173 Candy

I wore Vanilla Lace VS body spray in elementary school in the 90s. When I became an adult the perfume trend at that time was white florals, sweet, yes (for women), but balanced with watery, marine like notes. A man could not smell better than Aqua Di Gio, for example. I dont care what he looked like if he was wearing AdG, I was sitting next to him. And all those Abercrombie flankers all centered around a marine note too. Curious by Britney Spears was a HUGE hit when it dropped in 2005. Her older, more sophisticated sister was Blue by Ralph Lauren also released in 2005ish. Unisex scents were so disgusting they didn't exist in my world. Blue was my 1st grown woman scent when I went to the mall when I was 18 and dropped $70 in 2006 dollars for Ralph Lauren Blue. I'd give twice that now to have the original formulation back again too. Girls would get kinda sassy with me at parties because their boyfriends kept telling me I smelled so good. Lol which goes to show you men's tastes in perfumes on women change too by generation. My mother's bf knew I liked perfumes and bought me White Diamonds. Something HE loved but smells like an older generation to me. I gave it to mom and she likes it. I noticed even the currently popular mens perfumes had a hint of sweet/vanilla. That would've NEVER flown with women when I was about 25. My husband is currently wearing Tobacco Vanille, though, because I got it for him and it doesn't smell too feminine to me NOW. But 17 years ago when we met at 20? I'd have ran for the hills. Lol Juicy Couture was a hit for my generation too, which is about as sweet/fruity as I ever wanted to smell as an adult woman it smelled like a teenager to me because I was a younger teenager when it came out and was the rage. But if you wanted to smell like a grown woman - you'd wear a watery white floral based perfume, Clinque Happy was a hit when I was a kid and still hitting 8 years later, tbh. Because it has that orange blossom I think. Happy is pretty much what they call a "freshie" now. In fact, a TON of freshies in the late 90s that were best sellers when I was a kid. CKI2U. Eternity. Tommy Girl. None sexy, though as they are considered today. Anyway, when the lady at the mall sprayed Libre Intense in my face as I walked by, it took me back to elementary school when we all just wanted to smell like the drugstore/Victoria's Secret sweet bodysprays. Like candy because we were children and children like candy. I was so offended she would spray such a, what I percieved as, "immature" scent in my face that I actually stopped for her and asked, isn't this immature for a grown woman? She told me that, actually, no, the perfume trend had moved from white florals, watery marines, woody, musky, tuberosey scents and grown women were wearing vanilla/sweet scents usually with an amber and sandalwood-like base note at the end. Scents that smell like something you'd eat. I was disgusted at 1st. Lol I asked her to let me smell her top 10ish best sellers and yes they were all vanilla based and/or sweet scents. Burberry Goddess, for example, just smelled like straight up linear Vanilla on top of Vanilla on top of burnt Vanilla. For $50 in 2024 $s! WHY?! You can get that for $7 @ Victoria's Secret! Cloud. Billie Eilish. BR540. They were all giving me cavities. I couldn't pick one I'd actually wear they all smelled too childlike and/or weird (BR540) to me. I asked for something a little more mature and she pulled out Candy by MLL. And I fell in love with this one it smelled the most mature sweet, yet the most gentle, the most elegantly blended. Whomever Michael Malul is, he outdid himself for Candy. He knew he was gonna have to sell to 18 year olds AND Millenials and he struck a perfect balance and I think its because of that rose waaaaayyyy in the back. If little baby elementary school me never rolled with the perfume trend of going from freshies/edibles to watery white florals for women, stuck with sweet/vanilla scents my whole life, and then asked for a VERY luxurious perfume smelling like "Candy" at 30, THIS is exactly what I'd imagine it'd smell like and its even named - "Candy". It does smell really good. I won't deny that. Super expensive too. I was shocked I got it for $50 when I later googled how much it sells for online. I just associate vanilla based scents, no matter how fancy they try to make them, with being a child. And coconut disgusts me yet is in everything now. But since I love rose or tuberose in everything (never coconut or powder though and so many roses have so much powder they smell like my granny and are unwearable - for my age), and although this does not smell like "rose" at all, it smells like it's name - Candy - but I think it's that rose note you cant even pinpoint if you didnt know it was there that makes it go from a 10 year old's to a grown woman's perfume. I'm no expert though it could smell more mature than the other bestsellers because it's blended like a dream. It was one of the more expensive ones and you can tell. It's really one of the most luxurious scents I have in my collection right now. But like I said, I'd never wear something vanilla or sweet to smell sexy...yet somehow this smells sexy like a woman's "Candy". I don't know how ML did it, but he finally 100% sold me on a sweet/vanilla. Even though it's all of the above it doesn't smell like something you'd eat, for example Choco Musk just smells like a cheap bar of milk chocolate to me. This smells like a very sweet vanilla but with a note that also makes it smell ever so lightly like a perfume. Just sweet enough yet blended so good it also smells like an actual perfume - not just like some sweet food. The longevity is great and the silliage is moderate. It lasts until you wash it off your clothes and on your skin it lasts at least 6-8 hours. It sits close, so whoever you want to smell good for, besides yourself, has to come closer and closer to smell you. Very sexy. 10/10 for a sweet vanilla based perfume and trust me that means a lot coming from me who can't wait until the "sweet" and "edible" perfume trend eventually passes and Generation Alpha is smelling BR540, Cloud, Goddess, Eilish, SweetTooth, Tabacco Vanille, etc and calling it "old". 😉 Because that day is coming before you know it. Perfume trends roll like fashion trends and they change from generation to generation. My great grandmother gave me half a bottle of Chanel #5 once, the perfume that REALLY gave birth to all perfume, and I thought "wow that smells just like an old lady". I never expected that and never wore it. Lol but when it 1st come out, everyone's grandmother was getting that as a Christmas present from grandpa...and having 7 kids because of it. Lol anyway, I love this one. Worth alll the $ it cost me.

