Prada Candy - Fragrance Review

When Prada first announced the release of their new fragrance Prada Candy, it came as a surprise. Taking the unexplored path is always a risky endeavor for any brand, but in this case it proves to be a winner.

Described as 'excessive' and 'impulsive', Prada Candy is meant to be a departure from the brand's existing fragrance line: the notes, the name, the packaging, everything seems to be completely different from what Prada has done before. In some ways that is true, but in many ways it isn't. Allow me to elaborate on that.

Prada Candy may seem/smell completely different at first, but it does hold a common thread with the brand's previous releases. It hints back at Infusion D'Iris and L'Eau Ambree, because the very core of these two scents is to be found in Candy, only this time it is wrapped in a gourmand veil. The cohesiveness of Prada's fragrance line is a result of the fact that they work with the same perfumer: Daniela Andrier.  The minimalism of Prada's Infusion collection of scents is very much present in Candy, as this is not a complicated fragrance at all and therein lies its very charm and appeal. I would classify Prada Candy as a 'minimalist gourmand': the list of notes only includes caramel, benzoin and musk and that is very accurate. It is exactly what you are going to smell from top to drydown.

Prada Candy opens with a significant dose of sweet benzoin. It is not really a heavy hitter, but it's not light either. It settles nicely and in about 20-30 minutes, it becomes a warm, friendly mix of caramel vanilla, benzoin and musk. I don't find it 'excessive' at all, nor do I find it extremely sweet or foody. It is a soft, powdery concoction that wears very much like a comfort scent for autumn/winter and like I said, it is charming in its simplicity. Prada Candy is very easy to wear if you like gourmands. The lasting power is good and the sillage is moderate. It has been likened to Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille more than once, and I can definitely see where the comparison comes from, but Prada Candy is much lighter. It is nowhere near as heavy, as complex or as smokey as Un Bois Vanille. I have both, and while I wear and like the Serge Lutens scent, Prada Candy is the one I would reach for more often. It is delicious and snuggly, while at the same time maintaining a sense of style. If you like gourmand scents, this one is definitely worth a try and the colourful retro bottle is oh so hard to resist. 

Prada Candy is available in 30, 50 and 80 ml Eau de Parfum.

Review based on a sample from Escentual.com, which is one of my favourite places to shop for fragrances and cosmetics. I am not affiliated with Escentual, but I am a happy customer and I highly recommend them for their great selection of products and excellent customer service (worldwide delivery available).