Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
One must conclude that Barbie is the latest target demographic of choice. In fact, no other theory can explain all of the new releases that smell either like sugary frosting or fruit juice. Juicy Couture was frank about the Barbie inspiration behind their fragrance. Britney Spears Curious In Control came close, but J.Lo Love at First Glow won the Barbie award in the end. Next comes Vera Wang Princess, a composition of such sparkle and sweetness that it should come with a Barbie doll in tow. …
The composition plays by all of the rules of a girly fragrance—its sugary sweetness is comprised of fruity notes and vanilla, its sheer base is laced with musk and amber, which bear little relationship to their animalic predecessors. Princess is a cocktail of pink fruits sweetened with vanilla and topped with a dollop of frosting. Although it is probably in the sophisticated league of Barbie fragrances, like many perfumes of its type, Princess is difficult to imagine on anyone over 12.
“She is the fashion forward ‘it’ girl in her teens and twenties,” notes Vera Wang press release, yet as someone in my twenties, I find it difficult to relate to the concept of Princess. Ultimately, the age has little to do with whether one might find this fragrance attractive, but rather with what one hopes to express through their scent. The extraverted femininity and the giggly demeanor of Princess hold little allure for me.
Now, onto the more interesting question–what would Ken’s fragrance smell like?
Vera Wang Princess includes notes of water lily, lady apple, mandarin meringue, golden apricot skin, ripe pink guava, Tahitian flower, wild tuberose, dark chocolate, pink frosting accord, precious amber, forbidden woods, royal musk captive, chiffon vanilla.
88 Comments
violetnoir: I agree with H, above. Empire is truly falling.
And, I don’t even want to go there about Ken’s fragrance! The poor thing is a “he”male (get it? rhymes with female?).
Hugs! August 11, 2006 at 1:47pm
BoisdeJasmin: H, it makes me wonder. On the other hand, the teenage market cannot be large. Many teen oriented magazines have gone out of print. The biggest group with disposable income are women in their 30s and upward. August 11, 2006 at 2:10pm
BoisdeJasmin: R, oh, I completely forgot about that! 🙂 August 11, 2006 at 2:11pm
Elle: If it had just been a touch more camp, I could have appreciated that bottle, but it stopped short of being entirely over the top and amusing – consequently, it really does belong to the 12 year old or younger crowd (flower girls?). I had little hope for a scent in a bottle like that. Maybe Ken’s scent would be camp enough to be interesting. 🙂 August 11, 2006 at 4:41pm
The Scented Salamander: LOL, we are witnessing the infantilization of American/global society through perfumes. Good question about Ken:) August 11, 2006 at 1:31pm
Tigs: The bottle design looks strangely like a bottle of “scent” that came with a My Little Pony figure that I owned very early in my life (we’re talking 5 or so). At that time, I owned something called the My Little Pony house (?!?) which had cutlery and ceiling fans and clothes and overstuffed chairs and any number of things that a pony would not need. I believe the scent came with a fragranced pony that smelled (very distantly and synthetically) of strawberries. August 11, 2006 at 6:04pm
Tigs: It must have been the distant relative of this product – so you get the idea:
http://www.hasbro.com/mylittlepony/default.cfm?page=browse&product_id=16216 August 11, 2006 at 6:08pm
chaya ruchama: I salute you,my friends!
I smelled this dud last week, and it IS really creepy in a Jon Benet Ramsay sort of way…
The bottle is very pretty, though. August 11, 2006 at 6:16pm
amandampc: This one kind of kills me, as I deeply love pink (or any other color of) frosting – on a cupcake, a layer cake, even from the can. And even wearing it a fragrance? I can’t lie, I’m capable of enjoying well done dessert-type fragrances. (I have a heavy streak of juvenile, what can I say?) But what slays me here the most is the name – it’s just too, too “My Little Pony.” Blech!! It’s like meeting an otherwise rather hot guy whose name is Erwin; there’s just no getting past it for me. Thanks for the fun review! August 11, 2006 at 6:44pm
uella: another girly sweet fruity scent! I ‘m afraid I ‘ll never go back mainstream!
