Fame by Lady Gaga: Perfume Review / Fragrance Review 

I'm glad you mentioned Leigh Bowery. He doesn't get the attention he deserves as an artist. SO MUCH of what has come since owes a debt to his maverick couture. The dream he showed us was a nightmare of couture and of the concepts of woman and body and clothing and face that we've yet to wake up from, and that continue to inspire a new generation of designers. John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Lada Gaga, have only mapped the terrain of land he discovered and originally set foot on.

Your absolutely insane, i was watching your vids thinking "oh she looks like she smells good" but after hearing a few of your loved perfumes and now your hate for Fame alters my thoughts on your sniffer! This perfume is Phenomenal!!!!!

For me, it smelled like a powdery grape cough syrup. But, for some reason, I love it.

It smells awesome on me. I get compliments every time I wear it.

You got a result!

Leigh Bowery. I put some links to RU-vid clips of him in the description box below my video.

Hi Katie. I have to say I was looking forward to this perfume release for Gaga. Sadly, I was underwhelmed with the colour but mostly the smell. I expected it to be more feminine and pretty smelling. Disappointed that I could not add this to my collection, but just could not justify it sitting on my shelf collecting dust. Unique packaging though. Simply my opinion.

I realize I'm a huge little monster but I'm also a huge fragrance fan, and honestly I quite enjoy the fragrance Gaga or not. It's dark and sensual with a bit of a fruitiness to it that kind of makes it more mainstream. It's not as unique as I imagined, but I think it is still a beautiful scent.

Cool! A result.

Fame doesn't smell good? Fame is the 2nd best selling fragrance EVER. People love how it smells. it's not boring/ordinary/commercial. It smells sexy,strong,confident and glamorous. My suggestions, GO AND BUY IT. Or at least SMELL IT ;)

it, and found myself craving smelling it. Even though I didn't like the scent, I found myself wanting it. In that sense, she captured the essence of fame, I think her saying all these wild things about Fame was just too add to the idea of it Fame being the essence of fame. In reality, it was just a generic over hyped scent that people keep on buying, and wearing more and more. I think it's actually kind of amazing how she turned the table around, and used the consumer as part of the metaphor.

I agree with you. I think Lady Gaga was so focused on the image, hype, and "strangeness" of the fragrance that she didn't spend enough time on the actual smell. I suppose it could be worse, but that's a bad standard. I expected more. By the way, I love the way you're wearing your hair.

I layer it with Burberry Body and it's legitimately the best scent I've ever smelled in my life. I think there's something to the idea that it changes quite a lot on different people-- I don't get even a hint of grape.

I was hoping for something more Thierry Mugler than something so Coty.

I completely agree. So many people I knew were raving about how "IT SMELLS SO WEIRD. IT'S SO GREAT! AMAZING!" while I thought it just smelled like what comes to mind when you think "perfume" - a tad bit of niceness. One strange thing, though, is that when I first smelled it I thought I caught a scent of cooked hotdog after you had already eaten it... I know.

I Respect your Opinion Maam, But, It smells Good, everyone here Loves It, :)

My fave perfume. I get tons and tons of compliments everytime I wear it . It smells amazing to me.

Actually, you're right on point in that you were expecting a lot more from it. To me it smelled like a re-run of something from Kylie Minogue..it felt done..it felt.. very blazee and honestly, that was the most surprising thing about it. The bottom incense notes were my favourite, but since it lasts a long time it took forever till I picked up on them. Even if we didn't expect a lot from her, this would still be a class B parfum and it was in no way memorable. Unfortunately.

A glitch - I recorded it a week ago, but only uploaded it yesterday - but RU-vid set the date as a week ago.

You completely captured my feelings about this fragrance with the changing room analogy! I did expect to be challenged by this fragrance in some way or another, but I didn't expect it to smell quite so, well, yucky. You were spot on with the rancid popcorn butter note.

I agree! I smelled it today in the perfume store and i was disapponted!

To give you a context: a friend of mine from basenotes and I had a meet-up and were out and about smelling all kinds of amazing perfumes in one day. Really nice stuff. We walked into Sephora just to see, and I noticed the new Fame. One smell and I was disappointed. Three words: strawberry marshmallow candies. It's sweet. It's boring. I agree that her look is derivative, even the meat dress was done 25 years ago by a Canadian artist, Jana Sterbak, as I never tire of pointing out.

