Moonlight by Ariana Grande is the fourth addition to the fragrance collection created by this pop star. It was launched in 2017 and has been one very popular fragrance ever since.
Like most of the scents in her line, Moonlight by Ariana Grande features floral and fruity notes. This Eau de Perfume is made for women and has won the Superdrug (Retailer) Awards 2018 in the Best Fragrance Launch category.
| Perfume Name | Moonlight |
| Brand | Ariana Grande |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum |
| Scent Family | Floral, Fruity |
| Gender | Women |
I recently received Moonlight as a birthday gift from my friend who used it previously. I was really excited to try it because of the award that this fragrance got soon after its release.
What Does Moonlight by Ariana Grande Smell Like?
The notes in Moonlight by Ariana Grande represent a good fruity and floral combination. The top notes in this fragrance are based on plum and black currant. Its middle notes are kept in a tradition of sweet flower aromas used in Ariana’s fragrances and feature marshmallows and peonies. The base was made of traditional vanilla, sandalwood, and amber notes.
| Top Notes | Plum, Black Currant |
| Middle Notes | Marshmallow, Peony |
| Base Notes | Vanilla, Sandalwood, Amber |
In Ariana’s own words, this fragrance is dedicated to her fans and it was released under the slogan: “The illuminating new fragrance.” The song “Moonlight” from Ariana Grande’s third studio album, Dangerous Woman, inspired its name.
Dedicated to Her Fans
Ariana often speaks about the inspiration behind her fragrances, and Moonlight is no exception. She explained that this fragrance tried to capture her luminescent personality and the emotions that she has for her fans. Therefore this relationship is the main inspiration for Moonlight.
Ariana mentioned that she launched Moonlight as a way to inspire her followers to be more courageous and confident. She thought the best way to do so was by creating a fragrance to follow them on their path. Moonlight is also meant to inspire fans to share positivity everywhere they go. This way, the spark of Ariana’s personality will be transmitted to others and contribute a bit to making the world a better place.
My Experience
I usually first read the ingredients list before trying on a fragrance, so I was looking forward to discovering what is behind the combination of plum and marshmallow.
As I expected, plum in the top notes dominates Moonlight. It makes the opening impactful and intense. Unfortunately, the combination of plum and black currant made the mixture a bit acidic. I expect the plum-based scent to be much darker and more intense. Even so, the Moonlight did remind me of nature and the secret gardens you would visit at night. This is not typical for fragrances from Ariana’s collection.
Because the top notes set nicely when mixed with peonies and marshmallows, the overall experience for me was not ruined. Peonies reduced the acidic tone, giving the fragrance a soft and sugary vibe. I was pleasantly surprised that in this combination, plum reminded me of cotton candy.
Speaking of middle notes that were kept simple, I expected marshmallows to make Moonlight similar to Ari or Sweet, like Candy. All three fragrances have a creamy and toned-down aroma that appears after the fragrance is mixed with the body scent. But I find that combinations of scents in Moonlight are a bit more pleasant than in the other two fragrances.
Lastly, the combination of peonies and marshmallows made the fragrance moderately sweeter. This sweetness follows the warm and creamy vibe achieved by base notes of vanilla and amber. At the same time, sandalwood is barely noticeable.
Sillage & Projection
Similar to other fragrances from Ariana’s collection, the sillage and projection of Moonlight are moderate. This is the typical feature of flower and fruit-based scents. Regarding the projection, I would say it is quite reasonable and suitable for this type of fragrance.
Longevity & Versatility
The longevity of Moonlight is very moderate. I would argue it can be improved to be comparable with Sweet, like Candy. That would make this fragrance perfect for nighttime.
Even now, this combination of notes in Moonlight makes it perfect for going out on a stroll in the city or nature, especially if it is a very elegant or important occasion. I would only be careful with the amount of perfume used since it can sometimes become harsh and even unpleasant if used too much at one time.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, I was happy with Moonlight. Although it is not a unique fragrance, the peony and plum notes made a difference in my typical choice of scents. Also, this is one of the rare sweet fragrances from Ariana’s collection that I found suitable for night.
Occasionally the Moonlight seemed like a blend of multiple Ariana fragrances. But unlike most of her fragrances, this one is not my choice for the day, especially not for a work environment.
I would also be happier with more longevity and sillage, but so far, I was happy to see diversity in the selection of scents featured in Ariana’s collection.
Ultimately, even though there is a place for improvement, I am happy with my gift and would argue that my friend didn’t waste her money.