Vera Wang, you ‘re OUT! you failed, Auf Wiedersehen! August 11, 2006 at 7:32pm
Robin: Have tried but failed to think of what Ken would wear. Probably Hummer Special Edition or something? Or perhaps the upcoming Blue Sugar from Aquolina? August 11, 2006 at 8:08pm
Victoria O: What a waste of a totally beautiful bottle design. I wish it had an ounce of credibility. August 11, 2006 at 4:30pm
Ina: I didn’t think of Barbie when I smelled it but I did think of teenage girls in low-rise jeans, tank tops, and flip-flops. ;D Pretty close, I guess. It was just so girly and so lick-me-if-you-dare. Another image it conjures up is that Club Libby Lu where little girls get dressed up in adult fashions, put on tons of make-up and all things sparkly, and act totally creepy. August 11, 2006 at 5:07pm
Laura: Oh, for heaven’s sake, it does look like what the baby beauty queen crowd (those Lolitas-in-training) wants, needs, must have. August 11, 2006 at 5:39pm
marchlion: Victoria — I’ve smelled this one, and the whole thing baffles me — I mean, as associated with Vera Wang. Her first two fragrances were (relatively) sophisticated, as is her clothing — I suppose when I think of her clothing, it’s actually mostly her bridal gowns. So I don’t see the 12-18-year-old customer as being a natural extension of her brand, speaking purely from a marketing perspective. In fact, if I were to guess, I would have predicted something edgier — Vera Wang After Dark or something similar. Also, look at the Princess price point — to me it seems high for something that’s competing with, what — JLo Glow and Ralph Hot… I looked in your reviews but didn’t see — what do you think of the original VW, or Veil? I’d love to know.
PS I agree with Robin — Ken wears Hummer. August 11, 2006 at 10:00pm
BoisdeJasmin: V, the bottle is very pretty in person. I adore purple, so it caught my attention right away. August 11, 2006 at 10:07pm
BoisdeJasmin: Elle, I would have liked it more if it were tongue in cheek. Yes, there is something strangely Little Pony-like about the name. August 11, 2006 at 10:22pm
BoisdeJasmin: Ina, what an image! I dare say that it is even less appealing than Barbie. August 11, 2006 at 10:24pm
BoisdeJasmin: L, it does have that quality. I am thinking of mini-Paris Hiltons… August 11, 2006 at 10:24pm
BoisdeJasmin: Tigs, My Little Pony was my own reference too. I did not realize that they came scented. August 11, 2006 at 10:25pm
BoisdeJasmin: Tigs, thank you for the link. I recall these kind of bottles sold with Barbie houses, etc. Why on earth would a grown woman want something like that? August 11, 2006 at 10:26pm
BoisdeJasmin: Chaya, I love purple, and yes, the bottle is very cute. August 11, 2006 at 10:26pm
BoisdeJasmin: Amanda, I do not mind a nicely done gourmand fragrance (I have a big sweet tooth), but Princess was far too sugary for me. The name does not help matters much either. At least, I am glad I could make you smile! August 11, 2006 at 10:29pm
BoisdeJasmin: Uella, I think there are plenty of great “mainstream” fragrances. This is just not one of them. August 11, 2006 at 11:02pm
BoisdeJasmin: H, I think that the teenage group might one of those that are not loyal fragrance users, hence the need to reach out to them. Be as it may, the onslaught of fruity-florals is simply too much. August 11, 2006 at 11:04pm
BoisdeJasmin: R, I am laughing out loud! These are great guesses, especially Hummer. August 11, 2006 at 11:05pm
BoisdeJasmin: March, yes, I would agree with you wholeheartedly. Seems like a strange marketing choice. I would absolutely love Vera After Dark or something along those lines. I liked the original VW ok when it first came out. It is a well-crafted, polished floral. August 11, 2006 at 11:06pm
BoisdeJasmin: Anya, I can see how sweet fruity-florals may not be the best thing in the heat. In fact, they are the last thing I want to smell during the hot weather. August 11, 2006 at 11:07pm
Dusan: Ok, Ken would definitely wear Polo Blue or, gourmand-wise, anything Aquolina. I actually quite enjoy gourmands but too much fruit’n’food puts me off.