I just got a travel size of this and my impression is that it’s nice and sweet and lovely. It has some similarity to vanilla woods however I get old ash tray vines from that one that is thankfully not present here. The opening is sweet and smooth. The rose is there but in the background. The opening has the fresh fruits of the quince but it’s not too sharp or juicy. I would describe it more dry and smooth. I also thought the travel size was a nice value and I’m quite happy with my purchase. It was a blind buy that’s to the recommendation of Ilythia from The simple chic life. I do agree this is an excellent wear all year day or night perfume. My husband really likes it, but prefers citizen Jill. They are similar and would layer nicely but that one is more sweet, fresh and juicy with the pear being the main difference in my opinion. They def share a similar dna. Regarding the packaging, I don’t love the full size bottle and I don’t think the name is a great fit either to describe the perfume. But fragrance alone gets 10/10. The atomizer and travel size packaging are nice.

Yes! This is certainly almost identical to Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa 40 Body Mist which I love and I always have a stash of their Bom Dia body care products and also extremely similar to the dry down of Junoon Noir/Dama Bianca. ( I still don't understand how the latters kumquat note is so similar to Cheirosa 40s plum - and also now this!) I do also get the references to Casablanca and Qasamat Ebhar. (Both baked apple type fragrances) But this is a beautiful sweet plummy (quince) -vanilla with better longevity than Cheirosa's body mist and doesn't have the dense mugginess of Junoon Noirs opening (that meant I didn't wear it often). It also has a very pleasant woodiness in the base. The ombre effect bottle is stunning and the overall packaging looks stylish. I'm keen to try some of the other scents now especially, I think its Sugar & Saffron? Bravo Roger Howell. I hadn't heard of this brand before, it doesn't seem to be stocked in UK. Whenever I read the name it makes me want to shout MICHAEL MAROULI in a Rupaul voice! 😂 Impressed with everything about it !

This is such a beautiful scent. When you hear the name “Candy” you may Automatically assume that this perfume is going to be super sickly sweet, which I wouldn’t be mad at I love perfumes like that but this is something just so different than I have smelled before. It’s sweet but it’s also floral and it’s also fruity and citrus. I can especially smell the quince on the initial spray and the dry down is a beautiful vanilla amber on my skin with remnants of the quince. I have over 100 perfumes at this point LOL and I don’t have something quite as like it. If had to compare something maybe Burberry London for women? But this is something so unique and sexy and feminine. The lasting power and Silliage are really great on my skin and I always get compliments whenever I wear it. For me this is a 10/10. :)

I needed to get on here and rave about this perfume immediately. I am so surprised it's not viral on TikTok. This perfume smells so unique. I am not a huge floral girl, but this fragrance is making me second-guess that. The freesia, vanilla, and amber blend so beautifully. The citrus adds fruitiness to the sweet and floral notes and makes it very mature. The fragrance is somehow "soft", yet has amazing projection. I always get sad when my lighter fragrances are skin scents, but that's not a problem with this one. This makes a beautiful scent bubble. I got the Pure Seduction lotion from Victoria's Secret to layer with this because they smell similar. I didn't even realize Pure Seduction had a freesia note in it! Overall, I am beyond happy with this fragrance.

