Side Effect by Initio Parfums Prives

Initio Side Effect plunges you into a state of intense passion and seduction, where emotions run wild and there are no risks. It’s a moving fragrance that creates an aura of natural power and grandeur, perfect for moments of desire and magnetism.

Rather than an explosion, it’s a super intense buzz where the cinnamon hits your brain. If people smell it, they’re close, and at that distance, this perfume is lethal.

I cannot stand it. I have had it since January and have used it twice, but I simply cannot tolerate this scent 🥺.

Notes: Opening of rum and saffron, heart of tobacco and cinnamon, base of oud and sandalwood. Lasts between 8 and 12 hours on skin and up to a weekend on clothes. Sillage of about 2 metres. It’s unisex, but very pricey and not for everyone. It’s very strong; many have recognised the scent and its potency. I wouldn’t recommend it as a signature scent if you live in heat, but the smell is impressive for the evening. Without a doubt, my favourite so far.

Of the Initio I’ve tried (Side Effect, Paragon, Narcotic Delight, Absolute Aphrodisiac, and Oud for Greatness), this is perhaps the one that will convince me for a full bottle. Each has its own form, but I, being very abstract, perceive a sensual and almost magical aphrodisiac thread running through them. I think every time I smell an Initio, I don’t just like the scent; I fall under a small spell of attraction. It’s not the complexity that moves me; I think it’s witchcraft or black magic, something much more mundane. In an experiment with friends who have immunity to marketing, I let them try ten fragrances, and I’m sure they all chased the Initio with their eyes closed.

An absolute gem, my top three. I adore Side Effect for the way it makes me feel; spraying it on my neck and feeling like the sexiest person in the world. If Brad Pitt were standing next to me, he’d transform into Danny DeVito. It’s a head-turner that draws compliments; sexy, attractive, and seductive. I’m not an expert, nor do I know if it contains Hedione, but I simply love it. The scent is potent, dense, and marked by rum, accompanied by tobacco and cinnamon, with a sandalwood base that makes it creamy, sweet, and resinous. An olfactory marvel. However, the longevity isn’t its strong suit; my 2023 bottle doesn’t last more than six hours on skin. The projection also disappoints, being very contained and suitable only for intimate closeness. It’s a shame; it should be detectable from across the street. In summary: an adult aroma, far too sexy for minors. Slightly masculine unisex. Shines in cold or mild climates. Scent: 10/10. Longevity: 7/10. Duration: 6h. Projection: 6/10. Versatility: 7/10. Price: 2.83€/ml. Final score: 8/10. I’m just sharing what makes me feel, pure olfactory experience.

One of my favourites. In Paris, at the Initio perfumerie, I was tempted and left completely smitten. The opening reminded me of cherry cough syrup, but the dry-down is something else entirely: simple yet beautiful. The tobacco, vanilla, and liquor blend harmoniously to create something sensual and delicious. For me, it’s a 10/10.

I went to the perfumerie looking for something to enchant me. After sniffing several that weren’t bad but didn’t catch my attention, I smelled this… Wooow! I loved it. I asked them to spray it on my skin and… Wooow! I went for a walk and was still hooked. I returned and bought it. It’s not complex; quite the opposite: simple, a sweet, boozy aroma with a smoky touch at the end that gradually emerges and lingers. It’s not heavy, has good longevity, and is linear, though eventually only the smoky note remains. It has entered my top 10, even my top 5.

Side Effect has on me the very adverse effect it claims to have. Few fragrances make me unwilling to smell them again, but this is one of them. After an excessively strong and opaque opening, lacking any note definition, all I see is another fragrance built on a massive load of coumarin and Norlimbanol-type molecules. What annoys me most is how the house treats consumers as fools. The description states it is based on Hedione, a molecule that enhances the perception of pleasure and attraction. What nonsense is this? Do they want to sell us Hedione as something special? It is a molecule used in almost all modern perfumery for its good scent, functionality and low cost. I recommend buying a few grams to see what the fuss is about. It will only cost a few euros. That said, I must admit that, although it is a pleasant and familiar scent, it will not increase pleasure, desire or attraction. Let’s not even talk about the price… A fragrance based on Hedione sold for over €200. If only I could enjoy it as many others do; I know it has a good reputation, but I cannot. Regards.