On the topic of sweets, I’d love to know your thoughts on Gaultier2. Also, have you tried Magnetism for men?
Off-topic — I’m wearing L’Eau d’Hiver on my right arm and Eau des Merveilles on the left and have just decided that my life will have no meaning unless I buy a bottle of each 🙂 August 11, 2006 at 11:44pm
Dusan: Ok, Ken would definitely wear Polo Blue or, gourmand-wise, anything Aquolina. I actually quite enjoy gourmands but too much fruit’n’food puts me off.
On the topic of sweets, I’d love to know your thoughts on Gaultier2. Also, have you tried Magnetism for men?
Off-topic — I’m wearing L’Eau d’Hiver on my right arm and Eau des Merveilles on the left and have just decided that my life will have no meaning unless I buy a bottle of each 🙂 August 11, 2006 at 11:47pm
The Scented Salamander: V, Well I guess that could mean several things: a) women in their thirties are suspected to have teens’ tastes b)30ish women love to offer fragrances to teens or people with teens tastes ( that is a subjective notion) etc. I don’t know about the demographics — It does make me wonder too: why this onslaught of sweet fruity florals?:) August 11, 2006 at 7:57pm
Dusan: V, sorry for the double post. August 12, 2006 at 12:18am
Anya: Ha, ha, I don’t know what this My Little Pony reference from Tigs means, but Andy Tauer used it the other day in a cultural reference to JLo’s perfume on his blog. Funny seeing it two days in a row. I’m out of the loop, I guess, and glad of it, especially when it comes to these sweet scents. Miami, aka Schvitzerland* is awash in the fruity floral perfumes, and it’s not very nice in this heat. Sort of like My Sweaty Little Pony.
*TM — just joking! August 11, 2006 at 10:41pm
Sonia: I just got back from visiting my daughter in Ottawa so of course we went perfume shopping,we both walked right over to Vera Wang Princess,my daughter liked it,i didn’t 🙁 way too sweet for my taste and I really wanted something new,I tried chanel Allure,Calvin Klein Euphoria,along with many more and i ended up walking out with a bottle of 100ml hypnotic poison,been wearing it three years now *lol*
I honestly wanted something new! nothing appealed to me like this one. August 12, 2006 at 10:43am
Lisa S: welcome to Social History 101 – Life During Wartime. This twinkieification of mass market/dept store fragrance has a whole lot (in my opinion) to do with the current lumpen zeitgeist. Everyone wants food and sweets and even mall fashion, or such that passes for fashion, is baby-girled unto nausea. It’s a nostalgia gone pink & mindless because the mass don’t want to think about bad things or harsh things or big things that matter when it comes to self expression.
More intellectual and less mall conscious perfumers are still pursuing ars gratia artis and for this I am truly grateful. And we still have the hard core no blinders life during wartime fragrances like Bandit. And culturally/envrionmentally diverses frags like Lutens and CdG to remind us of life beyond the mall. Thank heavens for small graces. August 12, 2006 at 5:21pm
Campaspe: I know I am in a minority, but to me this one sounds perfectly in keeping with the Vera Wang aesthetic: bland, derivative, calculated to appeal to a large mushy middle without giving offense to anyone. Her designs are seldom ugly but they bore me to death. August 12, 2006 at 1:24pm
chaya ruchama: Oh, Lisa-
Tough, but more than a grain of truth in it…
I, too, feel that ,like other art forms, perfumery reflects society, and is affected by the world in which we live.
