A Fragrance Review - Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum.

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb

Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray ($105, 1.7 oz) is a fragrance I've been wanting to try for a long time now, mostly out of curiosity because of it's large fan base, and was ecstatic when it was offered as a 100 point perk at Sephora recently.

Flowerbomb is quite different than what I expected it to be. I love florals, so I expected nothing other than the name suggests, flowerbomb, to be an intense explosion of different floral notes. Something obvious - like a punch of geraniums, lilac and roses. Maybe even obnoxiously so, but it's not the case at all.

Notes: Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia, Patchouli.

Upon the first spray, it's only strong for a moment (maybe a minute or so) before it already starts to mellow. It's not a punch of flowers as expected, but a soft and sugary sweet (not sickly sweet) tea floral. It's soft, slightly spicy (like spice tea), and after it has really eased in, you get those subtly sweet chocolatey notes (not imitation cocoa, something more refined). Flowerbomb is shy, flirty and feminine - not too complex, but classy and reserved.

It's kind of a like a grown-up tea party in cotton candy clouds, where you're wearing your finest pearls and silk gloves while eating cupcakes and truffles as flower petals fall from the sky. Or the delightful smell of a morning tea latte sprinkled with sugar crystals and a single flower waiting for you on a Victorian tray by your bedside. It isn't loud or overbearing. It's very daytime appropriate, as you don't really notice it's there (but I suppose that depends on how much you spray).

Regardless, it's not something I'd particularly choose to wear at night, I'd choose something a little louder and sexier like Narcisco Rodriguez which I can smell on my skin for hours. I prefer a scent that I can smell on myself since I'm the one who wants to enjoy the scent I'm wearing, but it's nice to wear when you want something subtle, and only very noticeable when someone comes very close. I like to put some on my hand/wrist so I can smell it throughout the day.

I think it's easy to wear, and those who like sugary sweet scents will like this. Don't confuse sweet with cheap or adolescent though - it doesn't have the caramel/vanilla notes that I find can sometimes cheapen a sweet fragrance and it doesn't make me think of highschool.

The more I wear this fragrance, the more I like it, but I don't think it's something I'll be purchasing myself. I really enjoy it, but for my signature scent, I prefer something slightly less sweet. If I collected perfumes, I'd probably get a bottle. 

A really pretty fragrance, but I'm not sure that it's unique enough to match the price tag. It's a I feel like I can find something similar if I look around Victoria's Secret. It's a luxury perfume and a treat for sure, but $160 for 3.4 oz... ouch!!

Comparisons to Flowerbomb

In comparison to other florals/sweet fragrances, it's nothing like Prada Candy, which is also sweet, but Candy has strong notes of caramel and vanilla (dare I say cheap?), which are absent in Flowerbomb which is more complex. Coach Poppy Flower is more youthful , fun, fresh and fruity, whereas Flowerbomb is a little more mature and doesn't contain any fruity notes. Gucci Flora Eau Fraiche is a little more in-your-face citrusy-floral and can be smelt a mile away, while Flowerbomb is so much more sweet, subdued and reserved. It's often compared to Bath and Body Works Sensual Amber, which is one of my favorites, and although I agree that they are similar, Sensual Amber is a bit younger and much fruitier and less sugary. But they are both light and share some familiar notes. Also, those that tend to like Thierry Mugler Angel seem to like Flowerbomb, but it's not a fragrance I really care for. They do share the notes of Patchouli and Chocolate, but Angel is much stronger and a much warmer, spicier (almost somewhat masculine) oriental fragrance overall. More of a nighttime fragrance, which Flowerbomb can go either way. The patchouli in Flowerbomb isn't as earthy, and almost barely there (which is a plus for me). I also read if you like Aquolina Pink Sugar, you might like this.

Have you tried Flowerbomb? What's your current favorite fragrance?

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum ($60 per 1 oz bottle) is a sexy new fragrance by Prada. Now, I'm not the best at describing scents (we've already established this), but thankfully for my sake there are only a few solid notes in this perfume. Upon application it's incredibly sweet, yet soft and feminine and as it wears on it softens to a sweet (almost powdery) musk.

Prada CANDY is instantly seductive—pure pleasure wrapped in impulsive charm. In an explosion of shocking pink and gold, Prada CANDY takes us on a walk on the wild side, showing us a new facet of Prada femininity where more is more and excess is everything. Magnified by white musks, noble benzoin comes together with a modern caramel accord to give the fragrance a truly unique signature. 

