Everyone knows the "Butterfly" bottle. That purple, winged cap from Mariah Carey’s debut scent, M, is basically royalty in the celebrity fragrance world. But there is another bottle—one shaped like a sleek champagne flute—that often gets overshadowed. We’re talking about Mariah Carey Dreams.
Launched in 2013, this scent wasn't just another generic floral. It was meant to be a map of Mariah's life. Think about it: a "perfumer in training" (her words, not mine) trying to bottle the smell of childhood memories and global fame.
Honestly, the perfume world in the early 2010s was crowded. You had everyone from Britney to Gaga releasing scents. Yet, Dreams stood out because it didn't just smell like a sugar factory exploded. It had this weird, salty, toasted edge that made people actually stop and sniff.
What Does Mariah Carey Dreams Actually Smell Like?
If you’re expecting a light, airy floral, you're gonna be surprised. This is a Floral Fruity Gourmand. That’s industry speak for "it smells good enough to eat."
The first spray is a bit of a trip. You get this immediate hit of salted caramel apple. It’s not that fake, plastic apple smell either. It's juicy. Then there’s the toasted almond and star anise. The anise is the secret weapon here. It gives it a slightly spicy, sophisticated kick so you don't just smell like a carnival treat.
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The Breakdown of Notes
- The Opening: Salted Caramel Apple, Toasted Almond, Star Anise, and Bergamot.
- The Heart: Honeysuckle, Freesia, and Lily-of-the-Valley (Muguet).
- The Dry Down: Madagascar Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Musk, and Patchouli.
The transition is where the magic happens. After about thirty minutes, those heavy dessert notes settle down. The honeysuckle starts to peek through. It becomes "soft and fuzzy," like a cashmere sweater you've worn while baking cookies. Some fans even report a "whoosh" of fresh air sensation when they first spray it—an almost aquatic breeze that shouldn't be there but somehow works.
The Champagne Flute Bottle and the "Festive" Vibe
Mariah is the queen of being "festive." She doesn't just have a drink; she has a splash. The bottle for Mariah Carey Dreams was specifically designed to look like a champagne flute. It’s tall, curved, and elegant.
And of course, there are butterflies. Three of them are perched on the cap.
It’s a bit of a departure from the "Lollipop Bling" series which looked like, well, lollipops. This felt more adult. It was Mariah growing up, even if she still loved her sparkles. The glass base even features her signature, which is a nice touch for the hardcore Lambs (her fans) who collect everything she touches.
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Is It Still Available? (The Sad Reality)
Here is the part that sucks. Mariah Carey Dreams is technically discontinued.
You won't find it sitting on the shelf at Kohl's for $39 anymore like people did back in 2013. Because it’s rare, the prices on the secondary market have gone a bit crazy. I’ve seen 1.7 oz bottles going for $70 to $150 on eBay and Mercari.
It's a gamble, too. Vanilla-heavy perfumes tend to darken and change over time. If you find a bottle and the liquid is dark brown, that’s actually normal for scents with high vanilla content, but the top notes might be a little "off" or soapy when you first spray it.
How to Wear It in 2026
If you manage to snag a bottle, don't just spray it and walk away. This stuff is an Eau de Parfum (EDP), meaning it has a decent concentration of oils.
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- Pulse Points: Hit the wrists and the base of the throat.
- Don't Rub: Seriously, don't rub your wrists together. It "bruises" the molecules and kills that caramel apple opening.
- Layering: People swear by layering this with Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62. Since both have that nutty, almond, and vanilla vibe, they blend like peanut butter and jelly.
Why It Matters Today
We live in an era of "Skin Scents" and "Quiet Luxury." Everything is supposed to smell like nothing or "clean laundry." Mariah Carey Dreams is the opposite. It’s unapologetic. It’s sweet, it’s loud, and it lasts for 6 to 8 hours on the skin.
It reminds us of a time when celebrity fragrances were actually experimental. Using star anise and salted caramel in 2013 was actually kind of a bold move for a mass-market perfume.
If you love gourmands but hate smelling like a literal cupcake, this is the one to track down. It’s got enough woodiness from the patchouli and tonka bean to keep it grounded. It’s cozy. It’s nostalgic. It’s basically Mariah in a bottle.
If you are looking to buy, check the batch codes. Look for sellers who have kept the bottle out of direct sunlight. A "spoiled" bottle of Dreams is a tragedy, but a fresh one? That’s a total confidence booster.
Next Steps: You should check online marketplaces like Mercari or specialized fragrance discounters for "New Old Stock" (NOS) to find the best price on a remaining bottle. Always ask the seller for a photo of the liquid color to gauge how much the vanilla has aged.