Hypnotic Vanilla by Zara

It doesn’t smell like any Poison or Kenzo Amour. It’s a rare, unisex fragrance that seems to last, but the sillage is low, and when it dries down, it smells like ash. Not for me.

Spectacular! My all-time favorite is Dior’s Hypnotic Poison, and this Zara one imitates it quite well. The caramel, vanilla, and jasmine nicely replace Dior’s blend. It feels like a mix between HP and Scandal Le Parfum. It’s already a regular purchase for smelling incredible without spending a fortune; perfect for layering or wearing alone. Performance is good: decent longevity and projection, and it doesn’t smell like alcohol like other Zara scents. Of course, it doesn’t last as long as a luxury one, but on clothes, I have items from the previous day that still smell. I love it, the price is excellent, and it’s worth grabbing a decant.

Hypnotic Vanilla by Zara is for vanilla lovers but with a distinct 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 everyday wear or a casual afternoon plan. It’s versatile, suitable for class, work, or coffee with friends. Great for a calm, cheerful person looking for something sweet, comforting, and easy to wear.

It smells just like JHAG’s Mmmm…, a perfume I don’t like because it’s sweet and flat, with vanilla and caramel from start to finish. I discovered it because someone gifted me a discovery set, and upon smelling it, I thought of Mmmm. It’s similar in longevity too, which is short (fortunately, because I don’t like it).

Finally!! I used Kenzo Amour a long time ago and loved it, but it’s hard to find now and usually expensive. I searched for dupes on TikTok but found nothing; in fact, regarding Hypnotic Vanilla by Zara, I only found reviews comparing it to Hypnotic Poison (even in the name). What a surprise when I bought it: when it dries down (not at the start, which is quite alcoholic), it’s exactly Kenzo Amour, just softened and a bit less spicy. I detect an elegant, powdery vanilla with a subtle caramel, forming a sweet perfume without being cloying. So far, it lasts about 3/4 hours, a bit longer on clothes, with decent sillage (I can smell it on myself). Happy with this discovery.

I found the perfect dupe for the discontinued Kenzo Amour Indian Holi!!!! I wish it lasted longer, but for the price, I have no complaints.

At first, it smells like alcohol and synthetic. But once it settles on the skin, it’s delicious—a strong vanilla with hints of cherry (weird since it’s not listed in the notes). Then jasmine and moss appear in the dry down. On my skin, it lasts about 3 hours in the office. Definitely for cold days and nights; it’s too sweet and heavy for summer. In warm weather, the longevity is better.

I went to Zara looking for Golden Decade (my Fearless from Miniso broke, and it was a good dupe for Libre d’YSL), but the Hypnotic Vanilla immediately pulled me in. I love that unisex sweet scent—it’s flirty and dark without being cloying. Despite the strong sillage, it lasts about 5 hours without reapplication (behind ears, neck, and décolletage). I love it!

People literally told me I smelled like a Marie Biscuit when I wore it. For me, it’s pleasant, even if the opening isn’t exciting; I find it overwhelming and harsh. Luckily, the dry down smells like cookies and is very pleasant. It lasts long enough—about 4 to 5 hours, which is expected for a Zara perfume.

If you buy a jar of alcohol or antibacterial spray from the supermarket instead… it would be the same! Don’t waste your money on this ethyl alcohol fusion…

Love at first sniff. Just smelling it and I already knew it would be my new signature scent. I tend towards buttery vanillas, very ‘teenage’, my perfumes are usually youthful and I was looking for something more elegant and classy. I went to Zara for dupes and this one and Fields at Nightfall became my new purchases. Hypnotic Vanilla is the Zara one with better projection and longevity on my skin; I love it, those scent bursts are sexy, I don’t see the note but I smell almond. It’s a dark vanilla. Definitely loved it.

It’s a copy of Hypnotic Poison, though not exact. It’s darker than the original, less sweet, but more interesting. The initial jasmine imitation is well done, the vanilla radiates 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 good. At first, it tickles the nose, like it has pepper (moss), but it smells wonderfully, more intense than Dior’s, which is why I think it lasts longer. I also associate it with tobacco, not cigarettes, maybe due to that smoky sensation at the start. It conveys a dark, hypnotic woman’s essence: femme fatale. Excellent price/quality. Lasts quite a bit and stays on clothes until washing.

It’s an earthy and floral vanilla. I don’t know Hypnotic Poison so I can’t say, but I do know Kenzo Amour and it doesn’t seem similar to me at all. In fact, if they didn’t compare it here, I’d never think they were similar. It’s a vanilla with an acidic and earthy touch, I imagine due to the moss. In Chile, only Supreme and Hypnotic have arrived so far and both have their differences. I hope their sister versions arrive soon. Ideal for layering. I’m not sure about longevity because I reapply at lunch, but I’d say about 7 hours on skin, before reapplying I can still feel it. A feminine vanilla. I don’t know if it’s for men or if it’s just that I don’t like sweet scents on men.

I tried it a few days ago at Zara and, strangely, it smells very similar to Kenzo Amour (which I own), just with a less sweet vanilla. After all, it’s Kenzo, it lasts quite a bit, at least six hours on me. It’s not very sweet (I don’t feel caramel on my skin) and it’s a cleaner vanilla.

If the original smells like playdough, this doesn’t even reach that, but it does smell synthetic. The opening is very alcoholic and tickles the nose, whereas in the original that plum and coconut combination seem like licorice and they already enchant you. Fantastic longevity, lasts until washing on clothes. Is it worth it? In my opinion, it’s a good low-cost dupe if you don’t have the original to compare. I’d give it 70% similarity, but it’s very synthetic… although I’m keeping it 🤭😅