Sometimes to be courageous is to take risks…
Kudos to you. August 12, 2006 at 7:00pm
Anya: If I could make a little blip here for a review of my perfume Pan, that Andy Tauer reviewed the other day — replete with opening salvo against the pink fruity frothy perfumes like this 😉 http://tauerperfumes.com/blog/2006/08/10/sins/ It’s where I first saw the Pony reference, also mentioned here, so it’s really relevant, lol. Thank the Gods for blogs like Victoria’s and Andy’s and all the other wonderful ones — like Lisa says — they take off the blinders! Victoria has done more to help me with appreciation of vintages than anyone. Vintages can’t rule the present, however, but they do provide a reference s to what is wonderful in the past, and where we can go in the future. August 12, 2006 at 8:13pm
koneko: Hello V!
I admit it. I loved the bottle. Though I have a penchant for liking anything crystal-like. The one thing that annoyed me is the script, it’s bothersome somehow.
And… if this tells you anything, dear Campaspe’s remarks on VW had me in a fit of giggles… I didn’t think this scent fit VW’s image, but now I see how. And the fact that I am giggly… Well, you know me, V! I also have a soft spot for sweet dessert fragrances, and this wasn’t heady at all, so I think I actually like it, at my age (furiously blushing!) But I agree w/ the imagery, it’s very teeny-bopper, and the “it girl in her teens and twenties” – well VW just about laid out her demographic for this scent, didn’t she? 😉 August 13, 2006 at 9:20am
BoisdeJasmin: Dusan, I have not tried Magnetism for Men yet. As for L’Eau d’Hiver and Eau des Merveilles, I cannot but applaud your decision. August 13, 2006 at 3:30pm
BoisdeJasmin: Sonia, sometimes going back to old favourites is the best thing one can do. Hypnotic Poison is beautiful. Great choice! August 13, 2006 at 3:31pm
BoisdeJasmin: Campaspe, this makes perfect sense to me. I recently had to browse through VW’s selection, and it was basically bland, bland, bland. Excess of good taste is usually just as unfortunate as its dearth. August 13, 2006 at 3:34pm
BoisdeJasmin: Lisa, interesting theory! August 13, 2006 at 3:41pm
BoisdeJasmin: Chaya, yes, creativity is about taking a risk. I feel that this lack of risk is exactly what seems to be missing right now. August 13, 2006 at 3:42pm
BoisdeJasmin: Anya, I am glad I could help you appreciate the vintages. The classical perfumery truly offers a lot and it never fails to inspire me. August 13, 2006 at 3:43pm
BoisdeJasmin: M, no need to blush!
I did not realize to what extent F. is right until I looked closer at the entire line. August 13, 2006 at 3:47pm
Nick: Take a look at Teen Vogue (US), and you’ll see the line between teen and adult blur…and one of the side effects seems to be marketing increasingly expensive prestige goods to a younger market…(How to mix Chanel ready to wear with denim for example). “Princess” seems like a natural progression in this cycle…a bottle that doesn’t look just girly, but expensive and “prestige” as well. The name says it all. It’ll be a hit when advertised in Teen Vogue! And relatively more affordable to a teen than Chanel RTW… August 14, 2006 at 7:40am
BoisdeJasmin: Nick, although I have written my article from the facetious standpoint, I have no misconceptions about what VW is attempting to do. Yes, it is trying to reach out to teen market, which is not as saturated as others. I have no doubts that it shall be a hit. However, this does not make me welcome this trend. Quite the opposite. August 14, 2006 at 11:18am
Sonia: Thanks Victoria for the compliment on HP. 🙂
If ever you come across a scent along the notes of HP,I’d be glad to hear about it.
