Captivating Vanilla

I don’t get loads of sugar and pineapple here but the vanilla and jasmine are at the forefront. I would swear there’s also orange blossom in there too, but who am I to argue with the Fragrantica notes? This is nice enough - echoes of Dior Addict but absolutely nowhere close to its quality. There’s a bit of Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar in there but, again, not great. Overall, this will be an easy grab and spray but I won’t rebuy it. It’s relatively cheap...but probably priced for the quality. Edit: this one really changes with my skin chemistry - I wore it to bed several times and it sings beautifully. Fruity, vanilla-y goodness. Worth a punt! Edit again: I got through a full bottle of this in about 7 weeks. I sprayed liberally and often. I found that some way along the journey, it turned a bit savoury (bread-y, almost) but for the most part, I loved it. Alas, Zara have discontinued it because of course they have... 🙄

To me this is sultry pear x golden decade x supreme vanilla. Though the sugary-fruity note is only there in the opening and after a few minutes what you are left with is a slightly woody and deeper golden decade. If you have golden decade don't get this, if you're planning to get gd, get this one instead. I think it is better. This is something i would buy if i travelled somewhere and forgot to bring perfume. It is safe and a decent performer. But i regret buying it cause i already have the trio i mentioned above.

I love this one so much. The sugary sweetness is beautiful and comforting, and it feels so warm and addictive. It’s simple but done really well. I honestly wish I could find a more expensive, niche-feeling version with the same cozy, sugary warmth because this DNA is just perfect to me.

Great fruity pineapple & sweet vanilla scent. Captivating indeed. Easy to wear during the warmer seasons. Pair with BBW Bahamas Passionfruit & Banana flower & you've got the perfect tropical summer scent combo!! Delicious!

This is a sweet, floral, plummy vanilla with a tiny hint of juiciness coming through from that pineapple. I actually really like it!

just beautiful and true to its name: captivating! there's something so inviting about this scent! so simple yet so good!

Jerome makes an exquisite balanced sweet fragrance. I generally don’t like strong vanilla scents but this is ❤️❤️!

My mom has this one. It kinda resembles J'Adore interestingly, but not as heavy on the flower notes. Imagine a vanilla version of it. Very pretty 🌼

Feels like its warm chamomile tea with honey, in winter. Sweet vanilla is nice and grown up / not syntetic.

Very mature and old fashioned. I get the sugar and some non descript pungent florals with maybe plum. I don't like dior addict and there's no reason for me to like this one.

I know Zara do not have this listed in the notes but - INK! It's a bit bitter and inky. Like a milder Supreme Vanilla. This is my least favorite from the Vanilla collection.

It's true. I'm the Fanboy of Jérôme Epinette. I've spent the last 5 months switching my concentration of purchases. I'm following the perfumer and not the brand. Master perfumers are hired constantly to increase sales for multiple companies that may concentrate all the way down to sunglasses! You hire somebody as famous as Jérôme to make your first fragrance and this helps publicize all of the other products. You can see that very clearly with Zara. They are a clothing line and here they are hiring a master perfumer to make 20 different fragrances that will help push the brand. The gift that we get back from all of this advertising Is extremely well priced fragrances!! I believe I paid $40 for 100 Mil. If he were to make the same fragrance for one of the niche houses, it would be $250! I highly recommend everyone start doing this. Now let me give you my $0.75 on this fantastic fragrance. Captivating Vanilla (part of Zara’s 2025 Vanilla Capsule) is the perfect example of why Epinette is a genius: he manages to make a high-street fragrance smell like a curated, boutique creation. Captivating Vanilla by Jérôme Epinette The Vibe: "The Dark, Chic Vanilla" While many budget vanillas lean into "cupcake" or "bakery" territory, Epinette took a more sophisticated, slightly moody route here. This isn't just sugar; it's a textured, woody vanilla that feels like it belongs in a black-tie setting. The Scent Breakdown The Opening: It starts with a surprisingly addictive hit of Pink Sugar and Pineapple. The fruit isn't tropical or "vacation-y"; instead, it provides a tart, syrupy brightness that keeps the scent from feeling heavy. The Heart: This is where the "captivating" part happens. A deep Black Plum note mixes with Sambac Jasmine, giving it a purple, floral velvetiness. If you’re a fan of the DNA in Dior Addict, you’ll recognize that intoxicating floral-vanilla tension here. The Dry Down: The base is a smooth, creamy Vanilla anchored by Cedar. The woodiness is Epinette’s signature—it grounds the sweetness and gives the perfume a "skin-like" quality that lasts much longer than you’d expect for the price. Why It’s a "Masterpiece of Value" At under $50 (often closer to $30–$35 for the 80ml), the price-to-quality ratio is absurd. You are essentially getting a niche-level composition for the price of a takeout dinner. Unlike many Zara scents that vanish in an hour, this one has surprising "legs." It projects well for the first few hours and leaves a beautiful, sophisticated trail (sillage). It’s sweet enough for a date night but woody enough to be a daily "signature scent" that doesn't smell like a middle-school locker room. It is a "budget niche" triumph. It proves that you don't need a heavy glass bottle and a $250 price tag to have a scent that feels soulful and complex.

This one is lovely and reminds me of a more mainstream version of And The World Is Yours with less cumin, etc. I also get lots of orange blossom as another reviewer mentioned...I am not sure why it's not listed...to my nose, it's the dominant note. Zara loves to churn out and then clear out fragrances quickly and these 3 vanillas recently done by Jérôme Epinette (Captivating, Lush and Radiant) are all marked down to clearance already. This is a wonderful steal if you find it. The U.S. Zara website is OOS but if you Google you can find the link to the product on their website still and click on CHECK IN-STORE AVAILABILITY in the lower right corner (it's not even a button...just text) and see if it's at any stores in your area. The website has been accurate for me at times but I lucked out and found all 3 at my local Zara last weekend even though their website just showed 1 of them in stock.

I smelled this in store a few minutes ago. It smells slightly reminiscent to VDBIR original, GA Si Passione Intense (2024), and Kayali Vanilla Rock Candy Sugar. It's very sweet and has a jasmine effervescence to it as well. Nothing that hasn't already been done, but very inexpensive especially at the sale price.

It is similar to Casablanca Lily but not a dupe. They both have similar white floral, warm , sweet accords without being gourmand scent but it isn't dupe for Casablanca Lilly. It actually reminds me more of Gentle Fluidity Gold. It's a lovely vanilla scent that isn't generic and it still has good sillage.

If Black Opium and Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar had a baby, you’ll get captivating vanilla. This is beautiful!

Can someone pleaseee confirm if this smells like Casablanca lily or not!?