Basic Instinct

This is the ONLY Victoria's Secret perfume I consider wearable. I got the new bottles (my production date is April of 2016) in the small purple rectangles. Loved it so much. The scent goes on very musky, I almost dismissed it as generic and a blind buy mistake. But it settles in to a musky, sweet plum. I think it is WAY better than Lovely or Narciso Rodriguez, because it is musk, tinged with a sweetness from the plum and tuberose. I do think it is sexy, but it is also a very "professional sexy." Not professional as in prostitute.....but more of a sexy librarian type. You could easily wear this at the office, then straight out for a night on the town. It has a grown up, mysterious quality about it. Oh, and it is long lasting! I can smell it on myself the next morning when I wake up. Like I said, this is the ONLY VS perfume I can wear. All the others I have tried, well.....they seem like they are just trying too hard. Like a pre-teen who steals her mom's high heels and makeup and thinks she is the hottest kid in school, but ten years later, looks back and realizes how silly she looked. I tried NIGHT and Forbidden seduction, they COULD have been good scents, but there was always something off about them, like they refused to blend. THIS ONE is smooth and rich. No one would ever guess it was a cheapie from an underwear store.

Very seductive, dark and mysterious fragrance! First I didn't notice its beauty because it seemed to me musky enough. But then I really felt in love with it. Most of all I feel the plum note in this fragrance. I'm a huge plum note lover because between the fruit notes this note seems the most seductive to me. And its plum note is the best plum note in perfumes for me. It reminds a dark plum wine scent. And it really makes this fragrance very intriguing and alluring. Between the floral notes the gardenia note is the most noticeable. And this note makes this fragrance very much suitable as an evening fragrance. Actually, all notes are noticeable. The tuberose note brings floral sweetness to this fragrance. The Turkish rose note makes it more beautiful. The apricot note makes it softer. The patchouli note is strong enough in the base and makes this fragrance intensive enough. While the musk note makes it more femenine and sensual. And finally the vanilla note makes this fragrance normally sweet. I really love this fragrance. It's very sexy!

I absolutely love this scent! When not oversprayed, it's perfect and classy. In a class all it's own. Made the mistake of overspraying when purchased last year, during semi-annual sale, and it was over-the-top almost headache-inducing. Tried again today--almost a year later--with a lighter hand, and have fallen in love. I'm tempted to spray more but know that would be a huge mistake. Worth the purchase. It is what I recall what VS scents used to be, when they were less fruity-floral and more provocative and sexy, geared towards a woman, not a "pink" teenage young lady. Don't get me wrong, I still love the "pink" teenage scents and own quite a few. My intention is not to offend any age groups. I'm trying to describe how I interpret the scent. Go ahead and try Basic Instinct. Expensive quality with a cheap price tag. I'm sure you'll agree.

This one was a bit of a surprise for me. It's very powdery, and has a more mature and sophisticated vibe than most other Victoria's Secret offerings, which tend to have a fruity, juicy flair for the younger crowd... but this is different. It has a timeless quality, probably due to all that powder. Patchouli is strong here, but not offputting, for those who are hesitant about the note. It dances effortlessly with the plum and white floral notes, just the right blend to create a soothing, dark, sophisticated and seductive scent. Very well done, and a shame it's discontinued. This is similar to Natori, except that Natori has a sparkling, effervescent (aldehydic) quality to it that Basic Instinct lacks. Not that that's a bad thing, they're just a bit different.

I still remember my first time trying Basic Instinct. I smelled it once in Victoria's Secret and knew I had to have a bottle. The opening notes are quite potent. I smell plum and patchouli and they’re rather intense upon that initial spray. As it mellows out, it gets really, really floral. This perfume has very heady white florals. Tuberose is indeed an acquired scent but it along with gardenia are very nicely done in Basic Instinct. I’ve had this bottle of perfume for several years now. I don’t always reach for it but on those rare occasions when I do, it’s always a crowd pleaser. The longevity with this one is really good. I think it would be better suited for the fall and winter season.

Just purchased this fragrance in the semi-annual sale. I have to say I really do love it very much. I think its very sophisticated and womanly. This is diffidently a perfume that I think its very appropriate to wear during night time and for Fall and Winter. I can spot the notes of Gardenia, Rose and Patchouli. @perfumejunkie7 I agree with you. I kept walking around the store smelling my wrist and thinking this fragrance reminds me of something but of what then it finally hit me. It is very reminiscent of Angel by Thierry mugler. I do think that the finish of this perfume is a little bit more powdery and that it is softer then Angel but very similar indeed.

