This scent is more feminine and more excessive than past launches. It has an explosion of joie de vivre that is quite unique for us, and uses a lot more color...
Up until now, we have explored the more traditional and classic side of Prada, but the brand is much more than that.1
Prada Candy incarnates the new Prada woman: she's daring, sensual, full of life and implosive. The perfume is named after this seductive and joyful girl who is running wild.
The first two statements about the new Prada Candy were made by representatives from Puig, the company that holds the fragrance license for Prada. The third is from the scent's description at Neiman Marcus, which has exclusive rights on the fragrance (for the US, anyway) until October. If a seductive and joyful girl running wild — and flashing her hot pink undies, no less — doesn't sound like the Prada that perfumistas know and love, hey, the times they are a-'changin, and you probably already guessed that from the name and the packaging and the advertising, all of which is a departure from the muted elegance the perfume house has long been known for.
So I figured I'd detest Prada Candy, but I was pleasantly surprised. They stuck with perfumer Daniela Andrier, who developed most of the Prada fragrance line, and she's done something that might reasonably be called Candy without being a complete pander-to-the-masses sellout. In fact, while I don't adore Candy, and it isn't going straight onto my buy list, I enjoyed wearing it considerably more than the last two feminine efforts from Prada (Infusion de Tubéreuse and Infusion de Rose). If a bottle of Candy fell into my lap, I can see wearing it happily as a fall/winter comfort scent.
Candy is a woody gourmand oriental, and the notes are listed as musks, caramel and an overdose of benzoin (reportedly 12%). The opening smells like a fruity-sweet benzoin, far from sheer but not too heavy, with brief flashes of root beer. The fruity notes slowly fade and are replaced by creamy caramel vanilla over woody musk. It's soft and powdery — every so often, I catch a nod to Infusion d'Iris — and the dry down is warm and subtly spiced, and much drier than the opening. Late in the game, there is just enough of a dark woody undertone to push it into the "sexy" category. So far, I've seen comparisons to Aquolina Pink Sugar (but it's scads more sophisticated than that) and Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille (going on memory, that one is smokier, woodier, foodier, more complicated).
I doubt I'd spray it on lavishly for a hot and humid summer day, but it's been just fine in the mild-for-August weather we've been having here lately. I found the lasting power perfectly reasonable.
Nicely done, and very much worth a try if you need something vaguely edible but not quite candied for the fall. I predict it will find plenty of fans in the perfumista community, although the two blog reviews I've seen so far (see Another Perfume Blog and Scents of Self) have been less than glowing.
By the way, the juice sprays directly out of the cap, or another way to put it is that properly speaking, it has no outer cap. It is only a matter of time before every tester on earth is broken because impatient people like me keep pulling the whole top off.
Prada Candy is available in 30, 50 ($80) and 80 ($108) ml Eau de Parfum and in matching body products.
1. First 2 quotes are via Women's Wear Daily, 7/8/2011.
Bought this the other day, I like the name but it is a bit misleading.
Candy is sweet for only the first hour and then it is all BENZOIN on a subtle musk base.
I love benzoin so I had to have it, lasts all day, and I could even smell it on my skin after a shower. YMMV
Glad it’s finding fans. I think it’s quite well done — I breathed a sigh of relief, given that I’ve always respected the brand.
The top looks like it WANTS to be pulled off!
Exactly!! So I did.
To further complicate matters, you do have to pull the cap off the gwp “deluxe” sample that comes with your Candy purchase. It took longer than it should have for me to figure that out.
Ah…that is very confusing then.
Haha, I was just going to say this.
Don’t companies ever test things in the real world? Sure, they look good on paper but haven’t they heard of force of habit and human nature? Guerlain did the push-down cap about 10 years ago and then went back to the pull-off cap. Lolita Lempicka’s get pulled off and destroyed all the time. Even Givenchy PLAY, which appears indestructible, consistently has the top broken in attempts to get it off. Very Irresistible for men was a nightmare to put back together. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it because people will try to break it.
I admit that an outer cap would destroy the lines of this particular design — but in that case, they ought to do a factice so customers can see what it looks like, and then put the tester in a plain bottle of some sort.
