Moonlight Whisper

BATTLE OF THE TRENDY PISTACHIO GOURMANDS & THEIR DUPES! Zara "Moonlight Whisper" (non-Intense version) vs Kayali "Yum Pistachio Gelato" vs SDJ "Cheriosa 62" vs M&S "Discover Sunset" I got Kayali on my right hand, Zara on my left, SDJ up my right arm, and M&S up my left - let's compare! Although the Kayali and Zara are very similar. There are some slight differences in the top notes. The Zara is much stronger out of the bottle (the bottle does say it's a Parfum as opposed to Kayali's EDP), and in the first few minutes Moonlight Whisper is sweeter and spicier than the YPG. I can really smell the cardamom in the opening of MW and the "peach bellini" boozy fruit. Yum Pistachio's cardamom is lighter and there's more pistachio and more vanilla (and lactonic notes - the "ice cream", I guess). There's still peach and other fruits there (way more than Cheriosa 62), but the overall profile is still more focused on the nuts and vanilla than the Zara, until we get to around 15 minutes in when they begin to even out. After 20 minutes, Kayali and Zara are for the most part identical on my skin. After the fruit notes quiet down, both scents become powdered pistachio, vanilla, musk, and clean florals on a whispered warm base. They are both absolutely heavenly once these notes take over, and I can see now what the fuss is about. If I had to discern any difference, I can detect the amber note at the base of the Zara, which is probably fixing the scent and making it more warmer and more intense. Kayali's tonka is trying to do the same thing, but is more subtle about it, although both notes are muted enough to not take away from the overall pistachio/vanilla/musk. Really, though - I'm reaching here. They're pretty much identical after the opening settles. I know there are woods notes listed for Yum Pistachio, but I'm getting none of it. Zara is maybe a tiny smidge sweeter and warmer, but only by a hair, and only when I smash my nose against my skin. Cheriosa 62 doesn't have the peachy, fruity notes of Kayali and Zara. It's stronger on vanilla and caramel, and nuttier overall, although almond I would say shares equal billing with the pistachio. The pistachio isn't really the star here, the way it is with the previous two. I can also really smell the heliotrope and salt. It's more of a classic gourmand, with the caramel and vanilla center-stage, but it's certainly in the same family as the Kayali and Zara. I'd say it's more confectionary, but a little sassier. It's also more linear and definitely thinner, although that's to be expected for it's price bracket. I should say I have the "perfume mist" of this, which I suppose is lighter than an EDT - it's the one in the plastic bottle and you can tell that the quality is not on par with the others. There is a Cheriosa 62 EDP out there that is supposed to be the same scent but higher quality, so I don't want to dock too many points. If I ever get my hands on the EDP will edit my review here. M&S Discover Sunset, which is completely sold out now and not on Fragrantica, is described on the Marks & Spencer website as a "fragrance [that] blends creamy pistachio with delicate tonka bean, creating a warm and inviting scent that evokes memorable evenings." On the bottle tuberose is also listed. I'm sure there are other notes, however, as this scent is surprisingly greener than the others on first spritz. The opening is a blast of pistachio, tuberose, and cut stems, with a bit of red fruits. It's incredibly beautiful for a £10 fragrance - no wonder it sold out forever in about 5 minutes! However, it's not as strong as any of the others (it's an EDT) and disappears more quickly. Even so, the drydown is lovely. The greens burn off to leave vanilla, white flowers and pistachio musk on a warm tonka base. I will say the pistachio is less distinct in the drydown than in the others. It's more of a generic nuttiness after the green top dries, but the scent is close to the Kayali and the Zara once the greens have settled. It's super, super nice for this price bracket. I wish it lasted longer. VERDICT: I love the Kayali, but Zara Moonlight Whisper is an almost identical dupe for a smidgeon of the price with more intensity and sillage, so it wins for me. (I hear there's an Intense version of Moonlight Whisper out now, but can't comment on that one.) I'd like to try the Cheriosa 62 EDP because the perfume mist is nice but smells a bit cheap. Discover Sunset is a gem but completely different to Yum Pistachio Gelato and Moonlight Whisper until it gets to the drydown when it resembles both, albeit as a weaker EDT cousin. Some other pistachios I've tried: * Obvious "Un Pistache" - the opening notes are raw, peeled and unsalted pistachios with a bit of musk. That's it. Clean, powdery pistachios with very little sweetness. I like it a lot, but it's not a gourmand. * Claire's "Pistache Cerise" is a surprisingly good or a cheapie. Realistic pistachio nuts, vanilla ice cream, and maraschino cherries in the opening with a cosy drydown. I bought two bottles * Experimental Perfume Club "Pistachio Haiku" is a very indie take on Pistachio, combining it with fig leaf, vetiver, cedar and benzoin for a drier profile that smells a bit like pistachio and black ink on paper. Which is nicer than it sounds. Happy hunting! (review will be cross-posted but modified in each to emphasise the "star" fragrance.)

