Hypnotic Vanilla by Zara

Wanted to see the fuss and check if it resembled Dior’s Hypnotic Poison, but honestly, it has nothing to do with it. Not that it’s bad; I adore Zara’s vanillas, but this smells too generic to add to my wishlist.

To the point: uff, one of my favourites. The performance is insane; it projects and lasts over 10 hours on skin, and forget about clothes. It gets compliments and is super economical, highly recommended.

Zara’s Hypnotic Vanilla is for vanilla lovers but with a different twist. It combines the warmth of Bourbon vanilla and caramel with the softness of jasmine and apricot blossom, giving it a very subtle floral and fruity note. The moss in the base adds an earthy undertone, making it less cloying. Ideal for autumn and winter, perfect for daily wear or a casual afternoon plan. It’s versatile, suitable for going to class, work, or a coffee with friends. For a calm and cheerful person looking for something sweet, comforting, and easy to wear.

A synthetic vanilla. Smells like the dolls that used to come with perfume. I can’t tolerate the scent. Had to give it away 🙁

At the moment, I’m testing and comparing Zara’s Hypnotic Vanilla on one arm and Ariana’s Mod Vanilla on the other. For me and those I ask to compare, they smell the same; I don’t perceive any differences.

It’s a clear inspiration for Hypnotic Poison or Poison Girl. Soft, powdery vanilla. It doesn’t disgust me, but I wouldn’t buy it; perhaps in a 10ml miniature.

It has become one of my favourite fragrances from the very first moment. It’s a very captivating and elegant vanilla, it smells unique, with a dark touch of moss that creates an addictive combination. I use it regularly and would buy it again.

At first it smells of alcohol, synthetic. But once it settles on the skin it smells delicious; I sense strong vanilla with hints of cherry (odd because it’s not in the notes). Then jasmine and moss appear in the base. On my skin it lasts about 3 hours in the office; certainly it’s for cold days and evenings, very sweet and heavy for summer. In warm weather its longevity is greater.

Wearing it, people have literally told me I smell like a Marie biscuit hahaha. For me it’s pleasant although I’m not enthusiastic about the opening, which I find overwhelming and harsh. Fortunately the dry-down with a biscuit scent is very pleasant and lasts long enough, about 4 or 5 hours, what’s expected for a Zara perfume.

I have mixed feelings. It seems like a dark, sexy vanilla, very much a winter scent. It brings to mind an elegant, made-up woman. However, over time a smoky scent arrives, like clothes after being in a house with a fireplace for a while. It’s not unpleasant but it doesn’t passion me either. I only tried it in-store and I think, for now, I won’t buy it. I applied it 6 hours ago and it remains somewhat close to the skin, moderate longevity.

Didn’t like it, what a pity. Tried it at Zara today and after three hours it’s still there. Perhaps the floral notes do something odd on my skin: the vanilla gets almost buried by something dusty and bitter. I did like the other vanilla (Supreme).

It’s very similar to Hypnotic Poison, but if you’re a total fan, it’s not the same: it has a woody note that differentiates it and makes it identical to Estée Lauder’s Aerin Tangier Vanille. If you like these perfumes, it’s a safe purchase. It doesn’t last long on my skin, but it smells expensive and super warm.

It’s a copy of Hypnotic Poison, though not exact. It’s darker than the original, less cloying, but more interesting. The imitation of the initial jasmine is well executed, the vanilla exudes sensuality and has a well-constructed heart, nothing cloying. The scents respect each other and blend uniformly. People have asked me several times what dessert smells so delicious. At first it tickles the nose, as if it had pepper (moss), but it smells wonderfully, more intense than the Dior one, which is why I think it lasts longer. I also associate it with tobacco, not cigarettes, perhaps due to that smoky sensation at the start. It conveys a dark, hypnotic woman’s essence: femme fatale. Excellent price/quality. Lasts quite a while and on clothes it lasts until the wash.

It’s an earthy and floral vanilla. I don’t know Hypnotic Poison so I don’t know, but I do know Kenzo Amour and it doesn’t seem similar to me at all. In fact, if you didn’t see them compared here, I’d never think they resembled each other. It’s a vanilla with an acidic and earthy touch, I imagine due to the moss. In Chile only Supreme and Hypnotic have arrived and both have their differences. I hope their sister versions arrive soon. Ideal for layering. I’m not sure about longevity as I reapply at lunch, but I’d say about seven hours on skin; before reapplying I can still smell it. A feminine vanilla. I don’t know if it’s for men or if it’s because I don’t like sweet scents on men.

When I read that people were comparing this perfume with Hypnotic Poison, I ran to Zara. Hypnotic Poison and Poison Girl are my signature perfumes, I always restock them, so I know the notes as the palm of my hand and this Zara one has nothing to do with Hypnotic Poison. The Zara one seems very unisex, whereas the Dior one is feminine and sensual; the key is the INCOMPARABLE almond note of Dior, I’d recognise it among all. Hypnotic Poison has very characteristic notes and the Zara one might resemble it a little in the dry-down, but it’s not a dupe or copy at all. Still, if you want a ‘dark’ vanilla that’s not too cloying, for evening and with a unisex touch, you’ll love it. Longevity is good, about six hours on skin. It doesn’t leave much trail but it is felt close to the skin.