Ooooohhhhh. This is an interesting one. It feels like fun art, from the scent down to the bottle and enclosure. Sweet, fluffy, buttery popcorn, balanced by a soft floral lightness.
The opening leans slightly bubble-gummy, with a lift and subtle spiciness that I suspect comes from the bergamot. The cotton candy is sweet and fruity, but not juvenile. There is a sophistication to it. There is also a gentle prickle in the back of my throat, a spicy-sweet nuance that gives the opening an extra flair.
The apple here is crisp rather than juicy. That crispness adds freshness and balance, which I appreciate because this fragrance could easily tip heavy. The interplay of popcorn and butter is warm, realistic, and buttery, yet lightened by the florals. It really feels like walking through a carnival, taking in the many scents you would encounter.
As it dries down, the vanilla bean and caramel turn gooey and rich, while the amber adds a warming texture that I feel in my chest when I inhale deeply. For layering lovers, this would be lovely paired with Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar and Sand + Fog Lemon Sugar to amplify the cotton candy, spun sugar, and lemony facets.
Performance-wise, it lasts about four hours, and the projection is limited. I wore this to a Cirque du Soleil show in the summertime, and while the scent itself is exciting, it did not wear particularly well in the heat. It felt a bit heavy, yet paradoxically became a skin scent fairly quickly, which had me respraying.
Because of that, I see this performing best in fall, winter, and early spring. Still, this is a delectable, creative gourmand and absolutely worthy of a spot on my perfume shelf.
