Fragrance Notes
From the first impression to the lasting trail.
Top notes
The first impression
Heart notes
The character of the scent
Base notes
The lasting impression
Notes unfold and overlap differently on every skin.
Occasions & Seasons
Climate Performance
Avg 7 / 10Expert Analysis
A youthful, whimsical fruity-gourmand with a touch of dark chocolate, designed for the modern princess.
Its sweet and fruity notes can be pleasant in warm, dry weather, but should be used sparingly in high humidity to avoid cloyingness.
Versus Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy for another popular youthful gourmand.
Can be dismissed as too juvenile or overtly sweet by those seeking more sophisticated fragrances.
The Vera Wang Princess Review
When a fragrance achieves the kind of ubiquity that Princess has, cynicism is the easy response. The harder — and more honest — question is: why? What is it about this EDT from Vera Wang that has made it a fixture in so many wardrobes across continents? Released in 2006, Princess built its following on fruity, vanilla, and years on, it has not lost a step.
A youthful, whimsical fruity-gourmand with a touch of dark chocolate, designed for the modern princess.
Princess Notes Breakdown
Princess opens with water lily, apricot, apple and mandarin orange — the first impression as it hits the skin. Once that burns off, usually inside the first half hour, the heart turns to dark chocolate, guava, tiare flower and tuberose. Hours in, what remains is the foundation: vanilla, amber and woodsy notes.
Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads fruity, vanilla — easy to place and easy to wear.
Performance: Longevity, Sillage & Versatility
Longevity (6/10): Princess delivers moderate longevity for EDT. On most skin types expect 5–8 hours. A midday touch-up is rarely necessary but can extend the experience on special occasions.
Sillage (5/10): Princess projects at a social distance, noticeable without overwhelming. Application to pulse points — wrists, neck, and behind the ears — maximises projection without overwhelming the room.
Versatility (8/10): Princess is a genuine all-rounder — at ease at a wedding, a boardroom meeting, or a late-night dinner. From casual daytime to formal evening, it adapts without feeling out of place.
Value (9/10): At around $20, Princess delivers significantly more than its price tag suggests — one of the better value propositions in its category.
How Princess Handles Heat, Humidity & Cold
Of the five climate zones we score, Princess does best in mild (Islamabad, San Francisco) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast.
Its sweet and fruity notes can be pleasant in warm, dry weather, but should be used sparingly in high humidity to avoid cloyingness.
Its average across all five zones is 7/10 — broad enough to wear most of the year without second-guessing the weather.
To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.
Best Occasions & Seasons
Princess is best suited to Daily, Casual, School, Daytime. The intimate projection makes it particularly suited to close encounters — dates, small gatherings, and one-on-one settings where a lighter touch is the right call.
Seasonally, Princess performs best in Spring, Summer, Fall. Its climate scores confirm this seasonal guidance — the fragrance handles temperature transitions with composure.
Versus Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy for another popular youthful gourmand.
Princess Price Guide
Internationally, Princess sits at $20–$40. That is a genuinely accessible price point — a bottle that can be worn daily and repurchased without ceremony.
Regional pricing: PKR 5,500–11,000 in Pakistan, AED 70–150 in the UAE, ₹1,700–₹3,500 in India. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.
Where to buy: Internationally: Sephora. GCC/UAE: Sephora, Faces. Pakistan: Scentsation, Naheed.
Verdict
Princess earns its place in the conversation through consistent performance, a clear identity, and data that backs the reputation.
An overall 7/10 puts Princess in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.
Can be dismissed as too juvenile or overtly sweet by those seeking more sophisticated fragrances.
Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Princess last?
Princess has a longevity score of 6/10. On average skin, expect 5–8 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.
Is Princess worth the price?
At around $20, Princess by Vera Wang is an excellent value for its price category. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a strong value proposition.
What does Princess smell like?
Princess is characterised by fruity, vanilla accords. Opening with water lily and apricot, the heart revolves around dark chocolate and guava, settling into a base of vanilla and amber.
Is Princess good for hot or humid weather?
Princess handles warm weather adequately (score: 6/10). It performs reliably through a typical hot season without requiring adjustment.
Is Princess for men or women?
Princess is marketed as a Feminine fragrance. The composition, while marketed to women, has qualities that cross traditional boundaries — nuance and restraint rather than sweetness and convention.