I politely disagree with you. I think this fragrance is gorgeous. And I do have an extensive collection of very niche perfumes... however this one I absolutely love and wear daily.

Yes, I'm a Little Monster, but it doesn't mean I'm stupid in fact of perfumes. Everybody expected something more by Gaga, but in my opinion (and on my skin) it does smell quite good. It's very sweet and fruity, with a hint of ozonic floral note (maybe the orchid) but it doesn't smell bad. But after a few hours it becomes different. I mean, the base and the composition are the same, but the smell is more synthetic, artificial. It's not Lutens, it's not Artisan Parfumeur, ibut I think it's good :)

Hey Katie! I agree, the scent didn't inspire me at all! It smells "flat" so to speak , like soda that has gone flat...

Wowie!

Ya, seemed pretty tame for The Gaga! Katie, can you talk about application in an upcoming video? I think I tend to under apply as I NEVER get comments on my scent. So do you have a rule of thumb for spray/dabbing? I'm specifically thing of Narciso Rodriguez For Her edt.

I was so underwhelmed and disappointed. Smells cheap. You're so right about impulse. I don't get the perspiration (wish I did, then it might have a slutty worn knicker note like Westwood's Boudoir) I got fruit juice (from concentrate!) and banana!

yeah i wasn't a big fan when i smelled it, i think it was hyped up way to much. As Always I love your reviews Katie!

This is a question you've probably answered before, and I'm sorry if you have BUT what do you look for in perfumes? Gourmand, floral, fruity, sweet, spicy, fresh, citrus or other? Also, what are your favourite notes in fragrances? Sorry, just curious. Also, great reviews, keep them up!

I agree with you in everything you said.

I've never been a gaga fan so I'm not surprised by the perfume at all. All hype and costumes.

I love Gaga, I love the perfume bottle, the colour is very unique....the juice is kinda disappointing...I got that grape thing too, it has a hint of watered down Ribena.

I agree. I wish Taylor Swift would not have her own perfume. I wish every single celebrity would not feel it necessary to make more money by releasing perfume. It should up to the perfume design houses to supply us with perfume that they create and name, w/o having to use a celebrity name label.

I love 'Fame' now The problem for me was that I had expected something much different, stronger and louder! Not only Lady Gaga herself but the packaging also led me to believe this. At first I was disgusted with the rather pretty, wearable smell but after deciding to give it a second chance I fell in love! It seems to change quite a bit for me from day to day, sometimes more sweet, than others! I always imagine smoking and fish net tights and bold lipstick when I spray!! lol Its addictive!

I think it starts to fade to grey when exposed to light.

I actually liked the fragrance. On my skin it smells like a dark floral musk but on my mom it smells really sweet like candy which I find that strange. I just wish the perfume was more bold and had stronger projection.

Amberfrances, I think you are referring to Freak which Katie did review a few months ago.

People just buy it because it´s gaga´s perfume, ¿do you know how many fans she has? if there wasn´t her name in the bottle i don´t think so much people would buy it

If you sprayed this on a blotter card, handed it to one of Gaga's "little monsters" and told them it was Faith Hill's newest fragrance they would all find a way to at LEAST criticize, if not demonize, it's formulaic composition. They would sneer and toss the card in the trash and continue to wait with baited breath for THEIR idol's perfume to debut... never realizing that even Gaga has a price.

I was hoping Fame was going to smell very unique and different from all the sweet celebrity fragrances that, to me, all smell too similar for me, personally. I was hoping it would develop well over time on the skin and be quite animalic. Instead, I agree with you completely that it just smells unintentionally ugly. The notes just kind of jam together, and one of the notes refuses to agree with my nose. I recommend this during winter where it's chilly enough to smell the notes individually.

Six years on my thoughts on *Fame* is about the same as when I smelled the pre-launch bottles: a fruity floral with little, if any, distinction. *Everything* else was thriling about it:. From the talk of bodily fluids and the ironic aspiration to smell like a sex worker, to the classically esthetic of the ad and the superlative extravagance of the Sfevem Klein commerxial And the launch, even here in Stockholm, was of a scale rarely seen these days. It was a thilling pop cultural extravaganza! Was I deflated when I smelled it? Not one bit. I know that Coty nusr make profit, and that marketing experts and a string of focus grouos would have the final say - not Lady Gaga. Fame has one redeeming quality that truly stands out from the sea of celebrlty fragrances: the fact that it will be only the one. As of today, Britney Spears have released 22 (t w e n t y 8 t w o) fragrances. Rihanna a modeat ten. But, after having fulfilled her contract with fbe pleasent afterthought "Eau de Gaga", I'd wager we have seen the last of her odorous outings. And why is that? She's just not very interested in perfumes and won't waste tme and effort selling them.

