I was not sure what to think about Candy for the longest time. Every time I wore it, it was different. Not hugely so, but enough to keep me from forming an opinion worthy of sharing here.
What was clear from the start though, is despite the name (which is a misnomer if I ever heard one and only a concession to trends and times in my opinion), despite the bottle (which is a glamourous and retro departure from their usual style), when it comes to the perfume, it is clearly a Prada as we know it.
Abigail of I Smell Therefore I Am, suggested “Infusion de Benjoin”, and I think that is a brilliant appellation, since it conveys a lot about the perfume, if one is familiar with the Infusion series. The best of that line is Infusion d’Iris, and Candy is clearly done in that distinctive, sheer and transparent style, ingeniously used to transport a heavy load of notes.
Created in 2011 by Daniela Andrier, Prada Candy includes notes of caramel, musk and benzoin.
Candy is not sweet, at least not in the way its name suggests, there is a subtle sweetness of benzoin, a burnt sugar note of caramel, but it is soft and restrained. This is no all out gourmand, but a cuddly and warm scent to cozy up to. Weightless and see-through, Candy reminds me of Infusion d’Iris at every turn. (Not in smell, but in structure.)
When I wore Candy for the first few times, I missed its presence throughout the day, I felt it was too weak, to close to the skin to make any kind of impact. I was ready to dismiss it for that reason, although I liked the scent per se, even if it did not particularly excite me.
Luckily, I persisted and on three more occasions, I got a slightly different picture. Although Candy will never be a sillage monster, I was a lot happier with it, when sprayed generously (I suggest the Dee Method of total immersion) Candy is just right. Still not the most exciting fragrance of the season, but perfectly nice and – for lack of a better word – cuddly.
Now that the weather is getting cooler, Candy is an good companion for walks in the park and to smell on a favorite scarf. It fills a space between summer scents and heavy-hitting cold weather perfumes for me. Although given its lightness, I think this is great year-round. I have been asked for comparable perfumes in my collection, one I can think of is Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille, although it is only the idea and a few notes that are comparable, the iron fist of M.Lutens is an entirely different approach, than Mme Andrier’s elfin touch. I like both, but there is no one substituting the other.
When I ask myself: Is this full-bottle worthy? I inevitably come up with a no, though. I like Candy, but I feel myself increasingly bored with it after only half a day.
There is a body product line to accompany the perfume, scheduled to be launched soon. I guess layering Candy in every incarnation would favorably increase weartime and volume. And isn’t that packaging to die for??? But my tendency for fickleness, even precludes wearing scented body products, after all I can’t commit for that long, can I? 😉
What about you? Did you try Prada Candy yet? What were your impressions?
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Nice idea about “Infusion de benzoin”! I tried it several times and I loved te wet woods I sensed! However, I didn’t get the chance to wear it in full. It is not candish, indeed (which is good, of course) – that kept me away from testing for a long period. But I am not sure weather to get a small bottle or a decant…I think few precious mililitres are enough to take moments of delight with it!
That is true for most perfumes, but I find you need a lot with Candy, so a 5 or 10ml decant would be gone in no time, at least with me. 😉
First I didn’t even wanted to try – because of the name : I imagined something overly sweet and girlie-like. Then I heard that the name is a misnomer, so I spritzed once, then spritzed again another time (just in case I wasn’t right the first time). But no, this one won’t cause me sleepless nights full of craving. Thankfully.
It is better than expected, but not good enough to warrant overexitement either, isn’t it?
I was testing it just yesterday (again). 🙂 I also can’t seem to make up my mind on how much I like it and one of the problems is that it reminds me a lot of L by Lolita Lempicka which I love and have a bottle of.
I need to do a side by side comparison…
It will be interesting what you conclude from the comparison.
L has that amazing note of immortelle, and I didn’t pick up any of that in Candy, which actually made it sort of bland, compared with L.
I was put off for a long time by the name and advertising until I read some positive reviews about it and decided to give it a try (let’s face it this one was a doddle to find and sample being as though practically everywhere sells it) I was suprised to find I loved it as much as I did (maybe I am more mainstream than I care to admit) I ended up buying a small bottle (thanks Prada for doing 30mls) and find I reach for it on days when I dont want to think about what I am putting on and when I am not feeling 100%, the smell to me, is as you say is cuddly and I sometimes need those days.
I find the sillage ok, my friend, BF and children have all commented on it in a positive way but ultimatley I was wearing it for me for a quick cuddle. 🙂
I can see how Candy would work perfectly for that purpose. 🙂
I had the same reaction as you, B. I couldn’t quite make up my mind for a while but in the end decided it wasn’t for me. Benzoin is an appealing balsamic note but I find very prominant benzoin can make a perfume rather “flat”, if that makes sense. (I’m having the same issue making a decision about Bois dArmenie). The fact that Candy is so weak doesn’t help. Having said all that it is very good for a mainstream release and I’d recommend people give it a try. Plus I agree with you that it would be a good perfume for this time of year and it has lovely packaging.
