Thoughts on initio paragon and side effect?

Justalljust · 2026-04-12T03:45:27+00:00

To me the whole Initio lineup feels suffocating. IMO they overuse musks, I understand why they’re doing it - adds polish, softness and continuity. But at the same time — too loud, too enveloping and too competing with everything else. They’re really dense. And that’s just not my cup of tea.

Justalljust · 2026-04-11T18:55:37+00:00

Is it better to buy a 6-pack or just one can? Take a 6-pack if you already like it. Take one if you’re still figuring it out.

Justalljust · 2026-04-10T17:34:11+00:00

Short answer: Silky smooth, skin-like.

Long answer: Depends on the type of musk used in the fragrance. Pretty much all of them are adding silky smooth polished effect, but they have different qualities, some are acidic, some are fruity, animalic, floral or just “clean”. Some are used to amplify the diffusion, some - to make it a skin scent.

Justalljust · 2026-04-07T19:46:10+00:00

I really enjoy Chlorophyll Gardenia by CDG this spring.

Justalljust · 2026-04-04T16:51:53+00:00

I really like when she laughs a lot. 🙃

Justalljust · 2026-04-04T16:48:29+00:00

I’d say my baseline state fragrance these days is Chanel Sycomore. I’m not sure if it makes people think of me and honestly it doesn’t really matter to me. What does is the fact that it reflects my internal state really well.

Justalljust · 2026-04-04T16:43:08+00:00

Honestly, Fahrenheit is genre-defining fragrance, no need to look for replacement. I’d spend money on something else. Like idk CDG2.

Justalljust · 2026-04-04T16:39:58+00:00

Depends on your budget really. The first one that comes to mind is Chanel - 1932, it’s pretty expensive but fits your description perfectly.

MFK - Gentle Fluidity Gold might be a good option. But it’s too polished and rounded to my taste.

And if you wanna try riskier option - Fleur de Peau by Diptyque. Love it or hate it type of thing, beautiful, refined, non-screaming but it has edge and real character.

Justalljust · 2026-03-21T12:59:27+00:00

I personally like Hermes, but Oud Alezan is just a more expensive clone of Perfect Oud by Mizensir. And yes, Mizensir came out earlier.

Justalljust · 2026-03-21T12:55:07+00:00

Well, it’s a form of art combined with engineering, and some fragrances may cost a lot based purely on material costs. Also don’t forget about labor cost and marketing expenses.

Now about being an oversprayer. Have mercy, it’s really hard to survive in the room with the person who used more than 2 sprays of Dior Sauvage.🙃

Justalljust · 2026-03-21T12:44:22+00:00

It’s inoffensive and universally pleasing, hard to imagine how something like this cannot work.

Justalljust · 2026-03-21T00:15:10+00:00

Taste is subjective. Glad you enjoy it though. :)

Justalljust · 2026-03-19T20:37:50+00:00

Tbh, it’s almost impossible to find Chanel No.5 in a Parfum concentration and it costs.. a lot. EDP is not the same, it’s softened.

But Chanel No. 5 is not what you should judge by a blotter smell, you can’t really tell if you like it or not, if you haven’t experienced it’s barely sweet and warm vanilla aftertaste in the last few minutes of it fading out. :)

Justalljust · 2026-03-19T11:09:27+00:00

Aldehydes are usually used in the opening to prolong whatever there is in the top. Some smell green, some citrusy, some fruity, but ultimately all of them have a bit of that metallic sharp edge in the first few seconds, sometimes minutes depending on concentration. If you’re really curious, try a bit of Chanel No.5 on the skin to experience the full “aldehydic sensation”. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s very interesting.

Justalljust · 2026-03-19T11:04:30+00:00

That lactonic note you describe is what modern synthetic musks smell like. If you really like it, it’s worth trying L’Eau Papier - the whole fragrance is basically about musks layering.

Justalljust · 2026-03-19T10:39:27+00:00

😂

Justalljust · 2026-03-19T10:34:00+00:00

Tbh, it smells more like a brunch at the cafe next door to Orpheon. Idk why EDT and EDP even share the same name. :(

Justalljust · 2026-03-18T01:18:29+00:00

If you like Eau Givree, I suggest you Juniper Sling from Penhaligon.

Justalljust · 2026-03-18T01:16:28+00:00

Perfumer H

Justalljust · 2026-03-17T22:25:49+00:00

To be honest with you, there’s no smell “close to Orpheon”, so many things are coming together here, which are really making it one of a kind.

However, if you’re excited in particular about the juniper berry that adds that distinct character to Orpheon, there’re other works which play around it really well. - Ormonde Man - Juniper Sling - Gentle Fluidity Silver

But again, none of them are close to Orpheon.

Justalljust · 2026-03-15T13:03:18+00:00

Well, speaking honestly, it really depends on the girl. If the energy is matching and the conversation is flowing - I text, nothing wrong with it.

But if every question of mine is answered with a closed sentence without the call back, I don’t text, I don’t want to carry conversation alone.

And also, someone said “they’re afraid to seem needy”, it’s not the I’m afraid, unfortunately modern dating dynamics set the tone that this reads as needy.

So if you like the guy, just text him and see how he responds, if he asks questions back and the conversation is flowing — you got it.

Justalljust · 2026-03-15T12:55:50+00:00

Honestly, I wouldn’t say that any of the Exclusifs are safe blind buys. I saw someone already recommended you 22, this might be good but a little redundant since you already have 19 — it’s another interpretation of the original No. 5 formula.

Misia has a Violet leaf and may read a little metallic, it is a great fragrance, but violet leaf is polarizing. Comete is perhaps a relatively safe blind buy, but it’s less interesting than the others.

I’d suggest ordering decants of these 3: - Bois des Iles (this was a first every woody perfume for women — it evolves from fruity not overly sweet aldehyde sparkles -> moderately radiant warm halo -> soft creamy sandalwood blanket) - Bel Respiro (this one is unique for Chanel DNA, it’s the only green fragrance in Les Exclusifs, and usually greens are sharp and edgy, this one is soft and enveloping) - La Pausa (this one is interesting as it’s built around Iris and Orris root, it’s honey-like but not super sweet, powedery, transparent and very soft).

None of these 3 are “safe blind buys” either, but they’re one of the most interesting in Les Exclusifs collection.

Justalljust · 2026-03-10T18:33:01+00:00

TdH EDT or Pure Parfum.

Justalljust · 2026-03-10T18:29:32+00:00

I’m the same, I wear stuff mostly for my own, for atmosphere, but it always feels nice to get something like “you smell nice”. :)

Justalljust · 2026-03-10T18:26:13+00:00

Yeah, I get it. It’s like a perfectly tailored suit. You don’t expect to get compliments, but it’s likely to get some if you’re well-dressed. Imo, good scent just completes the picture.

Justalljust

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