Initial

It's a funny thing with Boucheron fragrances. No matter the composition, you can almost always tell it's a Boucheron. Just like you can almost always tell a fragrance is a Chanel or a Guerlain, this house is no different. Regardless of the note profile and structure almost all older perfumes from this house have the Boucheron DNA all over them. (I've yet to smell the more modern ones so I won't consider them in this comparison.) It's really surprising with this one, since the note profile is so unlike other Boucherons - almost stripped down compared to the others which are chock full of ingredients. Yet, you can still tell. I won't dissect the notes since so many have already done it; but despite the unusual composition of spicy honey drenched florals, it's still recognizable as a Boucheron. And like almost all the Boucheron's I've smelled to date, it is beautiful. Though the snow white bottle reminds me of winter, and it does smell wonderful then, it's really fantastic in the warmer weather. Still, this is too lovely a fragrance not to wear year round. Just wanted to add that I have the edt and it is plenty strong. Boucheron fragrances are so strong that I prefer the edt strength for most of their perfumes. The silage and longevity of their edts is every bit as good as the edps without overwhelming; as the edps can sometimes do especially if you get careless with the trigger. I am wearing it today and am loving it. It is a nice, sunny cool day and this scent is really shinning - peppery, creamy, honeyed florals. I know some have complained about the strength, or the spiciness, but I am not having that problem. This is a beautiful soft floral with a little kick from the pepper. Silage is nice and it is long lasting on me. I put this on this morning, and it is the late afternoon and still going strong. I love it.

Initial is an odd little perfume. I only have a mini - and it is so adorable, like a little pearl pendant - that I got off ebay, so there's a chance I may not be smelling it in it's freshest form. I am fairly certain though, that it is not a fake, per some other fragrantica members' input. Top notes are very watery and vaguely honey-ish. On first application, I was thinking it must be fake or old. Then it goes through a little patchouli phase, which smells a tad musty, so again, I'm thinking it's got to be old. But after being patient for a bit, (bout 30 minutes or so), it blooms into a very smooth and sweet honey-almond dry down, At this stage, it is absolutley gorgeous, even though it still seems light - and this review is for the EDP. The one thing that surprised me about this little gem is the above-average sillage. Like her bolder sister, Trouble, this fragrance has some serious projection. It's mild for the wearer but can still gain compliments from a few feet away. Totally inoffensive, too. I can't see anyone gagging or getting a migraine over this. So I agree with the "lion dressed as a turtle" statement. It starts off so slow you think you must have a bad bottle, or you've lost your sense of smell. Oh, the horror! But then it does kick in and redeem itself with surprisingly good sillage and acceptable longevity - about 4-5 hours with good sillage and the faintest honey-almond dry down is still with you even 10-12 hours later. All in all, I like it but I think I would LOVE it if it were a little stronger. Edited 1-23-11: I do love this and it is becoming my go-to fragrance. A very soft, feminine and easy to wear fragrance.

I have this fragrance in parfum concentration and use it sparingly due to it's rarity & discontinuation, never tried the other offerings (eau's) so I will carry on with this pearly spray flacon until it is no more, I'm a diehard patchouli lover so this floral heavy, honey laden, musky patch bomb potpourri is for me heaven in a bottle. I also detect powder + the odor of spent incense ash in the sumptuous drydown along with spices and rich flowers comprising rose, jasmine, black currant and tuberose to name but a few of the main contenders although the tuberose is not listed in the above pyramid? For me this is so unlike Boucheron's other offerings, and I am glad of it, a powerhouse tour de force from this esteemed Parisian Jeweller & created by Jacques Cavallier, again this is one more that I guard zealously, and categorize as vintage even though it's just over 20 years old. Hopefully this will keep for many more years as the raw materials used are of the highest quality

I scored a nearly full 3.4oz tester bottle from an online estate auction for just $5 plus shipping, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting and satisfying blind buys I’ve ever made. I hadn’t even heard of the scent before, but the bottle was captivating, and since no one else seemed interested, I placed my bid. Later, I discovered on Fragrantica that it’s practically a legendary fragrance. Now, wearing it to work on a cold winter day, it feels like it was meant to be in my collection. It’s perfect for chilly weather—peppery, warm, a bit powdery, and sensual. My husband loves it, saying I smell “expensive.” While I’m not usually drawn to honey notes, I adore patchouli, and the combination of patchouli, florals, and honey completely won me over. It feels timeless, never like an “old lady” perfume, and it adapts beautifully to my chemistry. This fragrance makes me feel luxurious, and I’ll treasure every last drop.

