Azzaro Wanted Girl Eau de Parfum Intense: A Review of the Modern Gourmand Oriental
An audacious, sweet, and spicy fragrance that redefines the feminine gourmand for a new generation.
In the storied annals of Azzaro, a house founded in 1962 by the visionary couturier Loris Azzaro, the masculine pillar has long cast a formidable shadow. The legendary Azzaro Pour Homme, a landmark aromatic fougère from 1978, established a legacy of bold, charismatic scents for men. It was not until 2016 that the house turned its full attention to the feminine audience with the launch of the 'Wanted' collection, a line designed to capture a spirit of daring and independence. Azzaro Wanted Girl Eau de Parfum Intense, released in 2020, represents a significant evolution within this narrative, a deliberate intensification of the original 2018 Wanted Girl EDP.
Positioned as a gourmand oriental within the brand's feminine portfolio, Wanted Girl Intense enters a market saturated with sweet, edible fragrances. However, it distinguishes itself by eschewing pure, juvenile confectionery in favor of a more sophisticated, spicy, and resinous sweetness. It is a fragrance that speaks to a woman who has outgrown the simple pleasures of vanilla cupcakes and seeks a more complex, addictive, and memorable olfactory signature. It sits as the bolder, more nocturnal sibling to the original, designed for moments that demand a more pronounced and lingering presence.
The inspiration is rooted in a contemporary archetype: the woman who is unafraid to pursue her desires, who commands attention with quiet confidence rather than loud declarations. The scent's architecture reflects this duality—it is both inviting and mysterious, warm yet sharp. The concept marries the comforting familiarity of gourmand notes with the exotic intrigue of oriental resins, creating a scent that feels both intimately personal and dramatically expressive. It is less about a specific narrative and more about an embodied sensation of empowered sensuality.
Within the fragrance community, Wanted Girl Intense has cultivated a reputation as a reliable, high-performing gourmand with a distinctive spicy edge. It is often praised for its longevity and sillage, hallmarks of the 'Intense' designation. While it may not be heralded as a groundbreaking avant-garde creation, it is frequently recommended as a solid, crowd-pleasing choice for those seeking a designer gourmand with better-than-average performance and a touch of grown-up sophistication. Its cultural impact lies in its successful translation of a popular genre into a format that feels both contemporary and aligned with Azzaro's heritage of boldness.
The Nose Behind the Scent
The fragrance was composed by perfumer Nathalie Lorson, a master of modern, impactful accords at Firmenich. Lorson possesses an exceptional talent for balancing contrasting elements, having created iconic scents such as Lalique's Encre Noire (a stark, vetiver-driven masterpiece) and several blockbusters for Montblanc. Her portfolio demonstrates a versatility that ranges from minimalist chic to opulent warmth, making her an ideal architect for a fragrance like Wanted Girl Intense, which requires a deft hand to harmonize sweet, spicy, and woody facets without succumbing to cloying heaviness.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance announces itself with a vibrant, slightly fizzy burst of pink pepper and saffron. The lemon provides a brief, bright sparkle that cuts through the immediate spice, preventing it from being overly dry or abrasive. This opening is energetic, peppery, and slightly metallic—a modern, attention-grabbing prelude that feels more sophisticated than a typical fruity top note.
As the sharp pepper recedes, the heart reveals itself. The floral bouquet is present but subdued, acting more as a soft, powdery floral veil than a distinct floral statement. The rose and jasmine sambac blend seamlessly into the evolving sweetness, while the orchid adds a creamy, almost lactonic texture. The spicy saffron note remains a persistent thread, now woven into a warmer, more rounded core that begins to hint at the gourmand base to come.
The final act is where Wanted Girl Intense truly settles into its signature. The vanilla and tonka bean emerge as the dominant players, creating a rich, balsamic, and comforting sweetness. However, this is not a simple vanilla. It is grounded by the earthy, chocolate-like facets of patchouli and the clean, dry support of cedar. The amber accord provides a resinous, skin-hugging warmth. The drydown is a long-lasting, addictive blend of sweet, woody, and slightly spicy notes—a cozy yet sophisticated aura that lingers for hours.
Performance Dashboard
Excellent longevity, consistently lasting 8 to 10 hours on skin, and can be detected on clothing for 24 hours or more.
Strong projection for the first 3-4 hours, creating a noticeable scent bubble of approximately an arm's length. It remains a skin scent with intimate projection for the remainder of its lifespan.