This and Beyonce Pulse are my favorite releases of the year! The body lotion smells like an alcoholic beverage for the first 50 minutes but then it starts smelling like the fragrance but it’s soo watery and not worth 50 bucks so I took that back but kept my 1.7 : )! I wonder if they’ll make flankers or a Body Cream. I remember when they first released the press release they said a lotion and a body cream. I pray they make one.
I think there is shower gel, lotion and scrub. Too bad the lotion isn’t good, because I do think this would make a great layering scent — I’d like to mix it with something darker/woodier.
Yeah, they did have the shower gel but no sugar scrub at Neiman’s. It wasn’t even on their website so maybe that’ll hit with the wide launch in October. If this is a hit do you think they’ll expand the products? There isn’t even any way to e-mail them on the official Prada site. I’d love to suggest a thicker body cream. I’m crazy in love for this stuff!
I just went to check the original article in WWD. It does say the scrub is later in the fall, but it doesn’t mention any body products other than those 3.
If it does well, I would not be at all surprised if they did a cream, but who can say. Here is a place to send them a message:
http://usa.prada.com/en/US/e-store/contact
Thank you for that link! Oops, I didn’t mean the Prada Candy press release. I meant on another fragrance blog they said the 3 products and a body cream. That was the main reason why I got excited. I just e-mailed them suggesting it so let’s hope : )
Wait for Christmas stuff to start arriving. There’ll probably be some new additions to the body products (side)line in time for that.
Hi Robin. What would you layer Prada Candy with? I also like the idea of adding smoky depth to it. I tried layering it with Samsara (underneath Candy) . The result was pelasing but when I reversed the layering order it wasn’t as nice. Just wondered if you any other ideas.
So sorry for the late reply! I tried it with Tam Dao and the Candy ate up the Diptyque in short order. Have not experimented further, but I should. If you find something wonderful, let me know!
Oh I can’t wait to smell this Robin.
I too am a fan of Prada perfumes and benzoin as a note so I’m almost certain it will be one to enjoy.
Anything to get me through damp,grey Pacific Northwest winters!
It should be just perfect for that!
(And ugh, I don’t even want to think about winter. The light is changing here…it’s sunny here today but it looks like fall if that makes sense to anyone)
Yes, it does. I love that slight change in the light and that breeze that is not quite cool but carries a suggestion of cool with it.
I’m looking forward to trying this. I like that they have a 30ml available.
Not at all sure if the 30 ml will make it to the US — so many of them don’t — but we can hope.
Yes, a 30ml would be wonderful but they don’t seem to do well enough here to be included in most launches.
And this part of summer is one of my favorites. I’m a fall/winter person mostly, so this is like a tantilizing kiss before the temp drops, the light feels more golden and fleeting and the skies are that beautiful autumn blue that gives way to the steel gray of winter here.
Perfect sense. I love it when I fist notice it, because it means that the fiendish summer is soon over and my beloved Fall and Winter are close at hand!
Whereas I notice it for the opposite reason…my beloved summer is ending!
Same here!
I didn’t like it. It was too sweet for me. Not cloying or floral, but a distinct sweetness that was not complimentary to me. I might have picked up on the benzoin, but it wasn’t good.
You aren’t alone — I think that was the primary complaint of both blogs I linked to above.
Yes the mornings are already foggy like in mid-Sept.
I understand all too well being in Snohomish,Wa.
I feel jipped of a full-on summer!!!
We did better than you weather-wise, I’m sure, so I shouldn’t complain, but I always hate to see the summer go.
Tamara, i know what you mean. I live not far from you – in Skagit Valley and there was no real summer here this year……
Uuuh that wasn’t meant to be a smiley face! ha
Hmmmmm. Sounds like one to sniff- thanks for the review. Now this makes two new releases I am curious to sniff out at Neimans so maybe it is worth the fuel to schlep across town. (I also want to try the new Givenchy- Dahlia Noir- anyone tested that one?)
Dahlia Noir….HATED IT! It’s an alright floral that smells kinda…….like a little vapor rub with some flowers and something else I can’t quite place. I can’t seem to find that sample to give you a better description : (
Uh-oh. Better save gas then!
Word. We live inside the loop and I hate driving all the way out there.