At first you get the scent of orange wrapped with spices and warm amber Cozy fragrant Imaginings of a Old Victorian Fireplace on christmas eve a rocking chair rocks back and forth comly listioning to the sound fire Crakling Misoltoe on top of the archway faint sounds of tinkling music boxes playing. or in the scene from The Age of Innocence when Madame Olenska and Newland Archer suble erotic chemisty or russia Before the revolution when Tsars ruled with Ambered walls decked with fine paintings of great masters Leo Tolstory with his Anna Karenina Onegin wondered though St Peter's Squaire Like a Person without a soul after his Doomed love for Tatyana. the sweet Soft sounds of the balakas playing. this was a world before Lenin Stalin and Communist Regime Distroyed it Forever. these are the thing i imagine when i wear this. a bittersweet Sojourn in a bottle.

How do I recreate the experience of this fragrance in the winter? I have a sample of this one (Don't know how many sprays left CRY) and love it so much but since it is discontinued, I ordered a full size from a seller; when I received it the juice had already gone bad. So be weary and don't order this unless it's from a Fraghead who kept it in a dark place. With this stunner, I don't sniff up close--I just let it waft off my arm or clothes, and I only wear it in cold weather. I get a liquored plum-grape-honey combo, barreled to perfection. Please, if anyone can suggest another perfume that I can get this same experience with, advise me. Thus far, Nothing compares to this one in winter. Edit: It's 2 years later now, and I found one that reminds me of it: Hanami Phlur

Mmm so deep, complex and satisfying, a winter wonder. Starts spicy - pepper, patchouli with a drop of honey and a touch of currant's green parts. It has depth that is evident from the start. Boucheron should bring it back. Their current crowd pleasers are something they should be ashamed of. Once the top notes blend with the skin it hits a wild, deep, evergreen-spicy edge. Patchouli mixed with incense is what I can feel. When this stage disappears, then a soft, sweet and warm base with a deep, bitter tinge appears. The scent is creating a mysterious, sensual, warm and rich atmosphere. High heels, pearls, black tuxedo or at least a little black dress immediately appear in my mind. A scent that stimulates you to dress up and be the best version of yourself :)

first spread I feel like a magic Myrrh and soft elegant incense smoke covering my soul with honey jasmine rose blanket, yes its heavy for the first smell, but after blend with my body with in 15 minutes it is just confident fragrance and wealth and sacred. I love it. After 15 minutes comes rose, jasmine, almond and patchouli. Last're pepper, a little mandarin orange, lot of wild flower and feminine musk. Love it. And might cassis or red currant leafs is what I thought myrrh and soft incense, I never smell cassis nor red currant leaf.

Masterful. A new quality out of the parts, I truly can't tell them apart. Very elegant, enveloping, warm but not overly so. Slightly powdery yet with evergreen tinge. Chic, grown up, feminine. Perfect signature. I usually wear it in winter and it requires formal clothes but it is so beautiful this early spring evening. Perfect for big galas. Is it truly lost? It is incredibly beautiful and I only have half of my 50ml bottle left. This versatility and charm makes me raise it from like to love.

I wore this when I was 25. It is - til today - the most beautiful perfume I've ever smelled. All stages and especially the dry down. My boyfriend at the time walked into the mall, told me to wait in the car, and walked back and put the new box of Initial by Boucheron into my hands and my eyes perked up, he must have been tired of me pining for it. I wish I had this again. I finished the bottle and bought a second. And then it was gone. Forever. Much to my dismay.

still, it has been discontinued... what a pitty ! such an elegant, charming perfume ! at first is too oriental - probably the pepper gives me this impression - but after it dries down, it becomes so sweet and pleasant... so unique and highly recognisable... a true signature. discontinued, though...

This perfume is GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!! It is indeed creamy fresh and very 'intellectual'. It is one of my Boucheron favorites! LOVE IT!

This scent is somewhere between a Golden Age actress (think Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor) and a warm mother, a safe haven.