A lot of the new ones out there are awfully sweet. August 14, 2006 at 3:35pm
Dusan: V, I need your expert opinion on SL Rahat Loukum. Ambre Sultan, Daim Blond and ISM are the only SLs I have tried and, needless to say, I was impressed. I would like to buy RL blind because the notes are right up my alley and reading Marina’s and Robin’s reviews has whetted my appetite even more. I’ve read people likening it to Oblique Rewind, which I love (on a woman, mind you, not myself), so I was hoping you might help me out. How does it compare to OR, if at all, and what other non-niche perfume(s) does it resemble? I know it is wise to always try a SL before buying it, but that’s impossible where I live. And anyway, I trust your judgment 🙂 Thanks! August 14, 2006 at 3:41pm
Nick: Dear Victoria,
Did not for a moment interpret any welcoming of the trend. Rather, you have disected the trend with your characteristic precision. You’re always the first to raise these questions for discussion. August 15, 2006 at 3:13am
BoisdeJasmin: Sonia, have you tried the new Kenzo Amour? I reviewed it a week ago or so (it should still be on the main page). It has the almond tinged vanilla of HP, but with more woods. It is subtle, but with a lovely sillage. August 18, 2006 at 2:13pm
BoisdeJasmin: Dusan, with pleasure! Rahat Loukoum is not my favourite Serge Lutens, because it is far too sweet for my tastes. It is essentially vanillic and musky in the drydown, with a pronounced almondy note. It is rather sophisticated, but it does not move me as much as other Serge Lutens’s fragrances do. August 18, 2006 at 2:15pm
BoisdeJasmin: Nick, you are very kind. Thank you.
I am glad that you brought up Teen Vogue, because that is a great example of the trend. It is too much for me… August 18, 2006 at 2:17pm
Dusan: Far too sweet 🙁 ? I know you like sweet so this bit scares me. Almondy is ok, vanillic is just fine, I don’t think essentially musky would be that much of a problem, yet I can’t help but think it would be an over-the-top experience for me, too. Hm…
In any case V, you are the greatest! Thank you so much for your description, you made me think twice before taking the plunge. MWUAA! August 18, 2006 at 3:19pm
BoisdeJasmin: Dusan, anytime! Perhaps, you should find a sample on Ebay first. I think that it is a nice fragrance, but in comparison to other Serge Lutens gems, it is not as exciting. August 18, 2006 at 4:04pm
Dusan: I will definitely try to snatch a sample somehow. In the meantime, which SLs would you recommend I try? (I forgot to mention trying and loving Borneo) Look at me taking advantage of your kindness 🙂
Ogromnoe spasibo, V! August 18, 2006 at 5:56pm
BoisdeJasmin: Dusan, pozhalusta! My favourite Serge Lutens fragrances are Bois de Violette, Rose de Nuit (created by same perfumer who composed Hermes Rocabar, one of my favourites from that line), Chene, Santal de Mysore and Borneo 1834. August 18, 2006 at 7:12pm
Sonia: Kenzo Amour sounds yummy,Victoria…thanks!
I will keep my eyes out when it comes out in Sept..
i love the bottle..so cool! August 19, 2006 at 4:46pm
LA: Dear V:
This is my first time ever leaving a comment and I had to do so because to be honest I was quite offended by your negative review of Princess.
I am a business woman who is quite fond of the fragrance and the concept. It’s a radiant, soft, whimsical fragrance that women of all ages can enjoy and to be honest it is simply divine. So what if it’s in a heart shaped bottle and is adorned by a crown topper. That’s the fun that comes along with the scent. One doesn’t have to be a child to enjoy this fragrance.
Life can be awfully serious and crazy at times and I think of this fragrance as an escape. I love to wear it at night when I am dining out with either my husband or girlfriends, especially after a long hard days work..It makes me feel alive!! It’s a fun fragrance to wear as it brings back all of those memories when I was indeed a “princess” and life was a lot less hectic. I’m not sure if you actually sprayed the fragrance on you because I do feel that you will notice that although there are sweet notes in this scent they are all very delicate and in no way, shape or form is this an overbearing sweet fragrance. Take for instance,Therry Muglier’s Angel it is prestige and geared towards a woman of my age and to be honest with you I find it to be too sweet and overbearing I think of that fragrance as candylike not something I’d want to smell of. Angel is over the top and does not exude class and I’d much rather wear Vera’s Princess any day over it .