THIS!! Oh my god, I was taken aback, it smells so unique and extraordinary. A cleverly crafted scent that reckoned the sweet innocence painted on her face whilst tied up in a delicate shibari. On the contrary, she's dressed in constricting seductive lingerie to tease the eye. She is a woman, not a girl. She is sly and only a fantasy, not just any man can have her. ... It smelled a lot like apple juice at first which I wasn't a fan of. Over time, it faded into a warm scent that complimented the fragrance. Sweet yet seductive. Mature. Not a hint of youth but also no grannies insight (lol). I can't wait for my next paycheck to splurge on this rare beauty.

This smells almost exactly like the sol de janeiro Brazilian crush 40, the first pink one they came out with with plum and vanilla , the bom dia bright cream. . Can’t believe how similar this is to that . Smells almost identical to vanilla woods from the 7 virtues as well It’s too lite though, I can barely smell it , it’s a skin scent , would love an intense version with more silliage. . It’s sweet, and girly . Great day time scent , I’d say for summer .

A fluffy sweet soft scent that doesn’t overwhelm. Office friendly. Pleasant even in warm weather. Bottle has a great atomizer that disperses such a fine mist it’s hard to overspray. Reminds me of the atomizers from Julianna’s perfumes. This will last a long time due to the atomizer. Bottle is well made and pretty. I think it was overpriced for what it is but I still enjoy my time with it.

This is just like a milkier, more vanilla version of SDJ 40, which is I believe is a more plum version of Vanilla Woods, which is a bit more pear. It's so nice and lovely! I would love a sample of this to decide which I love better: Vanilla Woods, SDJ 40, or this one. I think you really only need one.

The updated bottle is way more pretty.. but this a gorgeous fragrance that sweet frag fans would rave about. This is also one of those special unicorns that can be worn any season, day or night without feeling out of place. And it LASTS. Let's keep it hidden so everyone's not smelling like it.

I LOVE this scent. It was recommended by a salesperson at a perfume store after we'd gone through lots of other gourmands that I'd turned down. This is sweet like frosting, but mature for a woman and not a girl. One application lasts for several hours. So glad I found this.

This is almost identical to cheirosa 40 and mod vanilla. It's not similar to vanilla woods though. I like this, it's feminine and nice. Inoffensive yet unique. But it's very weak. I would suggest to get cheirosa 40 instead as it performs better and is much cheaper.

To my nose, it’s very similar to Casablanca by Swiss Arabian but not as sweet and not as strong. If you want a more affordable option with same scent profile, go for Casablanca. But Candy is indeed a beautiful fragrance!!

Very Gourmand. Not getting “candy” vibes. Smells more like a cobbler with quince instead of peaches. Wish it had a little more longevity. But very good nonetheless.

My friend told me when she smelled this fragrance on me it was like icing! I love how sweet it is, and it lasts a very long time. Very cute scent for younger women.

Im a guy and i love this scent. I love sweet mans fragrances and this is the first woman's that i actually wear. So sweetand amazing sillage

It's smells very pretty but it reminds me too much of Dama Bianca which I already have.

sooo good, smells like black opium

Surprising similarities I tried "173 Candy" and "Dama Bianca" by Xerjoff and I found lot's of similarities: 1. Great plus for "173 Candy" is longevity. "Dama Bianca" lacks that. 2. "173 Candy" dries down with great vanila & powdery notes. "Dama Bianca" have more vanilla and crushed violets notes on dry down. 3. "173 Candy" name is very deceiving, because it is more floral & ambery perfume, then anything fruity-sweet, candy gourmand. 4. “173 Candy” have great freesia notes. My friend, few weeks ago, gave me fresh freesia stems and scent is very similar in this perfume. 5. Sillage with “Candy” is very moderate, not overpowering. “Dama Bianca” invites you almost to lean towards the scent, it is that hardly noticeable. I tried them by pure accident and I would prefer to buy "173 Candy" then "Dama Bianca", because it lasts longer and costs 3 times less. I think “173 Candy” might have a chance to survive this massive perfume avalanche with smell a like flankers. Of course they are different, but at the same time so many components are almost identical.

Received this today, after having a sample for testing. I love this. However...the name "Candy" is not exactly appropriate for this scent IMO. Many may think of sweet....sugary...which this is not. The floral and citrus aspects of this blend are..."wooded". and "musky"...not sweet....kinda resinous....??....There is a "touch" of floral sweetness later/mid-way....thru wearing the scent. I somehow think the quince note is here and adds a unique touch to this blend.....and I do get some ambery/vanilla vibes. So, yeah, I find this in the "unique" category....so far. Edit: After 30 or so minuites on skin...this ends up being a cozy vanilla ...with remnants of quince....IMO.

