First Instinct Blue

It's funny when I find a fragrance I like by blind testing it in a shop, it usually matches up to the notes I love the most. I found this yesterday while looking for free samples (Testers) in Bern again. Never experienced A&C frags before so I thought I'd give this one a go. And for me it was love at first whiff! Maybe it's because I'm not jaded by buying whatever was trendy over the years. I've stuck with my Azzaro PH and classic Lagerfeld for decades. But something in FIB caught my nose. Was it the frozen apple? Not sure. But something like the wintergreen essence of Root Beer, or what reminded me of Root Beer caught my attention and stayed with me all day long. It was extremely enjoyable but not sugary sweet the way many young men's frags are these days. I've read a lot about this one being a cheapy, or just not having any longevity. But here in Switz. we are not a huge consumer culture like it the U.S. So unless you buy it online the price is a steep 91 dollars in a shop. Though I found it online for half that price. And I am not sure about sillage since everyone is wearing masks these days. But the fragrance lasted on me for a good 8 hours. No Joke! I don't know if it's my skin type. But when I test a new frag I always shave and moisturize my face and neck. it makes a difference for me. I will be asking for this for Christmas and wearing it often for assorted occasions. It leans towards being a bit sporty and outdoorsy. But I think you could wear it for some formal occasions as well. It also seemed a bit linear on me over the whole day, but I enjoyed it immensely. This is definitely a "just for me" fragrance.

BODYWASH-DEEP/DARK BLUE/BLEU-LIGHTLY SWEET-AQUATIC (Aromatic) A&F First Instinct Blue is a great blue designer frag, smells very similar to Versace Dylan Blue; starts off with that blue bodywash shower gel accord but the fruits adds a tad bit of sweetness, then pepper+rosemary+cardamom adds dense fresh spiciness, the sandalwood, amber, and tonka bean aren't overly done (but are still detectable in the base, especially the more it dries) and rounds the fruit sweetness with a hint of warm creaminess; very well composed fragrance especially for the price and for a "blue/bleu" fragrance, mass appealing while not being just another 'run of the mill' generic blue frag, very versatile can be worn day &/or night spring summer fall (not on the level of Bleu de Chanel but i'd put it on the same level of Versace Dylan Blue). A&F got another 1, they just keep producing great smelling fragrances; Projection/Sillage' is GOOD, not super loud (can apply liberally) but it's aromatic and noticeable in the air, provides nice scent bubble radius 1-2 feet for 1-2 hours, then becomes more of in-close scent. . Performance/Longevity is GOOD, last about 6-7 hours, light enough that can be applied liberally to makes it last

Glad I got this, paid the extra $3 to get a 1.7oz over a 1.0oz bottle at Ross ($18 vs $15) Its projection is a bit weak, solution is to toss on a extra spray. Hence why I went with the larger bottle. Off the atomizer it doesnt even smell like ambercrombie, smells musky,spicy, woody and a tad of citrus AND chemy. Smells very unique. After spraying middle notes are similar of that of first instinct together minus the fruity smell/grape. Drying down smells aqua/blue/woody/slight powdery. Further drying down hour or so later smells like first instinct together minus all the extra fruity notes. Like this cause its not too strong where you constantly smell it on yourself but you'll get a whiff here and there. Im sure if your skin chemistry is right like mine itll fire up if you start to sweat or if your out in a spring/summer day moving around. I love blue scents and this is right up my alley. Wish I would've bought this at the other ross location first instead of hollister free wave, but this worked out for the better got a bigger bottle at this ross that the other location didn't have. Will report back with any updates after more use.

This was my first ever Fragrance. I love the smell of it. It is probably one of the best-smelling fragrances in my collection. It is also very versatile. However, the longevity and sillage is disappointing. I bring the bottle with me just because of it. If I can't smell it anymore, I would ask someone if they can. If they don't, then I respray. Fixed! I would rather have a better-smelling fragrance than a longer-lasting one. This is why I would prob give this an 8/10 overall. I might be biased since it is my first fragrance, but I think the smell is amazing. If the Longevity had been better, then I might have given this a 10/10. If you don't like the idea of respraying, then don't get it. Otherwise, this can be a signature fragrance worn casually and in the office. Love it!

Soapy and clean, a little spicy. Typical "shower gel" type of frag. Definitely shares a similar tone with Dylan Blue, MB Legend, and many other popular blue scents, but this one is still unique and easy to like. It's a warm weather scent that could really be used any time you want to smell clean, a perfect "gym bag" cologne. It smells "young" as in "vigorous" or "sporty" but not in a juvenile or immature way. I'm pretty sure this performs well, but it seems like I go nose blind to it every other time I wear it. If you have plenty of blue fragrances, you probably don't need this one. But if you're looking for one on the cheap, this one smells awesome, and you can get a tester for around $20.