Psychedelic Love

a reviewer mentioned this smells like pvc leggings and it's such an accurate description! you really don't get that scent profile until later in the drydown. upon first sniff, and having completely forgotten the notes, this immediately reminded me of heliotrope reminiscence except not warm nor comforting or spicy or earthy, in fact there's such an unsettling feeling from this which remains even after the drydown. pretty delighted that heliotrope winds up being one of the notes, which makes the comparison super accurate. i personally really like this perfume, and probably it will become a favorite but i don't know about spending $300 or more on a formulation that smells like powdery and somewhat sweet heliotrope and pvc leggings. for me, it's a definite must-have, but i think anyone else within their right mind or normal person budget could reconsider and purchase other fragrances from this house or in general that have an almondy, powdery, heliotrope aroma without the unsettling, weird vibe. 😆💖💐 update: definitely getting more of the pvc notes now and a bit of a cold and uncomfortable feeling. i really really like this. it's powdery and almondy and weird and smells like a specific texture of clothing, i will definitely be purchasing it. another update: the perfume morphed yet again within hour 8 or so. nomore of the pvc notes and now it's like one of the previous reviews describes it, as vanilla and almond cake sorta thing. 🎂🤍💐 another update: 100% worth the price. wearing this again and getting the same heliotrope (as it turns out, i really like this note in a fragrance) combined with pvc leggings and vanillic and almond notes. the right amount of weird and sweet and very unique i should add. addictive perfume which is saying something because perfume to me is already addictive so, idk if it really is the hedione that's adding the effect or if i'm being persuaded and in fact imagining this but either way, this is a for sure purchase for me. cannot get enough of psychedelic love, just wish there's a reason for smelling this peculiar. 😍🌹

Wow. Until recently I had never smelled any Initio fragrances because I don't want to like things at that price point. I've been trying to limit my perfume budget and keeping to more affordable (for me) fragrances. That said, I went into a boutique near me after hearing they sell many niche brands. Where I live it can be hard to buy niche brands in a physical store. I was so shocked to find the wonderful selection, especially a large display of so many beauties. The Initio display caught my eye and I smelled most of them. I definitely liked a few, but something about Psychedelic Love drew me in. It was one of only 2 fragrances that I sprayed on myself that day. This is so warm and cuddly, with a beautifully fluffy quality. It's like a sweet, warm hug from a lover. Though, it's not necessarily a "sexy" scent. I love the feeling this evokes and I literally could not stop smelling my arm that day. I fell in love with another (of another brand) and I kept going back and forth between my arms. Very different vibes and I will definitely add that to my collection as well, but on that day this one won the fight and I ordered it the next day. It just arrived today and I sprayed 3 times around 10am. At 1:30pm I went to a local market to grab lunch and I was stopped by 2 women asking me what I was wearing. One said "I walked through this fluffy cloud and I had turn around and do it again!". I was worried I oversprayed, but I think it's just the the sillage spreads. I don't get the rose, which is amazing because I very much dislike rose scents. It's creamy, softly sweet, mildly floral, and leans into the balsamic note toward the end. It's reminiscent of a Nag Champa incense, but not harsh and very creamy. Simply put, this is a stunner. I will never not have this in my collection! And that's a bold statement on day 1.

This perfume is pure sex in a beautiful purple bottle. My more than amazing husband bought it for me for Christmas and it has become my favorite scent. Creamy, smooth, a bit spicy and Ylang Ylang round this baby off. It’s a bit pricey but worth every penny. The presentation is lovely although I wish they would not have put the rubbery coating on the outside of the bottle. It starts off with a very spicy kick of Myrrh and extremely similar to Valentino Myrrh Assolute but the Ylang Ylang and heliotrope in PL keeps the fragrance from being medicinal as it is very medicinal in MA in the beginning. The Ylang Ylang also makes PL creamier and takes some of the edge off the spicy note in the myrrh. The projection and performance are amazing. I could smell it over 12 hours on clothing. About 6-8 hours on the skin. After it completely dries down, it smells like a delicious spice cake with vanilla icing. I did spray this on before taking a shower and was able to still smell it afterwards. In fact, the steam in the shower made the heliotrope really project so I imagine that when in high heat the florals in this fragrance will emerge at full force. I cannot say it’s a safe blind buy because fragrances are so subjective and everyone will smell them differently. But if you like the smell of sweet myrrh and Ylang Ylang then you will absolutely love this one. 10/10 for me. Thank you my love - my sweet Marcus 💕😘❤️ Edit: my husband said price doesn’t matter when you’re husband is buying it 🥺

Wow.. This scent took me on a journey. I love Musk Therapy it’s just.. perfection to me which surprises me because i’m more of a warm cozy gourmand type so when I heard this fragrance was vanilla and almondy while being woody and powdery I was like sign me up! Upon first couple sprays I didn’t understand the hype but i forced myself to wear it to bed anyways because i give everything a full wear fair shot sometimes even a few wears but let me tell you.. In the opening of this scent the ylang felt off.. It wasn’t jiving with the scent profile but on my skin in the dry down everything suddenly made sense.. The hint of yellow floral amongst the powdery base of some vanilla woods with almonds and then this yellow floral just makes it not only intriguing but adds to the intoxication factor. Like this scent in the dry down is so sexy. So warm. So intoxicating and unique.. I get why Jax on youtube said this was a masterpiece for her.. It is a masterpiece.. I can’t believe how it developed on my skin and went from something i was worried i might have to sell to something i’m beyond obsessed with and cannot stop sniffing myself. This fragrance is one you absolutely need to put on skin and let it develop over time because it unravels into something sensually entrancing. It’s worth every penny but i’m thankful SAG had a 40% off sale but knowing the smell.. I would definitely pay full price if i had to.

I recently wished to re-explore Initio Parfums, specifically Psychedelic Love. I recall very much loving the perfume way back in 2023 when I first sampled/bought it. I purchased (what I thought was) a great deal on a sealed, "authentic" bottle of fragrance. I immediately knew something was "off" because my experience this time was so VASTLY different from my first experience with Psychedelic Love in 2023. So, I decided to purchase a "carded sample" from a reputable Initio retailer, so I could smell authentic Psychedelic Love versus my full bottle, side-by-side. Yes, my full bottle is indeed a counterfeit. And straight into the garbage it went. Psychedelic Love is unique, exotic and positively gorgeous. The fragrance opens with a feminine, balsamic and powdery edge that is notable ylang-ylang with a hint of bitter bergamot. Heliotrope, hedione and rose emerge adding an exotic, dusty, floral-almond accord that blends seamlessly with the opening notes. The flowery, dry and dusty note becomes more pronounced with time. The base is a glorious, heavy measure of myrrh, creamy sandalwood and heliotrope. I want to think most of the fragrance sellers on the well-known websites are UNKNOWINGLY selling "sealed" perfumes that are not authentic fragrances. I imagine there are some sellers who are aware they hawk counterfeit garbage. For me, the counterfeits are pretty easy to spot.

Psychedelic Love – Initio 🌹🍦💦 When I first tried this 3–4 years ago, something in the opening made me sick and almost made me gag. So recently, I decided to give it another try and guess what? I freaking love it 🤤 Pegasus used to be my favorite almond-vanilla fragrance along with BR540 Extrait. I already made my point about that one, but this juice is now my new favorite marzipan scent. It’s sexy, seductive, and sensual. Maybe not the boldest, sexiest, or manliest scent ever. It actually leans too feminine to even be considered masculine. Still, I’d call it unisex. But man, ohhh man, I can’t stop sniffing myself. Yes, it might get a lot of compliments, or maybe not. That depends on a few other parameters. But I promise you this, it will definitely please your brain, nostrils, and bodily desires. You don’t wear this for attention, but that doesn’t mean it won’t get any. You wear it for yourself and your partner. Even a few sprays can make a monk horny enough to book a flight to Japan for a geisha bang. Jean-Baptiste’s secret formula, pure Red Room effect. I can’t say it’s the best getting laid feeling ever, but it’s like the best BJ ever. It’s wet, effortless, and you don’t want it to stop. I need to get a full bottle as soon as possible. 10/10. For what it is. Period!