Few drops of Sira des Indes beneath patchouli? Strange and intriguing. This is the kind of fragrance you get addicted to.

flowers dipped in a honey pot I sublime!!!

I agree with asilverfire614 about the notes blending once past the tangerine opening. There's some dusky rose brightened by the jasmine, but I get no pepper, and -happily!- can't pick out the patchouli (to which I'm normally hypersensitive). I find it hard to believe there's no violet listed in the notes because I pick up a strong undercurrent of violet here, which I like very, very much. What comes through most prominently for me are the almond and honey notes that linger in a rather rich, syrupy way. I can't wear this in hot weather but in cool/cold temps it's mesmerizing. For perspective, let me say that I love more than a couple in the Boucheron line! Jaipur Saphir is my favorite, with the classic coming in 2nd, Miss coming in 3rd and the original men's in 4th spot. Each of these is distinctive in its own way and each seems a much deeper overall bouquet & has excellent lasting power. (Initial does not last on my skin in warm weather, only cold.)

Boucheron is a bijoutier (jeweler). Most of his flacons are inspired by pieces of his jewelry; rings (original Boucheron collection and Quatre), bracelets (Jaipur collection), or pendants as in Initial. Sometimes by the palace where those only people who can afford the jewelry live (Place Vendome collection) 😂. Luckily more people can afford the perfumes. Now for the actual scent. It initially has a glorious kick of tangerines and black pepper; warm, spicy & intriguing. I get no cassis. It, however, calms down quite quickly to a feminine floral in the middle. It reveals soft roses and a gentle jasmine. The base is a honeyed, woody musk; sensual & elegant. What I’m disappointed about is that after the initial spray, it is almost a skin scent on me, but I have the eau de toilet concentration. It is very chic and sophisticated, but not worth the crazy prices online, now at least not for the edt.

Please Pass the Honey Dust, Sweetheart I'm testing this from an old test spray vial. I think the top notes are shot, but I get the gist. Plus, I remember it from when I first got the sample. Once the launch festivities subside, I find myself in a luscious, cozy, winter's night scene in which I am laying on a beautiful bed, admiring a room full of cut flowers while being sprinkled with honey dust by a very hot guy who happens to be wearing a sexy, peppery, spicy fragrance. To love Initial takes a little bit of patience, but I promise that you'll be rewarded for sticking around for a bit. Initial, as others have written, just becomes sweeter and softer as it settles in. It is long-wearing, and the silage is quite good. I used two sprays on my chest under my top (and took a quick dab from the sprays for each of my wrists).

I didn't get the honey either which is sad because I was hoping this would cure my honey scent fix. This is delicately sweet soft florals on me that stays really close. It lasted through the night staying on clothes but very faintly after six hours. I got this for free so I can't complain but although a lovely floral I won't purchase as I prefer slightly louder florals than this soft spoken beauty. EDIT: my bottle must be trying to prove me wrong or else the tropical weather has altered this beauty on my skin. All of a sudden, only in the drydown though, I'm getting yellow honey, not the dark rich ones but the syrupy golden ones. I must say I'm quite pleased and will spend more time with it in the hope of discovering more secrets.

Absolutely love this one! Soft but at the same time intensive, not loud but there all around me. Fresh and crisp in topnote - I can also detect mint. wonderful, maybe not a sexy scent but an adult woman-scent. I bought a sample today 5ml - I want the larges bottle there is.. but nowhere to be found...If someone in Sweden have one - please let me know. Bara älskar denna doften. Mjuk men ändå tydlig, inte högljudd men den finns här runt mig. Fräsch och krispig med mint i toppnoten. helt makalöst underbar. Kanske inte råsexig doft men absolut en doft för kvinnan mitt i livet. köpte 5ml prov idag - och vill ha en större flaska. om någon i sverige har det och vill sälja/byta mejla mig.

Honestly, this is really a gorgeous fragrance-- Jacques Cavalier seems to be a man after my own heart as I've recently discovered he's the perfumer of SEVERAL fragrances I really cherish: Bvlgari au Thé Blanc, Tygar, Le Feu d'Issey, YSL Cinéma among others... Initial is bold and daring but also cozy and familiar-- the black pepper is perfection against that honeyed, floral and cassis opening.. almond feels slightly like a holiday and even as a guy I can rock this on a date... It's high quality and performs like a million bucks... Sadly the price online is approaching that so if you have a bottle, enjoy it! This is truly underrated and should really get more love...

