Have you tried Prada’s latest fragrance, Paradoxe? If you’re wondering whether it lives up to the hype, I’m sharing my honest thoughts about the perfume below. I bought it soon after it dropped, and after finishing the bottle recently, I thought I’d share how I found using it, how long it lasts and whether it’s worth it.

If you haven’t yet smelt it, maybe you’ve seen the lauded campaign that came along with it when it was released back in 2022. Not only did it feature Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, but with it she made her directorial debut. Speaking about working with the luxury brand, she told WWD: “I think it was serendipitous that Prada came to me with this project. It was around the time when I had decided in my heart, and my head, that I wanted to direct something. I found the concept of being a woman who’s a paradox so interesting.”

In a press release, Prada explained: “For her involvement in the Prada Paradoxe campaign, Emma Watson made a single request—to direct the film herself.

“Watson’s directorial debut is an empowered celebration of what it means to be a living paradox. She breaks the mold of the muse to be both in front of and behind the lens, writing her own script and narrating her story, redefining codes to represent her most authentic self.”

The fragrance comes in a triangular bottle just like Prada’s iconic logo, and in keeping with Watson’s passions, it’s been created with sustainability in mind. Paradoxe is refillable, with a 100ml top-up available the first refillable fragrance created by the label.

“It’s much more sensorial and emotional and memory-based,” Watson adds. “It’s not about achieving beauty, it’s actually much more intimate and personal. It’s about the relationship that a woman has with herself.”

So does it live up to the hype? Below, you’ll find my honest review of the designer’s latest scent. On a budget? Next, check out the best dupes for Prada Paradoxe.

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What does Prada Paradoxe smell like?

Created by perfumers Nadège Le Garlantezec, Shyamala Maisondieu and Antoine Maisondieu, the fragrance itself includes ethically-sourced ingredients, including Moroccan neroli oil.

Its top notes are Pear, Tangerine and Bergamot, the middle notes are Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac and Neroli Essence, and its base notes are Amber, White Musk, Benzoin and Bourbon Vanilla. According to Fragrantica, its main accords are white floral, citrus, amber, sweet, vanilla and fruity. On first sniff, there’s no denying that this is a sweet scent. If you’re a fan of Viktor Rolf’s Flowerbomb, you’ll love this.

Prada Paradoxe, from £65 at LookFantastic

Prada Paradoxe: Review

I have a slight obsession with everything that Prada does, so when I heard about the new fragrance I couldn’t help but be a little excited. That’s not to say buying it was a given; I don’t actually own anything from Prada, I just appreciate it from afar. However when I first smelt it, I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not wowed by many fragrances, particularly luxury perfumes that I never feel live up to the hype. One of my favourites and a particularly popular fragrance is Viktor Rolf’s Flowerbomb, which I wore religiously for over a decade.

In the pandemic, I put perfume to one side as an expense I didn’t really need. I’ve been looking for a new fragrance since then however, and after one smell, I thought I might have found it…so when I was travelling back from Berlin the day after its release, I purchased a bottle at Duty Free.

Firstly, the bottle feels luxurious and makes for a gorgeous addition to any night stand. I know it shouldn’t make a difference, but it does. Shaped in the iconic Prada triangle, it feels stylish and exclusive. The fragrance itself isn’t too overpowering, but smells delicious. If you like floral fragrances, it’s definitely for you and it has lasting power too, without smelling too overpowering. My mum rang me after trying it to tell me she’d put it on in the morning and after a full day of doing the gardening, she could still smell it in the evening!

It quickly became my daytime fragrance. It feels fresh and sweet and I particularly love that it’s refillable too, as it always feels like such a waste binning beautiful bottles when you reach the end of a perfume. I have to say, I’m sold on Prada’s new perfume. I think I’ve found my new favourite fragrance, and I think you’ll love it too. If you don’t like sweet perfumes though, perhaps this one isn’t for you.

Prada Paradoxe rating

Since the launch of the perfume, it’s amassed thousands upon thousands of reviews online. The rating? A very high 4.9.

Many users speak highly of the fragrance. One review says, “Absolutely stunning perfume, I bought it for my Mum and she wears it everyday. The price was fantastic and well worth it.” Another adds, “My new favorite scent. And I cannot tell you about the longevity!!!”

From my personal POV, I’d give this a solid 4.5. It lasts a seriously long time and I absolutely love the vanilla scent. It’s cheaper than some other designer scents, and it makes me feel really feminine when I wear it.

Similar fragrances

If you like this one, you’ll love these similar fragrances.

Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml, £98.90, Sephora buy now

If you like the Amber notes of Prada Paradoxe, you’ll love Coco Mademoiselle. This iconic scent has top notes of Orange, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot and Orange Blossom, middle notes of Turkish Rose, Jasmine, Mimosa and Ylang-Ylang, and base notes of Patchouli, White Musk, Vanilla, Vetiver, Tonka Bean and Opoponax, which create a sweet, citrusy scent.

Viktor Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum 30ml, £52, LookFantastic buy now

Another sweet scent, this has been my personal favourite for years. It’s fruity, with top notes of Tea, Bergamot and Freesia, base notes of Sambac Jasmine, Cattleya Orchid and Centifolia Rose, and base notes of Amber, Cashmeran, Patchouli.

DIOR J’adore Eau de Parfum 100ml, £137, Sephora buy now

Dior’s J’adore has similar white floral notes to Prada’s Paradoxe. It boasts top notes of Pear, Melon, Magnolia, Peach, Mandarin Orange and Bergamot, middle notes Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Tuberose, Freesia, Rose, Orchid, Plum and Violet, and base notes of Musk, Vanilla, Blackberry and Cedar. 

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum 150ml, £124, LookFantastic buy now

This sweet scent is super similar to Prada’s Paradoxe. It has top notes of Pear and Blackberry, middle notes of Pallida Iris Concrete, Orange Blossom and Jasmine Sambac Absolutes, and a base note of Heart of Patchouli Essence.

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