Moonlight Whisper is a floral-gourmand creation by Jérôme Epinette, which comes to life from a formula composed of pistachio, caramel, flowers, and vanilla. Maybe it’s because of its composition, its semi-gourmand family, or maybe because of its author two schools of thought see Moonlight Whisper as similar to the perfumes "Yum Pistachio Gelato | 33 (Eau de Parfum) | Kayali" and "Sol Cheirosa '62 | Sol de Janeiro". The three of them share several notes and accords, but the latter is also a creation of the same main perfumer. It has already happened in the past that some well-known primary perfumers collaborated with Zara creating variations of their most famous creations. I can’t say if these similarities are real or not, since I haven’t yet tried the two perfumes in question that this Zara perfume should be inspired by. What I can say is how it presents itself to my nose and on my skin, stating that once again Zara surprises us with essences that smell of niche. The scent in question unfolds fresh, soapy and bright with a plethora of tart citrus and a hint of alcohol. It is vivid and tangy, and there is a creamy sensation. The citrus zest and oil, with its natural aromas, give this essence the citrus facets of bergamot mixed with swirls of cream. Yes, I can detect the nutty, sweet pistachio, like a Sicilian pistachio spread. As soon as the citrus accord gives up, the balsamic and minty green cardamom exudes. It is not all overwhelming, just there to balance the tart fruit and nutty seed. There is a smooth, musky sweetness in the background. The hazelnut is slightly toasted as if the pistachio seeds were toasted in a pan with burnt sugar. Maybe that is the idea of caramelized pistachio. It is fresh in a creamy way if such a statement makes sense. Bellini, Bellini, Bellini... is there such a thing as prosecco and white peach? I can’t say, but there’s a slight hint of peach, with a certain alcohol content, if you can detect it. The fragrance then develops into a soft, delicate, cotton candy-like scent that is slightly more feminine than the opening, but still retains its airy, uplifting qualities without ever becoming cloying or too sweet. As the caramel aroma peeks through, I can smell every ingredient: the salted butter, the condensed milk, the brown sugar, and the corn syrup, as if it were homemade, and the aroma wafts throughout the kitchen. What started with a burst of fresh citrus then tiptoes into white petals lost in musks and powders. The bouquet is powdery and rosy, with jasmine petals, never too floral. Instead, the flowers here give it a light soapy feel. In the drydown, I can just detect a sweet, airy hazelnut as I move. As the fragrance develops, notes of skin musks create a magnetically attractive aura with understated amber, while lactonic vanilla brings a touch of decadence and warmth. I can detect a lot of sweetness in the base. However, it is a sweet sensation more similar to cotton candy than something viscous or sticky. Simply put, sugar, pistachio, caramel and vanilla are the dominant notes on my skin. That being said, I have had Moonlight Whisper for about a week now and I find this fragrance to be suitable for everyday wear, especially in the warmer months. Compared to the Intense version, I think it is lighter, powdery and “fresh” somehow, which is especially great for the shoulder seasons, whereas Intense is thick, full-bodied and probably a bit too cloying for summer, more suited to the colder weather of winter. This fragrance is most noticeable in the very first few hours and then slowly settles closer to my clothes and skin for the next few hours leaving a very pleasant trail of scent. I can say that the Intense version performs better, although this one does not disappoint. Overall, I enjoyed this fragrance. If you are expecting an extreme gourmand fragrance, this is not the one. If you are expecting an uplifting, bright, clean, soapy and slightly sweet fragrance with a slightly nutty and sweet finish, then this might be for you. I find it very versatile, not cloying and overall pleasant. I would consider it a unisex fragrance with a feminine touch, so if you like fragrances with strong masculine undertones, it’s probably not for you. My thought is based on a bottle I've owned since January 2025 (BC 43110, PD 2024-11-06).

Heaven in a bottle, I just wish the initial "summer cocktail" charge was longer lasting. I have other Zara perfumes that last for hours, but not this one. On the other hand, the scent is so wonderfully pleasant, with that pistachio note, wrapped in cardamom, and that burst of bergamot, which creates a sweet but not oppressive atmosphere. This fragrance is addictive, I can't help but love it. It's been a long time since I decided to buy a perfume from the first sniff. Also, for the small price of 22.9 for 100 ml, it doesn't matter if I have to reapply it during the day. I don't know Yum Pistachio but, recently, I tried Pistacchio by Erbolario and I notice some similarities with MW, but Zara is better. Also perfect as a pre-bedtime cuddle. I hope the performance improves as he matures. EDIT: After a year of maceration, the intensity and persistence have definitely improved. Some have noticed the similarity with Discontinued Manifesto, maybe the atmosphere is similar but it's not a dupe.

i absolutely fell in love with this fragrance. i got the intense version mostly hoping for better longevity, but i can’t really speak on other differences between the two versions. it smells like eating a fresh pistachio pastry in a bubbly bathtub. it’s so incredibly yummy but at the same time the sweetness is not too overpowering and sickening. the richness of pistachios is nicely balanced out by the airy, clean, almost soapy notes of bergamot and flowers. while marzipan isn’t listed in the notes, i can definitely smell it in there. there is a bit of a synthetic hint in this fragrance, kind of reminding me of playdough, but i really don’t mind it. on my skin the longevity is pretty decent, i keep smelling it on myself even hours after application. for the price it’s definitely worth it, especially for the fall and winter seasons.

