GIVING INITIO ANOTHER SHOT

Instagram SoPost ads are on a mission to have me fall in love with Initio, or, at the very least, tolerate them, and they've succeeded!

This time around, I got to sample different collections and some of their most popular offerings, which gives an accurate representation of the brand, and hopefully, allows them to put a better foot forward.

Up for grabs this time were Side Effect, Musk Therapy, Oud For Greatness, Atomic Rose, Narcotic Delight, and Absolute Aphrodisiac. They were separated into two groups. I selected the option with Musk Therapy, Oud For Greatness, and Atomic Rose. While I enjoyed these samples than the ones I previously tried from Initio, I have FOMO because the other three sound delicious.

OUD FOR GREATNESS

Initio Parfums

Oud, Agarwood Oil, Lavender, Saffron, Patchouli, Musk, Nutmeg

Also called "Black Gold", Oud is renowned for its countless blessings
To feel the high vibrational energy of oud and its blessings, Initio created "Oud for Greatness". Highly concentrated with the world's finest natural oud oil.
Oud for Greatness is the oud for happiness, for harmony, and for healing—a sacred scent to "Hit Heaven" and reach greatness. -From the paper folder holding the sample.

A creation of grandeur and strength, radiating with elegance and undeniable power. 

This is my first time sampling an oud fragrance on my skin. I've smelled Oud Wood by Tom Ford at the Macy's perfume counter, but I didn't do a thorough wear test. I sprayed Oud for Greatness at 7:00 A.M., and still smelled traces of it around 6/7 o'clock in the evening. 

My very first impression was that it reminded me of Thé Noir 29 from Le Labo—which is very wrong —and of MFK's Baccarat Rouge, which I still maintain. The woody, smoky, and earthy opening reminds me of Thé Noir, but that's about the extent of their similarities, and it's such a vague, tenous connection. I maintain the BR comparison because there's a salty, ambery, and ume quality to the perfume that is distinctly BR. Super strong patchouli. I'm imagining vetiver and leather (they're not listed notes.) After spending more time with it, I think it smells vaguely of No.09 Vallée De Farney from Maison Louis Marie, but with the patchouli kicked up several notches. 

It's advertised as unisex, and I see that, but it leans more masculine because of its dry-down. It's not a scent I can confidently wear or douse myself in because I don't think my coworkers would appreciate that, and it smells like I was with a man when I wasn't. 

A fun, novel experience, and the fragrance has great longevity, but it didn't blow my socks off.

ATOMIC ROSE

Initio Parfums

Cinnamon, Rum, Tobacco, Saffron, Sandalwood, Hedione

An explosive rose drive by the iconic ingredient of the Carnal Blends Collection. The Queen of Flowers enters another dimension. A rose diffracted into a powerful sillage.

An olfactory blast with intense emotional charge. 

Feminine and masculine

Soft but merciless

Like a rush of adrenaline, Atomic Rose heightened by an overdose of Hedione HC linking smells to pleasure and sexuality. An explosive bomb that blows your mind.  -From the paper folder holding the sample, in all its weird formatting and lack of punctuation. 

Bold, untamed, magnetic—a floral seduction where passion lingers and ignites the senses. 

My least favorite scent of the three. It smells like Delina by Parfums de Marly, which I am not a fan of. A sweet rose fragrance isn't something I go for. For a while, I avoided roses. I began my flirtation with roses after enjoying Rose of No Man's Land by Byredo, but after purchasing a dupe perfume oil, I've fallen out of love with the scent and have become wary of roses again. 

My main issue with Atomic Rose/Initio is that it's another expensive "dupe." Come on! All this marketing about being innovative and experimental is such bullshit when you're recycling smells and upcharging because it's an "extrait de parfum." 

For those who've never smelled Delina: Atomic Rose is rosy and lychee-forward. There's this cloying, sweet musk that is nauseating to me. Reminds me of Idôle [Nectar] from Lancôme/other designer fragrances targeted towards women. 

Not unisex at all. The brand is really bending backwards to successfully advertise it as unisex. 

MUSK THERAPY

Initio Parfums

Bergamot, Mandarin, White Magnolia, Blackcurrant, White Sandalwood, White Musk, Pink Musk.

Close your eyes, smell and feel a new way of sensations. Experience the power of scent therapy.

Natural white sandalwood blended with an overdose of white and pink musk for an addictive milky and velvety accord. This fragrance restores peace of mind and state of well-being. The white magnolia activated the pleasure receptor while the blackcurrant stimulates the energy.

Musk Therapy, a magical mood enhancer, paves the way to inner peace and pure delight. -From the paper folder holding the sample, in all its unedited glory. 

A scent that balances and soothes, enveloping you in instant serenity.

My favorite of the three. There is something so nostalgic and comforting about this fragrance. I cannot pin down what it reminds me of, which is so frustrating, and completely detracts from its mission to bring the wearer serenity. 

It's very sunny and warm, heliotrope-y, creamy. It's also refreshing due to the citrus notes. When I first smelled it, it reminded me of cucumbers. A soft musk that has you question, is it even there, or do I know what musk smells like?

I had a better experience with Initio this time, but I maintain that their perfumes are not worth your money. They're not blowing my mind, yet...?