The 20 Best Zara Perfume and Aftershave Dupes For 2025

29/11/2024

The luxurious blends and unique scents of designer fragrances from brands like Dior, Tom Ford, and Yves Saint Laurant are worn and adored worldwide. However, spending over £100 on perfume or aftershave isn’t feasible for many of us.

Enter Zara, the high-street hero known for creating some of the best perfume dupes inspired by the most iconic designer scents. From beloved feminine scents like Black Opium and La Vie Est Belle to the ultra-masculine Bleu de Chanel, Zara has an answer to every famous favourite.

In this guide, we share the 20 best Zara perfume and aftershave dupes to try in 2025. Ready to smell great and save money? Let’s dive in!

The 15 Best Zara Perfume Dupes

Zara’s fragrance line has long been revered for its delicious scents at modest prices. As fans have spotted Next perfume dupes and Marks and Spencer perfume dupes, they’ve also noticed that Zara’s fragrances are remarkably similar to designer favourites.

Here are some Zara perfume dupes that capture the essence of famous fragrances without breaking the bank:

1. Zara ‘Gardenia’ vs Yves Saint Laurent ‘Black Opium’

YSL’s Black Opium is a cult favourite known for its seductive blend of coffee, vanilla, and white flowers. Zara’s Gardenia captures a similar rich warmth with white flowers and a touch of coffee, bringing that signature sense of mystery and sophistication. Gardenia is perfect for a sultry evening scent.

Notes:

Gardenia: White florals, coffee, vanilla, patchouli, orange blossom, peach, raspberry
Black Opium: Coffee, vanilla, white flowers, patchouli, green mandarin, pear accord

2. Zara ‘Moonlight’ vs Sol de Janeiro ‘Cheirosa ‘62’

Cheriosa 62 has gained popularity for its beachy, caramel-infused scent that feels like a summer holiday. Zara’s Moonlight has a similar gourmand quality, blending vanilla and pistachio notes to create an exotic, sun-kissed feel. This is an excellent choice for anyone who loves a warm, tropical scent.

Notes:

Moonlight: Florals, pistachio, cardamom, pink sugar, skin musks, whipped vanilla
Cheriosa ‘62: Pistachio, salt, caramel, vanilla, jasmine, sandalwood

3. Zara ‘Red Temptation’ vs Maison Francis Kurkdjian ‘Baccarat Rouge 540’

Red Temptation channels the luxury and complexity of Baccarat Rouge 540 for a fraction of the price. Both feature a blend of amber, spices, jasmine, and woods, with Red Temptation adding a slightly spicier finish that feels opulent and complex. A fantastic alternative for budget shoppers!

Notes:

Red Temptation: Jasmine, saffron, coriander, bitter orange, woods, amber
Baccarat Rouge 540: Jasmine, saffron, bitter almond, cedarwood, musk, amber

4. Zara ‘Applejuice’ vs Chanel ‘Chance Eau Tendre’

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre is a lighthearted fragrance known for its fresh and fruity character, and Zara’s Applejuice captures that same refreshing quality with an even fruitier focus. It’s an ideal daily fragrance, with floral and fruity notes and a woody base perfect for spring and summer.

Notes:

Applejuice: Apple, orange, pink grapefruit, floral bouquet, cedar, sandalwood
Chance Eau Tendre: Quince, grapefruit, hyacinth, jasmine, cedar, amber

5. Zara ‘Violet Blossom’ vs Mugler ‘Alien’

Mugler’s Alien is intense, mysterious, and woody, and Zara’s Violet Blossom hits a similar mood with warm florals and a touch of vanilla. Both fragrances have a powerful floral scent and smell super feminine, yet Zara offers a somewhat sweeter twist on the designer favourite.

Notes:

Violet Blossom: Magnolia, apple, lily, vanilla
Alien: Jasmine, amber, woody notes

6. Zara ‘Red Vanilla’ vs Lancôme ‘La Vie Est Belle’

Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle is known for its sweet and gourmand fragrance profile. Zara’s Red Vanilla channels that same vibe with a mix of berry, floral, and vanilla notes. Albeit somewhat less complex, it’s a lovely dupe for those who want a comforting, cosy scent for a much lower price.

Notes:

Red Vanilla: Raspberry, iris, peony, mandarin, vanilla
La Vie Est Belle: Blackcurrant, pear, iris, jasmine, orange blossom, praline, vanilla, tonka bean

7. Zara ‘Oriental’ vs Viktor & Rolf ‘Flowerbomb’

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is floral and captivating, and Zara’s Oriental is a beautiful alternative that features similar floral notes with spicy, sweet, and citrusy touches. It’s an affordable way to enjoy Viktor & Rolfs's much-loved bouquet.

Notes:

Oriental: Jasmine, rose, patchouli, bergamot, vanilla, sweet orange
Flowerbomb: Jasmine, rose, patchouli, tea, bergamot, musk, vanilla, orange flower

8. Zara ‘Golden Decade’ vs YSL ‘Libre’

YSL’s Libre is an elegant blend of lavender and orange blossom with a vanilla finish. Zara’s Golden Decade offers a similar combination with a touch of vanilla for sweetness. It’s a stunningly close dupe and a sophisticated choice that works well for both day and evening.