I will hopefully finish my review of that one by tomorrow, meantime, I’ll just say that I didn’t like it either.
Looking forward to it
Dahlia Noir is no good.
With such a young, colourful vibe, this looks like it should have been released as a Miu Miu fragrance rather than Prada, perhaps.
I’m cracking up at all the comments about the cap. Knowing me, I would be one of the people to pull it off too so I appreciate the warning! Supposedly it will be available from 29 Aug here in UK and I’m sure that I’ll try it even though I’ve no need for such a thing in my collection.
This has nothing to do with Prada but since we are on the topic of benzoin – I’m still mourning the end of my limited edition Christmas Diptyque candle from a couple of years ago. It smelled so good and I managed to get about 18 months out of it. Wish they made it a part of the permanent range, I’d buy it even without the gorgeous purple and gold jar *sigh*
I’m sure you’re right, but then, many of us are barely aware of the existence of the Miu Miu line. I’m sure it will rake in far more moola as a Prada fragrance.
I heard that was a fabulous candle!
Ah, yes, that’s a good point about Prada being a more recognisable name!
The new Prada woman is “implosive”? Oh dear, I’m guessing they meant impulsive?
I have a feeling that meant explosive + impulsive, and they just figured they’d combine the 2 words & nobody would notice. Ha.
They used a real word – it’s the adj. form of implode, but I don’t get it in reference to perfume, even in this Eau Faux era of copywriting! It’s a bad visual of guts exploding!
Oh no, I know it’s a real word — I’m just pretty sure they didn’t intend that meaning.
I wasn’t clear, again, I think? I think they wanted a word that means impulsive & explosive, which isn’t what implosive means.
Ahh… now I understand what you were saying. And you’re probably right as to their intentions, but what a blunder! Still, we always appreciate eau faux copy around here!
Maybe she’s connected to a vacuum pump?
ROLF!
Very interesting review! I like caramel/vanilla and love benzoin, but the musk base no can do. For some reason my skin chemistry really amps the musk aroma-chemicals until they reach up and grab me by the throat! But I bet this is a big seller for them, maybe their Angel.
I bet it will sell. But can’t be an Angel, I don’t think…it just isn’t distinctive or ground breaking enough to last that many years. Or so I say, LOL…and I am nearly never right about such things!
I think it will be a hit for the season, but not a perennial best seller like Angel.
Exactly.
The comments about sweet + benzoin make me wonder if it smells anything like the Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant? That one is very rich and dessert-y, though enjoyable. This one sounds sniff-worthy at least, and thanks for the warning about the cap. I like the bottle style, but I’d surely be one of the clods who pulls the thing off.
I have smelled Tigre but not Elephant, but from what I’ve read, this is way less rich, & probably less spicy/foody.
Wow, I had never heard of Tigre. Just looked it up and it sounds like it was incredible!
I don’t think this one is like Jungle L’Elephant.
This is not like Aquolina Pink Sugar or any other fragrance I can think of, unless you want to compare it to Costes 2, another fragrance that I love which has a heavy dose of benzoin (with rose, I think).
I may actually buy a bottle of Candy and share it with my daughter. It’s fun to wear, and I absolutely love benzoin and am happy it is getting the starring attention that it deserves.
Hugs!
I should try Costes 2 again, then. I know I didn’t love it.
Perfect scent for anybody to share with their daughter!
I can’t find my sample of Candy ;( I just thought ‘black xs for her’ when i smelled it first, but it turned to be pretty addictive on my skik! And not having a classic structure. The head notes kept going away and coming back..
Speaking of news, i just sprayed my arm with Chanel 19 Poudré in a perfumery! And i have a cold and can’t really smell it ;(
Ah, so sorry you have a cold! I am looking forward to 19 Poudre myself, I have not tried it yet.
I have been waiting for this review, thank you! Sounds like a happy comfort scent, of which I have many – but there is always room for more!
Now if I could just find out what the new Goutal smells like . . .
That is out in France, right? Betcha there are blog reviews there, but I have not looked.
Actually the Goutal’s been out in the UK since July. In France coming out in September. A love it or hate it! Heliotrope, Patchouli, plum, orris, spices.
