Bonbon Spring Summer 2018

The Verdict

Bonbon Spring Summer 2018 is Viktor and Rolf's annual warm-weather remix of their caramel-wrapped Bonbon, this time leaning heavily into a berry-forward direction with Raspberry and Strawberry leading the charge. At 4.24/5 from 91 voters, it scores well -- but the community is genuinely split between those who find it delicious and those who think it smells like a cheap body spray. This limited edition Eau de Toilette was designed to be lighter and more playful than the original Bonbon EDP, and on that front, it delivers. Whether that lightness is charming or insubstantial depends entirely on your relationship with sweetness.

What It Smells Like

The opening is an unambiguous burst of Raspberry and Strawberry -- juicy, tangy, and immediately recognizable as a fruity gourmand. One devoted fan described it perfectly: "Fruity, sweet...DELICIOUS! This fragrance is mouthwatering." The heart introduces Jasmine Sambac absolute and Floral Notes that provide a brief interlude of white floral sophistication before the base reasserts the sweetness with Caramel and Musk. Compared to the 2017 Spring Summer edition, reviewers note this version's dry down is "more floral" and "more soft musky-caramel," making it slightly more refined than its predecessor.

However, not everyone is charmed. A sharp-tongued Fragrantica reviewer dismissed it as "artificial plastic berry and generic flowers on the base of cheap sweet musk," finding no real caramel and declaring it "not even properly gourmand." Another compared it to "raspberry shower gel with some sugar mixed in." The truth likely sits somewhere in the middle -- this is an accessible, sweet-forward composition that prioritizes fun over complexity.

When to Wear It

Spring and summer daytime exclusively. Community voting favors daytime wear by a 4-to-1 margin, and the light EDT concentration reinforces this. This is a brunch fragrance, a shopping-trip fragrance, a picnic-in-the-park fragrance. It has no business at a formal evening event, and wearing it in winter would be like putting on a sundress in December -- technically possible, but missing the point entirely. The playful character works best when the sun is out and the mood is light.

Longevity & Projection

Community ratings put longevity at 3.02/5 and sillage at 2.52/4, which translates to moderate performance at best. As an Eau de Toilette in a line known for lighter concentrations, this is not unexpected. Expect 3-5 hours of wear time with close-to-moderate projection. Fans note "moderate sillage and longevity," which for a summer EDT is acceptable if not impressive. You may want to carry the bottle for a midday touchup if you plan to wear it into the evening. Three to four sprays on pulse points and hair should be sufficient for the initial application.

The Community Says

The community treats this like a guilty pleasure -- some embrace it openly, others feel embarrassed by how much they enjoy it. One reviewer found it "something special" and was relieved it was not just "another typical Fruity Floral Gourmand." Another noted that fans of the annual Bonbon summer editions were excited specifically about the strawberry note: "Oh no, I need this in my life right now!" On the negative side, critics accuse it of smelling cheap and synthetic, with one reviewer bluntly saying it was "definitely not worth the price" and that they sold their bottle. The comparison to the yearly Flowerbomb La Vie en Rose releases is apt -- these are seasonal confections designed to be consumed and enjoyed without overthinking.

Who Should Buy This

If you love sweet, fruity fragrances and enjoy the original Bonbon's caramel DNA, this lighter summer variation will make you smile. It works well for younger wearers or anyone who wants an uncomplicated mood-lifter in their warm-weather rotation. If you find sweet fragrances cloying, if you demand strong performance, or if you expect niche-level complexity from your purchases, this will frustrate you. The limited edition status means it may be harder to find now, so if you see one at a discount retailer, grab it or leave it -- there is no middle ground with this fragrance.

The Bottom Line

Bonbon Spring Summer 2018 is cotton candy at the summer fair -- fleeting, sweet, and exactly as advertised. It does not pretend to be anything more than a playful seasonal treat, and judged on those terms, it succeeds. Just manage your expectations around longevity and depth, and you will get along just fine.