Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume

The Ultimate Buying Guide for Nicki Minaj’s Iconic Pink Friday Perfume

I’ve been a huge Nicki Minaj fan ever since her mixtape days back in 2007. Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection of Nicki merchandise and memorabilia. But perhaps my most prized possession is a bottle of Nicki’s first ever fragrance, Pink Friday.

As a diehard “Barb”, I remember the excitement and anticipation leading up to the launch of Pink Friday in September 2010. Nicki was at the absolute peak of her powers, dominating the charts and pop culture with her brazen attitude and outrageous style. The Pink Friday fragrance was hotly anticipated by fans who couldn’t wait to spritz on Nicki’s trademark scent.

Since its release over 10 years ago, Pink Friday has remained one of Nicki’s most popular and best-selling perfumes. It perfectly encapsulates Nicki’s fun, feminine and fabulous essence. The attention-grabbing bottle is a work of art that looks gorgeous displayed on any vanity. And the playful, sweet fragrance has been a staple in many perfume collections for years.

So if you’re looking to treat yourself to a bottle of this iconic fragrance, you’ve come to the right place! Here is the ultimate buying guide for Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday perfume.

An Instantly Recognizable Fruity Floral Fragrance

The first thing anyone notices about Pink Friday is its instantly recognizable scent. Nicki worked closely with perfumers to create a playful, youthful fragrance that blends fruits, florals and creamyvanilla.

The top notes burst open with a juicy hit of starfruit, Italian mandarin and boysenberry. The mandarin adds a fresh zing, while the fruits provide a sweet berry lushness.

As the fragrance dries down, the heart notes emerge with a feminine blend of natural jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, and soft gardenia. The gardenia adds a lovely creaminess, while the florals provide a delicate, romantic flair.

In the base, notes of vanilla, caramelized pear, and creamy sandalwood ground the fragrance with warmth and sensuality. The vanilla is not overly sweet – it provides a soft, velvety backdrop for the fruity florals.

Overall, Pink Friday is a playful, fun loving fragrance that sparkles with fruity vibrancy, then dries down to a pretty floral heart and warm, sensual base. It transitions seamlessly from day to night wear. And it’s immediately recognizable to all Nicki fans!

Where To Buy for the Best Price

As an iconic perfume that’s been around for 10+ years, Pink Friday is widely available at most major beauty retailers. But where can you score the best deal?

Department stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Sephora typically stock the largest inventory. However, prices full retail are generally between $55-75 for the 3.4oz bottle.

Discounters like FragranceNet.com, FragranceX.com and Perfume.com allow you to buy Pink Friday at discounted prices between $35-55. Sales pop up from time to time too. This is my go-to for savings!

Amazon and Walmart also carry Pink Friday at varying discounts of 10-20% off retail, so always worth comparing.

For the best promotional freebies and gifts, the official Nicki Minaj website sometimes offers value sets, free samples or limited edition packaging. Sign up for email alerts so you don’t miss out!

Also check out QVC and HSN – they occasionally have Today’s Special Value offers on Pink Friday gift sets that are a steal!

Pink Friday Perfume is Still in Production

The good news for Nicki fans is that Pink Friday is still widely produced and sold at most retailers. It’s been a best-selling fragrance for over a decade, so you can always count on finding it stocked.

There were some worries Pink Friday might be discontinued when the very similar Pink Friday Deluxe Edition launched recently. However, the original Pink Friday remains in full production as of 2022. Phew! 😅

Now there have been a few limited edition flankers, like Pink Friday Special Edition in 2011 and Pink Friday Royal Edition in 2020. Those are harder to find.

But the classic original Pink Friday in the dagger bottle is here to stay! No need to panic buy or stock up.

Decoding the Iconic Fragrance Notes

Let’s take a deeper look at what gives Pink Friday its uniquely playful, feminine vibe:

Top notes:

• Starfruit: Provides a tropical zing – think sweet fruit juice. Gives Pink Friday an instant burst of fun!
• Italian Mandarin: A sparkling, zesty citrus that lifts the fragrance.
• Boysenberry: A hybrid berry that contributes a lush juiciness and light tartness.

Heart notes:

• Gardenia: The creamy gardenia petals lend a delicate, floral creaminess.
• Lily-of-the-Valley: This dainty white flower provides freshness.
• Jasmine: As a signature floral in perfumes, the jasmine provides a rich, sensual bouquet.

