Wild Candy by Mancera

Of all the Manceras, this is the one I use the least. It’s rich, but it dries down quickly with tonnes of musk. It’s very similar to Velvet Vanille, though the latter is sweeter, more special and playful. I’ll definitely stick with Velvet.

Wow, this tastes good! At the opening, the frangipani is strong and reminds me of Yves Rocher’s Monoi; in 5 seconds it changes to a Butterfinger-style chocolate with salted peanut butter that lasts 3-5 minutes. Then the fruity notes come out mixed with rose, vanilla, sandalwood and musk. For now, I don’t smell coconut. It’s a nice little sweet, nothing cloying. As I hate sweet perfumes, this doesn’t bother me much. It’s not the big deal due to its simplicity, like a Will Smith song, but it is tasty. I’ll update later on its behaviour and longevity. I tested it with 7 sprays: it’s a pleasant and feminine scent, and I still don’t perceive the coconut. Longevity: my 2021 bottle lasted little, about 4 hours. Sillage and projection: low for the first hour and then skin scent. The scent is pleasant, but I think it’s not worth it because it’s simple and cheap to get, plus it projects almost nothing. My 2021 bottle will cost me leaving it to macerate for a few months to see how it goes. I’ll update again if I see changes.

I agree with the good reviews. It’s hard to describe: like chocolate fondue and fruits, an expensive body cream. I bought it blind and at first it left me cold, no fireworks. Over time, I’ve grown to like it; it’s different and delightful, but it’s not my favourite from the house. I expected more chocolate, only noticing it at the start. It’s like a mousse for the body: expensive, sexy, but in its dry-down it’s very similar to Velvet Vanille due to the characteristic overdose of musk. Is it worth owning both? Yes, if you enjoy hyper-sweet scents that are distinct at the start but identical at the end. I feel this is more natural than Velvet, though less potent than Wild Candy. I enjoy it at a good price, but I wouldn’t repurchase because it doesn’t ‘kill’ me. It’s not gourmand due to the sweet, fruity musk in the dry-down. There are better options from this house.

Not worth the hype on YouTube. If you already own several Manceras, it won’t clash, but if this is your first Mancera, don’t go for it. Unless you can find it on offer for 80 quid, don’t even think about it. There are better options. Of the ones I own: Velvet Vanille is the brown beast, Roses Vanille is more elegant with more rose, and the underrated Coco Vanille is the best for me. Choco Violet smells like wheat and cereal later on. With this house, there’s no going back, but there are occasional let-downs. I know it’s hard to try them, but don’t let yourselves be fooled; read reviews and test them.

I like it very much. Although it’s compared to tropical flowers and vanilla, it’s more complex. It’s not elegant, but it is of high quality, relaxed and informal. The opening is not alcoholic; it’s delicious and almost edible, like Nutella or chocolate with nuts. Soon it develops tropical floral nuances, with frangipani as the star. Eventually, it becomes musky. In summer, I notice the tropical side more; in winter, the creamy aspect. It’s versatile: cosy in the cold and delicious in spring or summer evenings. Good projection and lasts around 10 hours. It’s cheerful, well-blended and suitable for informal situations where you want to feel quality. It’s not extremely novel or seductive, but it’s for enjoying without pretensions. Screw-top cap. Scent 8.5/10, Longevity 10/10, Sillage 8/10, Value for money 7/10, Packaging 7.5/10. Would I buy again? Yes.

Unfortunately, it’s not long-lasting on my skin. I’ve given it several chances and I’m glad I only have one decant: it disappears after 3 hours and stays close to the skin. I love the blend and I detect a discrete, delicious chocolate that accompanies it well. I think it’s attractive for daily wear in any season, but I don’t like that it vanishes so quickly. It’s not the first time a Mancera has faded on my skin. I recommend testing before buying blind, as the value for money might not suit you.

At first, I thought it was a summer scent, but its dry-down is more tropical thanks to the fruits and coconut; it reminds me of the beach, yet as it settles it becomes sweet without being cloying, very linear. It smells like a cappuccino with vanilla and a hint of coconut, hard to define. In winter it’s a delight: in the cold, people can smell it from metres away, and I can detect it all day, even the next day. It lasts forever on clothes, even after washing scarves. I’m not bothered by this sweetness because very sweet perfumes give me headaches.

What a delight! Wild Candy is sweet, creamy and velvety, with no sharp notes. Its evolution is linear, smelling of luxurious body cream with little fruits, frangipane, milk chocolate and coconut, all whipped up like a mousse. It’s a light, distant chocolate. Perhaps the frangipane and musk create that exotic yet cheerful sensation. I’d wear it for daytime, eating out or work; it’s not elegant, but fun and easy. It works brilliantly in winter, autumn or fresh spring days. It has a brutal sillage and lasts around 11 hours. I absolutely love it, although on one friend it smells of chocolate and on another it has a sour touch that I don’t detect. It varies depending on the skin. Scent: 8/10, Sillage: 9/10, Longevity: 9/10.