A Surprisingly Grown-Up Perfume in a Kid's Bottle

I'm thrilled to finally add Moschino Toy 2 Bubble Gum to my perfume collection. This adorable pink teddy bear is a great addition to my shelf. While I won't say Moschino's scents are masterpieces, they're pleasant, fairly long-lasting, and original. And let's be honest, the bottles don't hurt either.

My favorite Moschino bear is the pink one - the one kids usually ask for. But in my opinion, it's actually the most mature in the lineup after the black Toy Boy.

The pink bear's got me curious - it's got a bubble gum scent promise, but is it worth believing?

Moschino Toy 2 Bubble Gum launched in 2021, and it was created by renowned French perfumer Olivier Pescheux. I'm pretty sure a master like him wouldn't be working on perfumes for Little Fairy in the prime of their career.

Francesco Moschino's company, Moschino, has a relatively young history, dating back to 1983. Initially, he named the brand Moschino Couture, but soon decided to drop the second word. Moschino claimed (a phrase that would later become the brand's motto) that fashion culture is forbidden, and what's cool is what you like. He believed that people who choose his fragrances do so as easily as deciding what to have for dinner. Moschino was known as a great rebel, and his products were often seen as mass-market kitsch. The designer's aesthetic featured cartoon geese, toys, cows, pompoms, hearts, smiling faces, and fun slogans – all part of the Moschino style. Moschino's aesthetic is all about the freedom of life, irony, and individuality. Francesco's name became a protest against dehumanization and strict classicism. Moschino is one of the most polarizing perfume brands out there, and for good reason. The bottle designs, which resemble glass cleaner or Teddy bear-shaped containers, appeal to younger crowds but might be off-putting to those who prefer classic designs or are older. But that's all about to change once they experience the scent.I think this background information on the brand and its style is enough to rule out Toy 2 Bubble Gum as a kids' perfume.

But if you're still unsure, let's take a look at the fragrance pyramid:

Top notes: sugar-coated fruits, bitter orange, and lemon; Middle notes: bubble gum, Bulgarian rose, peach, blackberry, peach blossom, cinnamon, and ginger; Base notes: musk, ambroxan, and cedar.I have to admit, Bulgarian rose, musk, and ambroxan don't exactly scream 'teenage perfume.' But then there are the fruits, berries, and bubble gum – a perfect storm of misconceptions. The only way to know for sure is to give it a try.

I bought the 50ml bottle without testing it first. To be honest, I needed a fourth bear to join the ones already on my shelf. Plus, the nearest L'Étoile didn't have a tester, and I didn't feel like going out of my way to find one.

The perfume itself came in a Moschino Toy 2 Bubble Gum set, which didn't include the original packaging. The set included: 50ml perfume, 50ml body wash, and 50ml body lotion.

The box is a beautiful shade of pink with a 3D bear on it. It's super sturdy and can be used to store small trinkets. It's definitely gift-worthy.

The price with points is 4500. I've got to say, the brand's product prices are pretty competitive, and I managed to snag a great deal.

The packaging is adorable - it's like a fluffy cloud! No wonder all the little princesses want this teddy bear! Some people might find it too childish, but I think it's actually really cool. The teddy bear is always begging to be cuddled, and you just want to spin it around and sniff it.

The bear's head spins freely, but stays put well. It's heavy and comes off with some effort.

But even before the first spritz, the pink bear emitted the scent of Bulgarian rose oil.

My impressions of the perfume:

The first notes - a ridiculously sweet bubble gum! Very sweet and very pink, it feels like. I immediately thought, 'childhood in a bottle.' The note's expected, so you take it in stride. And honestly, it's very upbeat.

After a few minutes, the citrus notes start to show up, along with a clear blackberry note and a hint of ginger. The scent becomes more candy-like and fruity.

But despite all the sweet fruity goodness, the first notes of this rose perfume are unmistakable. It's like a breath of fresh air.

As the scent unfolds, the rose note becomes more pronounced. It's not a childish perfume anymore. The rose here reminds me of Montale's, but it's much lighter. If I felt suffocated by the heavy rose scent in Ristretto Intense Café, this one is a breath of fresh air. It's like applying Bulgarian rose oil to my wrist - you can smell it, but it's not overwhelming.

This rose Toy 2 perfume takes me back to my childhood for a minute, then reminds me that I'm a grown woman with a beautiful, rose-scented charm (and a hint of candy, of course).

I'm not sensitive to musk, so I didn't notice anything unpleasant in the perfume. And to be honest, I don't think musk is even a dominant note. As for ambroxan, I'm not sensitive to it either, and this perfume doesn't clash with it at all.

The base of Moschino Toy 2 Bubble Gum is still rose oil, sweet lemon, and a pleasant woody note.

My Verdict

I've got to say, the pink teddy bear is just adorable - even for someone of my age!

Toy 2 Bubble Gum really does smell like sweet bubble gum. Sure, the scent is more pronounced at the top notes, but it's still noticeable over time. However, I'd say the teddy bear leans more towards pink fragrances, as rose oil takes center stage and occasionally overpowers the other notes. This rose is light and wearable.

The perfume lasts for several hours on warm skin and a few days on clothing - I've only been using it recently, so it might still be settling in.

I wouldn't wear this in hot weather, as the pink teddy bear needs a cooler climate. It's also not ideal for autumn, unless it's a sunny day. Spring is the perfect time to feel like a kid again. As for winter, I'd recommend trying it out.

I'd recommend Moschino Toy 2 Bubble Gum to women over 18 who enjoy pink fragrances. I don't see it working on men, and I wouldn't buy it for kids either.

Be cautious when buying, as this scent may not suit everyone. I'm not a fan of musk, and some people might find it overpowering. The ambran note can also clash with the bubble gum note, which might be a turn-off for some.

I'm really enjoying this scent. As soon as the sun comes out in St. Petersburg, I find myself reaching for it and feeling like a kid again.

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