Budget Fragrance Find: Truth or Dare Naked by Madonna

Purchased by Me 

As someone who is constantly on a tight budget, and who also has a serious perfume addiction, you learn to be resourceful. Beautiful, budget-friendly fragrances aren't always easy to find, especially if you are tired of the usual selections at mall stores and discount stores. Sometimes you have to research and dig deep to find quality fragrances that won't break the bank and, coupled with a bit of luck, you sometimes stumble across something wonderful. I encounter stinkers sometimes (figuratively and literally) that don't always match up to their online reviews, but every once in a while I stumble across a true, budget-friendly, hidden gem. And when I find a gem like this, I naturally have to share it with you!

Truth or Dare Naked by Madonna

(retail: around $15 on Amazon & eBay, 1.7 oz)

Keep reading for my full review...

NOTE: This fragrance is discontinued, but you can easily find it on Amazon or eBay, where the average price is about $15 for the 1.7 oz bottle. I probably don't have to tell you this, but always be sure to check the seller's feedback when you're ordering from sites like Amazon and eBay, just to be safe. I've ordered beauty products from both sites many, many times without incident, but not before checking feedback to make sure the seller has an excellent reputation first.

Not to be confused with the original Truth or Dare by Madonna (a floral with notes of gardenia and tuberose that launched in early 2012), Truth or Dare Naked is the first and only flanker, and it debuted in late 2012. The fragrance is described as follows:

(From Fragrantica.com)

The scent is described as a bold combination of creamy woods, vanilla and sparkling flowers. 

The top notes are honeysuckle, peach blossom and neroli. The perfume’s core includes vanilla orchid, cocoa flower and lily of the valley. The base is creamy with Texas cedar wood, benzoin from Laos, oud accord and Australian sandalwood.

Made in France

This fragrance is made by the Prestige Division of Coty, which also makes fragrances by brands like Calvin Klein, Chloe, Davidoff, Gwen Stefani/LAMB, Jennifer Lopez, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, and others.

The bottle is very regal, and the bottle shape is pretty unique. It's thin:

But you can stand it up straight:

I wouldn't trust it to stay that way in an earthquake (or even a gentle push on your vanity) though. I store mine flat, just to be safe.

If you're familiar with the original Halle by Halle Berry fragrance, Truth or Dare Naked is similar. But there's something here that makes it BETTER than Halle by Halle Berry to me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. This just seems richer to me, and "fancier," if that makes sense. For me, it's fitting for both daytime and evening wear. It's the kind of fragrance that just oozes a cozy, cashmere-like feeling when you wear it. It makes me want to snuggle, in the best way possible (is there a bad way to snuggle?).

The opening of this fragrance is beautiful, and the dry-down is equally beautiful. After about ten or 15 minutes on my skin, some beautiful, unexpected notes start to emerge, and that's what I can't really put my finger on. If you look at the reviews on Fragrantica, you'll see references to everything from butterscotch candy to chocolate mint, but to me it smells more like a milk tea that's been drizzled in honey, vanilla and powdered sugar. I do get a tiny note of mint in the background, but it's fleeting.

Projection is average-to-weak on this one (it stays pretty close to the skin, which I love about it), but longevity is quite good. I can get upwards of six hours when I apply to my neck and wrists, but it lasts much longer if I also spritz a bit in my hair as well.

FINAL VERDICT: If you love Halle by Halle Berry, the original Kate Walsh Boyfriend or Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods, I think there's a very good chance that you'll love Truth or Dare Naked. Fragrance is incredibly subjective, so I can't say for sure that you're going to enjoy this as much as I do, but I love this one so much that I just can't keep it to myself. For $15, it's a true bargain and I've already purchased a back-up since it is now discontinued (but again, very easy to find on Amazon and eBay). 

Do you already own Truth or Dare Naked? If so, do you agree (or disagree) with me on this one? I'd love to hear from you!

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.