I’m still alive!!!!! January came and went in a post-holiday frenzy and before I knew it, the month was over… Still can’t decide if that’s a good thing 🙂
But here I am, Â back with a new post – this time discussing the cosiest, fluffiest cold weather scents that we can still enjoy for a month or two. I find the notes of powder, musk and vanilla together create a most wonderful, soft aura around me, as if I’m wrapped in a cashmere sweater. Strictly for cold days!
Prada Candy edp
Top notes: caramel
Middle notes: powder, musk
Base notes: vanilla, benzoin
I’m one of those unlucky ones for whom the sweet caramel note is a fleeting one: it’s there for the first ten minutes and then, gone with the wind… But what a caramel that is – buttery, squidgy, sweet with a savoury edge, sinful. I wish it would last longer. What is left is a soft powdery musk and vanilla, far from edible, but comforting. It’s clean and lady-like, a far  cry from what the name might allude. Whoever did think of naming this thing Candy??? This ain’t no Pink Sugar, baby. More than anything, it smells like a woman’s handbag with its powdery and even oftentimes lipsticky vibe. The drydown to me feels similar to that of Infusion d’Iris, very clean and fresh and pretty. Candy is for you if you like soapy and musky scents rather than gourmand bombs like La Vie Est Belle. If you want a longer-lasting caramel fix, get Bonbon or Jessica Simpson’s Fancy.
Estee Lauder Sensuous edp
Top notes: lily, magnolia, jasmine
Middle notes: amber, ylang ylang
Base notes: sandalwood, mandarin orange, black pepper, honey
Right, so… To me, on my humble skin, Sensuous is Candy’s older sister. In the opening my nose picks up a good ol’ whiff of honey and orange blossom, even though orange blossom isn’t listed but I guess it’s the white florals + mandarin from the base that create this effect. It drizzles with honey and I also get some sandalwood. The overall feeling is quite similar to that of Prada Candy as they are both sweet powdery vanilla frags, this one here being a tad woodier, with more prominent white florals. I personally do not feel like I need both and Sensuous was only called to my attention a few weeks ago by a scandalous offer by Douglas (50 ml for 21 euros. Yes indeed. Now everyone in Barcelona smells sensuous). I didn’t buy it but in retrospect wish I had as one day my Candy will run out and I might want something similar, yet maturer. It’s a great, mega long-lasting cold weather scent that has it all – a bit of sweetness, a bit of spice, and a bit of powder. Smells like warm skin but better. Highly recommended.
Dior Hypnotic Poison edp
Top notes: liquorice, almond
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine, orange blossom
Base notes: tonka bean, vanilla
I had the original Hypnotic Poison ten years ago and I remember it as a very powdery, coconutty vanilla scent that readily overwhelmed anyone around, including myself – but I insisted on wearing it because it was such a glamorous scent, and so…. grown-up. The eau de perfume version smells like a thicker, darker version of the eau de toilette, without the fruit and less of a play-dough vibe. I must say the coconut note in the original rubbed me up the wrong way and at times it just felt too much so this one I much prefer, even though it comes much closer to the original Poison. The eau de parfum has less fluff and more character, oftentimes smelling like mulled wine almost. There is smoke and incense of unknown, mysterious origin, and lots of boozy vanilla. A great scent for cocooning up with your boo – but don’t forget the lace stockings, and paint your nails red!
Disclaimer: Image 1 Rent a Space Self Storage. Image 2 Times of Malta. Image 3 Fragrantica. Image 4 perfumery.com.au