Initio →
Side Effect
A cigar box, opened, then cinnamon. Initio Side Effect has a sense of occasion.
Released
2016
Concentration
Eau de Parfum
House from
France
Retail
$420 / 90ml
Rated
4.25/5
How it moves
Saffron and cinnamon hit first, the way an opening line should. By the half hour it has become rum and tobacco. Last to go: sandalwood, Hedione and vanilla.
What wearers say
4.25 out of 5 across 4,604 ratings — well loved, and not quietly.
- Widely praised as an addictive rum, tobacco and cinnamon gourmand, though several note recent batches smell weaker and less dark.
- Strong longevity and projection, considered a signature-worthy cold-weather scent that draws frequent compliments despite its steep niche price.
- Some find it overly sweet or overhyped, but most agree the boozy spiced-vanilla drydown is comforting and distinctive.
Wear it for less
There are 14 ways to wear this for less. The closest costs $22 — $399 back in your pocket, and nobody standing near you will know.
- 01
AftermathFragrance World 80ml $22 −$399 - 02 S Side EffectPalermo Perfumes $23 −$397
- 03
Infini ElixirMaison Alhambra $30 −$390 - 04
The HypeBujairami $33 −$388 - 05
After EffectFrench Avenue 80ml $38 −$382 - 06
AftermathScentual Obsessions 30ml $42 −$378 - 07
Side EffectMatch Perfumes 100ml $44 −$376 - 08
Bade'e Al Oud AmethystLattafa 100ml $45 −$375 - 09
Secret EmbersMod Fragrances $45 −$375 - 10
Shelby EffectYom & Layl 100ml $85 −$335 - 11
Side EffectOil Perfumery 60ml $89 −$331 - 12
ActHK Perfumes 100ml $89 −$331 - 13
Second ReactionPerfume Parlour 120ml $107 −$313 - 14
Upside DownAlexandria Fragrances 100ml $110 −$310
The community
What people say about Side Effect
Rating
—Longevity
Projection
Best in
SpringSummerAutumnWinter
No reviews yet. Be the first to say how it wears.
In the forum
Start a discussion →Questions
- What smells like Initio Side Effect?
- We list 14 bottles built to smell like it, including Aftermath by Fragrance World, Side Effect by Palermo Perfumes, Infini Elixir by Maison Alhambra and The Hype by Bujairami.
- What is the cheapest alternative to Initio Side Effect?
- Aftermath by Fragrance World, at $22 for 80ml. Prices are read from each shop and re-checked.
- How much cheaper are the alternatives?
- Initio Side Effect is listed at $420 for 90ml. The bottles that smell like it run from $22 to $110.
- Who made Initio Side Effect?
- released in 2016 for Initio.