I just got a bottle of Initial EDP as a blind buy (This rating is for EDP not EDT). I can say I am extremely pleased to have obtained this somewhat rare gem. It's a lovely scent unlike anything else I have smelled. A floral woody oriental. I would not necessarily say it's got a vintage vibe but it's different. It is not at all your mainstream sweet syrupy gourmand scent that is saturating today's market. It is a gorgeous floral honey combination that combines a honey sweet floral with a touch of Oriental spice. Overall I am thrilled to have this beauty in my collection and if your are lucky enough to find it reasonably priced for sure grab some!

On me Initial starts pleasantly fruity, with a sweetish hue and then suddenly something green (almost like oakmoss) comes in - must be the cassis leaves and the pepper. Yes, it IS the pepper. Flowery notes join in and render the smell sweeter. I believe I feel some vanilla too adding to the spicy flowers, but as it is not listed it must be the almond. I can't feel the almond by itself otherwise, but what is by now a honey, musky drydown. I am wearing Initial in warm weather and it is soft and undisturbing, an oriental touch to my whole person. I could wear it to work without annoying anyone, and this is what i will do.

Beautiful, feels somewhat woody notes, perhaps this is almond and honey that give warmth. Very feminine, cuddly, what bothers me is a note of musk, but it perhaps adds additional charm to it. Athough there is no similarity with So Pretty, they do have something in common, both were created in a same feminine way; these are the fragrances close to the skin, and I love it.

I just bought this bottle (parfum) and this is quite an interesting scent. It reminds me of Boucheron de Boucheron as a base, but... It's got a lot more. It has a little bit sour-sweet. When that's gone the oriental part kicks in together with some powder-soap and then... I even smell some woody-moss. Well done, Boucheron. Very intersting.

This is a nice, peppery patchy rose with some green edge and honey sweetness. I like it way more than I thought I would. It does somehow remind me of a bit toned down YSL Nu, as has been suggested by other reviewers. I am reminded a bit of Perles de Lalique too, for some reason. The bottle is striking and appropriate.

ooo this one finally i foundet in Hungary and i smellit !!what a wonderful smell strong long lasting but sensual warm and a lot of flovers with honey.at begining litlebit like "chanel 5"somthing but after some minutes woooou elegant feminine frag.This parfum bring for your soul peace i think so.

Pepper - Pepper - Miel- Flowers....I have a 100 ml edp. Just 3 times sprayed. Wanted to like it... I don ́t... maybe the cassis? Anybody interested? Write me...

It's always more difficult to write a negative review about a perfume.. I find it harder to explain what specific notes that you don't like, but I'll give it a try: First of all, Initial are a serious spice bomb! It's strong, rich, intense and sharp. Initials sillage and lasting power are both exaggerated and on the extream side. I'm not a huge fan of too spicy and overly strong perfumes. But notes such as honey and jasmine made me think that Initial would be a different story. Since it's a very rare bottle that you wont find easy or cheap, I was thrilled and extatic when I was given the oppurtunity to try it! Initial starts out with a pepper strong enough to almost blind you, the peppery notes are a constant part in this perfume. It doesn't soften much but stays about the same. I detect a pretty strong rose note on my skin, which doesn't blend well. I almost get an "old/dated" feeling, not old as in age, but old like old stored things... In my case the honey doesn't really do much good. It adds a sweetness perhaps, but sweet honey combined with pepper as strong as this one it's rather suffocating. On my skin Initial are all about three notes; Pepper, Rose and Honey. Perhaps a hint of musc could also be found.. I did give Initial a chans and lord knows I wanted it to work!! Sadly it didn't. It's simply too strong and all the notes I dislike seems to be the strongest ones on my skin. Such bad luck!

It’s not unpleasant but I am indifferent. Overall a strong perfume smell, one where I have trouble pulling out individual notes. There’s also something in the drydown that smells like an ashtray. My favorite part of this discontinued scent is the cute teardrop bottle.