Victoria's Secret Basic Instinct is definitely my favourite perfume. My body chemistry usually gives perfumes a sweet and lactonic drydown, so they end up smelling more suitable for someone younger such as myself. Basic Instinct starts out really mature and icy. Then, the heart smells more like plum or white florals. The white florals smell the strongest during hot weather. By the end, I can smell the vanilla and patchouli. I feel the plum and rose stay with me the entire time. I love mature perfumes with plum and or tuberose, so I recommend this perfume for those with similar tastes.

I am honestly surprised this one is only available during the Semi Annual Sale. I have a back up bottle because it's seriously a great fragrance. Basic Instinct has a bit of depth, as opposed to other Victoria's Secret offerings. The Patchouli blends so nicely with the Gardenia and Tuberose, while the plum adds a nice fruity touch (I do pick up the grape like smell, as mentioned in another review) without going overboard. Performance is pretty good - I definitely will pick this up again at the upcoming semi annual sale if it's available again.

I had never smelled this until today. I was at VS's semi-annual sale and decided to give it a sniff. Whoa! This is really different from what they normally have! This is what Very Sexy should smell like, because that's what it is; very sexy. They didn't have any perfumes left, so I bought the body lotion, which I think will be strong enough. I really like it; it has depth and sensuality coupled with a dark mysterious aura that surrounds it. Not too bad for a VS scent! :)

Add me to the former reviewers, who indicated that this is the only VS perfume I actually loved. It was love at first smell, and I asked my hubby for it for Christmas. It was plummy, spicy, patchouli heaven. It was probably the closest thing I'd encountered to my beloved Poison from 15 years earlier. (but nowhere near as fantastical, don't get me wrong.) It had a grapey vibe to it that I just loved. The purple bottle with the rhinestones around it only added to my love.

Before leaving the office a colleague of mine used a body spray that smelled absolutely divine! Of course I asked her what it is and it's VS Basic Instinct. When the body spray fills a room with its divine scent like that I most def have to get my hands on it and the perfume as well! :) Its scent reminded us both a lot of Narciso Rodgriguez For Her, by the way. Very womanly, sexy and musky with a good dose of patchouli. Hmmm

العطر مغوي حقاً ناعم كوشاحٍ مخملي ينساب من كتفيها حتى اسفل قدميها .. يحيطها من كل جانب يكسوها بالنعومة فوق النعومة ..! .. خلف ذلك الوشاح تختفي الخطايا و مع كل حركة يرتفع ليكشف مفاتن تلك الغانية ..!! الغنية بجمالها عن الزينة و الذهب تلك التي يفوح جسدها دفئً و عبيراً يفوق عطورُ العالم سحراً و أخذا .. سهامٌ و رماح لا ترحم تصيب لتقتل .. لتفتك .. غانية الوشاح البنفسجي

I love Basic Instinct! I can't tell you what individual scents I smell as I am not good at that. I can say that I don't understand why there are reviews on here that say it smells like old lady. To me, it is a very unique, very sexy scent. I detect more of a musk scent then a patchouli scent. I love both! I will definitely buy again when mine runs out.

I wore and loved this throughout college during my early 20s. I received many compliments from women, men, and children. It is a night scent, but I wore it in the day during fall and winter. It fits dark, mysterious types. Earthy, complex. Wish it wasn't discontinued.

This fragrance reminds me why I love patchouli. This is deep, fresh, cool, floral, mysterious. This is sexy in a subtle "come hither" way. The patchouli predominates and gives this an earthy quality, while the cool restrained florals add a refined elegance. Love it!

I have a sample of this from 2005 when I was around 12 years old and have been wishing they’d release it again since I discovered it a couple years back. Today 6/6/20 is the SAS at VS and they have Basic Instinct EDP listed online! Go ladies gooo!

This beauty smells like royal purple! I have a bottle of the original and also have the mist that I bought last year. Both smell glorious! This is so different from other VS fragrances but it IS today's epitome of "Victoria's Secret". Exquisite.

Basic Instinct for me is love from first sniff! Beautiful aromas, soft and tender with good durability and is discreet scent.They resemble each other with Narciso Rodriges, as composition and would be a good deputy, considering its price!

Smells very similar to Allure by Chanel: lemon curd and vanilla with something rich, fresh and classy holding it all together. Wish it was more readily available and affordable. Some places it's almost as expensive as Chanel!

I love this fragrance! It's long lasting and very classy! This is a perfume I could wear every day and never get tired of smelling it. I was very sorry to hear VS has discontinued it! Figures!

This is awesome i love it, yes it is strong so it lasts long time and it takes less sprays so why people complain? SEXY scent at its best

My favorite lately... Im in love with this airy smell.. so romantic.. I can even HEAR it.. gives me tender vibes.