I’d say go to your local retailer again and spray this fragrance on your skin. Wear it… Live with it..Let it dry down. You’ll change your mind.. I’m sure of it. August 23, 2006 at 12:11am
BoisdeJasmin: Sonia, my pleasure. Do try it. It is a very soft, comforting vanilla. August 23, 2006 at 12:13am
BoisdeJasmin: LA, thank you for your comment. First, everything I review undergoes several trials, both on skin and on blotters. I could care less about flacons, names and marketing concepts. I am only interested in the scent and the story it tells me. Second, vive la différence! You have your opinion, and I have mine. My own means to escape include other scents, but if Princess does that for you, it is wonderful. Please enjoy it and wear it in good health. August 23, 2006 at 12:19am
LA: I find it funny that you say that the flacons, names and market concepts have very little to do with whether you like a fragrance or not as the first half and final conclusion of the fragrance review had everything to do with all three mentioned above. August 23, 2006 at 12:27am
BoisdeJasmin: No, it has to do with what the scent itself conjures for me. August 23, 2006 at 12:51am
BoisdeJasmin: Juicy, that’s just what is very special about perfume–one is able to make one’s own associations and connections with scent. Which is why others should try Princess and decide for themselves. August 26, 2006 at 5:57am
Juicy_TNA: Everyone’s got their own opinion when it comes to fragrance. Personally I fell head over heals for Princess, and W/O the influence of any of its lucrative marketing that I have now become aware of. I was just trying on fragrances at the bay with my boy friend when I came upon Princess. I smelled it and was pleasently surprised. I let my boy friend smell it and he loved it on me as well. It wasn’t until the sales told me that it was a brand new fragrance that just came in that I knew it was new. I’m just over the moon about Princess and I guess what works for some just don’t for others. It’s soft and very feminine. I purchased a bottle off eBay cause the price was pretty steep at $75 CDN for a 50ml bottle. It was worth every penny =) August 26, 2006 at 3:23am
hannah: princess smells soo good. i’m looking forward to buying it really bad. August 28, 2006 at 3:04pm
hannah: princess smells soo good. i’m looking forward to buying it really bad. August 28, 2006 at 3:04pm
Ana: Thank you to the reviewer for telling it like it is. Same problem in the UK. Although I have not yet tried Princess, it seems to me a lot of the new releases are based on fruit and sugar. And new clones of the last ones are relentlessly churned out. Even as a child, I preferred citrussy/fougere scents (or florals without excessive sweetness)! Maybe the majority of customers’ noses are different now.. September 1, 2006 at 3:51pm
BoisdeJasmin: Hannah, enjoy it. September 6, 2006 at 12:32pm
BoisdeJasmin: Ana, I am just getting tired of the same thing being done to death. Which is why Lanvin Rumeur (even if it is not the original), Soir de Lune and even Lalique Perles de Lalique are such nice discoveries. September 6, 2006 at 12:33pm
marge: just purchased the new vera wang princess $70.00 in the store I loved it clean & fresh after awhile I realized the sent fades I love my perfumes and I am not happy with this purchase. probably the first and last purchase of vera wang September 6, 2006 at 1:23pm
Debbi: Thank god for real reviews! I am the type that falls for the design of the bottle first. I love the design, but after reading all the reviews (and thank you all for them!!) – I have no intention of purchasing this product.
Thanks for saving me some $$$ November 7, 2006 at 3:53pm
alex: i am applaled that you say it is for people over 12 under 12’s do not even no hu vera wang is!! i love the fragrance and i dont think age applies to any perfume. You either like the smell or you dont November 27, 2006 at 9:51am
BoisdeJasmin: Please do not post the same comment under different names and please respect other people’s opinions.
My article was written in a facetious manner. Of course, Princess can be worn by anyone who likes it. November 28, 2006 at 12:16pm
Bailee Jill: i think that the perfume is light, floral with a little bit of vanilla. it reminds me of spring time. the bottle is beautifully designed plus the crown doubles as a ring! December 5, 2006 at 7:23pm
Alexis: I bought this because I like sweet scents but when I put it on it smells exactly like Hypnotic Poison, which I wore a while back. I guess it is my chemitry because I havent heard anyone else mention it, its funny becaue it is the first fragrance that has ever changed so much on me from the bottle t the skin. December 25, 2006 at 6:16pm
Leni: I am 28, and I love this perfume!
