Blue Spirit by Zara

It is Zara’s third Invictus inspiration, you could say it is the “night” version of the Invictus inspirations, since Seoul is more summery and W/END 8:00 PM is the most versatile and closest to Paco Rabanne’s bestseller. In this version, freshness takes a back seat in the fragrance, and the sweet part takes centre stage, it is a sweet scent, a somewhat marine amber takes over the perfume once the citrusy tangerine opening calms down, the citrusy part feels a bit plasticky to me, the dry-down noticeably improves the perfume. I think, compared to the other 2 inspirations, this one has slightly discreet performance, from an already discreet line, but it makes up for it with a much more explosive opening. 5-hour longevity, 1 hour of intense projection, another of medium and sweet projection, the rest close to the skin. Without looking at notes, I described Seoul as a seashell with a sweet gummy and herbal inside, Blue Spirit is more like a somewhat warm chewing gum accompanied by a wrapper that smells of citrusy plastic. For me it is 1/4 on my personal scale, because it is a perfume that aims to be a slightly colder version of Invictus which for me does not achieve its goal, because it resembles more a typical youthful, jovial, fun-at-night perfume, more synthetic than its 2 other siblings. I do not recommend it when Seoul and W/END exist, it is by far the weakest. It works for the office, for a casual outing on days that are not too hot nor too cold, it performs well in both climates, but it does slightly better in the cold.

When I tried this perfume it seemed to me totally similar to Invictus by Paco Rabanne, but as I always say no Zara perfume lasts more than about 3 hours, nor do they have a heavy sillage, they are good and that is where they stay, it has a quite sweet and citrusy smell, and that is why because of that sweetness I would also recommend it for night use or even, I dare say, in the cold. but in general it would be better in summer or during the day.

Another typical fragrance reminiscent of Invictus by Paco Rabanne because of that sweet, fresh bubblegum smell, it’s affordable and easy to like, it doesn’t last long, 4 or 5 hours with 1 hour of projection at 1 metre sillage but for the price it’s no trouble to reapply, it’s perfect as a first perfume.

When I tried it in the shop I automatically thought “this is Invictus”. It’s true that the opening is identical if you don’t have both in front of you to compare, but Invictus has a fuller and slightly more complex odour. This fragrance stays exclusively on the Invictus opening until it fully dries down and disappears, there’s no evolution, sillage or longevity. That said, I don’t think it’s a bad fragrance either considering its price. I think it’s ideal to keep in the gym bag or in the car and apply from time to time.

Invictus DNA Zara has become expert at replicating this Invictus DNA, Blue Spirit and Seoul are examples of it. The value for money is good, a fresh fragrance, without standing out much but with a very pleasant scent. The debate is whether you should buy this or Invictus, my opinion is: as it’s a popular fragrance with low longevity, it’s much better to buy this than Invictus, unless you really prefer to buy the original, it’s more economical and with the same result blue spirit.

I bought it for my son, I love it but it doesn’t last long. My brother has Invictus and says it’s the same…

I bought it for my son, I love it but it doesn’t last long. My brother has Invictus and says it’s the same…

Another typical fragrance that reminds one of Invictus by Paco Rabanne with that sweet fresh bubblegum smell, it’s affordable and easy to like, lasts a short time, 4 or 5 hours with 1 hour of projection at 1 metre sillage but for the price reapplying isn’t a problem, it’s perfect as a first perfume.

It does have an ‘air’ of Invictus, but it leaves a lot to be desired compared to it and other similar ones. It gives me the impression of being a more childish version, there are other perfumes with a style similar to Invictus that feel youthful, but this one goes much further. It was not a scent that convinced me.

This is Zara’s third Invictus-inspired fragrance, the ‘night’ version. Seoul is more summery, while W/END 8:00 PM is the most versatile and similar to Bet Seller. Here, the freshness gives way to sweetness. As the orange top note settles, a marine amber takes control. The citrus opening is a bit plastic, but the dry-down improves the fragrance significantly. Of the three, this has a more discreet performance, typical of the line, but it’s compensated by a more explosive opening. It lasts five hours, with an hour of intense projection, half an hour of sweet sillage, and then it sits close to the skin. Without looking at the notes, I see Seoul as a sweet, chewy marine shell with herbal undertones; Blue Spirit is warm bubblegum wrapped in citrus plastic. For me, it’s a 1/4 on my scale. It aims to be a cooler Invictus but fails; it resembles a youthful, fun, synthetic fragrance compared to its siblings. I wouldn’t recommend it if you already own Seoul and W/END; it’s by far the weakest. It suits the office or casual nights on mild days, it goes well in both cold and heat, but I prefer it in the cold.

It’s basically Diesel Fuel for Life, and I’m surprised no one has noticed it yet.

The scent reminds me of my brother’s bedside table, where a cheap bottle broke over ten years ago and left that smell embedded in the wood. It smells like a child, so for someone like that, it’s perfect, haha.

Another typical fragrance that smells of sweet, fresh bubblegum like Paco Rabanne’s Invictus. It’s economical and easy to wear, lasting four or five hours with a strong first hour projection, but at this price, it’s not worth reapplying. It’s ideal as a first perfume.

In the shop, I thought ‘this is Invictus’. The opening is identical unless you have both to compare, but the original has more body and complexity. This fragrance stays only in the opening until it dries out and disappears, with no evolution or trail. Still, it’s not bad for the price; ideal for the gym bag or the car, for occasional use.

Clean, rich, and soft scent, but it projects nothing. Smells freshly washed, lasting a maximum of three or four hours. It’s fine for daily use and the price in a pack with Savage Green is excellent. I prefer it for spring rather than summer.