Bergamot
Amber
Grapefruit
Tonka bean
Vanilla
Elysium
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Elysium
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The Iris Whisperer: ZARA's For Him Intense Reimagined
Not just another flanker in the For Him line as some might assume. While technically a variant of the original, this fragrance carves its own distinct identity. As a Parfum concentration, For Him Intense shares packaging similarities with For Him Red Edition Intense – both housed in identical bottles, though this one comes in rich brown hues. A word of caution: only the term "Red" distinguishes between these Intense versions. This particular creation revolves around a masterful trio of iris, vanilla, and tonka.
The opening moments might briefly recall the original "For Him | Zara," but For Him Intense quickly evolves, revealing a more sophisticated acidic, powdery, amber and woody character. The spice element remains understated – a mere whisper in the composition. Meanwhile, iris announces itself boldly without ever veering into feminine lipstick territory. A tart citrus opening creates bitterness rather than crispness, avoiding barbershop cologne comparisons. Beyond bergamot, there's a distinct lemon zest presence. Among these citrus elements, a minty and balsamic lavender weaves through, never demanding individual attention but harmonizing beautifully with surrounding notes.
As the initial citrus blast recedes, the fragrance takes a fougère turn. Herbaceous lavender emerges prominently with balsamic facets. The iris powder intensifies while maintaining a baby powder quality, free from makeup or buttery undertones. Depending on your olfactory sensitivity, you might detect waves of cocoa powder or dark chocolate during the middle phase – likely courtesy of the patchouli base. Imagine cocoa and baby powder intertwined – either frightening or fascinating, depending on your preferences. A subtle rosy dimension appears, somewhat floral like roses yet slightly green like geranium leaf. The spice blend grows more pronounced in the heart, with cinnamon and nutmeg influences. Throughout, the composition maintains excellent balance with no note overshadowing others – except the commanding iris.
The base transforms into a creamy, dry, and sweet accord. Vanilla and tonka create a powerful foundation that never becomes gourmand, maintaining its powdery and spicy character. The woody element resembles cedar shavings – dry and reminiscent of pencil shavings. As it dries down, sweetness increases without becoming cloying. A noticeable amber saltiness, likely from a modern ambrox molecule, adds woody touches reminiscent of clean skin. The final stage reveals subtle woody and leathery nuances. Patchouli makes a restrained appearance – just enough to temper the fragrance's conclusion, preventing the iris and vanilla from becoming overwhelming.
The iris, though powerful, presents as soft and creamy, complemented by vanilla and tonka with resinous and patchouli base notes. Does it impress? Tremendously. Do I enjoy it? Absolutely. Being a parfum concentration, it offers remarkable longevity – nearly all day or night, depending on when applied – with particularly potent projection during the first two hours. Priced at €25.95 in Italy, it might seem slightly expensive for ZARA, but this parfum delivers exceptional value. Though released in mid-May during spring, it's better suited for autumn and winter's colder months.
My impressions are based on a bottle owned since May 2024 (BC 410609).
-Elysium
The opening moments might briefly recall the original "For Him | Zara," but For Him Intense quickly evolves, revealing a more sophisticated acidic, powdery, amber and woody character. The spice element remains understated – a mere whisper in the composition. Meanwhile, iris announces itself boldly without ever veering into feminine lipstick territory. A tart citrus opening creates bitterness rather than crispness, avoiding barbershop cologne comparisons. Beyond bergamot, there's a distinct lemon zest presence. Among these citrus elements, a minty and balsamic lavender weaves through, never demanding individual attention but harmonizing beautifully with surrounding notes.
As the initial citrus blast recedes, the fragrance takes a fougère turn. Herbaceous lavender emerges prominently with balsamic facets. The iris powder intensifies while maintaining a baby powder quality, free from makeup or buttery undertones. Depending on your olfactory sensitivity, you might detect waves of cocoa powder or dark chocolate during the middle phase – likely courtesy of the patchouli base. Imagine cocoa and baby powder intertwined – either frightening or fascinating, depending on your preferences. A subtle rosy dimension appears, somewhat floral like roses yet slightly green like geranium leaf. The spice blend grows more pronounced in the heart, with cinnamon and nutmeg influences. Throughout, the composition maintains excellent balance with no note overshadowing others – except the commanding iris.
The base transforms into a creamy, dry, and sweet accord. Vanilla and tonka create a powerful foundation that never becomes gourmand, maintaining its powdery and spicy character. The woody element resembles cedar shavings – dry and reminiscent of pencil shavings. As it dries down, sweetness increases without becoming cloying. A noticeable amber saltiness, likely from a modern ambrox molecule, adds woody touches reminiscent of clean skin. The final stage reveals subtle woody and leathery nuances. Patchouli makes a restrained appearance – just enough to temper the fragrance's conclusion, preventing the iris and vanilla from becoming overwhelming.
The iris, though powerful, presents as soft and creamy, complemented by vanilla and tonka with resinous and patchouli base notes. Does it impress? Tremendously. Do I enjoy it? Absolutely. Being a parfum concentration, it offers remarkable longevity – nearly all day or night, depending on when applied – with particularly potent projection during the first two hours. Priced at €25.95 in Italy, it might seem slightly expensive for ZARA, but this parfum delivers exceptional value. Though released in mid-May during spring, it's better suited for autumn and winter's colder months.
My impressions are based on a bottle owned since May 2024 (BC 410609).
-Elysium
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