It's seemed a long slog through sweet and pink and fruity lately, so I was happy to turn to La Femme Prada even before I actually smelled it. A not-pink fragrance, for grown-ups, from the (mostly) reliable team of Prada and perfumer Daniela Andrier? Even if it didn't turn out to be a "grand floral that restlessly shakes off the clichés of femininity", much less "innocence undercut with carnality", that's got to beat an awful lot of what we've seen on perfume counters this year.
The notes – frangipani, tuberose, ylang ylang, spices, beeswax, vanilla, vetiver — likewise sounded right up my alley, and the advertising, featuring four models generally conducting themselves with dignity, is very Prada and near perfect.1 La Femme itself starts fruity and a bit sharp, but it resolves fairly quickly into a feather-soft, warmish floriental — not, to me, a grand floral, or even a white floral, but a soft, seasonless floral with a slightly creamy, almost-but-not-quite beachy character. The flowers are declawed, all of them, and done in blurred, dewy tones of peach and gold; none of the floral notes in particular stand out. The finish is velvety, with a tiny nod to Infusion d'Iris, and the base is a quiet woody musk with a mostly clean vetiver note. The whole thing is sweet and vanillic and honeyed, but quietly so: it doesn't smell like a gourmand.
The lasting power is ok but could be better.
Verdict: In its favor, La Femme Prada is a not-pink fragrance, for grown-ups. It is pretty, and quite wearable, and reasonably sophisticated. I wish, perhaps, that it was not quite so dignified? It could use a little more carnality, or some humor (à la Prada Candy), or something.2 As it is, it teeters dangerously towards bland. It strikes me as a fragrance for someone who does not wish to call attention to their fragrance, but even within those confines, I can think of better, more interesting choices (Infusion d'Iris being one obvious contender). Shame, because as usual Prada has done a lovely job with the packaging.
La Femme Prada is available in 35, 50 ($95) or 100 ($130) ml Eau de Parfum, and in matching body products.
Note: review of L'Homme Prada coming up on Friday.
1. Miuccia Prada explains why there are four models: "So we have two actresses and actors that play three or four roles each. Ideally, this is the main concept: that there isn't a single icon representing the dream of a woman or a man," she added. "It is actually the opposite, that these people represent the reality, the differences and so on." Via Prada Launches New Fragrances at Harper's Bazaar.
2. Then again, Allure calls it "sultry" and says it "oozes sex appeal", so your mileage may vary. See 5 New Products We're in Love With This Week.
Agreed.
I have sampled it twice now I think and will go another round at some point but you sum it beautifully with “it teeters dangerously towards bland…” And does anyone *really* want bland in their heart of hearts? Meh, not I.
If it were even a little more interesting and/or lively, it would function as a good no-brainer / go-to sort of scent. I have been trying to find my sample of Sensuous Nude — I think this reminds me of it, but have not been able to verify.
I read your comment at work and couldn’t wait to get home and do a side by side of this and Sensuous Nude. I rummaged and rummaged and almost was thwarted…the first SN sample I found was depleted!…but then I came upon another one and could proceed in the name of science…
You are quite right…they are pretty similar. The Prada is a bit sweeter and more floral while the SN is has some coconut and a beach-like note…but overall they the smell very close. I imagine someone not that into perfume might even guess they are one and the same. And I daresay I find Sensuous Nude the more interesting and winner of this rigorously controlled experiment!
the sacrifices one makes for science…
Oh, huge thanks!! I am guessing that when I finally find my sample I will prefer the EL too, and for that matter, I think I might rather wear the original Sensuous than LFP too.
I had quite an expectation for this fragrance but was underwhelmed when I sampled it. It could certainly use a bit more personality but I guess this here “suits all those different”…
That gorgeous bottle deserves better.
Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll do a decent flanker in the same bottle
I’m looking forward to trying it, and a pretty if not standout fragrance might be just great in my life. No, I don’t want bland, but I like quiet fragrances that are wearable and reasonably sophisticated. One person’s bland may be another’s general purpose love.
