I am officially at the age where my bank account and my taste in perfume are constantly at war. Usually, my nose wins, and I end up staring at a two-hundred-dollar bottle of something that smells like a rainy day in Paris. But when I saw Lattafa Yara Candy trending for under twenty bucks, my skepticism was at an all-time high. Can a perfume that costs less than my lunch actually stay on my skin for more than five minutes? I decided to risk my twenty dollars to find out.
Strawberry Dreams and Pink Bottles
First off, let's talk about the aesthetic. The bottle is unapologetically pink, chunky, and looks like it belongs on the vanity of a 2000s pop star. It is not "quiet luxury," and that is perfectly okay. When I first sprayed it, the Strawberry Fizz Candy note hit me like a tidal wave of nostalgia. It does not smell like a cheap body spray, though. There is a syrupy richness from the Vanilla Syrup and Blackcurrant that makes it feel slightly more sophisticated than a literal bag of gummies. It opens with a zingy Green Mandarin that keeps the sugar from being too cloying, then settles into this creamy, musky berry vibe that feels like a warm hug.
The Grocery Store Compliment Test
I put this to the ultimate test: a chaotic Saturday morning involving a gym session (don't judge, I spray perfume everywhere), a crowded grocery store, and a coffee date. Usually, fruity "cheapie" scents evaporate the second I step into the humidity, but Lattafa Yara Candy stayed put. While I was hovering over the avocados, a woman actually stopped me to ask what I was wearing. Imagine her face when I told her it was a nineteen-dollar Amazon find. It has that "expensive" sweetness that reminds me of much higher-end gourmand fragrances without the soul-crushing price tag.
- Wear Time: I got a solid 6 hours on my skin, and I could still smell it on my hoodie the next morning.
- Pigment Payoff: Not applicable here, but the scent "payoff" is immediate—one spray is plenty.
- Hydration Levels: The oil-based feel of the Amber and Sandalwood dry down feels high quality and doesn't dry out my skin.
The Final Verdict
If you are someone who hates sweet scents or wants to smell like a literal forest, please look away. This fragrance is for the girls who want to smell like dessert, pink clouds, and happiness. For $19.87, the value is honestly ridiculous. It is the perfect everyday scent for when you want to save your "fancy" perfumes for a special occasion but still want to be the person who smells the best in the room. It’s fun, it’s playful, and it’s a total mood lifter.
Who Should Buy This:
- Gourmand lovers who want to smell like a Strawberry Fizz dream.
- Anyone on a budget who still wants a fragrance with actual staying power.
- People who love layering scents—this would be incredible over a basic vanilla body butter.
Who Should Skip This:
- Anyone who prefers "clean girl" or earthy, woody scents.
- People who find very sweet, candy-like notes overwhelming.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren