Ariana Grande Cloud vs R.E.M. Comparison

Ariana Grande has been coming out with plenty of very popular fragrances under her label. Cloud is the one that has gotten the most attention in the past few years and so will always get compared with others from the line. R.E.M. is one such perfume.

Mainly, because of the blend of sweet notes and lavender, which gives it a similar starting point to Cloud. But, which one is actually better? Lasts longer?

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Tale of the Tape: Cloud vs R.E.M.

Cloud

Notes include: pear, lavender, bergamot, praline, whipped cream, vanilla orchid, coconut, musk, wood

Click here to try: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum Spray, clear, 3.4 oz

Read my review: Cloud

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R.E.M.

Notes include: lavender, fig, caramel, quince, musk, tonka bean, sandalwood, zefir

Click here to try: R.E.M Ariana Grande edp 100ml

Read my full review: REM by Ariana

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Opening

Cloud kicks off with its brightness and sweetness on full display. The lead off is highlighted by the pear note with bergamot and the lavender peaking through early. The lavender never feels all that heavy to me.

I get a bit of the citrus, which adds a bit more sparkle to that pear juiciness. The lavender here, has a certain roughness which takes some of the softer and fluffier qualities of this fragrance away…not entirely, though.

R.E.M. also starts off with a sweetness. But, the lavender note is much more prominent from the start and the fragrance feels more substantial. Caramel, quince, and zefir give it the light gourmand touch, without being overwhelmingly sugary, and it’s actually a bit salty. Caramel is the lead.

Also, the musk from the base comes up early on and you pick up that.

Which is better? I think I prefer the start of Cloud over R.E.M. It’s not a huge difference, but the fruity notes up top really sell it for me.

Edge: Cloud

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Projection

Cloud does hit a moderate range with its sillage, but for most of the wear, it is light and airy (yes, cloud-like) with how it projects. Honestly, not bad, and doesn’t feel like a complete skin scent. Just something that is lighter and not a monster.

R.E.M. is more substantial. It has a thicker aroma, better projection, and the sillage is just greater than it is with Cloud. Still, it isn’t a super heavy fragrance or one that will take over a room, with normal sprays.

In the range of moderate, probably upper end of the spectrum. Solid, but not beastly.

Edge: REM

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Longevity

All the times that I have tested Cloud out, I get about six hours of wear from it. Not really any more than that and five at worst. So, 5-6 hours is about what it’s capable of and what it will probably provide.

Is R.E.M. longer lasting? For me, yes. It’ll hit the 7-7.5 hour range, at its max. It doesn’t blow Cloud out in this category, but does seem to have a distinct edge.

Edge: REM

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Versatility

Seasonally, Cloud is best in the autumn and winter months, but it can easily venture into the springtime. More of a casual daytime wear. Not very formal, but clean and pretty. It’s actually not a total teenager sort of fragrance. Yes, the sweetness is there, but it does have some depth of character.

R.E.M. is also an autumn through springtime wear. It can go either day or night, as well. But, I think that Cloud lightness is better in the warmer temperatures of spring. R.E.M. is a thicker sort of scent, which plays better in the cold.

R.E.M.’s use of lavender can have more of a masculine vibe. To me, it still comes off as a feminine scent, but that may be something to consider for a portion of those deciding between these two.

Cloud is a tad more versatile and takes this category.

Edge: Cloud

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Overall Scent

I like Cloud well enough. Though, I’ve never been too crazy about it versus what many others seem to think of it. There are definite aspects of it that I enjoy. I don’t think it’s the nicest Ariana Grande fragrance.

The opening is nice and catching whiffs of the fluffy and sweet dry down does hold some appeal.

The performance is just okay, but the overall scent is above average to me. I just don’t like it as much as R.E.M.

R.E.M. is a lavender based perfume, more so than Cloud, so keep that in mind. I like it as it dries down, you still get the salty/sweet caramel, lavender, and a musky base. Sweet with coldness to the gourmand aroma, sort of an iced coffee effect (not necessarily the smell itself).

The performance is better and I think as a whole, R.E.M. takes this match up. It’s not way ahead of Cloud, but it is more mature and has a greater depth to it. But, if you want a lighter and fluffier sweetness, Cloud might be the better one for you.

Winner: REM