Unfortunately, Infusion d’Iris doesn’t work for me at all – my youngest son said it smelled like swimming pool (I think due to aldehydes, or at least being aldehyde-ish) and on me, I have to agree with him.
I hope you will love it then! Lots of others out there in the same category if you don’t
But that’s just it, really. I haven’t found lots of others in that category of quiet, wearable and sophisticated. I usually find either weird or same-y mall-type fragrances. I’d love other suggestions!
For me, a number of Hermes fragrances are definitely quiet and wearable, even sophisticated depending on your point of view. The Hermessences, Eau des Merveilles and flankers, Le Jardin scents, Jour d’Hermes and flankers, Hiris and the “Eau de . . . ” scents may be worth trying for you. I hope you will give some of them a try and find something to love.
Love all your suggestions. I think we have the same perfume collection
I have tried some of those, but need to try more. Thank you for the suggestions!
Would also recommend Balenciaga Paris, the original Marni (also by Daniela Andrier), and Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude (see comments above).
I didn’t like any of those – although I don’t really remember why. However, I appreciate the suggestions – don’t mean to sound ungrateful at all!! I think I am difficult to please.
Bottega Veneta fits your category for me.
Off the top of my head, quiet, wearable and sophisticated makes me think of Chanel Beige, Narciso EDP, ELdO Fils de Dieu, TDC Bois d’Iris, Hermes Kelly Caleche, Goutal Heure Exquise, Mona di Orio Musc…
Too bad. Still, I want to try this when I see a bottle somewhere. Prada scents and I get along pretty well but I don’t want to smell–or be– bland! As you say, maybe they’ll make a terrific flanker. I love Infusion d’Iris absolue even more than the edp. (I own FBs of both.)
I have full bottles of both versions too, & agree the Absolue is best! See what you think, maybe you’ll like La Femme better than I did.
If the beeswax was turned up a couple of notches I would be sorely tempted. Though I will be perfectly happy if it is a giant hit and I smell it everywhere.
I was hoping for a sort of honeyed white floral myself. And ditto — it’s pretty, and I’m sick of smelling La Vie Est Belle everywhere.
Oh, ditto on the La Vie Est Belle!
Recently, I was at a wedding with my 31 year old niece and thought that was what she was wearing — nope, it was Angel. (My first reaction to La Vie was that it was an Angel clone.)
She had just discovered Angel and had decided it was her scent for life. She used all the body products as well and was delighted that her home and car smelled of it too. She’s a realtor and I hope she never has to drive a client around!
She should try Angel Muse — a shade quieter, if she needs to tone things down for work.
Who needs bland where there are better options out there and more interesting to boot? You don’t have to start wearing MKK right off the bat.
Luckily!
Oh that’s disappointing. Was hoping for more… zing. My trusty fallback scents are (still) no 5 EDP, eau des merveilles, or Eau Rose in summer. Agree infusion d’iris is great. As is Hiris.
Well, give it a shot, you might like it better than I did!
Hmmm… I don’t think I’ve seen this one in stores where I live. But then again, I pay little to no attention to Prada perfumes, since few really interest me. Tainted Love was the one that I really liked from the description, but it’s in the exclusive line, which is not easy to find.
It is just out, and don’t know how widely distributed it is as yet. I have not tried a single one from the newer exclusive line, but did not think any in the first set was worth the price.
those women with dignity… they seem pretty bland to me too. And very very caucasian (which I myself am too. Go figure)
Ah, that is true too, plus, they all sort of look alike — took me a minute to even tell the men apart. But still, it’s so rare to see fragrance commercials where nobody is doing anything ridiculous!
Thank you for the review and for all the comments as well. The discussion is always delightful at NST.
I’m looking forward to trying La Femme Prada, and let’s not forget L’Homme Prada.
Those bottles are rather thoughtfully done. And the video was a welcome change from the usual.
L’Homme Prada review coming up on Friday