As a long-time beauty blogger and fragrance aficionado, I’m always on the hunt for standout scents that make a lasting impression. When MAC released their Shadescents collection a few years back, inspired by their most iconic lipstick shades, I was immediately intrigued. After giving the lineup a thorough test run, one fragrance emerged as a clear favorite – Creme d’Nude. Today, I want to dive deep into what makes this perfume so special and share insights from other beauty lovers who have fallen under its spell.
The Scent Profile
Let’s start with the most important aspect of any fragrance – the scent itself. Creme d’Nude is described by MAC as a “creamy floral scent” with notes of vanilla, musk, and amber. And I have to say, they nailed that description.
From the first spritz, you’re enveloped in a cloud of warm, sensual vanilla with an undercurrent of clean musk. It’s sweet without being cloying, and has a certain elegance that sets it apart from your average sugary vanilla fragrance. As it settles into the skin, the amber note comes through, adding depth and a subtle hint of spice.
Many reviewers have compared the scent to a grown-up version of Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar – and I can definitely see the resemblance. But Creme d’Nude has a sophistication and refinement that elevates it beyond a simple body mist. As one customer put it, “It’s the perfect mix of femininity, sex appeal and playfulness.”
The overall effect is cozy and inviting, like being wrapped up in a soft cashmere blanket. It’s the kind of scent that makes you feel instantly more relaxed and puts a smile on your face. In the words of reviewer Dragonfly, “I lOVE THIS SO MUCH!!!! It smells so amazing one of my all time favorites (and I typically buy Chanel).”
Versatility & Wearability
One of the standout features of Creme d’Nude is how incredibly versatile it is. While vanilla-based scents are often associated with fall and winter, I’ve found this perfume to be suitable year-round. The floral notes add a freshness that makes it appropriate for spring and summer, while the creamy vanilla base brings warmth in cooler weather.
It’s also a scent that transitions seamlessly from day to night. The soft, inoffensive nature means you can easily wear it to the office or running errands, but the alluring blend of vanilla and musk also makes it perfect for a date night or evening out. As reviewer T mentioned, it’s “a definite step up from cheap body sprays and a good medium between higher end perfumes. My everyday go to!”
I will note that the projection is on the milder side – this is more of an intimate skin scent than a room-filling powerhouse. But I actually prefer that, as it feels personal and inviting without being overwhelming. People will definitely catch whiffs if they’re close to you.
Lasting Power
For an Eau de Parfum, Creme d’Nude has very impressive longevity on the skin. With just a few spritzes in the morning, I can still detect it wafting up from my wrists well into the evening. Many reviewers report the same, with the fragrance clinging to clothes and scarves for days.
Reviewer Shandra summed it up well: “Totally obsessed with this fragrance! So many compliments when I’m wearing it. It lasts all day too!”
Of course, your mileage may vary depending on your individual body chemistry and how much you apply. But overall, this perfume seems to have above average lasting power, especially for the price point.
The Signature Scent Factor
One theme that emerged over and over in customer reviews was people declaring Creme d’Nude as their signature scent – the one fragrance they keep coming back to and repurchasing. It seems to strike a chord as being both unique and universally appealing.
Reviewer gp shared, “This perfume has been my go-to for the past 5 years, please please please don’t ever stop making it!!!!” while Lexi raved, “Please never discontinue i finally found my signature scent again after almost 15 years.”
I can definitely understand the hype. There’s something addictive about Creme d’Nude that makes you want to reach for it daily. It just feels like “you” in a bottle – comforting, confident, and effortlessly beautiful. And clearly I’m not alone, as multiple customers reported asking MAC to never discontinue this gem!
Customer Experiences & Anecdotes
Some of my favorite parts of reading through reviews were the personal stories and moments shared by customers. There were so many tales of receiving compliments while wearing Creme d’Nude.
MS wrote, “I cannot say how many compliments I have gotten about this perfume!! It is my favorite perfume and I have used it for over four years.” While Sam shared, “I’ve never gotten complimented as much as I do with this perfume it smells high end sweet and feminine.”