To be brief: tobacco, vanilla, and liquor blended in a men’s perfume, with outstanding longevity and superior quality. An olfactory delight. Recommended for temperate to cold weather.

Side Effect suits a man much better than a woman. I have it as a decant and it was love at first sniff. An intoxicating opening that smells like a saloon in the old west: wet liquor with tobacco smoke, very masculine, pure testosterone, before settling into a powdery base where burnt and smoky woods predominate. I’m sure it has coal notes at the end. I’ve read everything here and can testify that almost everything is true. It’s a perfume that intensifies in freezing weather, because the sweetness of the liquor with the tobacco smoke is too intrusive on hot or sweaty skin.

1.- Scent: for me, cinnamon bark predominates, which is why it feels spicy. I haven’t sensed the rum. I imagine the combination creates an accord similar to Tutsi Pop’s cherry. I feel I’ve smelled similar aromas in other perfumes, which is why I don’t think it’s unique. 2.- Projection: moderate to high (about 1-2 metres) for the first hour, with longevity of around 8 hours, where the last 2 hours are closer to the skin. 3.- Uses: yes, I would say it’s a sexy scent, for conquest or to attract attention, for cold days or evenings, leaning towards the male gender.

Side Effect smells like something other than what your mind imagines when seeing the notes. What stands out most is the rum opening, with a sweet and fruity tone, like a cherry or berry liqueur. That tipsy air settles into a sensual, delicate vanilla that doesn’t fall into gourmand territory. These two notes are the most noticeable; I see it as unisex, but it won’t appeal to those seeking something very masculine.

Initio Side Effect: my favourite perfume to date. I’m passionate about this brand, but with this one, they went to the moon. A simple yet unique fragrance. The first time, it was shocking due to a strong cherry opening, but once it settles on the skin, it becomes sweet and slightly alcoholic, with cinnamon, vanilla, and tobacco… a wonderful evening scent. I use it in any season, even summer, as it’s not heavy or excessively sweet. It’s easy to wear, loved by people, and as sexy as they come, very versatile and unisex, though it looks incredible on a man. There are rumours of a reformulation; I can confirm that 2019 decants had a much denser and darker liquid than current versions, which are almost transparent. However, in terms of scent, longevity, and projection, it remains the same beast: over 12 hours, still projecting at eight hours, and smelling identical. 10/10. July 2023 edition: it had a lot of hype, and glad I didn’t buy a 90ml bottle. It’s half bitter, half sweet, dry, and alcoholic. If you like cherry, alcoholic, and vanilla-based scents with dark undertones, it’s worth trying, but in my opinion, there are better alternatives. So far, Musk Therapy is the only one from the house that made me buy a full bottle, a masterpiece. But generally, what a great house Initio is.

I begin by saying that after years of smelling designer and niche, the sense of smell develops other capabilities. Now, knowing Side Effect, I see an aroma in the line of vanilla scents with tobacco or rum/cinnamon. Intense opening of vanilla, cinnamon and a super-sweet tobacco that reminds me of Black Khaled by Arabian Oud and Vanilla Oud by Vertus, but with more sharpness and depth. Very good aroma, like the premium version of those named perfumes. In conclusion, it’s intense, pleasant and for personal enjoyment. It doesn’t break the nose nor is it completely original, but it’s worth knowing. For those starting in this style, it will blow their mind. I see it for winter or cold seasons. Very elegant, extremely high quality, for mature people (over 30 years) who want to leave an olfactory memory. I recommend it without doubt. Scent: 5.5/10, Sillage: 9/10, Projection: 8.5/10, Longevity: 8.5/10.