Really accurate review

The thing about Fame is that she wanted to capture the essence of fame in a bottle. I think she succeed in that, it's a generic, over hyped thing that people just crave and want more and more right, that it becomes an addiction to fame. Well, when I was wearing Fame, as in the perfume, for the first time, I didn't like the smell, seemed very generic, almost too sweet with synthetic note in it, the scent faded on me very fast, so I kept on reapplying throughout the day. Next day, I wasn't wearing

ACTUALLY. I was trying to remember what fragrance it reminded me of...Dolce & Gabanna The one for her! Not Kylie. Dolce & Gabanna, the one. It smelled EXACTLY like that.

I actually disagree, it smells good for me. I share the opinion that it isn't as extraordinary as we expected but it doesn't smells ugly.

Thumbs up for the Leigh Bowery reference! The scent itself is very drugstore type of scent. It designed to be non-offensive.

I actually like it. It smells awesome on me.

Oh yeah, something along the line of one of Mugler's weird-but-wearable perfumes would've been great.

Sorry for the typos. 'skin chemistry.'

The color doesn't seem to be stable even after sitting on a store shelf. The signs aren't good for long-term stability.

I have yet to smell this fragrance, but it sounds like it's ALL hype - kind of like Gaga herself.

I love it. It's a high quality fragrance and one it is one of my current favorites. I have to say that Fame takes center stage over my Lutens, Malles, Annick Goutals, L'Artisans and even my Chanel Les Exclusifs.

Personally I love this perfume. When I read that it had incense i was like oh no, not going there. But somehow I got a hold of a sample somehow and I loved it. I've never ventured too much into darker, more incense-y fragrances. I love warm scents but I've never really found orientals appealing before. And this fragrance is a nice kind of, gate way into that whole range of perfumes. It would be a good starter oriental for younger people because it's not too oriental but it has that dark quality

I'm totally indifferent to Lady Gaga (yes, it's possible) and didn't expect much from her perfume. Well, I wasn't wrong! It may be a little different from other celebrity fragrances (all cotton candy, fruit + patchouli, yawn) but I must say I'd prefer even Britney's fumes over Fame. Because it doesn't even smell pleasant, let alone controversial. It's a weird fruity mess with no sillage, no staying power. I'm wondering how the color will change after being stored for sometime.

i really like her perfume i think it is super sweet and i love that scent but im still hesitant to buy it

Yeah I agree.. I tested it in the shop and was really disappointed. It smelt cheap.. Like something from a £1 shop!

I'm afraid you hit it on the head! I can understand going for unoffensive and profitable but fame is just unpleasant. I have to agree with you it just smells a bit sad.

"Starter oriental" is a good way to think of it. It's true that when you're first trying out new smells, the biggest, boldest ones can be overwhelming and hard to process. Maybe you're right, Fame can help a new smeller ease into the wide world of fumes.

Grey? Mine's black. Straight up black.

Off topic..... you were so kind and respectful to Oliver Reed when he was on. The way you guided him to his seat, just everything. The room had an air of people making fun of him and laughing at him, but you were the one person who stood out and genuinely looked like you cared.

People love Lady Gaga , people love her perfume. People love everything she does, because everything she does is amazing. Including the "Fame" fragrance. End of story :)

I always like to say I go for "Queen of Sheba" perfumes: decadent, mysterious, rich blends of rose, incense, sandalwood and musk. Generally classified as "orientals".

KATIE COULD YOU PLEASE REVIEW THE NEW ROBERTO CAVALLI PERFUME...THE ONE WITH THE "RC" EMBLEM ON TOP?

I love your analysis! Gaga made us all a part of her game.

Monster by mistake? i like it and i don't know why.

When I was out to smell the fragrance, I thought I was gonna buy "The fame", but when I smelt it I was just disappointed as well. I went and tried it on 2 times, and I've noticed that the perfume doesn't last very long on the skin. I love Lady Gaga, but I wouldn't buy her perfume.. Just sayin'... I thought her perfume would smell something like "Black Xs- by: Paco Rabanne", but nope.. It just smells like juice to me..

