Our take
What does Side Effect smell like?
Released in 2016 by Initio Parfums Privés, a house that says it explores how materials affect the senses, Side Effect openly plays on intoxication. The opening is warm and boozy, with amber rum, cinnamon and saffron suggesting a spiced punch. The heart brings in a soft, honeyed tobacco, brightened by hedione, a molecule with a transparent jasmine feel that lets air into the blend. The base of sandalwood, vanilla and benzoin adds a resinous, creamy, almost liqueur-like sweetness. The result is dense, sweet and highly diffusive, with remarkable staying power. Picture a dim bar, waxed wood and a glass swirled slowly near the fire.
When to wear it
Winter evenings, applied sparingly; it suits lovers of sweet, boozy, very present scents of any gender.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Spicy family. Side Effect is one of 4 creations by Initio Parfums Privés in our encyclopedia.
