Vibrant Leather Elixir by Zara

Hello, I picked this up for 19.90€ for 100ml, and out of the entire Vibrant Leather line, this is my absolute favorite; if I had to choose just one, it would be this one. The versions with oud sound great on paper, but they just don’t work on my skin, so I can’t compare them fairly. Within the range, this seems like the best choice as a signature scent: it works all year round, with less application in the summer and more sprays at night in winter without any issues. It’s not overpowering; the citrus accord is very noticeable with a very subtle leather base, which is really pleasant. If you compare it to the Club de Nuit line (which many will do), this is less synthetic and less loud; the Zara version, at least this one, follows a more elegant line. On dry skin, it lasts about 4.5 hours max, and double that on clothes. For reference: the regular Vibrant Leather barely lasts 2 hours (very bad in my case), and the Extreme lasts about 6, but it becomes too sharp and annoying. That said, calling a fragrance with modest longevity an “Elixir” still seems odd to me; one would expect higher concentration, but that’s not the case (and too many brands do this). Honestly, I would have called it Zara Vibrant Leather Office. Would I recommend it? Yes.

I know Creed Aventus, and yes, they share a similar DNA. I liked this perfume for daily wear. Recently, I wore it to an outdoor dinner and could feel the bursts of its scent; it projected quite well for two and a half hours and then settled on the skin until the 10-hour mark. Just to clarify, it wasn’t a very hot day, more on the fresh side. It’s a simple, friendly, and easy-to-use fragrance for almost any situation. My wife liked it. I’ve only worn it twice, and compliments haven’t started yet, but I think they will eventually, as it’s a pleasant but extremely well-known scent.

Honestly, all I smell is metal; every time my dad wears it, smelling it is not a good experience.

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

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

Tested with two sprays on skin. It’s the classic Vibrant Leather with an extra punch of citrus, almost metallic. That’s the only difference I notice. Ideal for daily wear and perfect for warm climates.

I sprayed it twice on my skin. It’s the classic Vibrant Leather with a sharp, almost metallic citrus boost. That’s the only difference I notice. Perfect for everyday wear and great for hot weather.

I tested it two or three weeks ago at 15 degrees: basically the same as the original Vibrant Leather, perhaps a touch more herbal on the dry down and an extra hour of longevity. Today I tested it again at 22 degrees with 60% humidity, and I was surprised by how disastrous the performance was: with the slightest sweat, it shuts down, as if its oxidation accelerates. The initial sparkling phase lasted 15 minutes and then dropped to the skin, losing the herbal tone quickly. In less than an hour, you have to reapply, and after an hour, it’s almost imperceptible. A total 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 downtown Santiago and at the other end sat a man in his 50s with an exquisite trail. I loved his perfume; I couldn’t resist my curiosity and asked what he was wearing; he pulled this fragrance out of his backpack. I loved it, it’s super masculine, and it reminded me of another old perfume, but I don’t know which one. Definitely going to gift it.

A good product in itself, but a disappointment due to its name and hype. Don’t get fooled by the notes: here, leather doesn’t dominate. If you wanted a Vibrant Leather with leather, that was the Extreme. This is just a VL that’s more citrusy on the opening and has extra longevity. It improves performance, but it’s not a beast as you might think. To be honest, the VB Elixir line was one of the most disappointing of this year, especially because they sell them at higher prices and due to the hype of the name. Unfortunately, it’s just a marketing play; nowadays any perfume has ‘Elixir’ on the box as an excuse to charge more. A more accurate name would have been ‘Intense’.