COTTON CANDY (CANDY FLOSS)

Cotton Candy (Candy Floss) is a beloved gourmand fragrance note that captures the airy, spun-sugar sweetness of the iconic fairground treat. Light, fluffy, and instantly nostalgic, it combines sugary brightness with a hint of vanillic warmth and fruity undertones—often recalling strawberry, raspberry, or bubblegum. More than just sweet, Cotton Candy adds a playful, ethereal quality to perfumes, creating a whimsical and youthful aura. Typically used as a heart or base note, it lends body and indulgence to gourmand and fruity-floral compositions without becoming heavy or cloying.

History & Production: While cotton candy itself cannot be distilled, its scent is recreated in perfumery using synthetic molecules such as ethyl maltol, maltol, and vanillin, which mimic the caramelized, slightly fruity aroma of melted sugar. First popularized in the 1990s with the rise of gourmand perfumery, especially in fragrances like Thierry Mugler’s Angel, Cotton Candy quickly became emblematic of sweet, playful scents with mass appeal. Today, it remains a key note in both niche and mainstream compositions, valued for its ability to evoke joy, nostalgia, and delicious fun—turning scent into an olfactory treat that lingers like a sugar-kissed dream.