Thanks!
We do not yet have Candy, no.19 Poudre or even Shalimar Initial in South Africa. A Prada, Guerlain AND Chanel – I need to keep my excitement levels in check…
Hope you will not have to wait too much longer! I have not seen the Chanel yet either.
Great Review, Mistress of Fragrance, Ms. Robin!
i have been eagerly awaiting this every since you first posted about it and it sounds like something i’ll love… FYI… ELIE SAAB=STUPENDOUS! and i can’t wait for a Review of Bottega Veneta…. Hell… I can’t wait til it comes out… it’s a Gift for Xmas for Mom Unsniffed! HURRY….!!!! 
You are too kind! I really, really liked the quick sniff of Elie Saab that I’ve managed so far…was surprised to find I like it better than anything in the Maison Francis Kurkdjian line. I need to get a proper sample. Bottega Veneta was not instant love for me, but I need to get a proper sample of that too. My NM had testers out quite prominently, but they didn’t know when they’d have it in stock.
And I still have not even SEEN Esprit d’Oscar, so I do need to get on the ball here.
Honey… There’s just too much out there to ever properly get on the ball! LOL! you’ll get around to it i am sure… most of the stuff out there is worth a pass anyway, one-too-many fruity floral patchouli chypre thingamajiggers on the market that they all start to blur into indistinction anyway! But Esprit D’Oscar… that i truly reccomend… It’s A Beauty! Get a Sniff when you can!
if i am out to the Mall on Fri… I’ll get you a Sample of Elie Saab and send it to you! 
It is true, there are too many launches! But do want to try the Oscar, I hear it’s lovely.
Elie Saab is very very nice, I got a sample in Nordies the other day, it smells like a lighter version of TM’s Alien on me, all cozy and jasmine with a bit O’ grape thrown in….very nice, though something in the dry down annoys me, can’t figure what! I would recommend it if you like Alien. :0)
This sounds great but I wish it had a better name!
I didn’t like the name before, now that I’ve smelled it, I like it better. Or in other words, I like it better now that it’s not meant literally.
This sounds powdery. Is it?
Yes, but not a total powder bomb.
“It is only a matter of time before every tester on earth is broken because impatient people like me keep pulling the whole top off.”
Haha remember those Lolita Lempicka bottles?
Only thing harder to decant might be A*Men.
Yes! I broke a few of those in my time too…I’m exactly the sort of idiot they need to design against.
And the Bvlgari Omnia minis!!!! Worst ever.
Oh those Omnia minis! I wasn’t sure how in the blue hell I was supposed to open my little Omnia and broke a few nails the first time trying. That has got to be the most impractical bottle design ever! Though the first bottle I got with one of those decorative rings between the button one presses and the neck of the bottle had me baffled for a moment, too, until I realized I had to grab the perdy lil bead thing and pull it off before I tried to spray the damn thing. lol
Those were absurd. What were they thinking?
I disliked this one but to be fair I had built it up in my mind. I thought I’d be a candy girl but apparently no. Even though I get those spiced notes as well as something sandalwoody if I am attentive – smelling it again today, on paper – in practice (as in, wearing it) the sweetness seemed too bulky and the thing came across as one-note-ish.
It reminds me of Guerlain’s Gourmand Coquin — which is less fruity, more sickening-sweet, and also more complex. I guess I prefer the Guerlain. Anyone know if there’s ethyl maltol in here in a big dose as well?
I’m sure I wouldn’t notice the ethyl maltol if it was there — hope someone else will chime in.
I will have to try this! If my buy list comes to fruition anytime soon and I buy Infusion de Vetiver, Prada will pull ahead as the brand forerunner in my collection (joining L’eau and the original). Maybe Candy will join the ranks too and then PRADA WILL RULE THEM ALL. Okay, too much coffee.
LOL!! I think Hermes rules them all in my collection, for the moment anyway. But that’s partly affordability & accessibility; there are other brands that I have huge numbers of, but in decants (Serge, Frederic Malle) or where it seems like I have lots but it’s a small percentage of their output (L’Artisan). I do still hanker after a bottle of Prada Homme.