Notes:

Golden Decade: Lavender, orange blossom, mandarin, jasmine
Libre: Lavender, orange blossom, musk, jasmine

9. Zara ‘Black Amber’ vs Dolce & Gabbana ‘The One’

Black Amber captures the rich, oriental character of D&G’s The One with notes of amber, musk, and fruity touches. It offers a luxurious and inviting feel that’s as sweetly rich as it is warm and comforting.

Notes:

Black Amber: vanilla, amber, white musks, tiare flower, passion fruit, cherry
The One: Amber, peach, musk, mandarin, vanilla, plum, vetiver, bergamot

10. Zara ‘Femme’ vs Dior ‘Hypnotic Poison’

Dior’s Hypnotic Poison is known for its rich, vanilla-laden scent, and Zara’s Femme offers a close scent with a base of vanilla and tonka. Both fragrances feature floral and musky top notes, resulting in a seductive blend with a similar intensity.

Notes:

Femme: Frangipani blossom, peony, vanilla, tonka, musk, orchid
Hypnotic Poison: Jasmine, plum, apricot, tuberose, musk, vanilla

11. Zara ‘Nude Bouquet’ vs Miss Dior

Miss Dior is a beloved floral fragrance with a fun and fruity character that stays true to its delicate heart. Zara’s Nude Bouquet mirrors its floral and fruity notes, making it the perfect choice for younger women seeking a delightfully feminine scent for everyday wear.

Notes:

Nude Bouquet: cherry, peony, vanilla, white musk
Miss Dior: Rose, peony, patchouli, Lily-of-the-Valley, white musk

12. Zara ‘Cashmere Rose’ vs Gucci ‘Flora Gorgeous Gardenia’

Gucci Flora is loved for its light, floral scent, and Zara’s Cashmere Rose is a similar pick with floral and sweet notes that feel feminine and fresh. It’s ideal for anyone seeking a fresh, flowery, fruity, affordable, and easy-to-wear fragrance.

Notes:

Cashmere Rose: Lotus flower, peach, white musk
Flora Gorgeous Gardenia: Gardenia, red berries, patchouli

13. Zara ‘Cherry Smoothie’ vs Tom Ford ‘Lost Cherry’

Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry is a fruity, gourmand fragrance with a rich cherry note. It offers bold, sweet and tart touches, much like Zara’s Cherry Smoothie. This delightful alternative has a similar scent profile. Sweet and bold, it’s perfect for anyone wanting to make a statement with fragrance.

Notes:

Cherry Smoothie: cherry, plum, tonka bean, vanilla
Lost Cherry: Sour cherry, plum, bitter almond, tonka bean, sandalwood, cinnamon

14. Zara ‘Ebony Wood’ vs Jo Malone ‘Wood Sage & Sea Salt’

Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt has a fresh, earthy vibe, and Zara’s Ebony Wood shares that grounded, woody quality with an added warmth. It’s ideal for those who love a natural, versatile scent, offering a similar herby feel.

Notes:

Ebony Wood: Ebony, clove, pink pepper
Wood Sage & Sea Salt: Sage, sea salt, ambrette, grapefruit

15. Zara ‘Energetically New York’ vs Le Labo ‘Santal 33’

Le Labo is a perfume house based in New York that focuses on producing unique scents. However, Zara appears to have successfully replicated its signature Santal 33 with a woody and smoky fragrance: Energetically New York. Created as a collaboration with Jo Malone, it's a great option for those who love deep, sophisticated scents.

Notes:

Energetically New York: Spicy cardamom, jasmine, sandalwood
Santal 33: Sandalwood, cedar, violet, cardamom, musk

The 10 Best Zara Aftershave Dupes

Zara also offers high-quality aftershaves that replicate the scents of popular men’s colognes. Here are our top picks:

1. Zara ‘Vibrant Leather’ vs Creed ‘Aventus’

Creed’s Aventus features fruity and citrus notes, with base notes of birch, musk, and oak, with a unique touch of pineapple. Vibrant Leather's fresh, citrusy top notes and leathery base capture the masculine freshness of its luxury counterpart.

2. Zara ‘Blue Spirit’ vs Paco Rabanne ‘Invictus’

Invictus offers a citrus burst from grapefruit and mandarin orange and a coolness delivered by sea salt. Blue Spirit is a similar alternative scent that features refreshing citrus notes of tangerine and ylang-ylang, contrasted by warm amber undertones.

3. Zara ‘Vetiver Pamplemousse’ vs Tom Ford ‘Grey Vetiver’

Tom Ford’s Grey Vetiver is a refined scent, and Zara’s Vetiver Pamplemousse offers a similar blend of vetiver with a fresh citrus twist. It’s a clean, classic fragrance that’s perfect for everyday wear.

4. Zara ‘Navy Black’ vs Bleu de Chanel

Bleu de Chanel is a classic scent that delivers woody notes with grapefruit, vetiver, and pepper twists. Similarly, Navy Black is a woody and aromatic fragrance with top notes of nectarine, bergamot, and grapefruit. Hints of sage and coffee and a base of vetiver amber make this dupe a surprisingly complex scent that’s worth a try.

5. Zara ‘Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes’ vs Louis Vuitton ‘Imagination’

Zara’s Sunrise on the Red Sand Dunes has received much attention for its uncanny resemblance to the fresh and exotic notes of Louis Vuitton’s Imagination. Created by the renowned Mylene Alran, this Zara scent features bergamot, ginger, tangerine, and amber notes, much like its pricier counterpart.