I’m not afraid to say it: I’ve spent hundreds—and then some—chasing my favorite compliment of all time: “OMG, you smell amazing!” I want strangers to chase me down the street and beg me to tell them what perfume I’m wearing. I want people to ask, “What are you wearing?” so they can buy the same one for their wives, sisters, best friends. But most of all, I want him to notice. My fiancé is the one whose validation I crave the most—and ironically, he’s also the hardest to impress when it comes to scent.
Sometimes, I fall head over heels for scents that don't earn me a single compliment. (I'm looking at you, Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl—the perfume everyone told me would be like catnip for my partner.) They don't jive with my skin chemistry, I guess. Or perhaps the projection isn't strong enough for other people to really pick up on them. Other times, I'll spritz something I feel totally "meh" about—Pink Sugar, Mugler Angel, and Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow—but somehow earn surprise compliments here and there.
However, after years of trial and error (and lots of $$$), I’ve finally found "the one." I love it, people notice it, and it lasts all day. I’ve had coworkers stop me mid-exit to say, “Whatever perfume you’re wearing—it’s divine.” And most importantly, even my fiancé, who rarely comments on my perfumes, told me that I smell "incredible."
Ladies and gentlemen, the name of this delectable perfume is Prada Paradoxe Intense. It has strangers knocking others over to compliment me. It has boyfriends and husbands asking me where they can purchase her for their partners. Dare I say, it's the best perfume I've ever worn.
Prada Paradoxe Intense Eau de Parfum
What does Prada Paradoxe Intense smell like?
Key notes: Pear, neroli, bergamot, jasmine, moss, bourbon vanilla, amber
So, how did I discover this gem? I caught a whiff of it after hugging a friend at her birthday dinner. And I was instantly hooked. The scent was rich and candy-sweet without being cloying. Not one to gatekeep, my friend told me she was wearing “Prada Paradoxe, but not the regular one, the ‘Intense’ version.”
Yes, there’s a “regular” Paradoxe, though I haven’t tried it myself. From what I’ve heard, it’s a little softer, a little less powerful. Multiple Cosmo editors have actually worn it on their wedding day because it's simplistic and pretty, but also feels special and luxe. But the whole "intense" thing really changes how my fave smells.
According to Prada, Paradoxe Intense Eau de Parfum has notes of "neroli bud, amber, and musk." Upon first spray, it smells like airy, elegant white florals with a luxurious veil of vanilla. Once it settles down, it smells like sugared grapes kissed with creamy vanilla.
Does Prada Paradoxe Intense last long?
Prada wasn’t kidding when it called this perfume “intense.” You don’t need more than two sprays, or else it can get overpowering. The first time I wore it, I oversprayed, and consequently, I was hounded by wasps and bees—and my brutally honest mother told me that I smelled good, but I needed to tone it down. Lesson learned.
Prada suggests spraying it on the creases of your knees and your elbows, as your body’s warmth is the “key to unlocking [the fragrance’s] full potential.” As someone who spritzes perfume on her wrists (Prada says that wrist application isn’t ideal because the scent won’t last after handwashing), I followed Prada’s suggestion. After spending eight hours at work, and another hour on the dreaded New York City subway, I was surprised to hear so many compliments—from strangers and friends alike.
The scent lingers in the room even when I leave, revealing its excellent sillage. I can even smell it on my clothes several days later. It’s got impressive projection too. At a wedding in Italy, a woman sitting two seats away from me said, “Someone smells good here!” After realizing it wasn’t the person sitting in between us (sorry, dude), she smelled me and said, “Aha! It’s you!”
Prada Paradoxe Intense cons
A nod to Prada’s iconic motif, Paradoxe Intense sports a triangular shape, which is designed to sit on its side. It’s minimal and dainty, but I prefer my perfumes to sit upright for the sake of easy storage. The grapefruit-esque color in the bottle, however, is visually interesting on any shelf.
Another drawback of Prada Paradoxe Intense is the price. I bought the 1.7 oz bottle for just over $100, which isn’t exactly pocket change. Still, a little goes a long way. I’ve had it since early August, and two months later, about 70 percent of the bottle is still untouched.
The cheapest bottle (the 1 oz variant) will set you back $115, but suffice to say, it's worth the splurge. (Or, at the very least, the $39 trial.) If you, like me, have been on the hunt for compliments on how good you smell, Prada Paradoxe Intense won’t let you down.
Shop all of the Prada Paradoxe perfumes:
Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum with White Musk and Amber
Prada Paradoxe Virtual Flower Eau de Parfum with Musk and Jasmine
Prada Paradoxe Radical Essence Parfum with Sandalwood & Salted Pistachio
Kimberly Gedeon is a tech commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she explores the latest in consumer tech, from laptops and phones to smart glasses and smart home devices.With more than a decade of journalism experience, including bylines at Laptop Mag, Mashable, and Tom’s Guide, she brings sharp insight and hands-on expertise to every review. Outside of testing gadgets, Kimberly can be found gaming on her Asus ROG Ally X, binging reality TV (Love Island, anyone?), or obsessing over the latest skincare tech trends. You can find Kimberly's work in Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, and more.
