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Perpetual Oud

7.5 / 10 47 Ratings
A popular perfume by Zara for women. The release year is unknown. The scent is floral-woody. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Floral
Woody
Spicy
Oriental
Sweet

Fragrance Notes

LeatherLeather Red roseRed rose PatchouliPatchouli AmberwoodAmberwood PearPear SaffronSaffron MuskMusk PepperPepper VetiverVetiver
Ratings
Scent
7.547 Ratings
Longevity
7.744 Ratings
Sillage
7.343 Ratings
Bottle
7.344 Ratings
Value for money
9.139 Ratings
Submitted by Evi00 · last update on 11/22/2025.
Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Oud Satin Mood (Eau de Parfum) by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum
Red Aoud by Montale
Red Aoud
Ôud Bouquet by Lancôme
Ôud Bouquet
This Is Really Her! by Zadig & Voltaire
This Is Really Her!
Midnight Special by Ex Nihilo
Midnight Special
Amber Aoud (Parfum) by Roja Parfums
Amber Aoud Parfum

Reviews

4 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Elysium

903 Reviews
Elysium
Elysium
Very helpful Review 7  
The Genderless Soul Of The Rose
The flavour of rose petals differs depending on which type of rose plant produced them. There is a massive difference in taste between tremendous and so-so petals. They can have a floral sweetness or a tartness similar to that which comes from citrus fruit. Sometimes the nuance can also be mildly spicy. Roses are often intensely aromatic, and that variety takes part in the Persian Spices. Besides, Persian Gourmet rose petals are edible, naturally sun-dried Persian Rose petals from the Damask flower. Persian spice mixes known as Advieh feature rose petals, and someone even infuses the latter with saffron for an aromatic pilaf. The fields of Kashan produce the best Persian rose petals: the rose capital of Iran. The Damask Rose, by its smell and its history, has seduced our minds. Born in Persia over 2000 years ago, it is now grown in Turkey and Bulgaria. The Damask Rose is a hybrid of Rosa Gallica and Rosa Moschata, two European species. This flower is used to produce essential rose absolute, which scent lasts in time by its depth and richness of honeyed notes and essential oil that is more volatile, fresh, and flowery. Rich in geraniol and citronellol, its smell is deep and fruity with liquorice accents. 

Perpetual Oud is craving for Persian dried rose petals and appears to be an earthy, dark rose scent. It welcomes me with an explosion of fresh, fruity and spicy accords. A ripe yellow William pear is the first note that hits my nostrils, topped with a hefty dose of freshly ground black pepper and a slightly dirty, earthy undertone. I like the note of pear in fragrances, little used in cologne classified as masculine, and I prefer it to the overly abused one of the now-ubiquitous apple. Initially, the blast hits me straight in the face. Powerful, bold, dare I say, insolent. But then it fades a bit and leaves plenty of room for the flowery aspects.

And it is precisely in the heart that Perpetual Oud releases together the dark notes of the petals of the red rose with the more leathery notes of the honeyed flowers of the saffron. The notes of saffron take over the fragrance after a short time, while the bite of pepper is always present for the entire duration of the perfume. Unlike Hipster Oud, here, the combination of rose and saffron is divine, created in the manner of Middle Eastern perfumes, and generating a spicy and opulent rose. Perhaps it is because of this resulting bouquet that many people link Perpetual Oud with Montale's Roses series, for example, Roses Musk Eau de Parfum or Deep Roses, to name a few. Saffron leaves a full suede, and leathery imprint felt throughout the bouquet. However, it is delicate skin, not too animal and far from its Endless Oud sibling.

I realize that the perfume enters the last phase when the earthy notes of the vetiver root combined with the dirtier ones of the patchouli leaves take over. The fragrance takes on mossy and amber tones. It covers the leather accord with musky notes, maintaining a rosy profile. After a few hours, what remains on my skin is amber rose, dark, dense, semi-sweet with a dusty leather nuance. I must agree with ZARA's description. The fragrance shines on noble vetiver and patchouli with an ultra-dark leathery finish.

I've read some reviews comparing Perpetual Oud to a past version of ZARA's Rose Gourmand. My instincts and my nose find no similarity between the two. The former is a dark, dramatic rose with a leathery musky tone and a masculine leaning, while the latter is more of a sweet, caramelized rose in gourmand territory with a feminine leaning. Regardless of inclination, both are unisex in my view, but still two different fragrances from each other. This perfume's almost velvety softness and grace make me prefer it for mid-seasons, more akin to evening and night events, but never out-of-place if worn during the day because it is dark and dense but never intrusive or annoying. The performance leaves a little to be desired. The fragrance stays on the skin for a long time but changes almost immediately into a perfume on the skin.

I base the review on an 80ml bottle I have owned since June 2022.

