Best Perfumes for Women

Prada Candy EDP by Prada

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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.

Midnight Romance by Ralph Lauren

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Getting back into the fragrance reviews, I want to do another one in the world of female fragrances. This is a more recent addition to the Ralph Lauren family, released in 2014, and a flanker to the original Romance.

Midnight Romance is of the fruity/floral variety of perfumes and I was interested to see how this one performs. As usual, I am going to cover how it smells, projects, how long it lasts, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think that it is worth a purchase.

What Does Midnight Romance Smell Like?

midnight romance

Notes include: peony, raspberry, vanilla, freesia, litchi, iris

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening blast of this EDP is a bright and colorful mix of mostly the raspberry and vanilla notes. The vanilla gives it a slight creaminess, which I think adds character to this fragrance. Yes, it’s a pretty common paring of ingredients, but I do like how Ralph Lauren presents it here.

The floral notes (mostly, iris) begin to come on about 10 minutes in, in my experience, and settles it down from becoming too much of a sweet candy-like perfume, but one that does still retain that sugary essence.

What I really like about this perfume, is that, it is a playful kind of aroma that doesn’t feel lifeless and dull to me. The raspberry creates a juicy profile, that would work for casual days, as well as romantic encounters.

Midnight Romance doesn’t get too complex but I think that for what it is, it works very well.

As Midnight Romance dries down, the peony begins to overtake the iris note, and creates a fuller floral accord. It’s a nice balance, less powdery, and the perfume becomes more of a floral/fruity perfume, than it had been prior.

The vanilla note, fades quite a bit during the latter stages of the wear. It’s still pretty easy to detect, it’s just that initial raspberry and vanilla combo, doesn’t have the same power.

So, up top you get a juicy and sweet aroma, that transitions into a sweet floral. In the end, I pick up peony, iris, raspberry, vanilla, and other assorted floral notes. Nothing too complex, but a fairly well-balanced fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection for this scent is pretty moderate. Honestly, it’s pretty good in that regard, not overbearing but not really a skin scent either. You’ll know it’s there but you definitely don’t need to overdo the sprays.

In terms of longevity, I seem to get it to last in the 6-8 hour range, which is good enough for most purposes. Though, you may need to reapply in case you need a marathon wear for one day.

Midnight Romance strikes me as more of a spring scent and I really like it in the warm weather. However, I haven’t tested it in the high heat, so I’m not too sure how it’ll hold up in those temperatures.

I feel like this would be, a solid all around scent for either school or office, but still sexy enough to use on a date. It is pretty damn appealing to my nose, as a guy.

I really don’t get what the ‘Midnight’ name comes from, it’s not a dark or really a nighttime scent. It actually leans the other way.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Midnight Romance

Overall, is Midnight Romance worth a buy? I think so. It isn’t the most amazing scent ever but it seems to do almost everything well. The scent is attractive, it lasts, it projects, and it’s versatile. It’s not my favorite from the Romance line, though, it’s near the top. 

You might want to avoid if you’re not a fan of raspberry or peony scents, but if that’s your thing, then this Ralph Lauren perfume could be a great bet.

I like the raspberry and vanilla opening act. It’s sweet and has a great creamy finish. The iris and peony are fine, but I enjoy that opening act. The raspberry keeps me involved here.

The performance is above average too. If there’s discount bottles floating around now, that could make this a value play. 

It’s honestly pretty solid all around, so, if it sounds appealing this could easily be a daily wear. The versatility and balance, makes Midnight Romance, a good pickup at the right price.

Aura EDP by Mugler

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Aura was released by Thierry Mugler in 2017. Mugler is a fragrance house that I really enjoy, as they usually come out with something that is a bit different and also bold. Aura is definitely a prime example. In this post, I want to relay my experience with Aura, how it smells, performs, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

Aura eau de parfum by Mugler Overview

Notes include: fresh leaves, rhubarb, bourbon vanilla, orange blossom, wood

Click here to try: Aura MUGLER 90 ml refillable Spray EDP

My Full Wear Review 

How Mugler describes it: Aura exudes a wild blend of botanical freshness and feline sensuality.

Wow, what an odd duck this is. The opening of aura brings me a dewy aroma of forest, a big dose of rhubarb, sort of sour, and orange blossom.  Sounds weird? It is, but I kind of like it.

Another note that Mugler lists on its website for Aura is almond, specifically a vanilla-covered almond. Personally, I don’t pick up much nuttiness, as it is subdued by that initial botanical (fresh leaves) aroma. However, it is there just a touch.

That opening act can seem somewhat medicinal (think mint), but once that initial phase passes, the vanilla and orange blossom really make this one pleasant. The phase is much more along the lines of other traditional perfumes, while still retaining a unique style.

