Cloud Intense by Ariana Grande

I didn’t like it at all; I can smell a medicinal note, I don’t know which one, but it smells like medicine.

I didn’t find it sweeter than the traditional version; I found it more oriental, reminding me of Kahmra, lots of wood, something like cinnamon at first. Then it blends with the traditional scent, lacking the sharp notes of that one, but I feel it loses charm in this version: it’s more adult, more intense in its notes, but not for me in terms of sweetness or creaminess. It reminds me more of meringue than chantilly; I love dairy notes and I didn’t find them here. I prefer the traditional one, with its flaws :/.

Sweet, creamy and cosy fragrance, without pretensions. It’s easy to wear, uncomplicated and drama-free. It has that comforting vibe of a soft blanket on a quiet afternoon. It’s my ideal perfume for cool days when I want to feel calm without thinking too much.

I also have the original Cloud, which is my favourite perfume, and honestly I ended up a bit disappointed because everything I read said this was better… for me they smell identical. I also don’t feel it lasts longer or has more sillage. Therefore, for me it’s Cloud in a different bottle, luckily I love it. EDIT: I’ve compared it again and honestly it does smell more intense and leaves a trail, but it lasts the same as the original Cloud.

It’s delicate but doesn’t project much; my girlfriend says it smells exactly like Cloud so I believe her.

This is my favourite in the Cloud range. I own all three and this is the one I adore most. It starts with much better longevity and sillage than the original which I find very soft and short-lived. This one lasts a long time. It smells delicate feminine creamy and addictive like a sweet cream with flowers. It’s a combination that hooks you. I’m sure I’ll buy it again when I run out; it’s definitely a favourite.

When applied to skin I notice a lot of milky coconut and whipped cream. It has better longevity than the normal Cloud (lasts 3 hours on me) and I can still smell the Intense after 7 hours without reapplying; very good longevity. The projection is moderate not overwhelming but noticeable. I detect less lavender than the normal version which I prefer. I don’t share the opinion that they are identical; for me the Intense is better. Brief summary of the three: 1.-Cloud: Lots of lavender; I see it as more unisex and versatile for daily wear but it doesn’t last on my skin or project (it shows a bit more on clothes but barely remains compared to other famous perfumes). Would I buy it again? No. 2.-Cloud Pink: Fruity fresh and youthful version for summer a perfect option. The pineapple and some red fruit (perhaps dragon fruit) are noticeable. Longevity was excellent on skin and clothes; projection moderate to low but it feels good up close. Would I buy it again? Yes it’s my favourite. 3.-Cloud Intense: Milky and sweeter with the coconut taking the lead. Excellent longevity on skin and clothes. The trail is moderate; it can be worn day or night in cool weather and if you’re used to sweet summer scents for the evening a few applications go a long way. Would I buy it again? Yes although it might be hard to get.

As a Cloud fan I couldn’t resist. I see the original as lighter fruity and sweet at the start with the BCR medicinal touch more pronounced. Here this one smells creamier and denser. The praline and whipped cream stand out more over the coconut which is more present on my skin in the original. I see the Cloud as brighter and more youthful while the Intense is slightly more mature though not necessarily more sophisticated. For me they are about 80% the same so owning both seems unnecessary. On my skin it projects and lasts a bit longer but without an abyssal difference. It’s versatile though I’d use it more in mornings or afternoons rather than night outings. Conclusions: Do I like it more than the first one? Probably yes; I enjoy both immensely. Is it worth having both? Absolutely not; they are very similar. Is it worth killing myself to get it if it’s difficult? I think not as there isn’t a major difference in scent or performance (in my case). Still I’m happy to have it and know I’ll enjoy it immensely.

Ariana songs I’m into: 0. Ariana perfumes I’m interested in: I didn’t expect this, but after smelling it I want to try them all. On my skin it smells like super sweet yet delicate and spiced cotton candy… it has something I absolutely love. It flatters me, good longevity… The pity is that where I live I can only find it at a high price on an online perfumerie, and as soon as I tried it I wanted another bottle so I wouldn’t run out 🥲 (The Giant Cloud is unnecessary, plus I suspect the cost is rising without need. I’d prefer a finer, less ostentatious bottle).

I haven’t noticed the normal Cloud. But it does resemble Bacarat; I know exactly what and why there’s so much debate. Especially that resinous note like plastic (not in a bad way), it’s different, rich, like a brand new toy.

This is now my signature fragrance. Unlike the regular version, I perceive more woody base notes and a creamier opening. Strong longevity: in hot weather, both I and those around me detect it for over 6 hours. I receive too many compliments. No one has mentioned that it smells ‘feminine’; I consider it 100% unisex.

It’s an improved Cloud, sweeter and more elegant, the adult version of the original. It no longer smells so much of lavender but rather of a coconut, milk, and coffee smoothie with plenty of wood notes. I absolutely love it. It lasts incredibly long on the skin and outperforms the regular Cloud 🍦🥥

Few ‘intense’ perfumes live up to their name, but this one does. It retains the magic of the original Cloud, just more mature and dense, with less lavender and a sweeter touch. It’s not a beast in terms of longevity, but it lasts 6-7 hours compared to the original’s 4-5. The projection is moderate, yet it clings to clothes forever; even after washing and drying, the garment still smells. I liked it very much. Although they are very similar, if I had to choose, I’d go for this one due to its performance.

They say it’s a dupe of BR 540 Extract, but I don’t feel that way. Cloud 2.0 is sweeter and less strident, with its own personality. The original lavender stays in the background; it’s creamier, more consistent, and leans towards lactonic notes; the ambroxan adds formality while coconut takes a back seat. In the dry-down, the woody notes stand out. It’s not a beast in longevity, but it lasts longer than the original and projects better for the first 2-3 hours. If you’re unsure which to buy, go for this: it’s worth it, a jewel that the original lacks.