Vetiver Pamplemousse by Zara

I didn’t like it, but it seemed like a decent-quality citrus scent. The opening is odd, bordering on unpleasant; there’s grapefruit, including a very natural one as you say. However, it also has a prickly, woolly finish that makes you think of some concoction I tried centuries ago, like a Fernet revived and orange-flavoured. I checked the ingredients and it lists tangerine, which explains it all, though it suits me better if it were just orange, because that’s what the grapefruit’s redouble smells like: old, dried-up orange. Fortunately, shortly after, that strange syrupy tone evaporates and leaves a super-realistic grapefruit. Not too bitter, not too sharp, nor fizzy; a natural grapefruit reminiscent of those found in colognes twice the price. As for the vetiver, I do sense it, but much later after application; it might be hard to catch because it’s well camouflaged by the grapefruit’s sparkle. It’s not a woody, resinous, masculine vetiver that would look perfect here and was what I expected to find, but rather the same artificial, sweet vetiver with a fake green, serpentine quality found in Encre Noire and others of the same line, that vetiver that resembles cypriol, papyrus, or lemon grass created in a lab. It’s difficult to catch because the grapefruit swallows it whole, but once you manage to isolate it for the first time, you can’t stop smelling it. During some phases, it also has a faint memory of sweet petit grain and orange blossom. A scent that doesn’t make my head spin because I don’t subscribe to its notes, yet I’ve found excellent quality for its price.

I absolutely love it! It brings something very different to my collection. It’s a much more mature citrus scent than any other I own. It’s not that refreshing citrus cologne you’d happily spray all over yourself; it needs to be dosed carefully. Vetiver Pamplemousse is extra acidic and absolutely realistic, like a grapefruit cut in half on your breakfast plate. Don’t expect it to sweeten; it settles into bitterness. It’s a very well-executed scent with a notable trail; with 4-5 sprays, you can detect it for hours. Its longevity on my skin is around 7 hours, which is excellent for a citrus. Being linear and distinctive, I wouldn’t wear it every day as it can become tiring, but I like it immensely. I’m eager to try it on a man’s skin; I think it would be brilliant. As a gourmand lover, I’m surprised I enjoy this so acidic perfume, but I recognise it’s not for days with low spirits; it has real punch. It’s highly energising and feels high quality. A worthy addition to a Jo Malone-style collection. Scent 8/10, Longevity 7/10, Trail 8/10, Value for money 7.5/10, Versatility 7/10. Would I buy again? Yes.

I’m blown away by this perfume; it adds something different to my collection. It’s a mature citrus, nothing like those fresh colognes meant to be sprayed liberally. This needs to be dosed: Vetiver Pamplemousse is acidic and realistic, like a grapefruit opened at breakfast. Don’t expect sweetness; it stays bitter. It’s very well crafted, with a notable trail; 4-5 sprays are noticeable for hours. On my skin, it lasts about 7 hours, great for a pure citrus. Being so particular and linear, I wouldn’t use it daily; it could get tiring, but I’m hooked. I’m dying to try it on male skin; I think it would be brilliant. As a gourmand lover, I’m surprised I like this acidity so much, but it’s not for days without spirit; it has a lot of force and doesn’t hide. It’s energising and of high quality. Worth adding to the Jo Malone collection. Scent 8/10, Longevity 7/10, Trail 8/10, Value for money 7.5/10, Versatility 7/10, Packaging 7/10. Would I buy again? Yes.

A minimalist fragrance of great quality, especially considering its price and that it’s made by Jo Malone. Basically, a very realistic grapefruit combined with vetiver. As it progresses, the citrus tone changes and a slightly bitter tone enters (which is what might tire some people). Being by Jo Malone, it admits to being layered with other fragrances; it’s a matter of trying. Of all in the collection, it’s the only one I really like, except for Waterlily Tea Dress (that I do like, but for women). Summery as can be, it can work in intermediate seasons above 18 degrees. Longevity on my skin is about 8 hours, 5-6 hours with temperatures above 35°C. It projects decently for 1-2 hours and then stays closer to the skin but sends bursts of scent to the wearer (at least in my case). I point out that I tend to be generous with sprays, about 10-12. Nevertheless, as I’ve said, it seems an excellent purchase (25eur/90ml). Au revoir!

