Toy by Moschino

Jesus Christ! It’s been said a thousand times, but the weapon of mass destruction this teddy bear carries is strong. You expect a soft musk like spiced cedar with a citrus touch, something for after a shower with a comforting scent. Nothing like that. It smells like a mix of Mugler Womanity and Calvin Klein Crave: oily, muddy, sticky, heavily herbal, ultra-spicy, vivid and with a smell of molluscs, Oriental stews and birdseed. It’s like being inside a pet shop with scraps of a thousand things: eyes, herbs, medicines, furs, parrot food, feathers, hamsters, infusions… I was gifted it months ago and hadn’t even taken it out. The other day I wore it to work without testing it (just five sprays) and I spent the morning in agony. People, used to my cold and woody perfumes, when they realised it was me would say: ‘It doesn’t suit you at all!’. It’s very masculine, nothing unisex, but modern masculine, eccentric, bizarre and chaotic. I’d give anything to swap it or sell it, although the bottle has a certain camp charm. It’s discontinued and didn’t sell cheaply as it was a unique 50ml edition. PS: The trail is nuclear and the longevity is good; three hours later you still get electric bursts from the neck. For lovers of histrionic perfumes, it could be the fragrance of any RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant… Sashay Away!

The teddy bear’s innocence is inversely proportional to the scent: it’s a bomb! If you think it smells like a baby… well, it doesn’t here. Very long-lasting with an overwhelming trail (just two sprays), unisex but leaning towards masculine. It suits my husband perfectly, less so me. It’s fresh spicy, slightly citrusy at first, then cardamom, lavender and cedar take centre stage: a clean smell but not ‘that’ clean. It lasts a very long time (6-8 hours). Don’t buy it blindly; it’s a surprise. In Argentina it’s expensive and only comes in 50ml, so I wouldn’t buy it again. Point in its favour: it’s not overdone; if you want to stand out with something original, this is it.

I adore this fragrance; it’s unthinkable to discover a herbal woody scent in such a peculiar bottle that evokes fireworks. One would expect a sweet fruity juice radiating joy, but what a surprise… Bergamot, juniper berries, cardamom, moss and cedar are the notes that stand out. It doesn’t feel like the Moschino signature style, but rather formal lines akin to Hermes, Prada or Loewe, which makes the mismatch between the packaging and the aroma all the more curious. My only gripe is the 50ml format is far too small for such a tremendous presentation, but who cares, after all Moschino is unpredictable.

There’s a contrast between the beautiful bottle and the scent: strong citronella, woody, with rich cedar. It’s unisex, but I smell it more like a man’s due to the strength of the fragrance: citrusy and woody, very rich at first, but if you apply 3 or more sprays it becomes overwhelming. Personally I apply 2 and that’s enough. Excellent longevity and trail: about 6 hours, once I reached 8 and I have a strong pH. It’s not for everyone, it must be tested on skin; it’s a slightly incense-like scent, fun yet very serious at the same time.

It arrived late but it’s worth it. I’m dying to try it; I’m a fan of cute plushies, though not all of them (I find the brand with the bear logo disgusting, like Tous). I adore Moschino, so I feel I must own this bear, sorry, this TOY. Update: it has mandarin, berries, bergamot, lavender, nutmeg, violet petals, moss, sandalwood and vanilla. A citrus, woody and floral aroma. I thought it would be more floral-fruitier like the Cheap & Chic ones, but it’s nice to evolve 😉

Fascinating and beautiful; I absolutely love it. It lingers on the clothes of whoever is standing next to you, and the next day people ask: ‘What perfume are you wearing?’ It’s my number one.

Extremely aromatic; don’t be fooled by its cuteness 🤣 it doesn’t smell of little candies, it’s a unisex scent very reminiscent of Gris Charnel.