Fragrance Review For Initial Boucheron Top Notes Cassis Currant Leaves Mandarin Orange Pepper Middle Notes Rose Jasmine Wildflowers Patchouli Base Notes Honey Almond Musk Mmmmm Smelling this fragrance is like entering a forest. It must have been the wildflowers. This fragrance has an unusual composition of patchouli in the heart and wildflowers in the heart which give it an outdoorsy feel, like being out in the wilderness, in the woods. This is the same feeling I got from wearing THE ENCHANTED FOREST VAGABOND PRINCE. This is in no way similar to that fragrance but it shares some common notes including the currant leaves the patchouli and the cassis plus the honey and rose/jasmine combo. But this is more of a honey and almond gourmand delicious floral scent. At the first spritz a sweet fruit caresses your nostrils and that's the cassis. It's a grape scent but it's like catching whiffs of grapes in a provincial vineyard, somewhere in France where they make wines in the old fashioned turn of the century way with the ladies that stomp on grapes in vats. This has a red wine type of scent. Other fruits include a fresh and sweet mandarin orange. It's pure grape wine and orange juice, a fruit liqueur. As such it also feels festive, like something to wear at a celebration. I'm always celebrating something so for me these type of party perfumes are big in my book. A pepper provides this scent with spice which I rather like. It's also matching up with the patchouli which on here is on the spicier/muskier side and not terribly herbal or like an incense. The flowers are a heady bouquet of jasmines and roses. But these pretty flowers are jealous and of wildflowers no less. The uncultivated flowers that grow wildly outside of well-groomed gardens are taking over! This is like wild daffodils, sunflowers, daisies and fields of lavender. It brings fond memories of having spent time with my dear French friend Lysette in her family estate in the South of France where she had horses and acres of land. This is a scent of nature. If you like being out in open spaces, enjoy the smell of wildflowers and vineyards, this is such a trip! And then there's the honey. This honey is not beeswax which is a bit "dirty" but like sweet honeyed wine because it harmonizes so perfectly with the currant. The almond is a tad nutty and sweet giving it a gourmand flavor but not too much. At heart this is a natural floral-patchouli. It's absolutely gorgeous. It's poetic, romantic, peaceful. This is the type of perfume that suits the way I am now. I live only for peace and for perfume. I would recommend this scent if it had not been discontinued. I bought this years ago and was sad that it's no longer available. I used it up and can no longer find it anywhere. I'm left only with the memories.

I am starting to wonder whether the house of Boucheron has a conscious ambiguity agenda going, as INITIAL, like so many other perfumes of this house (with the notable exception of the original powerhouse BOUCHERON) refuses to commit to a category or even to exhibit any sort of consistency from wearer to wearer. To my nose, this creation begins briefly with a tangerine/mandarin-spiciness evocative of the openings of a number of florientals familiar to me. However, as INITIAL develops, a very strange mid-stage emerges, in which the pepper and cassis leaf (I presume) somehow combine to produce a dry cigarette-ash effect. It does not smell dirty here, as in Givency HOT COUTURE (which I do not like at all—in part because of the artificiality of the raspberries in that composition). Instead of smelling like a dirty ashtray, INITIAL mimics during its mid-stage (which lasts a few minutes) the scent of clean cigarette ashes—as oxymoronic as that may sound. But wait, there's more: in the drydown, this perfume morphs again--at least on my skin, and according to my nose--into a honeyed-almond layer which lingers on and on and seems to bear no relation to the dry cigarette-ash stage, although it's not completely out of synch with the citrus-oriental opening. Overall, I'd say that the identity of INITIAL is very difficult to pin down: it capriciously defies categorization and seems to manifest different notes to different wearers and even to the same wearer at different times. Given its manifest elusiveness, I'm not really surprised that this perfume was discontinued. The one thing that I can confidently assert is that INITIAL is both nonlinear and unique!

