Paradoxe Intense Prada 2023

The bad ratings for this are interesting considering this intense flanker of Paradoxe is better than the OG (subjective), but I guess the notes in this aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t going to bother with this because moss usually doesn’t play well on my skin, but I’m glad I took the leap of faith.

The main difference between PI and the OG Paradoxe is that the original is a very linear, white floral + citrus combo that’s been done over and over again. It’s inoffensive (kinda boring tbh), soapy, slightly sweet, and very bright. This new Intense flanker, on the other hand, has a depth to it that just makes it better and more appealing to me. The moss adds a dark, earthy, bitter bite to a relatively bright and floral fragrance. The increased vanilla in this version is also what appealed to me and mixed in with the amber notes, it’s creates a beautiful base for the neroli and jasmine to sit atop. The dry down of this is spectacular and lasts the longest throughout its wear.

I wore it for the first time yesterday and can attest to the performance being phenomenal. Strong sillage and lasts over well over 8+ hours on the skin (probably even better on clothes). As my collection continues to change, I find myself gravitating to niche fragrances more, but this is an excellent designer flanker that I’m happy to have tried and truthfully enjoy. It’s definitely worth a try.

I confidently sprayed this right on my skin based on how many people love it. Big mistake. It smelled like feminized men's cologne on me, and ventured into headache-territory. It feels like it's trying to be bold and confident, and it definitely is. Very floral with a mossy, deep dry down. I do have the gene to smell ambroxan, and the ambrofix is STONG which is what's making it smell very masculine to me. If you can't smell ambroxan I bet this just smells like confident florals!

MUCH better than the original due to added depth from earthy notes like moss. This scent lasts incredibly well - I applied it at 3:20pm and the base notes were still on my body when I smelled my wrist at 10am the next day. This fragrance is a matured version of the original, which I found unremarkable. Paradoxe Intense isn't particularly interesting or unique, but it is a likeable, rich scent that I'm sure plenty of people will like.

Oh boy, this took me on a ride. The opening I sort of liked. It was super sweet fruity floral and I did quite like the pear. Then the dry down started and it smelled like straight up dirty pleather. This is why you don't blind buy, kids. What a mess this was. Disappointing because I actually really love the bottle design.

balanced white florals with a deep mossy amber vanilla base. this perfume is ADDICTIVE and gorgeous. it has a juicy and sweet quality that smells like a luxurious interpretation of some kind of fruity candy. that being said, it’s also mature at the same time, probably due to the florals. everything is just so well blended.

it is probably the strongest fragrance I own and you will smell this on you the next day (and any clothes you spray it on, the scent will last till you wash them). idc if people think this is basic it’s sooo good. definitely best in colder weather as this could definitely become cloying in the summer.