Now on a way to buy it! October 27, 2007 at 6:39am
Leni: just a question, how many teens / 12 y.o. /can pay 50 $ for a perfume? October 27, 2007 at 6:41am
Lanier: I bought this scent because of the bottle. Which is really stupid. Well really my Mom bought it for me…but I was there. I do think the scent is flowery, but not a “dessert” scent at all. Its a tween version of Chanel number 5 and reminds me of the way my Grandmother used to smell. Chanel number 5. Sure it is very princessy. I dont get why older people dont like this. It would make me feel younger. Well I guess, because you dont want people to think you are trying too hard. You just have to try it to know. All people feel differently about how they smell. ~~LALA~~ November 3, 2007 at 10:29am
Lanier: oh yea….and im 12 November 3, 2007 at 10:32am
Marilyn W: I recently purchased Vera Wang The Fragrance from an online dealer and they sent me Vera Wang Princess by mistake. I was curious and decided to smell Princess (thinking I might like it and save myself the hassle of returning it). Unfortunately, after one whiff of Princess, I was turned off by what it conveyed to me. I immediately started having flashbacks of my pre-teen days. At 22 years old, I’m in search of more sophisticated scents. Granted, I didn’t have the nerve to spray Princess on my skin, but from what I can tell from smelling the bottle, it is extremely sweet. It is not an unappealing scent at all. I wouldn’t mind catching this scent on the wind every now and then. However, I personally can’t imagine wearing it everyday and feeling like an adult.
– Marilyn
Side note: Shortly after I smelled this, I was inspired to go bake cupcakes. Go figure. November 30, 2007 at 9:09pm
Lisa: I purchased a set of the ‘Princess’ Vera Wang perfume, the advertising and purple colour bottle appealed to me as whimsical, not Barbie-like.
The scent itself was very disappointing, the whole set is sitting in my closet because I can’t wear it, I get a headache every time I do. The scent of vanilla, musk, and amber overpower my senses. It reminds me of the way high school boys would coat themselves with AXE body spray – just absolute overkill. August 17, 2011 at 7:09pm
Aisha: I’ve had a sample of this sitting in my dresser drawer for some time and I decided to wear it today. It’s true, I feel as if I’m back in grade school. Gotta admit, it’s kind of fun. 😉 September 27, 2013 at 8:03am
Victoria: And isn’t the bottle adorable? September 29, 2013 at 1:18am
Aisha: Very. LOL!
The fragrance didn’t last very long on me, so I was transported back to reality after about 2 hours. 😉 September 29, 2013 at 8:33am
Miisuna: I think sometimes it’s hard to find harmony between marketing direction, big-picture critique, and personal feelings.
In the vast world of perfumery, I can understand how Princess might not be particularly special or revolutionary; three stars seems a reasonable objective review. Its popularity does seem to eclipse its objective value, which can lend a “superficial” impression. At the same time, I’m grateful the marketing campaigns have worked because they seem to have secured Princess a spot in production at least for a while.
Myself, I can’t say that I relate much to being a fashion-forward It-girl, just a quiet student, but Princess gets five stars from me for hitting my personal niche. It’s sweet and warm, inviting and comforting – I love the warm gourmand + berry-like fruit + white floral trio. I also like the bottle and name, which seems whimsical to me, like another reviewer expressed. It definitely has a “childlike” theme, but most perfumes do have some kind of theme. And Princess is true to its imagery – contrast the recent Black Opium release, which is a lovely scent but completely unrelated to YSL Opium itself or really anything to do with the concept of opium.
Regardless, I am mostly writing to point out that I think it would be more suitable to include a Sky Dancer or a Cupcake Doll instead of a Barbie (who is indeed much better suited to Juicy Couture). 😉 August 31, 2015 at 12:24pm
Victoria: Your own star ratings matter much more than anyone else’s. 🙂 Enjoy Princess. I do agree that it’s far more coherent and interesting than Black Opium. August 31, 2015 at 1:27pm