The final stage for me, is a greenish blend of orange blossom and vanilla with a slightly woody base. I don’t get much more development beyond that. It has its sweetness, but it comes across as a denser and darker kind of perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and When to Wear

Projection wise, Aura doesn’t require too many sprays to be effective. It’ll give you a nice radius of aroma around you. Not the strongest scent out there, but this one is plenty powerful.

For that first hour or two, I would call it strong. Aura has a great ability to project and leave a scent trail. After that, it remains above average, declining until it disappears entirely. 

Another plus for Aura is the longevity. It fell somewhere in the 9-10 hour range on my skin. This is what I’ve come to expect from most Mugler fragrances, they usually all bring great performance.

Aura EDP hits that rather high level, but doesn’t venture very far into the double digit hour territory like some of the other Mugler fragrances, though.

 

Seasonally, I could see this being worn anytime, except maybe the hottest days. However, a moderate spring day, maybe a little rainy out would be perfect. In the extreme heat, I think this one would be tested to still continue to hold up. Not ideal.

Casual or romantic wear. Doesn’t strike me as anything formal. It is sexy, in its own unique way. Aura is one that is going to depend greatly on your body chemistry, as to how it presents itself. On the right person, this could be captivating.

Overall Impressions of Aura

Do I like this perfume? I do enjoy it a lot. Obviously, as a man, this isn’t going to be one I’m going to wearing around. But, there is plenty here to enjoy.

I’m a big fan or orange blossom and vanilla. Here, they are wrapped up in that green botanical aroma, and it is very interesting.

Aura isn’t a fragrance for everyone. This is one you’ll want to test out beforehand and give it multiple tries. That initial ‘weirdness’ may throw you off, but you could end up really liking it with another chance.

The performance is great, it gives you something unique, and is attractive. If you can vibe with it, Aura is well worth a shot.

Personally, this is one of my favorite women’s Mugler releases over the past handful of years.

Yes, it might not get the same level of attention in the sea of Alien and Angel flankers, but this one is across the board wonderful.

Update: It looks like this one has been discontinued by Mugler. The page on their website is still up as of now, but I couldn’t add it to the cart. So, if you’re interested, try to find it from a discounter for purchase.

Modern Muse EDP by Estee Lauder

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Alright, getting back into fragrance reviews, after a couple weeks off. Today, I want to give my take on one of the women’s perfume samples that I picked up with my last round of purchases: Modern Muse EDP by Estee Lauder. This is a very popular scent from this brand and has spawned a ton of flanker perfumes, from its original success.

Does Modern Muse, live up to the hype? As usual, I am going to tell you what’s in it, what it smells like, how it performs, and if it is even worth giving a shot. Please continue below for my full take.

What does Modern Muse EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin orange, honeysuckle, jasmine, lily, musk, patchouli, tuberose, amber, wood

Click here to try: ESTEE LAUDER Modern Muse Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Modern Muse presents my nose with a fairly light mandarin orange note and the distinct smell of jasmine. This is a very floral perfume, so, the jasmine is going to be flanked by other flowers such as tuberose throughout the wear.

Estee Lauder has created a very nice and quite a crowd pleasing perfume with this one. It is actually pretty simple, beautiful, and none too overpowering.

I like the opening and the addition of the citrus note, to sort of draw you into the main floral arrangement. Going in, one needs to know that the jasmine note is going to be the dominant attraction, pretty much from start to finish.

Yes, other notes come in and have their moments, but jasmine is the true alpha dog here.

Mainly, what I get is a slight musk lurking underneath the floral notes. Of which, the flower aroma that accompanies the standout jasmine, changes throughout. At times, it is honeysuckle. Then, lily. Finally, there are very nice moments with tuberose.

The musk is there and wrapped in a warm amber, but it isn’t very heavy, just blended to the right amount with a bouquet of flowers. I think that I enjoy the jasmine paired with the honeysuckle the most, out of all of them.

As it dries down more, I get hints of vanilla, and a solid spice provided by patchouli. Again, neither of these notes take over the composition completely. However, they are noticeable and give the fragrance a depth of character.

Modern Muse is light, clean, and has a rather sunny disposition. I will say, that the patchouli and musk spice is much stronger to my nose, than is the vanilla. It’s more floral/earthy than anything like yet another vanilla heavy perfume.

It ends as a jasmine/lily blend with plenty of musky undertones, but less patchouli than had been in the middle rounds. Very nice white floral with a balance between light sweetness and earthy spice. A really nicely blended perfume, not too complex, but does everything well.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage here is completely moderate. This is a good choice for everyday wear, such as the office or casual occasions, because you’re not going to choke people out with it.

