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Growing up, I think we all have a definite memory of smelling cotton candy, whether at a carnival or some other attraction. As a note in perfumes, it really isn’t used all that often, and gets associated with ‘girly’ scents aimed at a younger demographic. However, there are some quality cotton candy fragrances out there, that can indeed appeal to all ages.
In this post, I want to present ten options for those who want a perfume with this note, as the lead. Some will be inexpensive options, while others will creep up toward the higher end of things.
What are the Best Perfumes that Smell Like Cotton Candy?
Best Smelling Perfume
La Petite Robe Noire Intense by Guerlain– The other fragrances in this Guerlain line, went with a black cherry scented aroma. Noire Intense, chooses to go the cotton candy route, with great effect.
The sweetness with La Petite Robe Noire Intense, is much more well-done than in the cheaper scents on this list. It gives you our target ingredient, along with juicy raspberry and blueberry.
Vanilla and musk provide the support for the two main notes of cotton candy and blueberry. Yes, it does deliver a pinkish cotton candy scent for a time, but ultimately becomes the blue kind you’d get at the fair.
Rouge with Cotton Candy
Manege Rouge by Al Haramain for Women 2.5 Oz / 75ml Eau de Parfum– Manege Rouge is pretty close to the aroma of Baccarat Rouge 540 in terms of style.
Sweet with floral notes and an almost leathery and surprisingly good saffron note (which I love). Fairly deep perfume with layers, which gets sweeter in the middle portion. That’s where you’ll get a greater amount of cotton candy and some caramel.
It’s not a super thick or a sillage that leaves a massive trail. Just the right amount of sweetness.
Doesn’t have the same power of 540, it’s less woody, but otherwise a darn good clone of the Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfume. If you like BR 540, want more cotton candy, this is one to try.
Super Cheap Cotton Candy Scent
Cotton Candy by Body Fantasies– Is this scent going to blow you away? No. But, the Body Fantasies edition of Cotton Candy, will deliver a very inexpensive sugar high.
Sweet, with more of a slight baked goods type of aroma. The heart of this is a mix of strawberry and synthetic candied grape, but it does a pretty nice job of delivering the cotton candy experience.
Alternative Cotton Candy Scent
Cotton Candy by Demeter– Demeter is a brand well-known for its fragrances which smell like one certain note. So, if you want an ingredient based perfume, it is usually a good cheap place to start looking.
I wouldn’t say that this one is among their best efforts, but it will give you that sugary rush with hints of vanilla. It’s almost too sweet, so, if you want something more demure pick another from the list.
Sparkling Fruit Cotton Candy
Lacoste L.12.12 Pour Elle Sparkling Eau de Toilette Spray
Underneath the initial sweetness, is some spice, and a touch of musk. As it moves further along, it is like a sweet blend with patchouli, and the remnants of the spice.
It does indeed have a ‘sparkling’ aroma to it, plenty of cotton candy, but more than just a sugar overload.
Most Unique Cotton Candy Fragrance
Byredo Sundazed by Byredo Eau De Parfum Spray (Unisex) 1.7 oz / 50ml
In itself, that is a very common composition in perfumes, and is great when done correctly. However, a bit further along in the wear, the cotton candy scent emerges from the heart.
An orange and lemony fragrance, with our sugary note, adding a wonderful scent to this familiar structure. Smells like summer, very clean perfume, less of a warm gourmand than others here.
Fruity Sweet Fragrance
Ralph Lauren Ralph Love Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce
It is fruity and sugary, up top, but dries down with a bit of rose in the base. The flower isn’t too strong and is firmly placed underneath the cotton candy.
The fruit here, keeps it from becoming too overdone with the sugary warmth and adds a nice crisp feeling to Ralph Love.
Best Cheapie Fragrance
Pink Sugar by Aquólína for Women Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
This one is starts out with a cotton candy aroma, which is followed up by caramel and licorice. It is indeed a sweet fragrance, but it surprisingly has more depth underneath, with its fig and woody base notes. Warm and captivating.
Notes include: cotton candy, caramel, raspberry, bergamot, licorice, powder, fig leaves, orange, strawberry, and wood.
Powdery, Mixed Blend
Carolina Herrera 212 Glam Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 2.0 Ounce
The sweetness never relinquishes its grip fully, but Glam is different in that, the floral and woody notes do play a very significant role. So, probably not the top choice is you want a ‘pure’ cotton candy aroma, but a solid option for a more contemporary perfume.
It does become more about that iris and rose, in the latter stages. With the sweetness hanging around, but the cotton candy isn’t really distinct, at least to my memory. I believe this has been discontinued.
Tough to Find, But Delicious
Play It Pin Up by Playboy– The Playboy line of scents can be really hit or miss, but they are very inexpensive, and worth a chance. Play It Pin Up is one of the good fragrances from this line and chock full of cotton candy.
It’s warm with a balance of fruits, the cotton candy, and patchouli. The patchouli adds some depth and holds the perfume together. It’s sugary with hints of chocolate. If you can find a bottle (there’s some online), it would be another good bet for teenagers.
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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.