Ah, I have a small decant of f.24 and it has made me want to try the rest of hermes output! Unfortunately, I have never seen that line at a perfume counter anywhere (around where I live in Canada). Right now Prada, L’AP, and Lolita are all even at 2 bottles per line in my collection. Sometimes I love infusion de vetiver and sometimes it annoys me, though, so maybe I really need a decant and not a bottle.
lol, Robin -I totally pulled the top off and then sprayed it all over my hand getting it onto the paper. That said, I enjoyed its iris-ness with the candy, and I didn’t hate it.
LOL!!
Thanks for reviewing this one, Robin. I’m looking forward to trying this so much if/when my local Macy’s gets it. As someone who seemingly has an endless love for gourmands or those perfumes that are almost gourmand, the sweetness of Candy is all the more enticing. Sometimes I want incens-heavy denseness and complexity while sometimes I just want a fragrance that’s fun and delicious enough as to be almost gustatory in richness or sweetness. A bit like aromatherapy when I’m craving sweets but can’t have them… Sweet perfume often helps curb the craving. Must. try. this.
Hope it will work for you!
I’m sure a lot of perfumistas are rolling their eyes at Candy, but I think it’s a brilliant business decision on Prada’s part to release a scent aimed at a younger market, with cute packaging and a catchy name, while not forsaking the line’s attention to quality and solid behind-the-scenes talent like Andrier. And if it gets young people talking about benzoin the way they currently do about vanilla and cotton candy, I’m all for it.
Agree.
I was rolling my eyes til I smelled it!
Can’t wait to try this!
Oh, I really want to smell this. And it’s funny that Candy is such an obvious name for a youth oriented fragrance yet no one’s used it before?
But what is benzoin?
https://nstperfume.com/perfume-glossary/
a balsamic resin from the Styrax tree.
I tested this on skin at the airport yesterday and loved it! (Nearly didn’t bother because of the name, but I was resniffing the back of my hand all the rest of the day.)
Oh good! I wonder if they will actually end up losing their real potential market because of the name?
I fear they might, plus their packaging is reminscent of those rather twee row house scents from Benefit with the silly girls’ names, which may also have been putting me off at some subliminal level! What made me overcome my prejudice in the end was the fact that I had seen Candy listed on a split site, and figured it must have something about it to prompt all that interest.
Had I seen your review before coming across the bottle, that would have been incentive enough, because your taste is closest to mine out of all the reviewers in blogland. This reminded me a bit of a more vanillic Indian Holi or Naughty Alice – something in that sweet powdery, yet slightly dark and edgy vein.
Hello all! I’m a longtime lurker but have just gathered up the gumption to post…
I haven’t sniffed Candy yet but am wondering how it might compare to Lancome Now or Never Rouge (I recall that was a benzoin blast, as well; limited edition fragrance from back in the late 90’s). Anyway, I never sprang for the Lancome and regret it, so I’m hoping Candy will satisfy this craving! If anyone can recommend something similar to the Lancome, that would be welcomed
Sorry for the late reply, and sorry I don’t know the Lancome scent so I’m no help at all.
I had to post that I just tried this (got lucky and won a mini off Ebay) and absolutely loved it! It isn’t so cloying that I couldn’t wear it on a warm summer afternoon, but was sweet and musky enough that it will be perfect in winter as well. It is definitely on my fb list and I’m looking forward to the holidays in the hopes a gift set with body cream/lotion and shower gel will be released. And if this comes out in a parfum concentration or intense… *clutches pearls* The lasting power would be my only complaint, but even that isn’t too bad on my usual perfume devouring skin. It gets a definite B+ and I hope it does well so it won’t be going anywhere for a very long time.
Yes, an extrait would be nice, and I want to go try the lotion.
I tried this today I thought the dry down was lovely but it took too long to come on, the sweetness stayed on my skin for hours and hours it was certainly candy on me!
I’ve been wearing it more since writing this, and like it even better — sorry it does not work on you!
bit late for my comment, I really should have read your review before, Robin, because I tried Candy today for the first time, obviously having pulled off the sprayer-cap-thingy first (I felt really stupid, do they have web-cams pointed towards testers?). I had a similar experience as you did, a very conforting woody-oriental with just a sweet touch, not at all the shrieking candy-floss stuff I expected from the name. I’m not sure I’d buy a FB, but I’d keep one if it landed in my hands.