remembering this Pearl Perfume with great joy and satisfaction. seeing the Note's pyramid suddenly brought me back to the Cassis Berry opening while also the Cassia Leaf had it's say with a pissy odor, which only completed the perfumes' well seasoned and rich signature. the Rose and Jasmine gave the perfume its classicism while the Pepper in the opening as well accentuated as prolonged the 'Cassia-Affair', in lending this Flowery Perfume some pastoral and sylvestrian credibility, this backed-up by the note of Wildflowers & Honey. so in a sense, this was quite a complicated yet at once, 'Confiture of a Perfume', without the notion of being a 'Gourmand Perfume'. the Patchouli grounded the, if serious, frivolity of the 'Mesdames-Fleurs' and allotted a perfume for the Affaired Ladies with Pearl-Strings bejewelled in modern, thèn still, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel punkish ways: as strands criss-cross over the body and never NOT irreverent. Honey, Musk & Almond made for a highly recognizable yet perhaps somewhat unexpected sturdy Backbone. this was not an easy flight of a perfume. it truly was an 'Adult-Perfume' with its Haute Joaillerie pedigree written all over it. of course it was a fabulous discovery to have this 'Collectable' [collectible] Flacon (not that I ever did) when spritzing the perfume in public.

To me Samsara & Hypnotic Poison in one. Splendid scent, a true jewel. Initial by Boucheron is cold, finely made up intricate, intoxicating fragrance. It is iridescents with all the colours of the rainbow , plays then by a sweet cherryness with a currant leaf then a roses with pepper and powdery tints. In it lives cherry smoke, lilies, honey and spicy-herbal powerfulness as if donate by wild forest nymphs dancing among the age trees by the fire. The perfume is persistent and muted. Not trivial, individual frag. Pour moi Samsara et Hypnotic Poison en un. Magnifique parfum, un vrai bijou. Initial par Boucheron est froid, finement composé parfum compliqué. Il iridescente avec toutes les couleurs de l'arc-en-ciel, joue ensuite par une sucrée cerise avec une feuille de groseille puis une roses aux teintes poivrées et poudrées. Il abrite de la fumée de cerise, des lys, du miel et une puissance épicée-herbacée comme un don par des nymphes sauvages de la forêt dansant parmi les arbres centenaires près du feu de camp. Le parfum est persistant et en sourdine. Pas trivial, arôme individuelle.

From reading the reviews I think...How the perception of a perfume is so different from person to person. That's not surprising because that perception changes even within our individual selves. All to say that from the memory I have of this perfume...I qualify it amongst the top of the tops of the prettiest perfumes I have ever smelt.Some perfumes I find elegant, sophisticated , expensive even, but not exactly pretty. Some others are the opposite. But this one: It smells elegant, sophisticated expensive and pretty , all at the same time. And it is nowhere to be found...OK, maybe there are a few bottles left. What a pity such a beauty has been discontinued. I don't know of any other perfumes that smells like it. What a loss... Edit: Today I tested Miss Dior (2017 version). It reminded me of this perfume somehow. They have the same sophisticated, pretty vibe, and even the scent itself reminded me of it. They must have something in comun. I would love to do a side by side test.

Oh how I miss this, I still have a bottle but the opening has soured. Still has the beautiful middle, and the perfect dry down, still do wear it occasionally. Loved that this was not a screamer, but rather a loud talker... Maybe with no concept of personal space. This was a signature scent for me, tons of compliments... True floriental. Sexy, confident, classy, unexpected! I keep trying to find a replacement, but nothing was/is like this. Best blind buy of my life. I keep on checking here, hoping to find a smells like... But have yet to succeed. Here is to being a hopeless romantic... And having faith a new signature scent is out there. Feeling a tad weary smelled a lot of toads so far...lol.

Maybe I'm crazy, but this perfume doesn't smell at all like its notes suggest it should. The only notes I recognize, from start to finish, are tangerine in the top notes and a strong musky rose in its base. Something about this reminds me of Chanel #5, and I can't quite figure out what. It happens to be something I don't like, which is a pity, because this bottle is absolutely gorgeous. On my skin, after the tangerine wears off it becomes very powdery and soapy...not my type of fragrance at all. It's very strong and cloying to my nose and I just can't appreciate it. I find after several hours it is more wearable, but for me, just not worth the time to get to just being pleasant.

I get more compliments on this than any of my other 60+ perfumes I wear. I have no idea what it smells like other than the reviews because I lost my sense of smell in the mid 80s. Ive been complimented by males as young as 9 telling his mama that she should buy what I was wearing and females from 14 to ++. Guess it works for me but I do spray more on my clothes and hair because I know that something as simple as what you eat for lunch can change the scent. Especially for us females whose hormones change on a weekly basis. Other big compliment getters...Hot Couture Givenchy, Gucci by Gucci, Laila by Geir Ness.

