I think I say this every time I review a Prada fragrance, but as far as designer brands go, they are arguably one of the most consistent in terms of a high-quality fragrance output. Not only do they work exclusively with one perfumer (the insanely talented Daniela Andrier) they also have a distinct house style – a signature centred on the luxurious note of iris. So yes, Prada fragrances are a cut above the rest and with their two flagships, La Femme & L’Homme Prada, this noble house has created two distinct reference points that epitomise the spirit of the brand.
This Spring (believe it or not, it’s almost Spring) La Femme & L’Homme Prada are receiving the ‘L’Eau treatment’ with two Eau de Toilette flankers that celebrate the classic style of these fragrances in a more transparent way – just in time for warmer times, if such times ever arrive that is! La Femme L’Eau and L’Homme L’Eau both remain faithful to the signatures that make them each so distinct and so Prada, yet they have a new-found buoyancy and liveliness that allows them to be two of the easiest, breeziest Prada fragrances yet.
Prada La Femme L’Eau
The Notes
Top: Mandarin Essence, Green Notes
Heart: Frangipani Flower, Ylang-Ylang
Base: Tuberose, Sandalwood
How Does it Smell?
La Femme Prada is a big, buxom and booming floral oriental with bold, bombastic notes of frangipani, tuberose, ylang-ylang, beeswax and vanilla. All of this is served in Prada’s effervescent and luxurious style. For L’Eau, La Femme has been lightened and expanded to create a glistening floral that is evocative of a summer’s day. The opening is clean and fresh with juicy mandarin and crisp green notes. The florals in the heart are golden and bright with a sweet, watery aroma that gives the impression of white petals soaked in dew.
In the dry down, La Femme Prada L’Eau floats softly into an embrace of neroli and musk, with supporting softness from tuberose and sandalwood. The result is a delicate floral blend that is simply gorgeous. To me, La Femme Prada L’Eau is the smell of rose gold gleaming in the bright mid-morning sun. It’s one of those fragrances that just smells pretty and it is incredibly versatile too, with a casual air that is calm and dressed down, but also an understated beauty that would allow it to be worn with something more formal. La Femme Prada may make a bold statement but L’Eau should not be underestimated – there’s plenty of understated beauty to behold.
Prada L’Homme L’Eau
The Notes
Top: Mandarin Essence, Green Notes
Heart: Iris, Red Ginger, Neroli
Base: Amber, Sandalwood
How Does it Smell?
L’Homme Prada twists the woody and fougere genres by squeezing in a big dose of powdery iris to create a masculine fragrance that does not shy away from softness. In this L’Eau version, L’Homme Prada softens further, presenting an unconventional summer fragrance that does not focus on aquatic notes and instead centres on the coolness of iris. The top notes are bright and fizzy with mandarin essence and green notes, tying the themes of the masculine and the feminine L’Eau’s together. The result is less sparkling than La Femme L’Eau and more cooling, paving the way for the cold, woollen iris that is the striking signature at the heart of L’Homme Prada L’Eau.
Once it dries down, L’Homme Prada L’Eau actually starts to warm up a bit with both amber and sandalwood coming together to extend the smooth texture of the scent but also to introduce warmth and sweetness. All together L’Homme Prada L’Eau smells like a finely cut t-shirt in a grey marl fabric – not your typical summer, white t-shirt scent. It’s a subversive summer scent that does not follow the codes of what one would usually wear – it’s not particularly refreshing, nor is it ice cold, instead it’s a remarkably light take on something that is wholly and entirely Prada. Which is always a good thing if you ask me.
Discover More:
• Discovering Versace Dylan Blue Pour Femme
• Our Fragrance Expert reviews Prada La Femme Intense and L’Homme Intense