I'm sure that most perfumistas have had this experience, but I'll say it anyway. Have you ever purchased a perfume or decant, sprayed it on, and wondered what all the fuss is about, only to have your mind blown when you try it again? That was my experience with Psychedelic Love, as I spiritzed several times from my decant last night. I fell for it hard, and think the cold weather had a lot to do with it. I quickly learned that this is a scent that should be applied cautiously, maybe 2 or 3 sprays max. The sillage is enormous! My husband was able to smell it in another room after I gave myself several sprays to each wrist. It is perfection. I don't know what hedione smells like, but I am very familiar with powdery heliotrope. It added to the powderiness of the composition, while the delicious myrrh prevented it from entering Teint de Neige territory (please forgive my senior moment. I'm not sure I got that right) which I find suffocating. The longevity is as enormous as the sillage. I could still smell it when I woke up this morning. I now need a full bottle. It's definitely on the pricier side, so I'm going to flat out tell my husband that this is what I want for Christmas. Meanwhile, I have enough left in my decant to get me there! PS - I know own a full bottle!

My absolute all time favorite this one. I sampled dozens of perfumes, settled on psychadelic love, wore the shit out of it. Tried to find another, couldn't find anything that compared, went crawling back. Something about this is just so addictive. I spray it on, enjoy wafts of it all day, then come home and sit with my shirt pulled over my nose so I can sniff it. I can smell it on laundry days later and can't help sniffing it again as I load the washer. There's something beyond the pleasantness of this perfume, although I find it very beautiful, in that it is addictive. You can't help going in for a second sniff, and a third. The opening is sweet and creamy without being sugary, or juicy. Ylang ylang is strong and oriental. And then the incenses open up. I would classify this as an overall incensey perfume but it's not evocative of cathedrals or temples, more like, a really upscale middle eastern boutique. I wish the dry down was nicer but I think I enjoy the heart of this perfume the most. It doesn't change much in the dry down, just a weaker sweet incense. While it lasts for days on fabric and hair, it fades completely from my skin at 8 hours. Which is good enough but I do wish it lingered for longer.

Can't believe I slept on this so long, because WOW! this is beautiful. I put a bit on my wrist at a high stress point of the day at my job and it calmed me every time I breathed it in. I literally said to myself "my God this smells so good...." It's a monster in sillage and longevity so I only needed a little, but Psychedelic Love has a very calming quality; like the most upmarket aromatherapy in existence. Best described as a very romantic incense fragrance. While there are/have been several incense fragrances on the market, ex. Comme de Garçons incenses line, montale full incense, Maison Margiela Music Festival (disc.), etc... however PL is not cold, not straight up "head shop", as the aforementioned examples. It is SO feminine and romantic, opulent, warm & floral; with clear hedione, heliotrope, and ylang ylang - all notes easily picked out - floating within resinous myrrh and light powderiness, with a solid base of rich, warm sandalwood. Literally, eyes roll back in your head beautiful.... It still makes me gasp. *Got a compliment at the grocer's today. I was genuinely surprised he detected it, as I'd only applied a dot to the inside of each wrist; thus proving the sillage is outstanding 🤍.

I discovered this fragrance almost two years ago. It was the first "real" niche fragrance I tried. Before that, I only tried designers and some Mancera (the ones I tried at that time were more mass appealing). This changed the way I view fragrances. This is pure art. It shook me, gave me some shivers. The huge amount of hedione makes a difference and you can smell it. This is impossible to describe. It's powdery, woody and resinous. I'm pretty sure it's like 95+% of base notes, because this doesn't really evolve and is just like a wall of fragrance right away. But this won't help you figure out how it smells. I have never smelled anything like it. This is massively underrated and I can understand why not many people talk about it. Let's be honest : it is not mass appealing. It is not meant to be loved by everyone. But for me it is a true love that made me splurge for a full bottle. This is perfectly unisex. After two hours the one and a half spray on my arm are still frying my nostrils. Spray with caution, this is potent. This creates a wonderful cloud of perfume arround you for hours and truely makes you stand out. Performance is outstanding, it lasts an eternity.