LOL — betcha half the people who try it pull the cap off!
I have tested this at the airport and i really liked it, but i kept getting an occassional sniffs of infusion d’ iris.. ant wait to get my hands on it
So glad you liked it!
I tried this last week and it didn’t smell all that oriental to me.
I definitley get the musk at the beginning but once the initial slap in the face musk dies down after a few minutes it just smells dirty until half an hour or so then it smells of chocolate and then goes back to musk. I don’t know if I’ll buy this I’m so unsure of it, I need to try it again.
It’s not a dark, spicy oriental, that’s for sure.
I like Candy a lot – it makes me think of Infusion d’Iris with a touch of sweet woods – but it seems weak on my skin.
Oh, that’s too bad. I don’t know that I’d like it if it was any stronger myself.
Hmm, I found this to be L’Eau Ambree with caramel/vanilla. I wanted to love it- but I didn’t. Back in the early 90’s, Victorias’ Secret used to do several Vanilla fragrances- one with caramel that I loved. I think I was hoping for that scent again. : )
Sorry!
Must share this – here in the UK, the 30ml Candy, which I bought last week, has a pull-off lid!!
So I get it home, off with the cellophane, open the box, get the bottle out, say yayayaya, I know about the top, can’t fool me – and then couldn’t work out how to spray it on.
LOL — that is hysterical, thanks for telling us!
I felt really clever as I tried it out and knew you have to press not pull the top.
So I spayed it on paper and smelled at it to pass it immediately to the SA assistant who watched me amused how I turned yellow and green. This is weird and sadistic and it smelled to me like caramell and *oo.
I love Prada otherwise, but I disliked all their scents until now.
So sorry you hated it!
Great review as always Robin!!
As a woman who loves the smell of leather and musk (I’m mad about Hermes Kelly caleche, teint de neige, philokosys) and a woman who admires sweet perfumes.. I simply loved this perfume!! Although it doesn’t really reflect who I am or tells a story about me, it still smells good… It reminds me a lot of Serge Lutens “Un boise de vanille” exactly the same!! Unbelievable, it’s as if it’s a more affordable version Of the perfume… My fiancee for the first time ever bought me a perfume, he went on an adventure alone and started sniffing around and he just loved this! I was so surprised given the fact that I rarely wear any sweet scents. But well I absolutely love it! Smells good and interesting and has a good lasting power! Have a lovely day xoxoxo
Oh, I ove Kelly and Philosykos and the others too – but I detest this Candy stuff! Funny, isn’t it?
Hmm, I expected to like this more than I do as I like gourmand scents with musky/woody bases but I was unpleasantly surprised, I found it a little boring and too light, nothing original and too much like Aquolina Pink Sugar in my opinion, better than that as Pink Sugar is sickening to me but Candy is likeable just not that original but a good skin scent. I adore the bottle though and the packaging and tempted to buy it just for that reason. On days when you want to wear nothing offensive and need the comfort like you said Robin, I think it would be great. I tend to find Prada fragrances likeable, some more so than others but I do not find them that interesting or original in general and the same stands true for Candy. They seemed to have put the originality into the packaging. Little disappointed as I was sort of expecting to go wow, I want this.
I found this incredibly sweet – not unpleasant but it smelled, to me, exactly like cotton candy, similar to though more complex than Pink Sugar.
Smelled this today, and my first thought was, “Candy? Really?” It’s not even close to gourmand, and what little caramel/vanilla sweetness it has is tempered by the benzoin, wood, and musk. I find it more in the soft, woody/floral vein than the oriental, gourmand or otherwise. (I also find it awfully similar to Infusion d’Iris, which makes me wonder if benzoin is to Daniela Andrier what Iso E Super is to Ellena.) It’s lovely, but rather mismatched with the name and packaging, in my opinion. I was expecting something FAR sweeter and more juvenile. Props to Prada for not going completely off course into Fantasy/Pink Sugar territory.
I wish I could find this at Sephora or Macy’s, because I really want to try it! Does anybody know when or if it will be reaching those stores?