-Elysium
3 Comments
Maddyfor

16 Reviews
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Maddyfor
Maddyfor
4  
Office-Oud
The Perpetual Oud was such a typical checkout purchase. The fragrance shelves at Zara are usually located near the cash register, if not even serving as a divider for the waiting lines (Zara, if you’re reading this, it’s a silly idea; you have to squeeze through the waiting customers to test).

At that time, I was not yet a Parfumo user and had no idea what Oud actually is.
The scent had something very special for me back then. I perceived it as very warm and soft. So it spontaneously came home with me and was worn extensively. This was - without knowing it - my entry into Oud.

Today, my description would be a bit more detailed:
Rose and leather, both soft. The rose does not come across as old-fashioned at all and fits beautifully into the overall picture. The leather is more of a light leather, not musty.

Saffron is noticeable, but it doesn’t stand out for me.

I perceive a lovely pear that is not sticky at all. It does provide sweetness, but just the right amount.

And of course Oud. Not extreme at all, rather a velvety soft Oud. With patchouli and amber, a beautifully warm base is added. However, patchouli does not become earthy-musty but remains very soft here as well.

For me, the scent does not undergo a significant transformation; it remains relatively consistent, which is absolutely not negative for me. The pear fades a little over time.

Perpetual Oud is, for me, a very nice, warm Oud for beginners. Absolutely velvety and soft scent (- also quite wearable for men!). Completely office-appropriate, but also well-suited for evenings due to its warmth.

The longevity is absolutely fine for the price. It lasts well for a workday. Sillage is noticeable in the immediate vicinity but does not overwhelm anyone here.

For me, a lovely cheapie that will accompany me several times this autumn/winter.
0 Comments
Lilacampari

54 Reviews
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Lilacampari
Lilacampari
8  
Oriental Rose
At the beginning of my perfume collecting passion, I didn't have Zara fragrances on my radar at all. At some point, I became aware of them through reviews and tips, and now I have several blind buys here that have all been very worthwhile.

Perpetual Oud has also proven to be worth it for me. Actually, I'm not an Oud fan, but here the Oud note is very soft and gentle, and I like it extraordinarily well. It gives the sweetly oriental rose, along with saffron, pepper, and patchouli, a very nice warm spiciness. At times, Perpetual Oud almost leans towards a gourmand direction, likely due to the pear. A juicy, sweet pear that perfectly complements the remaining fragrance notes, thus creating a truly rounded, soft, yet still strong and spicy scent.

I also can't complain at all about longevity and sillage. Just a small spray is enough to perceive the fragrance well for hours.

For a relatively small price, you get a really great perfume here.

0 Comments
SvetlanaG

19 Reviews
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SvetlanaG
SvetlanaG
Helpful Review 4  
Beautiful scent with similarity to MFK Ouds
So I haven't been to ZARA in a while and my visit was definitely worth it ))) and I was really positively surprised with the new fragrances that are now part of my collection
(A man can never have enough )))
Now to the scent :-)
It smells slightly leathery and for me a bit sweet like rose in syrup from pear jam
The main note is rose and then comes OUD but such a gentle and beautifully warm Oud ... , I can smell amberwood, saffron, and pepper all the time but they fit perfectly there
I would say that the scent is unisex...
And it smells very similar to the Ouds fragrances from MFK )))
How nice to have something as a scent twin that is also well made.
I like it and for about 18 euros for 80ml it definitely fits well ))) especially for the money, very nice sillage - I've already been asked several times what I smell so nice ...

1 Comment

Statements

19 short views on the fragrance
3
It's craving for Persian rose petals and appears to be an earthy, dark rose scent. An explosion of fresh, dark, leathery and spicy accords.
0 Comments
1
A synthetic oud, very strong, linear. Seems nice at first, but it seems to compete for the oxygen in the room. Spray gently.
0 Comments
1
I love how empowering it is. It’s grown and glamorous. Exotic and sensual. This is special night vibes, the colder and darker the better.
0 Comments
13
3
Delina meets the little Oudi at the doctor’s to knit summer sweaters and sip spiced tea. For me, one of the best Zaras right now.
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3 Comments
2 years ago
6
A good alternative for those who find Oud Satin Mood too feminine. Here is the slightly more masculine and spicy version with leather, patchouli & vetiver.
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0 Comments
5
1
Sweet rose blooms in the quiet patchouli forest.
Warmer & lovelier than other oud roses due to its medium sweetness. Subtle medicinal oud & transparency.
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1 Comment
5
Beautiful spicy rose with patchouli and a hint of wood. I'm now a real fan of Zara fragrances. Unbeatable at P-L.
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0 Comments
4
Patchouli-soaked, metallic cool roses bloom next to a saffron leather pouch among beautiful, spicy woods.
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0 Comments
4
Wonderful rose oud scent with decent longevity. Really great for the price, reminds me of Satin Mood by MFK.
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0 Comments
4
Medicinal-synthetic, almost piercing note, reminiscent of oud, a bit of rose, pepper, leather. More masculine than feminine. Not successful.
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