We are of the same opinion once more. I haven’t worn Candy since writing ths review (it got postponed a bit), and I must say I have not really missed it…
I would love a body cream version of Candy, but for the effect I get while wearing it, I’ll stick to my favorite “cuddly perfume”, Barbara Bui. It has a little more oomph, and incense.
Yes, but it is discontinued… 😦
True, but I bought several of the largest bottles a couple years ago when it was still on the grey market. There was talk about bringing it back, but that fizzled, so sad!
Good for you! Some things need to be hoarded. 🙂
I’ve tried it but hadn’t just made my mind about it. It has been a pleasant surprise according to the name. But at the end it is just nice and nothing more. I’ll give it a try one or two more times, but as I know myself, I’ll rather spend my money on some better perfume on my buy list.
My thoughts exactly. 🙂
I won Candy in a draw, and it pleasantly surprised me. I don’t think I’d pay for a bottle myself, but it’s going on my Christmas wishlist. I think it’d be a nice thing to have, a little safe maybe, but as you said light enough and very comforting!
A quick and easy comfort solution is always good to have on hand! 🙂
We tried it on a blotter during a recent trip as it’s not available in Argentina yet.
It was a pleasant surprise, but maybe because the name “Candy” alone scared the h*ll out of us and we were expecting something far worse. It’s not bad at all and we can see it having wide acceptation.
The ad is beautiful.
I like the ad as well, and it is surely one of the nicest mainstream releases in a while (the best recent one was Bottega Veneta imho).
Candy did not impress me much either. I didn’t find it terrible — just not terribly interesting. I sent my sample onto another blogger who I thought might appreciate it more (and she did). What Tara said in the commments above–about too much benzoin making a composition seem flat–struck a chord with me. I think she’s right.
The Not Terribly Interesting Flatness Of Benzoin – sounds like a great title. 😉
I’ve tried it at the store and found it suprisingly pleasant. There won’t be a FB though, I have more than enough of those already and tell myself sternly that all buys in future have to be exceptional, not merely nice! No more boring bottles languishing unused in the perfum collection 🙂
That is my credo as well, these days. Only perfumes that knock my socks off, so to speak, get a chance. 🙂
I see that I am in a good company 🙂 I didn’t want to try Candy for a long time just because of the name. And when I say “didn’t want” I’m being serious: I was offered to smell it at the store first week after it came out and I refused.
Later, after reading all the positive reviews and comments, I decided to give it a try. Well… It’s nice and I’d recommend it to anybody who favores mainstream perfumes. But for me “nice” isn’t enough. I just do not have too much time to spend on wearing new nice perfumes, I have enough of those in my collection already.
I agree, Undina, nice is just that – nice.
We’re on the same page… I thought that it smelled good, but weak and not particularly memorable. I put on an entire 1 ml vial and only got about 2 hours wear out of it. The funny thing is, I asked to try Candy at Nordstrom awhile back and they did not have it yet, but the SA found me a tester of the body lotion which I really, really liked! I immediately went home and ordered samples of the juice thinking that I was going to love it. Maybe there is a bottle of lotion in my future? It seems like it would layer nicely.
Hi AmyBella,
hmm, interesting. The lotion sounds very nice, indeed. I will try it, when I come across it.
I agree with most of what’s already been said; Candy is good, if not particulary innovative or unusual… But I’m hooked. I’m a third of the way through my little bottle, and haven’t had it very long! I find it incredibly comforting, and when this bottle runs out, I’ll probably buy one of those sets with lotion and shower gel, so I can layer the delicious comfort! Candy has been a favorite sleep scent, and I see it holding steady in that category for a long time 🙂
That’s a good point — and the person that I sent my sample to was in need of comfort, which was partly why I thought she’d like it. She’s also a fan of Serge Lutens Boise Vanille, and since Candy is similar to it, I figured she’d like it for that reason too. There’s certainly something to be said for comfort scents.
Oops, I meant SL Un Bois Vanille (not Boise Vanille, which is the Montale I love).
Candy is certainly easier to wear than either UBV, or BV (I have a bottle of that too!), and I can say from experience, it is wonderful to receive as a gift 🙂
I’m glad it is a comfort scent for you. It seems ideal as a sleep scent, when longevity is not such a big issue anyway.