I must say that it is not my type of fragrance. Yet, I bought it blindly as I found a very good offer today at a store. When I came back and smell it I thought it was quite nice, but not something I would love! It has a nice opening, due to tangerine but after that, florals and spices are not clear and warm. The sourness continues but it is not pleasant any more as it was at the beginning. Something does not suit me very well (I suppose that is cassis) and the overall impression is not what I would expect. I will give it time and try to know it better.....

spicy,oriental with some flowers scents.Then the spicy and warm notes become stronger.definitely sensual but not very feminine.it fulfills you with the notes of leafs and patchouli.I'm not agree with those who call it a disappointment.but I believe it's not a suitable fragrance for everybody & every day.I call it Eve's fragrance(maybe the name initial refers to this point too)Only a strong woman can wear it whether she's boss,manager or lawyer,but the mature woman who is enough strong to take this one.

Initial is a prime example of the blend being more important than the notes. I generally dislike more than half of the notes in this pyramid, yet I love this. It’s so well balanced and blended that it’s greater than the sum of its parts. It’s strong, but sophisticated, and no note shouts over another note. The mandarin doesn’t come through at the top for me, it comes out in the dry down and presents as a lovely orangey marzipan, thanks to the almond. My bottle is EdP and mystery age.

This is an amber colored liquid and will stain your clothes. I often order from ebay because I never want to run out. Since I lost my sense of smell I always know if I got an original bottle because of the color of the perfume and this is the only perfume out of hundreds I have smelled since losing my sense that I get a faint odor of something so beautifully pleasant. Further down you will see in a review that this is my most complimented fragrance.

OH DEAR GOD! what an sophisticated chic amazing smell is it . it reminds me of my mother it is her fave perfume . its not suiting 20-ish girl anyways its perfect for 40-50 lady . smells like heavy honey and musk but heavy in a good way . the bottle is ceramic and looks like an egg . actually the design is so sophisticated as well and the smell lasts even washing her clothes which is good thing in my opinion , hope you guys find it helpful :)

Bought this when it first launched and fell in love with the bottle, the scent, the brand. Cut ahead to a terrible, exhausting, trainwreck of a relationship which prompted me to throw this out because of the memories attached. After some time and some healing I found myself longing for it again, so I found a nearly full bottle on Etsy and it's on it's way to me now!!! It's unique, moody, mysterious and beautiful.

Got this by mistake. I had ordered Guerlain Parfum Initial and was sooo disappointed when I unwrapped this. So disappointed was I that I cast it aside and forgot about it until my 7 year old mini perfumista fished it out and fell in love with it. It is very different than anything else I wear. Still not sure that is a good thing for me, but it might be great if you are looking for something out of the norm.

This is a very special one, not for eeryone, not for everytime. I agree that it's rich, but also sensual, a warm floral with a fruity headnote and a beautiful, classic base. Am I mistaken if I say there's a slight similarity between YSL Nu edt and Initial edt? Anyway, in my opinion, if you like Nu, you won't be dissapointed with Initial either.

Truly unique fragrance. It's rich but not too spicy, floral but not too 'good girl'. There's a slight edge to this fragrance that makes it interesting. My nose is glued to my wrist every time I wear it, trying to figure it out. It's chic and sophisticated, best for women over 30. Garners lots of compliments. And the bottle is stunning.

Starts off on me as pleasant fruit then quickly becomes peppery.then the pepper warms and hints of rose creeps in with the pepper fading to background..but still there. Then some honey shows up. Boy this is interesting,but not surprising as Boucheron Jaipur Saphir is my all time favorite!!! Will give it a few hours and report back!

I was told I just HAD to buy this by a friend. So of course I did and its ok. Initally there is a spicey floral tone then sweet powder drydown. The bottle is so pretty. My man really was impressed by it! It is beautiful but not my style. If you love a floral oriental. And more of a rich womanly scent, this would delight you!!

i remember smelling this at the airport as a kid many years ago, and to me it smelled like barbie. i mean literally! it smelled like the plastic a barbie doll is made of. i HOPE this is how it actually smells and that it wasnt just a bad bottle, because i cant think of anything more amazing than smelling like a plastic doll!