I’m afraid I have no idea, sorry!
Well, it is interesting because the first time I smelled this and wrote about it I did not like it as much as I thought I would, however, the second time I tested it I found that I really liked it. It may have to do with it being winter and this is definitely a winter scent in my opinion but somehow even the lasting power seemed a lot better. I do definitely find this gourmand ans scent though thankfully not unbearable like Pink Sugar and it is much more complicated and faceted than that. I need to check it out again I may want to get a bottle for winter during the next sale. It would be a nice, warming comfort scent for the season. I am still very much in love with the packaging, now that is very original and wow but I am beginning to feel more excited about the juice itself too. Prada in general is not about the wow fact in my opinion, at least not their fragrances, they tend to be more about sophistication and quality in more of an understated way. This fragrance stands out a bit more due to being a gourmand but I guess I do like that it has many facets to it to balance out the sweetness. I also find it a little similar to EL Sensuous Nude but much more likeable, Nude is sweeter, less interesting, less counterbalanced and more sickening to me with that heavy coconut note.
Well, I finally got this today since it has grown on me and liked it far better on skin than on paper, it seems to have great lasting power on me, which is not too sweet; mostly musk, woods, benzoin with some caramel and vanilla to make it more interesting. I had a coupon for 20 % off plus got a free travel size shower gel and two samples, so I figured this would make a great comfort scent and the perfect fragrance for the holidays. I was happy with the samples because I am so in love with the bottle, I do not want to ruin it and honestly you cannot carry this bottle around since it can accidentally get pushed in and sprayed into my purse. I too think this would make a great layering scent so too bad the lotion is no good. Another perfumery here had the free travel size lotion with purchase of 50 ml and almost got that but the deal with the coupon sounded better. I think this fragrance does feel really comforting especially in cold weather and it does seem to become sort of a part of you after a while. I still definitely prefer Love, Chloe, although to me that is not a skin scent, far more complicated and heavier but their lotion is actually lavish.
i got the 50ml giftset, (around £52 in the uk.) The lotion doesn’t actually smell exactly like the fragrance, but it still smells gorgeous (I may have to buy it separately when I run out) and the lotion actually lasts longer on my skin than the fragrance which is rare. My absolute favourite winter scent! Also have received compliments with this one
Absolutely love it. I am a fan of sweet fragrances but this is like an upgrade for me, it smells more complex and rich than the usual sweet celeb scents i go for.
Also I have noticed that House of Fraser have gone through several (80ml) tester bottles within the last few weeks so people must be attracted to this one. (I know that when I saw it was out I searched desperately through the shop to find the tester.)
I also assumed I’d hate it, and was kind of put off when it was in my grab bag of samples decanted by the guy at Nordstrom – I mean, I don’t think I look like a gal who’d wear something called Candy! I ended up liking (not loving) it. It smells like cupcake batter and dries down to smell like Light Blue on me. I’m not a huge fan of Light Blue, but it stays close enough to my skin that I’ll be okay wearing it to school sometimes.
Overdoze of benzoin? Robin have you tried Armani Sensi? Since it’s been discontinued I’m trying to replase it in vain.. Are those two any similar?
I have not, sorry!
I bought a bottle of Candy today and while it clearly has some similar notes with Sensi – not quite the same thing. Sensi was more complex and resinous… But it smells almost as if it was inspired by Sensi.
Good news though – I tried layering Candy with Elixir des Merveilles and really liked the result. The saddest thing is – Buying full 80 ml bottle of Candy and 100 ml bottle of Elixir is still cheaper than buying Sensi these days… Oh the horror of discontinuing the favorite fragrances!
I know what you mean — glad you found something you liked, even if it isn’t perfect & it costs too much!
I smelled Candy and thankfully didn’t buy. For me, it’s the same candy caramel ingredient or fruit and food that turn me off. Of course, by the name I should have suspected it isn’t my kind. Lacks elegance that other perfumes exude.
Am I insane for thinking Candy reminded me of drugstore Vanderbilt from the 80’s???
I would love to know they have anything in common because that was all I smelled after a few minutes on the card!
Gosh, I just couldn’t say — I know I smelled Vanderbilt but have no memory of it!