It’s not bad, but it hasn’t said much to me. The opening is very realistic and well-executed (finally, bravo!), of grapefruit. I’m not particularly fond of smelling just like grapefruit, but well… It has nothing to envy from Pomelo Paradis by Atelier Cologne. The issue is that it dries down to something too warm, vetivery, yet very undefined and soft, with little development (leave your imagination to sing). Little interest. Value for money is quite good, but there are fragrances at the same price or less that I like much more. The trail is normal, sitting close to the skin fairly quickly, though it lasts a few hours. It’s true I’ve tried niche scents of much lower quality costing over £150, but that’s another matter.

Quite disappointing… The grapefruit is realistic and lovely, with that hyper-citrus, acidic bitterness so refreshing, but it keeps you waiting for the vetiver with no trace. Even with a lot of imagination, I haven’t caught it. During the hour and a half that two sprays on the back of my hand lasted, it was all grapefruit with a slight touch of white flower (orange blossom), and, strangely, as the scent faded, the citrus did seem to turn towards orange, but very at the end. Perhaps it would perform better in summer? If so (and ignoring the promise of vetiver that never arrives), it could be quite cool as a fresh cologne of simply a good grapefruit.

Pleasantly surprised. A very honest summer fragrance for its price and for all audiences. The opening is pure grapefruit, realistic as can be; the heart is a kind of Dior Homme Cologne with that effervescence (or Zara Vibrant Leather Summer if there isn’t) that passes after a while to a more prominent vetiver, all of this with the grapefruit still lingering in the background. Its behaviour isn’t that of an EDP, nor even an EDT; it’s a cologne in all letters. Nevertheless, it’s more than recommended for daily use in summer to refresh yourself. If you like citrus, don’t hesitate.

Well, look, the grapefruit is real and lovely, with that super-refreshing acidic bitterness, but it leaves you waiting for the vetiver with no trace. Even with imagination, I haven’t caught it. In an hour and a half with two sprays on my hand, it was only grapefruit with a slight touch of orange blossom. The strange thing is that as it fades, the citrus seems to turn to orange, but very at the end. Perhaps it would work better in summer? If so (and forgetting the vetiver that never arrives), it could be very cool as a fresh cologne of just a good grapefruit.

It’s a divine perfume; it smells like that sweet orange peel you crush and release aroma without being heavy; it makes you want to smell it over and over again; it’s addictive. The only drawback is that the projection is almost non-existent; on my skin, it lasts from 6 to 8 hours. It’s for you, for your pure enjoyment; if you’re looking for a bomb that projects, it’s not, but if you want something delicious, simple, and that you won’t get tired of smelling in your collection, this is the one.

It’s wonderful, it smells like squeezing the peel of a sweet orange, without being overwhelming; it makes you want to apply it and smell it, it’s addictive. The downside is it has little projection, almost none. On my skin it lasts 6 to 8 hours. It’s a perfume for you, for your joy and enjoyment. If you’re looking for a bomb that projects, this isn’t it, but if you want something delicious, simple, and that never gets old in your collection, this is the one.

Its scent is that of freshly cut tangerines (grapefruit). It’s impressive that they have managed to capture the aromas of this fruit in a bottle so realistically. However, its behaviour is that of a cologne: very fresh for the first few minutes, almost imperceptible during the next hour, and no trace after two. Very similar to Eau Universelle by L’Occitane. As an olfactory experience it’s worth it, but not as a fragrance for the day.

I absolutely love it! A real energy and vitality boost thanks to that brilliantly crafted grapefruit. It has a cheerful vibe, reminiscent of Clinique HAPPY (though it doesn’t compete with it), but in my opinion, it’s far superior. It smells clean and fresh, suits any age, and is ideal for hot days. The longevity exceeds six hours; I’m not an expert on sillage, but with just three sprays, I get lovely bursts of scent.

Unisex and very fresh. It smells of grapefruit peel, that specific aroma released when peeling it. Longevity was low on my skin, a maximum of 3 hours, projecting for only 30 minutes before sitting close to the skin. I liked the scent greatly; it feels very natural and is pleasant for the hotter days. It also works very well for layering with another fresh fragrance or adding a slightly sweet touch.

I discovered it just last summer when I started eating oranges, drawn in by the scent. I smelled it accidentally in Zara’s men’s fragrance section and bought it without a second thought. I love wearing it in the morning after a shower on a sunny day when I want to smell something simple and natural that screams orange. It puts me in a good mood and gives me the energy to start the day.

A few days ago I ordered four Zara Emotions perfumes online; the mix of Zara and Jo Malone seemed super interesting to me, and I wanted to try several! Vetiver Pamplemousse seems fantastic to me. It’s super fresh, as if you’ve just cut a fresh grapefruit. Of the four I bought, this is the one I liked the most. Perfect for hot days.