Notes: Caramel, Musk, Vanilla, Benjoin. (I find it odd that I even like this fragrance because I don't care for vanilla.)

I often associate sugary-sweet fragrances to be a bit adolescent, but I think the notes of musk make this fragrance more grown-up. In some ways it reminds me of Vera Wang Lovestruck, so if like that one, you might like this.

As with any scent, it can slightly differ with your own body chemistry. But, if you love soft and sweet (but not sickening sweet) scents, check this one out! I'm really liking it! It seems to last well on my skin too.

*The bottle shown is a deluxe sample I redeemed with 100 of my Sephora Beauty Reward points.

What's your favorite sweet fragrance?

Current fragrances I'm really liking!

I'm really picky when it comes to fragrances. Not so much body lotions and mists, but every time I'm at a department store and I test out fragrances, I always leave empty handed, with a headache, smelling like I rolled around in old potpourri. I rarely receive a fragrance sample I like, or find a good scent in a magazine.

I'm not really a pro at reading the descriptions for fragrances, and I'm not familiar with all of the different notes- "soft, sensual silk with a twist of shimmering goldenrod, embracing and captivating blah, blah, blah". Plain English please?

Haha, with time though, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

Anyway, I haven't owned many perfumes throughout the years. I alternate between Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche and Versace Bright Crystal. My kind of fragrance is something that's a little fruity, slightly floral and fresh/clean. I also kinda like amber, and a little musk never killed anyone, right? I said a little, by the way.

I don't like vanilla - and by don't like, I mean I can't stand it. I don't like anything sweet (unless I'm eating it). Examples: Cupcakes, Chocolate, Cookie, Sprinkles, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cotton Candy. I despise it all in a fragrance, air freshener, candle, etc. Too synthetic to me. I also don't like anything too powdery - I don't like the smell of baby powder, and high woody/tobacco notes actually make me feel nauseous.

So, you can imagine how flabbergasted I was, when I liked all of my recent samples!

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette


The first time I smelled this perfume was a few years ago from a friend that worked at Sephora. Apparently, it was one of their top rated/best sellers at the time. It wasn't much my taste, but seeing the good reviews, I decided to give it a second chance. It's quite strong and very musky at first, but once the musk softens up, it's a beautiful fragrance that I absolutely love smelling on myself all day long. It's very warm, with a spicy and sweet musk that is slightly powdery. It has a touch of floral and fruit that emerges a couple hours later. Even though it contains notes I'm not that keen on (ehem, vanilla), it's perfectly balanced. It's a very classy and luxurious/expensive scent, and reminds me a little bit of classic Chanel.

Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Givenchy Play For Her Eau de Parfum


This type of fragrance reminds me a bit of my Mom when I was young. She wore Nicole Miller and Privelege and whenever she walked past me after her morning bath, I always smelled the honey floral. Play for Her is a very soft, sensual and feminine fragrance that smells a bit like sweet honey, carnations and a slight powdery wood - possibly a hint of Amber? Although it's not listed in the notes. Maybe bitter orange? A very playful scent that I think anyone can enjoy.

Notes: Bergamot, Sweet Pea, Amyris Wood, Tiare Flower, Sandalwood, Musk.

CONTINUE READING!

My favorite fragrance at the moment..

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche.
Chanel Chance is a fragrance I've wanted for a really long time.. but I never buy it because I really don't like spending money on perfume. I don't know why.. as If I don't waste my money on everything else.. lol I always wait for my birthday or Christmas to come around.. :)

I actually wanted to get the original Chanel Chance, but when I smelled it at Sephora, It smelled really musky.. =X I didn't like it one bit. Then, I smelled the Eau Fraiche, and it smelled alright. But, when I actually sprayed it on myself, then I got to really smelling it and it smelled soooo good. That Sephora didn't carry the 1.7 oz, they only carried the 3.4 oz.. and I didn't want to buy that big of a bottle.. since its $90, plus 10% sales tax. So I went to Bloomingdales to see if they had the small bottle, and the sales lady talked me into buying the bigger bottle anyway since it was $25 more for double the size. whatever.. $100 later, I'm smelling oh so nice. :)

My favorite type of scents are really young, girly and fresh. I like fruity smells and citrus-y kinds of smells. I like perfumes that kind of smell like a girly cologne. I don't like musky scents, powdery or vanilla scents.

My other favorite perfumes are Ralph Lauren Romance, Versace Bright Crystal and Clinique Happy & Happy Heart (I don't love, love these, but my boyfriend loves it on me).

What is your favorite?