A Wren Says

This whole week, I’ve been thinking about Prada. It was only right that I chose to finally try Prada Paradoxe Intense.

I can’t say whether or not this is truly more intense than the original, but I did wonder to myself, “Is this too much?” It has an aggressively, perhaps, floral fragrance. It reminds me of Flowerbomb in that way. I was worried it would project too far and irritate people who are anti-fragrance. I don’t know how to feel about this. Is it too much? Yes, I know, it’s intense, but is it my kind of intense?

Unlike Flowerbomb, however, this is nowhere near the same level of explosive lift and projection from my skin. It also has an essence that is more green, more citrusy, now that I’m smelling myself hours later. There’s definitely that amber, too. On my shirt however, it is much more floral and ever so slightly sparkling. (Please don’t ask me what I mean by that. I can’t explain it.)

I’m not sure how I feel about this on myself. I don’t know if I’m powerfully feminine enough to pull this off right now. Am I willing to be recognized and adored when I walk in to the room? Am I comfortable making myself known, unapologetically and exactly as I am? I’m not so sure, but I feel the person who gravitates to this is. Or maybe she hopes to be.

I think if you like fragrances like Flowerbomb, you’ll likely enjoy this. But maybe you would need to ask yourself if they would be different enough in how they make you feel wearing them to justify owning both. Not that they smell or behave exactly the same, but it’s a question worth asking.

If you want to try before you buy, you can smell Prada Paradoxe in store at Sephora and Ulta.

Prada Paradoxe Intense eau de parfum

$175 for 90 mL

Key notes: Jasmine, amber, moss