Truth or Dare by Madonna Naked

I was blessed enough to find 2 tester bottles of this divine elixir on FragranceX - sadly, the last available, as I've already checked the site to see if I could add to my (now quite coveted)'stash' in the making. So, I clearly have quite flagrantly given away my adoration of this fragrance right off the bat. No bearing around the bush. No playing coy. I was just bowled over by this mysterious blind buy that has now rapidly evolved from curiosity to infatuation to rapsodous love affair. I initially found the notes compelling, as I love woodsy scents and found the inclusion of honeysuckle, cacao, and vanilla orchid sufficiently unique and well enough within my range to pique my curiosity, and the elusivity of its availability elevated this to the top of my 'must buy' list rapidly. Then I received my long awaited, heavily anticipated package in the mail earlier this week. I went to town and sprayed away with abandon. Like several have stated, I was initially hit with confusion - I smelled balsamic root beer or sarsaparilla in the first minute or so and not much else... THEN... (((fans self))) THEN, well... PURE butterscotch, emphasis on the BUTTER. Rich, sumptuous, ADULT (as in grown up, not pornographic) gourmand. But it has more depth than my simplistic starter descriptive. It's well blended, so the compilation of the notes results in a buttery, caramelized stunner. It retains a slight balsamic tinge, but as a compliment, or an enhancer of the, I assume, divine combination of the honeysuckle, cocao, and vanilla orchid. I love all three notes separately, but combined, with the understated woods notes, become a delectable drizzle of what I'd imagine hot salted caramel cooling on french vanilla ice cream must smell like. Though far less obvious and deceptively more seductive. I'd *bathe* in this daily if I had an unlimited stash. If I can be a good girl and limit my usage to appropriate occasions, it may become my long awaited signature scent. I'm devastated that it is, by all accounts, discontinued. It's not your typical celeb scent. My favorite celebrity fragrance was Kate Moss 'Vintage' - which I still adore - but this is another stratosphere. Where as Kate's 'Vintage' makes me go "Mmmmm..." and is comfortingly snuggly, like a favorite scarf, this has a "WOW" factor. It feels slightly 'naughty', clandestine. Like you're indulging in something you know you shouldn't, but can't resist... DON'T let the initial saspirilla blast put you off... Wait... It's 120 seconds to bliss. A celebrity scent that is a conundrum; at once complex yet slightly linear (perfectly blended),simultaneously binge-evoking yet demanding of your patience. My husband, btw, entered the room right after the dry down and snuggled into me immediately, expressing his approval with an unmistakable, almost reflexive "Mmmm you smell GOOD!" (High praise indeed, lol...) If you can get your hands on this and are seeking a gourmand for grown ups, don't think, buy. I seriously debated even posting such an enthusiastic review, bc I wanted to keep this my guilty pleasure, my dirty little secret. But I couldn't not share, and have been blessed already with a mini-stash. If anyone already has this and isn't feeling the love, or takes the plunge but finds it's not a good fit, I'll eagerly take any leftovers or work out a trade and be as generous as I can. And, no, that wasn't an ulterior motive/manipulative tactic - I genuinely think this is a special scent, but get the feeling it's an 'all or nothing', and thus not for everyone. Though I think the people it's meant to find, it will. I just wanted to share my once in a blue moon kindred scent spirit experience. I hope others can relate to my review and/or are fortunate enough to test these waters of surprising depth and find them welcoming, if not entirely alluring and transcendent...

A favorite bottle of mine is Prada Infusion d'Iris. This bottle isn't one I necessarily like, but it's very lovely for those who seek a more ornate appearance. I was quite impressed how much I LIKED looking at it. It's appearance isn't cheap like photos make it look. I wouldn't buy this again ONLY because it's not my regular genre and I'll probably never use up what I have. Also, one light spray is more than enough to last at least twelve hours. I get huge longevity from this and Alfred Sung. If you even hug someone with one of these pretty scents, you will also wear it for a bit. There are some that find a problem with longevity as everyone is different. But I find most will agree it's persistent! The price I paid is 8.00 for 2.5 ounces. A more than fair price! This has been compared to Obsession, Tabu, and Youth Dew. I agree it's that genre, but I don't like those three at all. I'm loving this! I read a review that stated they smelled root beer in this and Youth Dew.....and maybe Tabu? Not sure on that one. But I find no root beer or ANY thing redeeming in those two/three. I do smell the root beer in this! Bath and Body Works has Cashmere Glow that I smell root beer in also. I like both, Naked and Cashmere Glow, granted Cashmere Glow is a much softer scent than this is. This the "mother" of Cashmere Glow to me. The enjoyment of this scent.....I find it very special. I don't think it's really a blue jeans and T type of scent. Myself, I'll wear it whenever I want. To categorize this, I would have choose evening and special events. This is a really strong scent as I've mentioned, and it seems to be very heavy as if it had a lot of vanilla. Vanilla to my nose, is so "stuffy" and makes it hard to breath. I tolerate this very well. Does it have vanilla in there somewhere? It acts like it does, but I can still breath...with caution. This is a scent I believe any person that likes big, bold, heavy scents will LOVE....most often. I have found even I myself like it a lot! I suggest you try this no matter who you are. Spray it on your arm. Spray it on a tissue. Smell the tissue the next day after you've showered. I think you will be surprised. I've been dragging this tissue around for two days and I can STILL smell it just sitting on a table next to me. It's what I would want to smell like.... on certain days. What a joy ride this scent has turned out to be. A very good quality, long lasting, rich and exotic (forgot the whole exotic paragraph!) scented gift to yourself or others...uh wait, maybe not a good idea to gift to others! If this scent isn't you....it's certainly not ME.... do try because it might be you on certain days. I look forward to the days it will be me. Edit - I reviewed far too soon. I have to leave this so I can see the difference two weeks and several wears make. Just today, it's a much milder scent.