Lol, ’cause if it does it’s job, I fall asleep quickly! 😉
Thanks for the review of Candy! The name alone has made me stay away til now – but perhaps I will give it a try. I have an “I almost like you” relationship with Prada. I *almost* like the original Prada (Amber) – it is yummy at first before I decide that it is way too dense and gooey and suffocating (I have that reaction to a lot of ambers actually – at first, YUM!, followed quickly by, OH MY GOD MAKE IT STOP!). And Infusion d’Iris I “almost like” even more 🙂 I love Iris, and I love a perfume with a light, transparent touch balanced by richness and depth that LASTS. I really like the opening and heart notes…but somewhere during the drydown it flattens out a bit and loses me. Sigh. So anyhow – I will check out Candy – which until now I had assumed was some relative of Pink Sugar 🙂 Larger context: I desperately want to find a good cuddly fall/winter scent! Candy is probably not it. But… I am desperately looking. Do you have any recommendations? I’ve gone through a range of classic vanillas, before concluding I just don’t like a dominant vanilla note. (Yes, sadly this includes Un Bois Vanille). I also concluded that Serge Lutens is too brusque a house for me 99.99% of the time. As for what I *do* like – my two faves in heavy rotation are 31 Rue Cambon (when I’m feeling like a fancy, well-dressed lady), and Lostmarc’h Ael-Mat when I’m in jeans and knocking about the house with my daughter. I love its innocence and kindness – though wow, do I wish it lasted longer! I’d love to find a fall scent that smelled as BEAUTIFUL as 31 Rue Cambon, that is at the same time relaxed and family-friendly (eg, not animalic – does not scream about seduction). I know it’s a tall order – and no worries if you don’t have time to answer that 🙂
I love your two favorites, you have great taste! 🙂
Well, the quick answer to that search seems to be very clear to me – Bottega Veneta! It reminds me of 31 RC, it is easily wearable, relaxed, but very beautiful and distinctive.
Other options could be Cadjmeré by PG, or maybe Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial?
Let me know what you think!
Thank you so much for the recs! I’ll give them a try and report back 😀
PS – Will you review PG’s L’Oiseau de Nuit soon? I’ve been very curious to see what you think about it. I must admit I’m a bit stumped myself.
Well, soon is relative. It is definitely in my “to review” – queue, the work on which will speed up again after the Thanksgiving weekend. I’ll bump it to the front of the line for you! 🙂
Oh lovely. Totally understand about the queue. I just find L’Oiseau so….I almost love it, then pause, am intrigued but confused – the beginning is kaliedescopic, candied – boozy even, a bit addictive, with something slightly harsh underneath….and then it just sort of…becomes less intriguing. It’s a perfume that I find very hard to language, and I don’t quite understand the notes, so I’m curious to hear your take on it 🙂
I was so excited to try this one based on all the love it was getting, but I was actually hoping for a bit more candy from it. I barely caught the caramel, but got a bit of musk, which I don’t really care for. I think I’m hyperosmic to musk because almost no one has mentioned musk in this one. Pretty packaging and advertising though.
I’m anosmic to some musks, so I’m not the right person to find any musk in there…
The bottle is really nice and different.
I have to admit that when I first tried Candy, I loved it and assigned it top spot on my wish list, but repeated tries have made me feel the same way as you, I like it, but just not quite enough to buy it. Weird.
I remember you were very taken with it. But in the end there are certainly more interesting perfumes out there, I guess… 🙂
Me, I am firmly in the LOVE camp, and think that description of Abigail’s is inspired. I can’t load her blog for some reason, so I miss so much on there. I also like Denyse’s description of this – and it bears repetition! – as “armour for the 40-something woman in a brutal world”…. : – ) That’s 40-something and up!
That is a great description, indeed! Well, maybe I just lack a few years to fully being able to appreciate it. 😉 It’ll come soon enough though…
: – ) : – )
I’m definitely firmly in the LOVE! side of the argument, but the only thing keeping me from buying a bottle is…well, the actual bottle. I think it’s atrocious. So, unless they redesign it, I’ll have to make do with ordering a decant from TPM or buying a decant off of someone.
Also, I do think it smells too closely to Boyfriend to justify buying a full bottle.
You are so right, I just smelled Boyfriend this weekend, and it is very, very similar to Candy!!!
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Yayyyy you also liked this. I was just sorting through my sample drawer and felt quite sick to my stomach when I realised I have unopened sample packs as well as tonnes of samples I forgot about (and yet I’ve been ordering and ordering sample packs). I spritzed this one on the little space left so I could laugh at yet another fruity floral, and I turned out to be the one with humble pie… I quite like it, but have a feeling that I might drown in it if I wore more than this tiny spot currently on my hand. Let’s see if this becomes my first “mainstream” frag since my perfumista journey started.
I’m super afraid that my gourmand phase will go out with a bang… what will happen to all my gourmand loves!? 😦
If the phase does indeed go away, don’t worry, it’ll come back. It’s a coming and going… 🙂
I find Candy is not overwelming at all, it wears rather close to the skin.
It is surely one of the better mainstrem releases lately.
I just got around to trying Candy. I feel the same way you do about it: it’s good but not amazing. The discontinued Vanilia by L’Artisan Parfumeur does the same vanilla candy thing 10x better.
Glad we agree, Joan. I just never reach for my mini these days, something else always seems more interesting. I guess that says it all…
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