Base notes:

• Creamy sandalwood: Gives comfort and soft warmth to the base.
• Caramelized pear: Adds juicy sweetness and full-bodied richness.
• Vanilla: Provides a smooth, rounded quality – never cloying or too sweet.

As you can see, fruits, florals and woods all blend beautifully in synergy. Masterfully crafted by perfumers!

Decadent Bottle Design

The bottle design for the original Pink Friday is so eye-catching and cool. The bold, black dagger shape really stands out on any vanity.

Etched in glass along the dagger is Nicki’s signature “NM” logo and leopard print detailing. So on brand!

The bottle even comes in special box packaging resembling a treasure chest. Very luxe aesthetic overall.

Later editions like Pink Friday Deluxe did away with the dagger for a more rounded silhouette. But to me, nothing beats the striking original!

Reviews – What Do Customers Think?

So what are real-life customers saying about using Pink Friday perfume? Overall, reviews are very positive:

• Most describe the scent as “sweet, fun and feminine.” Many say it’s uplifting and puts them in a happy mood!
• The fruity top notes get a lot of love for being playful and juicy. The florals are praised for adding softness.
• Lots of fans say they get compliments whenever they wear Pink Friday. Several mention receiving compliments from strangers!
• Many love the packaging and bottle design aesthetic. They proudly display the bottles.
• Most reviewers say the longevity is decent at 5-6 hours of strong projection, then a few more hours of soft scent trail.
• A few reviewers with sensitive skin wish it lasted longer. But no issues reported overall.
• Overall, Pink Friday scores around 4 out of 5 stars in reviews. Shoppers call it fun, sexy, and a scent they always come back to.

Based on the glowing feedback, Pink Friday seems like a crowd-pleasing scent worth adding to your collection!

Ideal for Young Women and Teens

Pink Friday makes an amazing fragrance choice for teenagers and young women. The sweet fruity florals capture a playful, feminine vibe that makes it super versatile.

Younger millennials and Gen Z love Pink Friday for:

• The young, trendy artist behind it – Nicki still has teen idol status!
• Uplifting, confidence-boosting vibes it gives off
• Attention-grabbing bottle design that looks so cute on your vanity
• Sweet, fruity scent that isn’t too sophisticated or mature
• Affordable price point compared to many designer fragrances
• Great for daytime like school or weekends, not too provocative

Moms approve of Pink Friday too, since it’s age appropriate for teens but still feminine. It’s become somewhat of a new classic fragrance choice for younger generations.

Find It in Gift Sets!

One of the best values on Pink Friday is to buy it as part of a gift set. Brands like Sephora, Ulta and HSN often offer perfume gift sets around the holidays that include the 3.4oz Pink Friday Eau de Parfum plus other beauty goodies.

Some gift sets to look out for:

• Pink Friday + lip gloss set: Comes with a choice lip gloss color in addition to the perfume.
• Nicki Minaj perfume sample kit: Has mini sizes of Pink Friday, Minajesty and other scents. Great for trying them all!
• Pink Friday body lotion set: Includes body lotion to layer the fragrance.
• Pink Friday rollerball: A handy purse size rollerball version.
• Pink Friday shower gel set: Comes with scented shower gel and body cream.

The gift sets are fun because you get more Nicki products for sometimes cheaper than just the perfume alone. Definitely on my holiday wish list!

Available Sizes and Prices

Pink Friday comes in a few size options at varying price points:

• 1 ounce bottle: Approximately $25-30 (mini purse size)
• 1.7 ounce bottle: Approximately $35-40
• 3.4 ounce bottle: Approximately $55-75 (Most popular size)
• 6.8 ounce bottle: Approximately $95-115 (Best value per ounce)

Prices can fluctuate between retailers, but these are the typical ranges. The 3.4oz bottle is the most commonly purchased size.

Anything above 3.4oz is considered a jumbo size. I’d suggest sticking to 1-3.4oz unless you plan to commit to Pink Friday as a lifelong signature scent.

Comparison to Minajesty Perfume

Pink Friday fans often wonder – how does this compare to Minajesty?

