Vibrant Leather Elixir by Zara

Hello, I picked this one up for €19.90 for 100ml, and out of the entire Vibrant Leather line, this is my absolute favourite; if I had to choose just one, it would be this. The versions with oud sound good on paper, but they don’t work on my skin, so I can’t compare them fairly. Within the range, I think this is the most suitable as a signature scent: it works all year round, with less application in summer and in winter at night by increasing the sprays without issue. It’s not invasive; the citrus accord is noticeable with a very subtle leather base, which is very pleasant. If you compare it with the Club de Nuit (which many will), this is less synthetic and less brash; the Zara version, at least this iteration, follows a more elegant line. On dry skin, it lasts about four and a half hours at most, and twice as long on clothes. For reference: the regular Vibrant Leather doesn’t last me even two hours (very poor in my case), and the Extreme does last about six, but it becomes too sharp and irritating. That said, calling a fragrance with discreet longevity an “Elixir” still seems odd to me; one would expect higher concentration, but that’s not the case (and this is what too many brands do). Honestly, I would have called it Zara Vibrant Leather Office. Would I recommend it? Yes.

To have the name “Elixir” I expected something more. It is not a bad fragrance so as not to be disheartened, and I believe it will serve and please most people, especially as a blind buy. It is a shower gel-type aroma, refreshing, with hints of Creed Aventus in the base (refreshing pineapple), masculine, but there are many inspirations at this price that are worth trying. Tested in heat, it lasts 6-7 hours with medium projection.

I loved this perfume; the EDP version is very similar, almost identical, and I like it a lot. With this one, despite having similar projection and longevity, it has slightly more of both and feels fuller-bodied overall. The Aventus DNA is one of my favourites in perfumery, and this is too similar; I love it.

It is exactly as defined: the same Vibrant Leather of old with an ultra-citrus opening. To my taste, it is cloying and insidious, as it has memories of the Cruz Verde mosquito repellent. The longevity is excellent, and if you don’t dislike that bizarre opening, it is a perfect option for those who don’t work well with the original. I still stick with the pillar of the line with which I have no issues regarding longevity or sillage. Of the flankers, I only consider Summer Breeze interesting, as well as the discontinued Summer of 2020.

I’ll keep it simple: excellent woody citrus, very, very similar to Creed Aventus. It always performs above eight hours; people notice this perfume, very good projection. People without asking for my opinion have told me: “you smell like a man” (haha). Simple fragrance but very fulfilling. In terms of woody citrus, it is among the best in my opinion regarding quality-price. Super versatile fragrance for warm climates. 100% recommended.

Very good trail. It is the flanker of Vibrant Leather with patchouli. Simple, sweet, leather. Good for a signature fragrance, bordering on generic, but it has a very good aroma. And it has that intensity of the concentrated pineapple-leather accord combination, not so citrusy. I liked the longevity more than the original, although it is not as fresh, more versatile, and with a moderate trail.

I’ve sprayed it twice on my skin. It’s the familiar Vibrant Leather with an extra kick of sharp, almost metallic citrus. That’s the only difference I notice. Ideal for everyday wear and perfect for hot weather.

Much better performance than the standard version. Worth using this edition.

I tested it two or three weeks ago at 15 degrees: basically the same as the original Vibrant Leather, perhaps a touch more herbal as it dries and an extra hour of longevity. Today I tested it again at 22 degrees with 60% humidity and was surprised by how disastrous the performance was: with the slightest sweat it deactivates, as if its oxidation accelerates. The initial sparkling phase lasted 15 minutes and then faded to the skin, losing the herbal tone quickly. In under an hour you have to reapply it, and from the hour onwards it’s almost imperceptible. A genuine performance disaster. For that, buy Yodeyma Active Man, which projects more than the original and costs less than the Elixir.

I was sitting on a bench in the centre of Santiago and at the other end sat a man in his fifties with an exquisite trail. I loved his perfume, I couldn’t resist my curiosity and asked him what he was wearing; he took this fragrance out of his rucksack. I loved it, it’s super masculine and reminded me of another old perfume, but I don’t know which one. Definitely I’m going to gift it.

Despite the negative reviews, on my skin it works quite well. It’s not a bomb, so I partially agree with the disappointed ones, but it lasts about 5-6 hours. It’s more potent than the original and yes, I quite like it. Given what’s happened, it’s essential to test before buying to verify the performance on your own skin.