He was a fearless performance artist - confrontational through outrageous dress.

Gucci guilty intense is black...why has no one noticed this? I didn't find that Fame actually sprayed on black or anything so I'm thinking even "the first black parfum" is BS. x

i love your reviews! the way you use words to describe smell is so accurate, i almost can smell it, talk about smell-o-vision ;3 on my way to walgreens to smell it for myself to see if the aroma you created in my mind pairs up with the real deal (ps. it has happened in the past )

Fame just literally smells like Someday by Bieber or Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift. Just muskier, stronger and more mature.

Wow well aren't you a little bit over dramatic....it's not an "ugly" fragrance it doesn't smell like perspiration either!

Let me know if the stars align.

Am I having a flashback or did you review Fame few months ago? I could have sworn you did...and liked it? I was inspired by that old review to seek it out and smell it...and when I did, my reaction was:"uh...huh? I guess my nose is just a bit too "late-30s" for this one, yikes!". Smelled cheap. Not slutty-cheap, but cheaply concocted. Did not go Gaga over this...more like Gag-ga.

I think I pretty much said the same as you. I longed for blood and semen under a gigantic larger than life white floral. Instead you get something vaguely Marc Jacob'sy-maybe Daisy, Lola and Dot's weird goth cousin with equal lasting power. I'm just imagining what that Blitz kids 80s transvestite scene perfume would smell like. I'd love for someone like Grayson Perry to come out with a scent.

Can you please review the Taylor swift perfumes? And I feel the same exact way toword the lady gaga perfume.

Oh yeah, your very pretty too!

Hey Katie, just a question, what are your thoughts on the new Brad Pitt/Chanel Number 5 commercials? Do you find them to be as embarassing as everyone else does?

Good suggestion for a vid. I like to spray the nape of my neck under my hair - it leaves a trail as I move, and it diffuses through the movement of the hair.

What lipstick are you wearing? It's lovely.

I just got a sample of this and I agree with you. It wouldn't be all that bad if it was just a generic celebrity fragrance, but there is something sharp in there that prevents it from even being tolerable.

Interesting! I go for sweet, fruity floral scents. I also love a bit of gourmand. Great taste you have there though!

Howcome youtube is saying this was uploaded a week ago?

Interesting! I haven't seen this one "in person" yet, but I just looked up the blurb on it, and apparently it's the glass that is grey while the juice is a "bolder and darker...amber". But in pics it does look black.

Spot on review! I guess the poor longevity is actually a plus in this case :-\

I agree! I smelled it and maybe because I love Lady Gaga, I tried liking it, but no, it smells like cheap perfume.... Expected more...

You should try out a review of Gaga's new fragrance Eau De Gaga. It's a unisex fragrance. But Fame is definitely one of my favorites! Why so much hate towards it? Don't see you making a black fluid that sprays clear becoming the fastest selling perfume before Coco Mademoiselle!

Haha - a potential waste of good wine! Glad you like the informal webcam vids. I feel badly because I haven't been able to provide the better hi-def quality, but I'm working on that.

I tried it 2 days ago. I enjoyed the initial head notes, but then, after 15 or so minutes, it just became, I don't know. Powdery-bland-meh.

btw, "It smells like the Forever 21 fitting room at the end of a long, sweaty saturday. It just smells like a clash of the impulse body spray, and perspiration, and desperation." Best line I've heard all week. Your sense of humour is tops.

I love the way it looks not going to lie but then you smell it and its just so blah that it makes everything else look like 'u're trying to hard' disappointing!

Thank you, thank you!

I personally adore it!!! I think it smells divine!!! Each to their own!!! It's all down to personal preference and interpretation!!! xXx

Woman, I just adore you! This is likely my favorite review yet (of yours...and that's saying a lot because I frickin' love all of your vids). Something about this one really made me think and belly laugh. Thank you!

I've got a series of posts on them on my blog, KatiePuckrikSmells dot c o m

Corrosive is a pretty good way to describe the perfume!

im surprised she didnt go the sweet fruity route that most celebrities go, just to sell the perfume.

I agree- I wanted something dirty/skanky and weird from La Ga . instead came a juicy fruity ordinary commercialized generic thang.

Yeah me too. I wouldn't say its my favourite perfume of all time, but some of the celeb perfume is far too sweet for my liking

I just want the Ninja Cap...haha