It starts with sharp fresh citrusy and flowery notes, and a few moments later it turns sweet, nutty and creamy. It's a pleasant smell. I've never smelt anything like this before. It's unique and more for evenings, for a hot summer night or a cozy autumn afternoon. Personally, I've always been attracted to more bitter, peppery and musky perfumes and I used to despise gourmand scents. But in the past few years, I've slowly transitioned into nuts such as almonds and pistachios. Zara's Moonlight Whisper has a delicate personality and doesn't come off as an extreme gourmand. It's quite powdery, soft with a musky citrusy twist. Just bought a bottle today and I've splurged myself into this scent. It's addictive.

Results are super varied person to person clearly but to me this smells so similar to yum pistachio but better and more authentic. My problem with yum is it's so soapy and powdery and that really cuts into the pistachio authenticity. I do like that scent but it's not very pistachio gelato esque in my opinion. Zara's smells like that BUT with an actual pistachio note on top and a musky candy backdrop that reminds me a bit of pink sugar. Throw in a bit of spice for intrigue. It's freaking amazing. I cannot stop smelling myself. The price is right. Nothing bad to say here whatsoever. Kinda wish I could buy 5 bottles cause I know it won't be around forever but I want it to be.

this is one of the best perfumes ever and i can't believe i found it at zara. i used it so much last year and got so many compliments. after emptying my bottle, i went to buy a new one and IT'S GONE... they discontinued it?? i'm crying, screaming and throwing up if anyone knows something that smells like this please let me know. it's not the typical pistachio scent profile at all and none of my pistachio perfumes smell like this. genuinely heartbroken.. 5/5, rest in peace queen < /3

Oh. Heaven. Pistachio is really there with musky deliciousness, really gourmand.The amber makes it “perfumey”. Really sugary sweet but not giving headache. I can’t detect peony at all, but it have a little flowery note. This is just perfect. Packiging would need a pastel pink color with green. I prefer this over Yum. This is not just good enough to buy this because the price, Its perfect on its own, and then Yum is just overpriced really light nothing for me..

This is a fantastic scent for the money. I am a huge fan of the cardamon opening that turns nuttier as it dries down. Over time it turns into this pleasant vanilla and sugar scent, sweet but not too sweet. Where I live the summers don't get crazy hot, so I can definitely wear this one all year round. It's one of those perfumes that work for just about any occasion. It's 95% perfect, the only improvement would be if it would retain the pistachio a bit longer.

One of the better, less synthetic ZARA's, i would say under the Jo Malone line in quality, but up there with Sand Desert at Sunset and such. Sugary citrus opening into a sweet sugary vanilla, with a bit of bitterness to balance it out. Surprisingly on the fresher side as far as caramelic gourmands are concerned, also quite light in longevity and projection making it well suited for warm weather.

Sweet pistachio and fresh cardamom, it's a combination perfect for late summer nights or warmer autumn days. Don't know what pink sugar is, but it does have a sweetness that I guess comes from it. Warm and not overly sweet, but it may be a bit too dessert-like if you dislike sweeter smells. It lasts for a few hours, but I've found it lingering for longer in fabric, which was a nice surprise!

I think Zara rereleased this as Pistachio Butter? Not sure for I didn't test that one yet, but I presume that's what happened, as with most of their perfumes - they get discontinued and then the next year they're back either with the same name or a completely different name and packaging. ̄⁠⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠ ̄ Either way, this was one of their best releases. Delish!

It’s sweet. It’s pretty delicious and totally unisex (if you’re a man who enjoys gently sweet scents, give it an honest try). A flash of bergamot, caramel, pistachio , spicy green cardamom, spun vanilla sugar and skin musks. I won’t prattle on and on. Just get it. It smells much more expensive than it is.

I tried this one out in the store, it's simply delicious! A yummy, sweet gourmand perfume. I need a bottle ASAP! Also there is an Intense version, has anyone tried it? I see both on Zara online but don't know how they are different from one another.

I have Yum Pistachio Gelato and I can confirm this is an excellent dupe. I use my Yum all the time so I am very familiar with the scent, and I can't tell these two apart. I'm thinking of getting a backup bottle before Zara discontinues it.

Love! It's everything I wanted from Yum Pistachio BUT without that soapiness. It remains creamy, nutty, caramel-y and edible. Have to do a wear test, but so far I'm happy with this huge bottle!

I have both this one and the Intense version and slightly prefer this one as it's just a bit brighter. Both are really well made fragrances that are cheap at 3 times the price!

Such a sweet, cute and playful fragrance, but not childish at all. Very good Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato dupe, great price for what you get. It’s just great and very delicious.

This is Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato, only with greater sillage, longevity, and far cheaper!! I have both and reach for the Zara version more often than the Kayali.

Can’t speak on longevity yet, as I’ve only just put it on but I am obsessed with this scent! I need to stock up incase they discontinue it 😂