This £30 Zara Perfume Makes Me Feel Like a Sophisticate on the Upper East Side Whenever I Wear It

Fragrance family: Spicy

Key notes: Cardamon, jasmine, sandalwood

Zara describes this scent as a "woody, spicy fragrance that combines the vibrant freshness of cardamom, a floral heart of jasmine and the enveloping warmth of sandalwood". Personally, I feel it really captures the bustling New York energy: think towering glass skyscrapers on a crisp, spring day with not a cloud in the sky. It's airy, clean and fresh with a subtle spiciness from the cardamon, before paving the way for a warm, creamy sandalwood base. I could totally picture an NYFW off-duty model wearing it.

Some say Energetically New York smells a bit like Le Labo Santal 33. I think there are similarities, but in my opinion, the latter is creamier while Energetically New York feels more fresh and spicy. And because it is one of the fragrances created by renowned perfumer, Jo Malone CBE, of course it smells incredibly expensive, too. My only qualm is that while it has a very noticeable impression for the first couple of hours, I find it disappears after then. However, at just £30, I don't mind topping up a couple of times. In fact, the 30ml size is only £16 and is the perfect size to take on the go.

To me, this smells like the understated, quiet luxury scent you might catch a waft from a well-heeled Upper Eastsider as she passes by on her way to an important meeting, fresh from having a bouncy blowout on 5th Avenue. It's like a breath of fresh air that captures the vibrant, fast-paced spirit of the city it’s named after. The beauty of this scent is that it suits any occasion. It's casual enough for daytime but lends itself to the evening too if you don't want anything too heavy.

If you want a smaller size for on the go, this 30ml bottle is the perfect size for slipping into your handbag.

For a little more you can enjoy the elixir version, a stronger scent which lasts even longer on the skin.