Applejuice

Zara Day Collection: 05 - Applejuice

Zara 2012 Eau de Toilette

Ah, Applejuice... you came as such a surprise. As a lover of the heavier scents I shunned the likes of you forever, and thought I would keep doing so. Besides, who in their right mind would want to smell like your name? Applejuice!

But this review just shows one should never cry "never". After ordering my L'interdit Rouge by Givenchy I was gifted with a sample (both the bane and the joy of my existence. I have little budget, but oh so many cravings and curiosity for new perfumes) of Chanel Chance Eau Tendre. "Tsss, this'll probably smell like air freshener and disappear in an hour", I thought, but still tried it on. Low and behold: right about the latter. But... what happened here? I fell in love! And that love forced me to look for a cheaper dupe, since CCET is simply not in my budget.

Enter Zara & a gazillion YouTubers screaming my head off about that wonder of wonders: Applejuice. Not entirely trusting of the name and a brand that makes clothing that barely fits my pinky toe I went for a travel size... and the rest is history.

Applejuice is delicious. And to be honest, I like her even more than the Chanel. While Chance Eau Tendre might have that secret Chanel note they put in all their perfumes, making it 1. clear to everyone and their mother you're wearing a Chanel and 2. of an elegant DNA, Zara's Applejuice has something lighter, sweeter, crisper. Crispy as the freshly plucked green apple bite that bursts in the opening and never leaves you - d*mn, now I want a Granny Smith! Applejuice is then supported by a juicy orange, followed by luscious jasmine & peony petals on a bed of creamy wooden notes. The heart is a wonderful blend of all the flowers, but I get the aforementioned two the most and only got a whiff of rose and a barely there violet - which I don't mind as much.

Even for those who shun citrusy notes because it usually makes them smell like toilet cleaner: don't worry! With most people - including my own citrus hating skin - the freshy sweetness of apple & orange rule. And the flowers jump in soon enough.

Now, for the question everyone has been wanting answered: does Applejuice beat the Chance Eau Tendre in performance. Yes... but barely. Chanel gave me 2 hours before turning into a soft skin scent, Zara's juice comes to three. It's not exactly to write home about - which is why I'm doing it here - but then again: EDT! I've never had any decently performing Eau de Toilette in my life, except for Coco Mademoiselle edt (performed as an edp). Plus my skin is dry as the Sahara and a notorious perfume eater. So 3hrs for an edt is expected for me. Nowadays most perfumes perform opposite of their price tags anyway (sadly), making Applejuice an even better surprise. With her (€10.95 / 90ml & €12.95 for 180ml refill) you know that having to spray twice or thrice during the day to give you 12 hours longevity won't break the bank.

If it wasn't clear yet: I adore Applejuice, the sweeter, crispier version of CCET. And I sprayed her liberately during this unexpected very long & sweaty Dutch summer. (My lack of freshies suddenly became noticeable and I'm trying to redeem myself).
I'm about to buy bottle 2 - the travel roll-on is almost empty as well since I bring it to most appointments that ask for an inoffensive perfume that still shows some personality - though it would be nice to finally figure out what the difference is between the green and the white cap (anyone? ).

I'll never judge a Zara perfume by its cover - or name for that matter - again. As it seems, their clothes rarely fit me, but their fragrances certainly do.

Zara's Apple Juice perfume offers a crisp, and light fragrance that captures the essence of freshly sliced apples. It's a perfect pick for those who enjoy airy, clean scents that don't overpower the senses. Especially for those hot summer days or for going to the gym. However, the scent is a double edged sword. While delightful at first, it unfortunately lacks staying power. The fragrance fades quickly on my skin, lasting only a few minutes before disappearing entirely. For this reason, I mainly use it as a light, fleeting scent to unwind in the evening, but it's not suitable for all-day wear. If you're looking for something with longevity or depth, this might not be your go to.

In short, Zara's Apple Juice is a lovely, light option for those who enjoy a fresh, crisp scent but don't mind reapplying throughout the day. It's best suited for use in quiet moments, like a pre bedtime spritz, or for going to the gym, rather than as an all day fragrance.

A fruity-clean refreshment for in between, definitely similar to Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette. I liked to use it before sports or on hot summer days. However, the scent disappeared on me within minutes. Even though the fragrance is very inexpensive, one has to consider whether it is worth the money. With the low price, reapplying doesn’t hurt, of course.
Nice to have, but not necessarily a repurchase candidate for me.

I had this perfume on my wishlist for a while and bought the scent blind, as it costs almost nothing.

I don't really find the scent refreshing in the invigorating sense; it would need to be a juicy green Granny Smith apple. The apple here is more like apple peels floating in a flower vase.

In general, I'm not the type who likes floral scents; there has to be some tea or a fruit involved, otherwise I quickly perceive a perfume on me as musty.

But I think for the price, this is a great scent for everyday wear, and there are plenty of people who love florals - it's definitely worth a try.

Right after spraying, it smells like a realistic, green, sour apple. After a few minutes, it becomes a bit sweeter and smells fresh, summery, clean, and slightly fruity.
Unfortunately, it lasts very poorly; you really have to spray half the bottle and use a lot of Vaseline for it to last at least a few hours.
I recommend it to people who like it light and fresh and want to keep the bottle in their handbag for frequent touch-ups.
I find the bottle pretty, very minimalist and "clean girl" style.