C4SHMER4N 2019 by Zara

It’s a simple perfume that I absolutely love. It’s a woody, sweet, salty, and warm scent, completely unisex. It becomes more pleasant as time passes than right after spraying. The dry-down is addictive; on my skin, it’s very similar to Calvin Klein’s Reveal. It has moderate-to-high sillage and excellent longevity on my skin, lasting 9-10 hours. I’ve tried using it as a base for other perfumes, which seems to be Zara’s intention with their ‘molecular’ fragrances. I’ve used it with vanillas and especially with citrus, as suggested by @JuanPasiones, and it worked great. I still enjoy wearing it alone, but the woody touch it adds to other fragrances is interesting and blends very well, unlike what usually happens with layering. From my point of view, it was a magnificent proposal, and I’m getting a lot of use out of it. Scent: 7.5/10, Longevity: 9.5/10, Sillage: 7.5/10, Value/Quality: 8/10, Packaging: 6/10. Would I buy it again? Maybe.

Minimalist and synthetic, yet warm, soft, fluffy, and very sensual. It feels tender, delicate, and sweet without being over the top. It warms you up, envelops you, and seduces; it inspires tenderness, closeness, and trust, making you want to hug the person wearing it. Ideal for winning someone’s trust in a business setting or for a date with a delicate girl in close quarters. It reminds me of some scent from my childhood, though I don’t know which one. The bergamot opening from Zara is very artificial, metallic, and sparkling, like old spray air fresheners, but here it’s tempered by the sweetness of the following notes, though the metallic touch lingers for almost the first hour. It’s not a complex work of art, but something direct and simple, very unisex and clearly for winter; I think it looks even better in humid weather. The design is industrial and minimalist, cold and metallic, with a bottle that feels good to hold and a comfortable size, plus a perfect cap and sprayer. Longevity is spectacular: 7-9 hours. Presentation: 9/10.

Excellent for layering with other Zara woody or citrus-woody perfumes. Use it as a base; spray it without fear, and it smells like a cold, simple, yet elegant cedar note. Then, spray any of Zara’s freshies on top in the same proportion, like Vibrant Leather or Noble Palo Santo. Something favorable happens: the second scent is boosted, its projection increases, and it doesn’t change much, just gaining a more woody, transparent, and dry character. On its own, that dry, cold woody note can be monotonous and tiring, but as minutes pass, it transforms into something softer and more elegant. What a great perfume and what a pleasant surprise! For that $10 price tag, I can’t believe it; they smell like any designer brand.

Spectacular! I love it and it’s the best perfume from Zara. I detect bergamot, vanilla, tonka, earth, wood, and wool; the scents come and go beautifully, and it lasts 12 hours on me. Totally recommended.