Others described it as their lucky fragrance. Manna had this cute story: “My friend who was visiting from out of town was wearing this scent and I immediately asked what is that? I need it. Bought it that same evening.” And Jane said it made an impression on her significant other: “My husband actually likes it which is extremely shocking haha.”
Even the rare negative reviews provided insights. Sarah had an unfortunate experience with a bottle that seemed to have gone off: “I have bought this scent twice before and have LOVED it. However I bought it for third time and it smells like straight alcohol. It doesn’t have any other scent.”
This serves as an important PSA to always purchase fragrances from authorized retailers to avoid the risk of expired or counterfeit products! But by and large, the vast majority of customers had glowing things to say.
Comparisons to Other MAC Scents
A number of reviewers who were fans of MAC’s previous limited edition fragrances felt that Creme d’Nude was a worthy successor. JR pleaded, “Please, please, PLEASE bring back MV2!!! It was the most amazing scent ever!!! And then don’t ever discontinue it again. Since I’m asking, Loverush and Coygirl blush would also be fantastic!”
Lexi made the direct comparison: “For years i have been searching for a Mac perfume i used to wear in 2006. Literally nothing has compared since. I randomly saw someone’s review saying this was extremely similar to the mv2 mac used to carry. I had to buy it and try it ASAP and it’s literally almost identical to what i remember.”
For those who missed out on the earlier scents, it seems Creme d’Nude has filled the MAC fragrance void in their lives. And if you’re debating between the Shadescent options, Sam gave this helpful breakdown:
“Candy Yum Yum is BY FAR my most favorite scent in the world. It’s sweet & creamy, girly & sophisticated! I feel like I smell like heaven w/ this scent on! This smells sweet, but not cheap or for a little girl. Velvet Teddy is definitely my type of fragrance. It’s deep, dark, warm, spicy, sweet and a little Smokey. It’s also very long lasting on me. It smells amazing. I will definitely repurchase this once I finish my current bottle and I have Creme D’Nude in my cart now.”
Demographics & Purchasing
Based on the demographic data provided with reviews, Creme d’Nude seems to be most popular with millennial women. The majority of reviewers were in the 25-34 age range, with 35-44 and 19-24 trailing not too far behind.
Purchasing directly from MAC’s website or in MAC stores/counters were the most frequently cited points of sale. A few mentioned buying from department stores, but there were cautions about the potential of getting a bad or old bottle from third party retailers.
Unsurprisingly, many of the reviewers identified themselves as MAC fans and loyalty members. Perks like getting samples with online orders allowed some to try out the fragrance before committing to a full bottle purchase. With how beloved the scent seems to be, I imagine it creates quite a bit of repeat business for the brand!
Final Thoughts
After spending weeks personally wearing Creme d’Nude and poring over pages of customer reviews, I’m more convinced than ever that this is a fragrance that deserves a spot in every perfume collection. It’s rare to find a scent that is so likeable and wearable while still feeling distinctive.
If you’re a vanilla lover or just looking for an easy reach that will garner compliments, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Even if sweet scents aren’t typically your thing, you may be surprised by how the floral and musky notes balance out the vanilla. I know it’s converted a few gourmand-phobes!
My biggest piece of advice would be to buy from MAC directly or an authorized retailer that has a high turnover to ensure you’re getting a fresh bottle. Other than that, be prepared to fall in love and find yourself hoarding backups. As Dragonfly confessed, “About a year ago, I got a scare that it would be discontinued, so I bought one very month for about six months and put them in the refrigerator for fear I would be without my signature scent!”
I hope you found this in-depth review helpful and that it encouraged you to give Creme d’Nude a sniff the next time you’re at a MAC counter. Feel free to share your own experiences with this or other MAC fragrances in the comments below. And let me know what other beauty products you’d like to see reviewed on the blog!
Until next time, Your Trusty Beauty Blogger
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