So last week I saw so much buzz online about Ariana Grande’s Cloud perfume. Everyone kept saying it smells amazing, lasts forever, and is totally worth the money. Seriously? I’ve been burned before by celebrity perfumes that smell like cheap candy and disappear in an hour. But hey, FOMO got me good. I decided to actually buy a bottle and test it myself, properly, not just one sniff at the store.
First Up: Finding the Stuff
Headed to my local Sephora thinking it’d be easy. No kidding! The Cloud display was basically empty – just one lonely travel size left. Guess everybody else had the same idea. The salesperson shrugged and said, “Yeah, it sells out fast.” Had to hunt like treasure – finally snagged a 1.7 oz bottle at Ulta a few days later. Cost me about $70. Ouch. Not cheap for perfume, right? But I was committed now.
The First Spray Test: Kitchen Table Time
Got home, ripped off the plastic wrap. Bottle is… cute? Like a fluffy cloud, kinda plastic-y though. Felt a bit cheap holding it. Spritzed it once on my wrist right there at the kitchen table. First impression? Sweet. Really sweet. Like candy floss mixed with coconut and something kinda smooth underneath. Pleasant? Yeah, kinda. But also… sugary teenager vibes? Hmm. Not totally sold yet.
Wearing it All Day: The Real Test
Next day, proper wear test. Spritzed it on both wrists and my neck before heading out to run errands – groceries, coffee stop, even walked the dog. Here’s the real breakdown:
- First Hour: That sweetness is LOUD. Felt like I was trailing a sugary cloud. Kept sniffing my wrist wondering if it was too much.
- Around Lunchtime (3 hours in): Okay, interesting shift. The heavy sugar calmed down. Started noticing more of a creamy coconut and this smooth, musky scent. Much nicer! Felt softer, closer to the skin.
- Afternoon (5-6 hours later): Seriously surprised me. It was still there! Mostly that creamy, soft musky smell now. Very subtle, but definitely present when I moved my arms. Not shouting, just whispering.
- End of Day (~8 hours): A faint, warm skin scent. Barely there, but I could catch whiffs of it.
What Did Other People Notice?
Made a point to ask. Hubby said, “Yeah, smells nice and sweet,” when I first left the house. Friend at coffee shop said, “Ooh, what is that? Smells kinda coconut-y?” in a good way. Later in the afternoon, nobody mentioned it unless I literally shoved my wrist under their nose – then they got the soft, creamy musk. So, projection definitely fades fast after the first few hours.
So… Was It Actually Worth the $70?
After a full week of wearing it on and off? Here’s my honest take:
- Smell: It’s nice! Very sweet start, dries down to something softer and pleasant. Unique? Not really. But crowd-pleasing? For sure. If you love sweet scents, you’ll likely enjoy it.
- Longevity: This impressed me. Lasted decently long, especially for a celeb perfume at this price point. Definitely didn’t vanish instantly like some others I’ve tried. Staying power is good, not legendary.
- Value: Tough one. $70 is steep. You’re paying for the bottle design and Ariana’s name, no doubt. But… for how long it lasted and how inoffensive it is, I don’t feel totally ripped off.
Final verdict? It’s… fine. If you adore super sweet scents and want something that lingers a while, you might think it’s worth it. If you hate sugary perfumes or are on a tight budget? Nah, skip it. There are probably cheaper alternatives that smell similar. Happy I tried it, won’t be rushing to buy a backup bottle though!
