Universal Oud by Zara
Men Women 2021
Main accords
Description
Universal Oud by Zara is a woody-spicy fragrance for men and women. Launched in 2021, the nose behind this composition is Jo Malone. The top note is black pepper; the heart note is oud wood; and the base note is patchouli.
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When to wear it (votes)
Key notes
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Top
black pepper
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Heart
oud wood
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Base
patchouli
Community
253 votes
- Positive 68%
- Negative 21%
- Neutral 11%
The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
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In the collection
Leading answer I own it
805 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
253 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Autumn
286 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Night
168 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Universal Oud
Universal Oud by Zara is a woody-spicy fragrance for men and women. Launched in 2021, the nose behind this composition is Jo Malone. The top note is black pepper; the heart note is oud wood; and the base note is patchouli.
Woods and mosses
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Zara
Related editions
More from Jo Malone
How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
151 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
150 votes
Character
Leading answer Balanced
165 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Excellent value
150 votes
Featured review The most detailed of the latest reviews.
Have you worn Universal Oud?
Tell us how it opens, how it settles on your skin, how long it lasts and when you wear it.
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cyanaardvark
Looks like a cousin of Jo Malone’s Velvet Rose & Oud, but with more character: less clear, murkier, and with a less sticky, friendlier oud. The rose here is watery and earthy; if you love the note, it might lack punch, but if you’re not a fan, this will win you over. The projection was beastly, sometimes fading out only to reappear from nowhere. On my skin, which usually hates perfumes, I reckon it lasts all day if you apply it with gusto. Unisex, with a more masculine vibe than its inspiration. 7.5/10; I think it gets overlooked simply because it’s so agreeable.
Ana MF
Seems like a direct clone of Jo Malone’s Velvet Rose & Oud.
Irina13
Basically pure oud; in my opinion, it’s good for layering as it’s very basic on its own. It doesn’t smell like Jo Malone’s Rose Oud because the floral note is noticeable there, whereas in this Zara one, only the oud stands out.
Ojos Claros
Dark chocolate, amber, and tobacco flower smothered the rose, which only became noticeable after 2–3 hours. The opening is very intense and synthetic, very spiced but perhaps a bit flat for my tastes; I’m looking for innovation or surprises, not just what I already know. That said, I couldn’t stop smelling it all afternoon and into the night. The longevity is long, around 8 hours.
Amarilisbelladona
A ‘meh’ experience: it doesn’t enchant me, lacks magic, and tells me nothing. It’s a very basic, dry, rough, and hard oud, without elegance. Although it’s unisex, it has a strong masculine touch; to me, it smells heavily of patchouli and projects a lot in the first hour until it becomes cloying, but by three hours it’s gone. It doesn’t matter that it’s from the Jo Malone line; I didn’t like it and it lacks quality. Try it in a store. Also, it doesn’t smell of rose at all, despite what Zara’s website says; it’s just patchouli and oud. There are better oud options at Zara, such as Perpetual Oud, which is delicate, feminine, and cheaper. I’ll give other scents from the Chapter 4 collection a chance.
Sara74
Oud is a special note that you truly have to love. At first, it impacted me and took time to get used to its strength and depth, but gradually I came to love its complex beauty. In this perfume, it comes out with great force before softening to reveal a rose bathed in its aroma. I loved it, although you might need to give it time or perhaps it’s just not for you.