Prada Candy EDP by Prada

Another sample perfume, that I got with my last Macy’s order, is Candy by Prada. This sweet gourmand fragrance was released in 2011. Since then, it has launched a bunch of different flankers under this title. How does this one stack up? What does it smell like? How does Prada Candy perform? Please continue reading below for my full review.

What does Prada Candy EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: caramel, musk, and benzoin

Click here to try: Prada Prada Candy Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 2.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Candy, is of course candy-like in its presentation. The caramel note reminds me of BonBon, which is another sweet fragrance that includes caramel and fruit notes. Prada Candy has that same caramel but opts to go with a musk and benzoin combination instead of the citrus.

Anyways, Candy is warm, sweet, and slightly salty. The benzoin note provides that unique, fuzzy, and somewhat vanilla-like aroma (there’s also some vanilla here too), that I have enjoyed in cologne such as Body Kouros. I was almost expecting this perfume to head into that direction, but nothing really is the same as Body Kouros, in my experience.

Prada Candy seems darker and more sophisticated than does Bonbon, which might be a nice change of pace for those looking for a sweet fragrance that isn’t too girly and for the younger crowd (not that Bonbon, necessarily is, either).

The caramel does have a good ‘thickness’ to it, never feeling like it is too light. At least in the opening stages and into the middle act.

As it dries down, I get less of the caramel note, and an increase in the benzoin/musk. Prada Candy is a pretty straightforward perfume, while it is well put together, it isn’t super complex.

The musk provides a slight spiciness to help offset the sweetness and the whole fragrance feels understated. Still warm and fairly clean, with a more hearty start, then what you’re ultimately left with.

There is a powdery aspect to this one. On my skin, I get much more of the fuzzy and musky finish. However, the powder is there for much of the wear, and I notice it mostly after the caramel has begun to subside.

While it is a sweet fragrance overall, the sweetness isn’t as persistent as you might expect with a name like Candy. You can get more of that with some of the flankers, but this isn’t always entirely a rich gourmand aroma.

Sillage, Versatilty, How Long does it Last?

Projection wise, Prada Candy is a fairly light perfume. It is low key and won’t take over a room, which is a good thing, for a sweet scent like this.

The opening is fairly potent, but it really dries down into something, softer and more manageable. Not an absolute bomb, if you’re looking for that sort of fragrance.

It will mostly stick to that 3-6 foot range off of the skin. Obviously, closer than that for the last few hours of the wear.

The longevity is good however, I was experiencing 6-7 hours with it. While that isn’t amazing by any stretch of the imagination, it isn’t one that appears to quit too early.

Testing out the sample vial, it was in that six to seven hour range, every single time I put it on. Points for consistency, Candy just isn’t a marathon runner, however.

Prada Candy is a cold weather scent but it does have versatility to be worn for pretty much any occasion. So, while in the spring/summer, you’ll probably have to go with another fragrance; Candy will be an anytime scent for the rest of the year.

I find it to be attractive and sexy enough to be worn on a date, it’s subtle, and inviting. Yet, it is still light enough to be an autumn and winter daily wear, for those who want something sweeter.

Overall Impression of Prada Candy

Overall, do I think Prada Candy is worth a buy? Yes. I don’t think it’s the most amazing fragrance ever, but it is damn good for what it is. If you don’t like sweet or caramel, then, avoid this one. However, if you want a nice autumn or wintertime fragrance, then Candy is definitely worth considering.

I do like the smell of caramel a whole lot, also benzoin, but I’m not super impressed with the combination. I don’t know, it does work well enough, Candy just never seems to hit that level of being an incredible perfume.

I don’t get any of the ‘plastic’ smell that some people talk about with this perfume. I guess that’s the benzoin to their nose. For me, it doesn’t come across that way at all. Then again, this is less powdery to my nose, also.

That caramel sweetness is nice in the opening act, which through the mid, is probably my favorite part of this fragrance. But, it doesn’t have that sugary quality that the name might indicate. The musky tail end is fine, just nothing that demands my attention.

If one were to get a good price on a bottle, it’ll probably be well worth the money spent. It’s a highly likable scent for me, but doesn’t click on all cylinders.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.