Rose Gourmand For Him by Zara

Although this isn’t new at Zara, I’ve known about it for months and wanted to try it, but couldn’t find a tester. Yesterday I finally smelled it in-store: from the bottle, it’s floral, a mix where the rose stands out, but on my skin it blew my mind. It’s the dupe of my signature ‘Flower Café’ by Botanical Expressions, that niche Spanish house. Like the original, it’s versatile for any weather, time, or event. At first, it opens with Turkish rose, then vanilla and tonka bean (which isn’t listed, just like the amber people mention that you can’t actually smell). My nose picks up a honey accord, just like the Flower Café. The website says it’s for men, but in-store and on the app it’s listed as feminine, and that’s how I experience it. Longevity and projection are 10/10; Zara fails for many, but it works perfectly for me.

I’ve always been looking for something that reminds me of a brand-new doll, and I finally found it. It smells exactly like a doll—it’s delicious and I absolutely love it. It doesn’t last long, but it’s totally worth having in your collection.

By chance I’ve tested several blind fragrances and always end up with rose. Here I stumbled upon checking one that contains it so I didn’t buy it but it’s on my wishlist. I’m barely a man and I love rose scents; one of my favorites is Florabotanica by Balenciaga and this scent captivates me. I hope this Zara one becomes part of my collection.

Since I couldn’t find the feminine version on my country’s website I ordered the masculine one because reviews said they smelled the same. I don’t know Roses Vanille or Zara’s feminine version but this one is incredible. They are sweet boozy and deep roses. When it arrived I was a bit disappointed by the performance; it seemed like it didn’t last or project much but after a few weeks without using it it seemed to gain strength and now it’s almost beastly. I find it completely seductive. It’s worth as much as designer scents even better than some. It’s undeniable value for money. Even though it’s the men’s version and Mancera’s is unisex for me this scent is very feminine: for a sexy seductive woman with youthful grace. I don’t see it on men. Even friends who smelled it thinking it was for men recoiled swearing they’d never wear it but they liked it so much they wouldn’t take it off obviously on a girl.

Rose Gourmand smells like super sugared and candied natural roses a perfect clone of Mancera’s Roses Vanilla. It’s an unexpected scent in a product with masculine marketing but it smells delicious and suits men well. On my skin it’s linear with notable sillage and lasts 10-12 hours. For the price the performance is fantastic; Zara has really bet big on the Country Exclusive line offering superior quality to what’s usual. I use it with four light sprays during the day though for formal events like family dinners I apply it more generously. I don’t see it for nighttime settings or as a seductive fragrance which is subjective. There is a ‘FOR HER’ version that is identical in scent and performance to the men’s. Another incredible dupe is Crystal Rose by Swiss Arabian which on my skin is equal to Mancera’s and Zara’s. Rating: 8.5/10 Scent 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Sillage 10/10 Value 7/10 Versatility 7.5/10 Packaging. Would I buy again? Yes.

It’s a Zara fragrance marketed for men, but I find it incredibly feminine. It smells like freshly cut red roses with dew on the leaves; the vanilla adds a seductive touch without being cloying. The only downside is it fades in two or three hours with moderate projection, but for the price, it’s worth it.