This fragrance is so multifaceted it’s difficult to classify it as anything really. It’s absolutely gorgeous and unique, and on my skin in changes a lot with temperature. I would describe it as the epitome of Dark Academia aesthetic. First, the myrrh gives it a slightly minty, medicinal tinge in the best way possible. It’s like opening an old medicine cabinet made of laquered wood. Soon after, the florals kick in, and a soft, powdered-sugar vanilla peeks from behind a corner. If you’ve ever smelled an old book - and I mean SERIOUSLY old, with yellowed and fragile pages - this is what it reminds me of. That exact sweet woody vanillin. Similar to Whispers in the Library in this sense. Then, it stays sweet and comforting, and gives off a very warm and approachable aura. It’s gotten me quite a few compliments which is not something that happens often to me. I have to admit it was not love at first sniff because the top notes scared me initially. But I’ve grown to love this enough to call it my signature scent. It’s criminally underrated.

This is... an invitation for romance. Romance in a wooden cabin in the midst of a gorgeous landscape covered by snow. The opening could be seen as "peculiar"; it makes a statement (the "psychedelic" part, I would say). Then it turns creamy, soft, and balsamic; it has such a BEAUTIFUL dry-down. It's different but not exotic, let alone odd, nothing like that! It has a touch of powder. I'm getting the "almondy" vibe from the heliotrope; I get that way more than the rose scent. I understand the comparison with Hypnotic Poison. When I was a kid, I used to find the licorice scent in HP quite exotic. I loved it on my mom, that was the exotic almond scent of my 90s. Only in that sense, I find these two perfumes similar, and I guess that is also why some people might find it "dated", but it is not, it is not. That being said, I wouldn't give this as a present to a woman under 30 (it might not be that safe); this is a grown-up romance! Amazing (and addictive) trail, and very long-lasting! I can't wait for the winter to enjoy its magic again!

My journey into the world of perfumes began with an incident that happened years ago. In 1998 I had bought myself 2 big bottles of the magical juice that had just hit the market, yes, you guessed it; Dior's Hypnotic Poison. No other perfume came even close to its perfection to me.. and can you imagine; those two bottles lasted almost 20 years as my only evening scent! What a disappointment to realize that Dior has ruining it...and that's how the hunt for Hypnotic Poison began for me. After wading through numerous dupes (including the current HP formats) I realized that my task was impossible and so I began to search for a fragrance that would surely fulfill my longing for the former Hypnotic Poison, but also be sooo different that it challenges my senses with its novelty too. And it should also win the competition for my best fragrance, if only I had it under my nose back then in 1998!! And yes, I find it💘...I wrote this memoir inspired by the previous author. You are so right.

Oh my. This is the most intoxicating thing I've smelled in a long time. I had a sample in my drawer for for several months, but I was uninterested. The note pyramid looked to me as though I wouldn't like it, so I wrote it off. I decided to wear it yesterday and I was blown away. This is a dramatic, rich, warm ambery floral. I don't perceive it as that powdery. I usually struggle with fragrances with too many different florals, there's always one that bothers me, but this is so masterfully blended and rounded out by the myrrh. It has a very strong vanillic quality without actually smelling like vanilla, it's just very velvety, ambery and slightly sweet. I also really resonate with the name, because this smell does have a psychedelic quality too it. Maybe it's the different colors of the florals that give it the feel of jeweltone tie-dye velvet curtains, in an opulent 1970's boudoir, with myrrh resin incense burning.

Deceptively delicious!!! This perfume smells like a lot of things it doesn’t really have... such as almonds and vanilla, notes that actually come from a toxic plant called Heliotrope... it’s also lactonic and powdery, accords that result from Sandalwood oils... and it has a fruity and creamy scent, that comes from the aphrodisiac flower called Ylang-Ylang... it is a masterfully blended formula that creates a delicious and hypnotic perfume. Just imagine the fluffiest and airiest banana smoothie, made with creamy almond milk, a hint of vanilla, a dash of spices, and a secret but powerful ingredient... that’s what Psychedelic Love smells like! Warm, inviting, cozy, delicious... and somehow, really psychedelic! Projection is moderate for the first 3 to 4 hours, then it becomes intimate but noticeable... longevity is 12+ hours. Handle this potion with extreme care... it is addictive!!