173 Candy is such a beautiful fragrance. It's light, fluffy, and sweet. The blend smells like powdery cotton candy with layers of juicy fresh quince. The florals in notes are light and soft florals. 173 Candy is the like the mature, flirty, and grown up version of Pink Sugar by Aquolina. Pink sugar has more heavy alcoholic scent in the opening and has a predominant Cotton Candy note. This fragrance will work all year round since it’s not a overwhelming sticky—heavy —sugar scent. The 3.4 FL size bottle is super pretty. It has a gorgeous fine mist spray nozzle that dispenses the perfume like a vintage Atomizer bottle.

Fairly priced milky/fluffy/fruity/vanilla fragrance. Bought for my GF as she likes similar notes, but this one is inoffensive for the office if worn lightly, or a bit more heavily outdoors to outdoor dining in good weather. This scent shines on dry spring days but isn't out of place if worn elsewhere. Price is reasonable for what you get IMO, a lot of these similar scent profiles are extremely synthetic and cloying. I like this as does my GF

I have been so excited to finally try this scent after I saw it promoted on TikTok. I can honestly say I've never smelled anything like it. On me the quince notes dominate throughout the wear (almost like a fruit about to be too ripe), with vanilla, amber, and musk coming through lightly on the dry down underneath the citrus. I got no floral notes. I'm still deciding how I feel about it, but it is absolutely worth a sample!!

A friend gave a bottle of Candy to me and I think it is like a combination of Viva La Juicy and Cheirosa 40 from Sol De Janeiro, plus something a little funky. It is a very sweet, sugary vanilla with creamy white florals and musk. I don't get any citrus from it, but I don't feel like it needs it. The only thing is that the dry down after a few hours is very musky, and the sweetness mixed with that is a little strange, to the point where it smells off. I'm glad I was gifted this perfume because I really enjoy layering it, but I can't wear it on its own due to the dry down.(It smells amazing with Tease from VS!)

Light, fluffy vanilla fragrance. Acts more like a light body spray in its projection, but lasts a very long time. I can detect a whisper of fruitiness, but mostly just vanilla. Not a must-buy, but nice enough if you like vanilla. I don’t find myself reaching for this and would like to rehome it or swap for Dama Bianca if anyone is interested.

It's a beautiful fragrance but nothing unique. I will say this is a safe blind buy very non offensive and not too sweet although it smells a bit synthetic on me. This is one you can safely wear anywhere, I'm undecided on a full bottle purchase as the sillage is too weak for me.

First impession: Very watered down plum-vanilla-flowers. Rather girly, not mature... Subtle

this is weird and not in a good way. it's unique - I don't know what to compare it to. it doesn't smell like frosting to me though. I'm getting mostly ... rose, actually. I don't like this. I would not be happy to sit next to someone smelling like this, and I hope it doesn't stick around on me for too long.

Nope,,,man I dont care for this either. Verrry generic and non descript.

I am a man, but because this is one of the greatest perfumes for women I’ve ever smelled, I had to make this review. I went to Dillard’s to smell a sample of this. I smelled a lot of other women’s fragrances (Miss Dior Rose & Roses, J’adore L’or, Gabrielle Chanel) and they were all great, beautiful perfumes. This one, though, smelled so good, floral, sugary, and clean all at the same time, and I fell in love with it. Of course, my father didn’t really like it that much, so we bought Tom Ford Cafe Rose for my mother instead. Still, this and all of the Chances by Chanel are some of the best women’s perfumes. I agree with another reviewer: don’t be fooled by the word “Candy”. It’s not sickly sweet, very light and floral.

I love that fragrance is fluid and isn't "specifically" for a gender though some may say something leans more fem or masc...that being said....my wife owned this, one day she sprayed me with it, later we LOVED how it did with my skin...needless to say I got a bottle for me. I personally don't feel it's as fem as the votes lead it to be

This is a very nice feminine vanilla, the woody and amber notes give it a drier/minty feeling similar to Eau Duelle by Diptyque or Billie Eilish. It's in no way boozy, masculine or mature, very very feminine

Smells like a much sweeter Version of Dame Bianca. Last much longer too.

This reminds me so much of V&A Orchirdee Vanille

Very weak, don’t waste your money.