A blind buy for me - which usually means a scrubber, or just 'meh' (I never luck out very much with blind purchases). But this? This has made up for all the bloopers. It smells quite unisex, though probably veers toward the feminine side. But it's weird and strange and like nothing I own, but my nose is very pleased indeed! It goes on quite medicinal, like antiseptic cream, which sounds nasty, but it's really not! (I am one of these weirdos who likes the smell of Deep Heat and cleans my teeth with Euthymol toothpaste - if you are like me, you maybe really dig this perfume) Perhaps I am reminiscing of school days in the sick room or sat in the doctors surgery with my mum, but either way, it is very pleasant. This, for me, is a memory perfume, it triggers something from the past, childhood, teens, I can't place it. But it's a positive thing. It has a root-beer vibe too, a little like Mandorlo Di Sicilia, but not as cuddly or gourmand. It also reminds me of Boss Bottled (before they messed with the formulation). I shall slather myself in raw cocoa butter and layer this on top, hopefully that will bring out the cacao, which I'm having a hard time deciphering. Warm, medicinal, original. And quite cheap too! Have a look on eBay - I managed to snag a 75ml bottle for little over £11. I would wear this all year round, but probably with a light hand in summer. I have a feeling it will be even more delicious in Autumn/Winter! This purchase has given more the confidence to consider blind buying the original ToD (also cheap on eBay!). Heady times, indeed! ----- EDIT: I've realised what this smells like; during the mid 90's Faberge released a small range of drugstore body sprays and splashes called Addiction. I loved the Wild Ginger one, but this smells lots like Spice Fire. EDIT No. 2: I've been wearing this for a few weeks now. I am ADDICTED. It is total comfort scent for me now. Its been brilliant on my skin in hot weather! It doesn't last all that long though, which is a shame. So benzoin, looks like you and me are gonna be friends *searches for more benzoin fragrances*

Okay, so I just bought this yesterday doing some black-Friday-weekend shopping and since I bought so many fragrances, I tested some right when I got home, and waited to test the other couple the next day, which is today. As I've said in other reviews...98% of the time I know with the first spritz immediately whether I like a fragrance or not. I'm the same way with music. I'm very decisive. Things don't usually "grow" on me and I'm not a person who is normally "unsure" per say, about many things. This however...was one of the few exceptions...just like Hilary Duff's perfume "With Love" was the same way for me. This fragrance I sprayed...and immediately thought..."Oh god. This smells terrible. Kinda of like a woody/weird medicine smell." But then I went about my business...walked my dog...ate my lunch...and 15 minutes later, I put my wrist to my nose again and I really liked it! Smells very warm...woodsy...You can deff smell the cocoa also. I wouldn't necessarily say this is a love for me...but a strongg like. And it is most definitely not cheaply made. It lasts about 7 hours on me which is HUGE for not only a celeb scent...but for a fragrance I paid $10 for at TJ Maxx (and I got the biggest bottle it comes in mind you.) Also...sillage is very big. I only sprayed less than 1 full spray on my wrist and it had a decent projection. I'm sure it'll project in a major way when I wear it as normal on my skin and clothes. One more thing I must give it props for :: It's VERY versatile. This can (with absolute ease) be pulled off by any man. It's very masculine. Very. =) So with this fragrance...when you first try and/or buy it...spray it on your wrist...and give it 15-20 minutes before you smell and judge it. It's very odd and strong the second it comes out of the sprayer. Overall rating : 7.5 possibly 8/10 Great Job Madonna! I may go buy the original TOD next week. :D

This is a fantastic and clever perfume that is super suitable when fall comes! I adore the slightly mentholated opening - tiny bit toothpasty. The mentholated aspect doesn't stick around for a long time and I am curious about which note creates it. There is no tuberose here and tuberose can do that if high quality. The oud? Anyway, there is soft cocoa and it has got nothing to do with candy or other super gourmand perfumes- this is realistic, soft, steady. I also smell the honeysuckle and the benzoin and they complement each other in a lovely way. Nothing screams here, stands out; its truly well blended. The middle phase is mainly pleasant and the dry down is absolutely amazing when this soft, well-made scent melds with the skin and becomes just a very, very pleasant, yet quite original cloud of niceness. First I thought I wanted this scent to have more sillage, but now I realise that it would have made it strange. This is a long-lasting soft, mild yet steady cloud of mellow warmth. Oh, the cedar in it is also super nice- nice amount of it, well balanced and makes the scent stand straight in all its softness. This is by no means a coy and forgettable scent- its softness with a twist. Is this the bigger sister of Britney Spears Private Show, which is also quite nice. If you love the the Britney and feel like expanding into a more original terrotory- definitely try this one! Also, if you like perfumes like Balmain ́s Ambre Gris try this!