This was love at first sniff. As a guy, I didn’t even notice it leaned feminine at first because I was too distracted by how smooth and heavenly it smelled. I’m a huge fan of almond and vanilla, and heliotrope is a flower that smells like the combination of both. This is easily my favorite fragrance from Initio. The heliotropin and ylang ylang together create a soft, dreamy cloud, while the myrrh and sandalwood add depth that balances out the creamy, powdery character. Hedione adds a subtle airiness, keeping the scent from becoming too dense or cloying while retaining its narcotic glow. Yes, it leans feminine, but it’s beautifully done. Beautiful enough to earn a spot in my top 50 fragrances of all time. Scent (on skin): 8.5/10 Scent (sillage): 9/10 Projection: 8/10 Longevity: 9.5/10 Value: 3.5/10 Originality: 7/10 Mass appeal: 7.5/10 Versatility: 5.5/10

finally ordered this as an early xmas gift to myself and i gotta say, 100% worth it. it still smells peculiar to me but that's probably what i like most about it. i'm so excited about this, so looking forward to the pvc leggings aroma which somehow dries down to a velvety soft texture scent 🌹💖 the vanilla and almond cakey smoothness creaminess and lovely heliotrope comforting and earthy florals. myrrh and hedione adding the perfect touch of warmth and addictive qualities. it's an absolutely complex and interesting fragrance that can seem off-putting only if you're able to pick up those eccentric notes i think, otherwise it smells like just a nice, not too sweet and very smooth perfume. initio house, i am excited to try more of their creations. i can definitely understand why perfume reviewers are so impressed with this fragrance house.

Initially, the powdery floral scent of Psychedelic Love reminded me of generic women’s cosmetics, a hand lotion or a body cream. I wasn’t impressed. However, as I continued to wear my sample, I discovered deeper and spicier notes that intrigued me. After wearing this fragrance multiple times, I’m in love. Psychedelic Love is a rich, warm, and ambery perfume with floral and woody notes. Myrrh binds the components together, creating a luxurious and sophisticated aroma. Alongside myrrh, I detect ylang-ylang, rose, sandalwood, and a hint of something almond-y (likely the heliotrope). The scent is powdery and feminine, but in an ethereal, timeless and mystical way rather than girlish or sexy. This perfume makes me feel powerful and unique. While not an everyday choice for me, having a small bottle to spritz on occasionally would be amazing.

#15 on my Fragrance Review Journey Beautiful fragrance. After the serial smelling of my wrists, I figured out what my nose was picking up. To me this smells like a mix of Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum and Elisabeth Taylor Passion for Men in the opening. The drydown has some Tom Ford-esque DNA to me. All this to say that this fragrance is magnificently made. 6-7 hours on skin and on clothes until you take them off. The projection is medium and sophisticated. I would say that this comes across as a more mature scent. That being said you wear what you like. My fragrances are across the board that I enjoy. If you have the opportunity to sample this I think you will be pleased. I blind bought this purchase as I love the thrill of it. I have won more than I have regretted. I give this 9/10.

Major ylang ylang fan here: YlangYlang Nosy Be Perris Monte Carlo 2014 Aoud Velvet Montale 2006 Aqua Vitae Forte Maison Francis Kurkdijan 2015 Isola Sol Roja Dove Parfums 2024 Mirages Soleil au Zenith Prada 2017 Psychedelic Love by Initio 2017 doesn't actually list ylang ylang as a note. While it isn't prominent, possibly others get a tropical affinity to some extent. Sweet, purple florals, not on the violet order, and softly feminine hedione. Dry sandalwood, very well wrought into a spectacular woody myrrh melange. The harmony of these two notes gives way to a phenomenal outcome; scentasmic! Of any Ylang Ylang, this might have fullness proximate to Aoud Velvet by Montale, though subdued. Original batch, so the Initio bergamot opening is not atypical, because top notes are gon-ish.