Side Effect

Side Effect, inspired by Initio Parfums Privés Side Effect (2016)

Side Effect starts boozy, with rum and cinnamon arriving together and saffron adding a leathery, faintly metallic spice. Tobacco and vanilla form its core; Initio says the formula brings out leathery, animal and woody sides of the vanilla bean. Hedione, a transparent jasmine-like molecule, gives the dense mix some air. It changes little as it wears, finishing on sandalwood with tobacco and vanilla still present.

About the original

Initio Parfums Privés launched Side Effect in 2016 within its Carnal Blends collection. The house pitches it as a night perfume and classes it as ambery spicy. No perfumer is named by the brand. It is sold today as an eau de parfum in 50 ml and 90 ml.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Initio Parfums Privés stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Its natural setting is the evening, which is how Initio presents it. The sweetness is pronounced and the rum note obvious, so it is a poor choice for a fresh or understated scent.

Related scents

• Parfums de Marly Herod
• Mancera Red Tobacco
• Initio Oud

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Notes: Tobacco, Vanilla, Rum, Cinnamon, Saffron, Sandalwood, Hedione

Rum and cinnamon open it, with saffron adding a dry, spiced edge.

Tobacco and vanilla build the heart, lifted slightly by Hedione.

Sandalwood settles underneath while tobacco and vanilla linger, keeping the scent fairly linear.

Does Side Effect smell of alcohol?

It has a clear rum note, boozy and sweet rather than sharp, blended with cinnamon and vanilla.

Is Side Effect for men or women?

Initio sells it as unisex.

What is Hedione?

A jasmine-related aroma molecule with an airy, fresh floral feel. Initio lists it among the main notes, where it lightens the heavier tobacco and vanilla.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Initio and Side Effect are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Initio in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.