THEODOROS KALOTINIS
COTTON CANDY x UNIVERE

2024

PERFUMER
Theodoros Kalotinis

cotton candy
caramel
vanilla
musk

Made in collaboration with Univere Parfumerie

‘From the first notes, Cotton Candy captivates the senses with its addictive and sensual blend. Delicate accords of spun sugar and vanilla blend to create a captivating symphony that envelops the skin in a sweet veil, awakening the sweetest memories of childhood…’ – Univere

This is a guilty pleasure type of fragrance. As the name suggests, this is for gourmand lovers.

To be frank, I did not expect to be the target audience for a cotton candy fragrance (I know my pink oodie pictured above suggests otherwise). From the first spray however, this was different than the name suggests to me. Caramel and vanilla are listed as notes and to me, this doesn’t really smell like the cotton candy I’m used to. I know there’s vanilla flavored cotton candy, which may be closer.

It does have a ‘candied’ element to be sure, and it’s sugary, but this is not a full-on sugar blast, nor does it have a remotely common experience to Baccarat Rouge (some of you were asking). I get fluffy, foamy, caramelized or burnt sugar, even a tad nutty, whipped cream vibes mixed with the marshmallowy brighter candy essence.

Somewhere halfway between putting your nose in a bag of marshmallows and fragrances in the direction of Masque Milano Madeleine.

Does it end up smelling more like pure coumarin and some caramel? Sure, and I prefer the opening minutes over the rest of the wear. I don’t know much about making perfumes, but this seems like one of the less complicated (and affordable) recipes I’ve reviewed in a while. But for under a €100, it provides just the guilty pleasure that I’m sure the people that are eyeing this release are looking for. Fun for the whole family.