, take it on travel, and douse myself somewhere, someday.

24th April, 2011.

Zara Vetiver is a very nice eau de cologne, invigorating and sparkling. The citrus opening is fantastic and blends well with the raw vetiver. Longevity and sillage are very good for an "eau de cologne".
It is masculine, comfortable and very wearable.
Value for your money

25th January, 2011.

A simple version of Vetiver compared to Guerlain's, as well as an excellent option given its price.

It might also be an alternative to Vetiver by Adolfo Dominguez in terms of availabilty, given Zara's global presence. Take in mind Zara's and Dominguez' fragrances are manufactured by Antonio Puig, so this may explain analogies between these two.

Top notes are dominated by the presence of hesperidic (citric) notes, namely neroli (top note) and bergamot (mid note). Now, the vetiver is rooty and dry, giving it a powdery feeling.

As in the rest of the line, longevity and sillage are those of an eau de cologne (limited), but these can be graduated by application.

In the case of Antonio Dominguez' Vetiver, the structure is somohew similar to Zara's, but hesperidic notes are not so evident, though. It does have more longevity an sillage, as correspoding to an Eau de Toilette.

16th July, 2009.

Zara makes a really good AND cheap (cost-wise) vetiver scent that eliminates the tobacco accord in Guierlain's Vetiver that a couple of people find so "old man" smelling and makes a youthful, more vibrant vetiver. There's more citrus in the top and it's not as complex but a darn well-made vetiver scent for that "go to" feeling when you have no idea what you need to wear to the day. Fantastic.

18th May, 2009.