I'm a Fragrance Snob, But These 16 Zara Perfumes Smell Designer

Key notes: Saffron, cocoa, vanilla, jasmine, vanilla orchid and amber

Intensity: High

Best for: Winter date nights

Made with a 35% concentration of oils for an intense aromatic experience, this luxurious perfume is heady with sweet vanilla, spicy saffron and an expensive-smelling bouquet of jasmine and orchid. A head-turning, grown up, winter scent that is bound to earn you compliments time and time again.

Key notes: Cardamom, jasmine and sandalwood

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Everyday

This fragrance is part of Zara's collection with Jo Malone CBE, and it smells just as luxurious as you would expect. As the name suggests, this is a super vibrant, energetic fragrance that features lots of fresh, spicy notes.

"This isn't my usual kind of scent (I'm more of a gourmand girl), but after smelling this, I was converted," says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "It's super fresh but also quite sexy thanks to notes of jasmine and sandalwood."

Key notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin and lavender 

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Summer nights

This perfume will transport you to fun and carefree summer nights, even in the dead of winter. It has notes of orange blossom, jasmine, mandarin and lavender. As you might be able to tell, it's super similar to YSL's iconic Libre fragrance, so if you like that, then you will love this.

Key notes: Saffron, orange, jasmine, praline, moss and amber

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Autumn and winter

Supposedly, this is the high street version of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum. It's usually out of stock, so move quickly if you want to try it. If you're not familiar with the scent, it has a spicy saffron and coriander opener, which moves into bitter orange and jasmine, before drying down into an addictive base of praline, moss, woody amber notes and musk. Heaven.

"This is my all-time favourite fragrance from Zara," says Lindsay. "It's incredible warm, sweet and sensual, and it smells so much more expensive than it actually is."

Key notes: Pink pepper, clove and ebony wood

Intensity: High

Best for: Winter days

Zara has the woody scents if you're looking for that, too. This one is infused with scents of pink pepper, clove and ebony wood so it's a little bit spicy and earthy at the same time.

"This is the perfume I put on when I want endless compliments," says Lindsay. "I've honestly never smelt anything like it before. It's incredibly luxurious (as to be expected when it was created with Jo Malone CBE) and even my mum is obsessed."

Key notes: Bergamot, ginger, tangerine, amber, orange blossom and blackcurrant

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Spring and summer

Bergamot is always a classic note in fragrances—who doesn't love that fresh, citrus smell? This eau de parfum also contains notes of tangerine and orange blossom. I think it works year-round, but I'd wear it especially in the spring and summer months. However, if you want to put a spring in your step this winter, this is the scent to go for.

Key notes: Grapefruit, tangerine and vetiver

Intensity: Light

Best for: Everyday

I love this fragrance because it's a bit mysterious. It has fruity notes of grapefruit and tangerine for a fresh feeling, but it's also got an indulgent touch of vetiver. It's one of those scents that captivates you on the very first spritz.

Key notes: Ginger, eucalyptus, jasmine and sandalwood

Intensity: Medium

Best for: All year round

This one is just delicious. The perfect mix of being fresh yet musky. It features zingy ginger with refreshing eucalyptus for a herbaceous touch that makes it smell so unique. I love wearing this all year round.

Key notes: Bergamot, tangerine, red berries, lily, ylang-ylang and amber

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Summer nights

When a fragrance is named Amber Fusion, you know you're getting something a little warming and sophisticated. This scent has unexpected floral notes of lily and ylang-ylang alongside sweet red berries, juicy bergamot and tangerine, and the star of the show—amber.

Key notes: Pink pepper, rose, peony and vanilla

Intensity: Light

Best for: All year round

As its name implies, this one is just joyful. Light and fresh, it is the perfect year-round scent. It opens with hints of pink pepper, which is grounded by rich rose and peony. A base of vanilla adds a warm, cosy edge that keeps you coming back for more.

Key notes: Sandalwood, jasmine and orange blossom

Intensity: High

Best for: Autumn date nights

Described as "sensual" and "soft" this eau de toilette might be your signature scent to wear in the autumn and winter months. Orange blossom and jasmine add a sensual touch, while hints of praline and vanilla add captivating sweetness.

Key notes: Jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla and cedar

Intensity: Light

Best for: Everyday

Here's another cheerful, bright, and feminine pick. The unabashedly floral fragrance contains scents of jasmine, peony, rose (of course), and sweet vanilla. Rose scents can often be polarising, but I don't know anyone who wouldn't like this.

Key notes: Cherry, plum, almond, vanilla and tonka bean

Intensity: High

Best for: Autumn and winter

Gourmand fans, this one is for you. If you enjoy Tom Ford's Lost Cherry, you will like the smooth cherry, almond and tonka bean notes in this. It's fruity, sweet, mysterious and totally delicious.

Key notes: Fruit, sunflower, vanilla and musk

Intensity: High

Best for: Spring and summer

Although it references it in the name of the perfume, this isn't actually as marshmallowy as I'd imagined—more mango and peach gummy bear. Despite that, it's so delicious and fruity—a perfect sweet scent for summer.

Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, apple blossom, vanilla and praline

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Everyday

Don't be fooled by the name. Yes, this has hints of caramel, but it's actually quite a fresh take on a gourmand scent. This sweet perfume blends vibrant citrus and crisp apple blossom with a smooth and creamy hint of vanilla and praline. Delicious.

Key notes: White, milk and dark chocolate, Chantilly cream, vanilla, passion fruit and peach

Intensity: Medium

Best for: Date night

New from Zara is the cocoa collection, which captures the scent of chocolate in different forms. Cocoa Bliss is absolutely delicious, with notes of white, milk and dark chocolate throughout. Add in hints of Chantilly cream, vanilla, passion fruit and peach and this smells almost good enough to eat.