Also, the longevity isn’t a total beast, but a solid 6-7 hours is definitely attainable with only a few sprays. That’s kind of a downside to this perfume. Not that it’s a terrible performance, but definitely not where I’d want it to be. Perhaps others have better luck with Muse, than I do.

Seasonally, the floral nature of this fragrance obviously fits well in the springtime. Though, it really could work year round. That is one of the strengths of Modern Muse, is that it is versatile, and not relegated to one season or occasion.

I would call it more of a casual, office, and other event type of scent but not a ‘night club beast’. It’s attractive but not really seductive or sexy, in my mind. It is the kind of perfume that you can call upon pretty much whenever, and not have it feel out of place, or overtly offensive to those around you. A real trooper.

Overall Impressions of Modern Muse

Overall, is Estee Lauder’s Modern Muse worth a buy? I’d say, yes. Presuming that you enjoy white floral notes and musk, in your fragrances. Those looking for something with fruity or sugary sweetness or really woodsy, should go with something else.

However, if you need a day to day floral, that is highly versatile and pretty; then, Modern Muse will do a great job at fitting the bill. I enjoy the rotation of notes which surrounds the sun that is the jasmine note, particularly the opening with the orange, and later with honeysuckle.

The performance is a bit above average, but nothing crazy. It’s a safe blind buy and one that has shown to be extremely popular over the years since its release. Modern Muse is still one of the better releases from Estee Lauder in the past decade and worth at least trying.

Wanted Girl by Azzaro

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Wanted for Men has been a hit for Azzaro and naturally they also put out a women’s version in 2019, Wanted Girl. I got a hold of a sample of this a while back, but never got around to giving it a review. Let’s change that today. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a buy? 

What does Wanted Girl by Azzaro Smell Like?

Notes include: vetiver, ginger flower, dulce de leche, orange blossom, pink pepper

Click here to try: Azzaro Wanted Girl Eau de Parfum – Perfume for Women

My Full Review

Before I get into my review of this fragrance, let’s see how Azzaro describes it: In tribute to a new, free and flamboyant femininity. A floral, gourmand and oriental eau de parfum with an addictive trail.

Wanted Girl opens up with a very well blended mix of sweet, warmth, and a fresh spice provided by the ginger. There is an opening citrus note or rather, a few different ones.

I couldn’t find any official listing other than having orange blossom, but the list of ingredients includes: limonene and citronellol…so the citrus influence is definitely here.

The reason that it seems to blend together so much, is that everything is wrapped up in the embrace of notes like pink pepper. I also smell patchouli and tonka bean. This is a definite gourmand scent.

Anyway, the opening act is a sweet and slightly sharp mix of the citrus notes. Then, a few minutes after the dulce de leche becomes quite apparent, and it’s a note that I enjoy. As it moves along, the tonka bean takes over the patchouli.

Sweet, creamy, and warm. More importantly, it becomes pretty floral, and the spice doesn’t hang around for the latter stages. It’s quite delicious and has an enveloping thickness, without being a total sillage monster. Closer to the skin, but a very cozy sort of perfume

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This isn’t a super powerful fragrance. The sillage starts off in the upper range of moderate and pretty middle of the road thereafter. Not bad, but not an insane performer.

The longevity is good, though, not elite. It’ll hang around on my skin for 6-7.5 hours, it seems. A useful perfume for sure and by no means a weak performer. With a full bottle, I would guess that Wanted Girl would last closer to that upper end, based on the density of the sprays.

Seasonally, autumn and winter, mostly. But, I don’t think that it’s too heavy of a scent to venture into at least some of the springtime. 

 

Mostly, a daily wear for the colder months of the year. Not really a formal fragrance, but one which could venture into the nightlife. It’s got an attractive and edible quality, that as a man, I enjoy. Kind of sexy and really something that I want to smell more of.

Despite the Girl name, it isn’t completely relegated to being a teenager’s scent, but it will more likely appeal to those through their mid-20s or so. Of course, fans of the sweetish gourmands at any age, might want to indulge in this one.

Overall Impressions of Wanted Girl

Do I like this scent? Yes, I think that it is put together well and a nice little gourmand scent. Not too sugary or overbearing, but one that is a crowd pleaser, and generally easy to wear.

Wanted Girl isn’t groundbreaking and you’ve probably smelled fragrances close to what this one smells like. Though, I do think that it stands out enough on its own, to be considered distinct and not just another clone. 

The creaminess is great, along with the warm embrace that this Azzaro surrounds you with. Dulce de leche is the real star of the composition and makes this one a very nice designer scent.

Pleasant, cozy, and pretty. If you’re not into gourmands, avoid this one. However, for anyone else, it’s a darn good buy. Not the best, but it should provide plenty of what you’d want in a fragrance.