Leaves a pronounced and enticing trail, especially in the first half of its development. It is a fragrance that will announce your presence when you enter a room.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
A high compliment-getter, particularly in social evening settings. Its warm, sweet, and spicy trail is frequently described as 'alluring,' 'delicious,' and 'addictive' by others.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Exceptional longevity and strong sillage for a designer fragrance
- ✅ A sophisticated take on the gourmand genre with a compelling spicy twist
- ✅ Versatile for many autumn and winter occasions
- ✅ Distinctive and memorable scent profile that stands out from simpler sweet perfumes
- ✅ Beautiful, luxurious bottle design
- ❌ Can be too heavy or cloying in warm weather or confined spaces
- ❌ The prominent saffron/patchouli accord may be polarizing to some
- ❌ Not suitable for conservative office environments due to its strength
Price & Value
“Offers very good value for money given its outstanding performance and quality of ingredients relative to its price point in the designer segment.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant, widely reported batch variations or reformulations have been noted since its 2020 launch. As a relatively recent release, it exists in its original formulation.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women aged 25-40 who enjoy bold, sweet-spicy fragrances
- Individuals with a confident, modern style who appreciate gourmands but seek complexity
- Those looking for a high-performance designer scent for cooler weather and evening wear
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who dislike sweet or spicy fragrances
- Individuals seeking a light, fresh, or aquatic scent for daytime or office wear
- People with sensitivity to strong projection or patchouli notes
The Family
The original 2018 Eau de Parfum, which is slightly fresher, less sweet, and more floral-focused, with pear and mandarin in the top notes.
A 2021 flanker that emphasizes fruity and floral notes like blackcurrant and peony, positioned as a more playful, fruity-floral evening scent.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar DNA of patchouli, vanilla, and tonka bean for a rich, sweet, and long-lasting gourmand-oriental effect, though it is fruitier and less spicy.
Another iconic gourmand-oriental with coffee and vanilla, but Black Opium is more focused on white florals and has a sharper, more energetic profile compared to the spicier, woodier Wanted Girl Intense.
For those who enjoy the patchouli-vanilla-pink pepper axis, Angel Muse offers a more eccentric, bold, and hazelnut-spread-infused interpretation of a gourmand.
A honeyed, floral-oriental with similar intentions for evening seduction and strong performance, though it leans more floral and honeyed than spicy-gourmand.
💡 Clone Alternatives
A widely recognized clone house, Armaf's version aims to capture the sweet, spicy, and woody essence at a fraction of the cost, though with potentially lesser nuance and materials.
Zara frequently produces affordable interpretations of popular designer scents. A fragrance from their line may offer a similar vanilla-amber-patchouli vibe suitable for casual wear.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
Shares a similar bold, feminine, and slightly gourmand-leaning character in a striking bottle, appealing to the same audience that enjoys a statement fragrance.
For those who enjoy the rose aspect of Wanted Girl Intense but prefer it in a much fresher, cleaner, and more daytime-appropriate musky-woody context.
Another confident, modern feminine with a lavender-vanilla core that, while different in structure, attracts wearers who appreciate bold, long-lasting designer fragrances with a distinctive character.
More from Azzaro
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A clean, musky skin scent (e.g., Glossier You) to soften the spice and add a sheer, intimate layer
- A bright, citrus-focused fragrance (e.g., Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine) to lift the top notes for daytime wear in transitional seasons
- A pure vanilla solinote or oil to amplify the gourmand base and create an even richer, more dessert-like experience
🏆 Final Verdict
Azzaro Wanted Girl Eau de Parfum Intense is a compelling argument for the continued relevance of the well-executed designer gourmand. It does not seek to reinvent the wheel but rather to refine it, offering a composition that is both immediately pleasing and satisfyingly complex over time. Its greatest strength lies in its formidable performance; in an era where longevity is often compromised, this fragrance delivers a consistent and enduring presence that justifies its 'Intense' moniker.
One should purchase this fragrance if they are drawn to warm, sweet, and spicy olfactory profiles and desire a scent that makes a confident statement. It is an ideal companion for the cooler months, transforming evening outings, romantic dates, and festive gatherings into opportunities for olfactory expression. For the woman who has matured beyond simplistic fruity florals but still revels in the comfort and allure of vanilla and tonka bean, Wanted Girl Intense provides a perfect bridge—a gourmand with backbone, a sweet treat with a spicy secret.
Ultimately, it stands as a testament to Nathalie Lorson's skill and Azzaro's understanding of modern desires. It is a fragrance built not on fleeting trends but on timeless accords of spice, wood, and sweetness, assembled for impact and longevity. For those navigating the vast sea of designer offerings, Wanted Girl Eau de Parfum Intense is a beacon of reliability, quality, and sensual warmth.