Shopping
Women in their 60s say this surprising scent gets them endless compliments
Like any good shopping editor, millennial and lover of stuff, I spend a concerning amount of time hunting for product recommendations. One day, I was mindlessly scrolling through one of my private Facebook groups for beauty lovers, and a woman in her 60s decided to share her new signature scent: Ariana Grande’s Cloud perfume. Since that first spritz, she’s received endless compliments and “refuses” to wear anything else. Soon after she posted, dozens of others commented under the post, echoing her statement, including older women. Clearly, this isn’t just a perfume for your daughter.
This fruity gourmand scent was first released in 2018 and has only grown in popularity.
Everyone knows that one of the easiest ways to turn heads when you walk into a room — and make a lasting impression — is with your scent. There’s science behind it: A 2010 study in the American Journal of Psychology found that certain smells can influence memories, making them significantly more emotionally evocative and positive. Meanwhile, a 2021 study suggests that scent can trigger intense memories and emotions thanks to the connection between the olfactory system and the brain’s hippocampus (where all of our memories, pleasure, pain and motivation hang out). Basically, when someone says that a scent gets them tons of compliments, it’s worth a listen.
OK, back to Ari’s perfume. According to fans, Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum is more than your run-of-the-mill celebrity perfume. It’s also a big hit on TikTok and Reddit. The scent is sensual, happy, refreshing and soft. It features top notes of lavender blossom, juicy pear and bergamot. Then, you get a sweet mixture of whipped cream, praline, coconut and vanilla orchid, followed by familiar musk and woody notes. On top of that, the glass bottle is an actual cloud. So cute!
Thousands upon thousands of Amazon, Sephora and Ulta shoppers have given the fragrance a perfect five-star review. In fact, one Amazon shopper said it’s the “perfect” alternative to the (very) expensive Baccarat Rouge 540 ($210).
“My granddaughter wears this and I loved it so much that I ordered it for myself,” shared a five-star Amazon reviewer. “Her mother did as well. People stop me to find out what it is because they love it. Light but long-lasting. I will be ordering again.”
“My favorite perfume ever,” said another customer. “Smells so good and lasts all day. My clothes still smell like it even after washing. Love it sooo much.”
“Best way to describe this is clean sweet,” explained a Cloud fan. “I usually go for scents with orange blossom in them like La Vie est Belle, but this I surprisingly like. It’s great for an office type of vibe but you can wear it out too in a grown and sexy way. It lasts long … but not too much to where you get a headache.”
“I will say, it’s not very strong in my opinion, after I spray it I don’t [smell] it too much,” cautioned this buyer. “It lasts pretty well on clothing and in your hair, less on your skin. Ariana makes some really good perfumes and this isn’t any different. It’s a perfume that in my opinion could be worn by any age. It’s not super overly mature, but it’s not childish either.”
“I am not huge on sweet smells, I hate cotton candy-smelling perfumes,” said this convert. “This is a great sweet scent. It has a great mix of fruity and creamy smell that isn’t overpoweringly sweet and is light but stays with you.”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.