Minajesty came a few years later in 2013 with a more mature, grown-up vibe. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Pink Friday is fruity, sweeter, more playful
• Minajesty is warmer, woodier, slightly spicier
• Pink Friday has a bright starfruit opening
• Minajesty opens with sharper bergamot
• Pink Friday feels younger, for daytime
• Minajesty feels more nocturnal and seductive

Both have the creamy vanilla drydown Nicki loves. But Minajesty amps up the sultriness, while Pink Friday keeps it lighthearted.

Honestly, all Nicki fans need both in their collection!

Year-Round Versatility

One of the best things about Pink Friday is its versatility! The fruits, florals, and woods blend beautifully to make this perfume wearable year-round.

During warmer months, the juicy fruits and zesty mandarin citrus give Pink Friday a great summertime vibe. Mist on before beach days!

When temperatures cool, the vanilla and woods come forward more, making Pink Friday perfect for fall and winter. It’s cozy but never too heavy.

For day or night, Pink Friday works beautifully. It maintains that playfulness for daily activities, then warms up softly for evenings out.

Truly an easy-to-wear fragrance anytime, anywhere!

Longevity: All Day Wear?

With the Eau de Parfum concentration, Pink Friday lasts very nicely on skin – but not necessarily all day. Expect around 5-6 hours of strong scent projection.

The fruits and florals tend to fade faster, leaving the vanilla and woods behind. On my skin, soft hints of Pink Friday linger for 8-10 hours. Not bad!

Pro tips for making Pink Friday last longer:

• Apply to clean, moisturized skin – let the oils hold the fragrance.
• Spritz on pulse points like wrists, neck, and décolletage. Warmth releases scent.
• Bring the perfume with you for mid-day touch-ups as needed.
• Layer the body lotion and shower gel for extra staying power.
• Stick to the EDP over the lighter EDT version.

While Pink Friday isn’t the longest lasting perfume, a few simple tricks can get you all day wear.

Similar Perfumes to Try

Pink Friday has such a fun, playful vibe. If you love it, here are some similar perfumes to also try:

• Ariana Grande Cloud – The sweet pear note is very similar. Overall, also has a fluffy, feminine vibe. More marshmallow than florals.
• Marc Jacobs Daisy Love – Has that same bright, fruity floral scent DNA. Daisy Love opens with the similar juicy berry notes.
• Viktor & Rolf Bonbon – Another fruity gourmand like Pink Friday. The caramelized notes give off a similar warmth.
• Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy – If you want something even fruitier, this has that candied wild berry lushness minus the florals. Very playful!
• Katy Perry Killer Queen – Sheer berry fruits plus flowery notes like jasmine. Similar femininity as Pink Friday.

If you’re exploring Nicki’s fragrance line, Minajesty is also a must-try as her sexier, warmer flanker perfume. But Pink Friday will always be my top pick!

The Origins Behind the Pink Friday Name

Nicki cleverly drew from her album “Pink Friday” for the perfume’s name.

Pink Friday the album was released in November 2010, with the perfume following shortly after in September 2010. So it was perfect cross promotion.

The whole Pink Friday era represented Nicki’s playful femme fatale alter ego Roman Zolanski. Nicki described it as “Roman’s take on the world, done my way.”

The “Pink” symbolized Nicki’s larger-than-life, unapologetically feminine persona. It honored the young, fun-loving girly side of her.

The “Friday” referenced starting off the weekend with a bold, fearless attitude. Letting your alter ego out to play!

So spritzing on Pink Friday perfume encapsulates that bold, playful energy Nicki embodied during her emerging superstar era. Such a brilliant, iconic concept.

In Summary: Pink Friday Stands the Test of Time

More than 10 years after its launch, Nicki Minaj Pink Friday still holds up as an amazing perfume. The instantly recognizable fruity floral scent, luxe bottle, and iconic name cement its status as a modern classic.

While limited editions have come and gone, Pink Fridaycontinues delighting fans year after year. There are so many reasons this remains a staple fragrance in my collection. Its youthful playfulness always puts me in an upbeat mood!

If you love unapologetically girly, fruity scents I can’t recommend Pink Friday enough. Grab yourself a bottle and fall in love with this perfume legend.

So there you have it – the ultimate buying guide if you’re looking to treat yourself to Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday perfume. As a longtime Barb, I hope this thorough breakdown helps you decide if this iconic scent deserves a spot in your fragrance wardrobe. Let Pink Friday make every day feel fun and fabulous!