Prada (new) by Prada, 2004

Prada is an extremely unusual fragrance. I certainly did not expect something like this from a popular and mainstream brand. Prada is intense, spicy, rich, crisp and woodsy. The fragrance opens with sharp woods and subtle hints of citrus. It immediately reminds me of the scent of freshly polished rosewood furniture. The heart of this scent is somewhat crisp and fresh, yet the amber and spices balance this fragrance out nicely and add a delightful warmth. It also tends to have a grassy-like/damp forest finish which although odd is strangely appealing. I'll agree that the amber and patchouli are particularly dominant in this fragrance, however the green notes and the honey soften the scent. I wouldn't recommend this fragrance to overly feminine women, to me this isn't your typical flowery or sweet fragrance. A woman who wears Prada is edgy, confident and strong. I find some similarities between this fragrance and Euphoria by Calvin Klein, however Prada lacks the sweetness of Euphoria and is much stronger in both sillage and lasting power. I recommend that you try Prada if you're searching for a fragrance that is original, refined, classy, spicy/woodsy yet modern.

Simply lovely.

Expensive, tasteful, distinct, and stupendous. Screams quality, taste, and sophistication.

I wish I could be 'man enough' to wear it, but its femininity is quite unforgiving.




EDIT: I did cave in and bought the scent with one of those superstar atomizer bottles shown here in the product image as well, since this particular bottle looks too sublime to avoid or resist. And I regret my decision tremendously. This is such a terrible bottle design, I cannot even begin to describe how awful the whole experience turned out to be.

The atomizer bottle looks beyond stunning, but it leaks, doesn't hold, spray nor apply the perfume properly. Since it is also not sealed air-tight, the perfume simply evaporates over time. The worst side of it all is, the scent cannot be kept fresh and you are wasting the precious juice every day for no reason whatsoever.

This is extremely unacceptable.

You do not sell perfume in a defected bottle to begin with. I had first assumed this was a problem with only my bottle, but after reading the endless negative reviews about the Prada bottle design online, I have realized that it is entirely Prada's fault. My affection for the scent hasn't really changed, and I can see myself wearing it now, even though the opening is still quite feminine. But it is unethical to sell a fragrance in a bottle that is specifically designed to waste the scent and watch it evaporate and leak.

Do yourself a favor and avoid the atomizer bottle at any cost. Or buy it just to enjoy the decadent design. Juts know that you will not be able to spray the perfume properly, nor keep the stunning scent fresh.

Prada by Prada

Notes: Bergamot Oil Italian, Orange Oil, Bitter Orange Oil, Mandarin Flower, Mimosa India, Rose Absolute ABS, Schinus Molle ABS LMR, Peru Balsam, Patchouli Oil LMR, Raspberry Flower, Labdanum Resinoide LMR, Tonka Bean ABS LMR, Vanilla Absolute, Musk, Sandalwood Oil (from Sephora.com)

Upon initial spray of Prada, I smell ozone, vanilla, patchouli, citrus blend, sweet floral notes, and a soft woody accord. The ozone note is strange--not metallic, necessarily, but cold in comparison to the warm wood base. The patchouli in Prada is fairly recognizable as such, but its character almost immediately starts to synergistically blend with the other notes. On the whole, though, Prada is a fairly straightforward and linear woody amber patchouli fragrance with some interestingly darkened floral and citrus notes. It is as if some dried orange peel, rose petals and mild spices (clove, perhaps) were mixed together and stored in an exotic wooden box such as ebony or teak. Take that warm, oriental base, and add some lighter florals similar to what one would find in a traditional Eau de Cologne (orange flower or neroli). The oriental base completely overpowers the light floral notes, but at the same time it is cooled and softened. Eventually, the florals mostly fade, and the fragrance goes out on a base of spices, vanilla, patchouli, labdanum, and some woody aromachemicals which mimic sandalwood. Other reviewers have complained about longevity with Prada. On my skin, it lasts for hours. However, it is not an oriental powerhouse--rather it is a subtle and wearable fragrance which has a pleasingly attractive sweet-dry composition, somewhat along the lines of Chanel Allure Sensuelle or Givenchy Organza Indecence. The drydown is reminiscent of Chanel Egoiste or Bois des Iles, but does not have nearly the complexity. Overall, Prada is a well made, pleasant, wearable fragrance. Even though there is nothing outstanding or ground-breaking about it, Prada has a quality that is understated and quiet. Sometimes that is exactly what I want.