Honestly, walking into a high-end perfume shop can feel like a chore. You’re hit with a wall of aggressive florals, sickly sweet candies, or those "clean" scents that just smell like expensive laundry detergent. Then there’s Zadig & Voltaire This is Her.
It’s weird.
I mean that in the best way possible. When it launched in 2016, it didn’t really fit into the boxes we were used to. It wasn't a typical "girly" perfume. It wasn’t a heavy, old-school musk. It was this creamy, peppery, slightly edgy cloud of "cool girl" energy that somehow manages to smell like a cashmere sweater and a rock concert at the same time.
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If you've ever wondered why your friend suddenly smells like a high-end vanilla milkshake but with a mysterious, woody kick, she’s probably wearing this.
The Vibe: What Zadig & Voltaire This is Her Actually Smells Like
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first, but keep it real. This isn't a simple scent. The perfumers, Sidonie Lancesseur and Michel Almairac, basically took a bunch of things that shouldn't work together and made them iconic.
The first spray of Zadig & Voltaire This is Her is a bit of a jump scare. You get a sharp hit of pink pepper. It’s spicy, almost a little bit "sneezey" for some people. But that only lasts for a minute. Quickly, the "heart" of the perfume opens up, and that’s where the magic happens.
Think whipped cream. Not the canned stuff—the real, thick, heavy cream.
Mix that with roasted chestnuts and vanilla. It becomes this "lactonic" (which is just a fancy perfume word for milky) scent that feels incredibly cozy. Most gourmand perfumes—those are the ones that smell like food—tend to be "sugar-bomb" sweet. This isn't. The chestnut adds an earthy, nutty bitterness that keeps the vanilla from becoming too childish.
The Breakdown of Notes
- The Top: Pink Pepper, Jasmine Sambac, Silkwood Blossom.
- The Middle: Whipped Cream, Vanilla, Chestnut.
- The Base: Sandalwood, Cashmere Wood.
The dry down—how it smells after a few hours—is pure sandalwood. Zadig & Voltaire uses sandalwood as their "signature" because it has that rebellious, unisex feel. On your skin, it ends up smelling like "you, but better." It’s fuzzy. It’s warm. It’s exactly what you want to smell like when you’re wearing an oversized blazer and leather boots.
Why Does Everyone Talk About the "Lactonic" Note?
You might hear people calling this a "milk perfume." That sounds kinda gross if you think about it too hard, but in the fragrance world, it's the ultimate comfort.
Lactonic notes in Zadig & Voltaire This is Her create a sense of intimacy. It’s less "look at me" and more "come closer." It mimics the scent of clean skin but adds a layer of luxury. However, it is polarizing. I’ve talked to people who think it smells like condensed milk, and others who swear it smells like a "boring" vanilla.
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Then there are the people who get a "metallic" or "salty" vibe. Fragrance chemistry is wild like that. Depending on your skin’s pH, the sandalwood and cashmere wood can turn slightly sharp. That’s why you should never, ever blind-buy this. Spray it on your wrist at the store, go for a walk, and see how it evolves.
Longevity: Does It Actually Last?
Performance is where this juice earns its keep.
A lot of "skin scents" or creamy perfumes disappear after two hours. You spray them, they’re gone, and you’re left wondering where your $100 went. That is not the case here. Zadig & Voltaire This is Her is surprisingly "beast mode" for such a soft-smelling fragrance.
You’ll spray it in the morning, forget about it, and then catch a whiff of it on your scarf three days later. It clings to fabric like crazy. Most users report a solid 8 to 10 hours of wear time on the skin.
A word of warning: don't over-spray. Because it’s so creamy and "thick," it can actually become nauseating if you go too heavy-handed. Two or three sprays are plenty. Any more and you might feel like you’re trapped inside a giant vanilla bean.
Comparing the Flankers: Which "Her" Are You?
The original is a masterpiece, but the brand has released a few variations (flankers) over the years. It’s easy to get confused.
- This is Her! Undressed: This one came out around 2023. It’s much more "skin-like." It swaps the heavy whipped cream for orange blossom, ginger, and a "salty skin" accord. It’s lighter, fresher, and better for summer. If the original is a heavy sweater, this is a silk slip dress.
- This is Her! Unchained: A newer 2024 release. It adds fruity notes like cherry and mandarin. It still has that chestnut DNA, but it feels a bit more vibrant and "young."
- This is Really Her!: This is the intense version. If you want more "rock 'n' roll" and less "milkshake," this is the one. It’s darker, ambery, and definitely a nighttime scent.
Is It a Dupe for Zara Fields at Nightfall?
If you’re on Fragrance TikTok or Reddit, you’ve seen this comparison. Zara's Fields at Nightfall is widely considered the budget-friendly twin to Zadig & Voltaire This is Her.
Is it a 100% match? No.
Zara’s version is thinner. It lacks that deep, nutty chestnut richness that makes the Zadig version feel expensive. The opening of the Zara dupe can also smell a bit more synthetic—almost like plastic—whereas the original is smoother. However, if you’re on a budget and just want that "milky wood" vibe, the Zara bottle is a decent alternative to see if you even like the scent profile.
How to Wear It Like a Pro
To get the most out of this fragrance, you have to think about the season.
This is a cold-weather champion. When the air is crisp and you’re bundled up, the warmth of the vanilla and sandalwood really shines. In the middle of a 90-degree humid summer day? It might feel a bit suffocating. The milkiness can "turn" a bit in high heat, making it smell slightly sour.
Stick to Fall, Winter, and early Spring.
Also, layer it. Zadig & Voltaire This is Her is a fantastic base for layering. If you have a floral perfume that feels too "sharp," spray a little bit of This is Her underneath. The sandalwood and vanilla will anchor the florals and give them a creamy, sophisticated foundation.
The Bottom Line
There’s a reason this perfume has stayed relevant since 2016 while other designer scents have been discontinued and forgotten. It’s got a personality. It’s not trying to please everyone, and that’s exactly what makes it cool.
It’s the olfactory equivalent of a French girl who hasn't brushed her hair but somehow looks better than everyone else in the room. It’s effortless, slightly messy, and totally addictive.
Practical Next Steps for Your Fragrance Journey
- Test on Skin Only: Do not judge this perfume by the paper strip. The lactonic notes need body heat to develop their creamy texture.
- Check the Batch: If you're buying from a discounter, ensure the bottle is authentic, as the "cracked edge" bottle design is unique and often faked in low-quality replicas.
- Sample the "Him" Version: Seriously. This is Him (the black bottle) is a smoky, incense-heavy sandalwood that many women actually prefer over the feminine version. It’s worth a sniff if you want something even edgier.
- Apply to Clothing: If your skin eats perfume quickly, spray your coat or a scarf. The sandalwood in this formula is specifically designed to linger on natural fibers like wool and cashmere.