This is a great perfume! It is very sexy and sophisticated

Even though this fragrance has been discontinued, it has been available at every semi annual sale since it was taken off the shelves. Years ago, when I worked at Victoria's Secret, I remember smelling this one multiple times and really disliking it. I remember thinking it smelled very heavy, wasn't even close to my style of fragrance.I couldn't understand why anyone would want to buy it. Fast forward - I tried Basic Instinct yet again at this year's SAS and found it to be SO much different than I remembered! The first impression is still pretty intense, but after smelling the tester strip repeatedly for a few minutes I decided to try it on my wrist. I am STILL sniffing that spot every few minutes! While it seems like it might be a really bold scent to begin with, it really mellows out very nicely. That's not to say it doesn't make an impression, though. The patchouli isn't an incensy, heavy patchouli (even though it is listed at the top of the list as the strongest note). I like to think that it must be the patchouli that gives Basic Instinct its character, steering it away from another run of the mill, boring, VS fruity floral. The plum and gardenia are the other most noticable notes to my nose. The plum is ripe and juicy, and the gardenia adds nice a nice white floral touch without being sharp. I don't really detect any tuberose, which is nice since many of the fragrances with tuberose tend to be dominated by that one note. As time passes the fragrance becomes a bit softer and smells cleanly floral, not dirty or heavy in the slightest. I think it is "clean with an edge", because although the patchouli impression has faded, it lingers. Mmmm... becomes more and more delicious as time passes. Another plus about this one - it really does last! And there is was never a time while wearing this that I thought I might not like it. In fact, the longer I wore it, the harder I fell! I also loved that I never felt like I was wearing a man's cologne. Still, I wouldn't call Basic Insinct a tame, everyday fragrance! There is something seductive about it, exudes confidence, and it is undeniably sexy - a woman's scent, for sure! This is a major testement to how one's tastes in fragrances can change! I bought a bottle of this right away, and will gladly wear it again!! PS - I would disagree that this scent is gourmand. Also, I detect absolutely no amber in it whatsoever. I can hardly even discern any vanilla. :)

I find it so interesting how differing this seems to be on people. I love sniffing this decadent juice from the bottle. This one is so rich & darkly lush on me...but unfortunately in an overwhelming and overpowering way. As if my body chemistry magnifies it exponenetially sillage-wise. I'm not sure if it's this specific combination or just the heaviness of certain notes in it. I can't tolerate it sprayed on me at all in the EDP form, not even a single spritz. It literally takes 4-6 hrs to settle down & start melding into my space/zone. Tried spraying on a cotton ball & then dabbing on pulse points...still overwhleming for hours, untill it settled into that deep sultry hot house beauty. Generally my chemistry seems to work well with most florals (all white, purple/blue, peony, rose, honeysuckle, poppy, lily of the valley/water lily types) & usually patchouli, sandalwood & cedar are fab on me & sometimes birch, driftwood & occassionally santal. I finally had an epiphany of sorts, so for anyone else that finds certain notes overpowering/magnified on them in a not so nice way but loves a fragrance despite that, I might have found a golden remedy. 3-4 pumps of unscented lotion/cream in my palm mixed with 1 spray of this beauty was the fix!!!! It's a potent beauty that is now wearable & doesn't have to be reserved to pulse points only. I've also figured out why I've had such issues with certain scents. My personal scent notes that potentially magnify in a crazy way are plum, cherry blossom and certain woods. I could probably wear this anytime of year with this trick. Would lean more into wearing anytime in cooler weather & mostly reserve for nights/special occasions in warmer weather. Wishing others happy wearing! Update: Since this made it back into stores for the recent SAS (6/24/23) I was able to sample the Fine Mist Spray & sure enough the dilution made it sing on me. So anyone who has been overwhelmed with the EDP version may just need to dial it down to the more value friendly option.

Ok, I had to come back and leave another review. I've had this same beautiful bottle for 3 years. Keeping her in moderate temps and away from sunlight and I don't believe the juice has mellowed much as the initial blast from spraying is still very loud. However, in those 3 years I've had major hormonal shifts (thanks to perimeno). This now settles right in so beautifully on me almost immediately. The patchouli which used to screech for hours is now much farther in the background as a supporting character. The plum used to also overwhelm at first. Now they all seem beautifully blended. White florals always sing on me and they still do with this scent. I also get an almost powdery quality to this now that I've never detected before. I feel like it's the underpinning of rose in this composition that's lending that sensation. It's almost hard to believe it's the same bottle of juice applied to the same person. She's so lovely and almost fuzzily soft around the edges on this balmy day. More like a dark, quiet beauty of a powerful lady. So whether she just needed much longer to mascerate for proper blending &/or it's just my hormones have finally settled. I can see wearing her in far more settings. I'm really loving her now and could almost see her being a signature scent for this phase of my life (at least for more temperate seasons). I think I'll be scoping out some back ups of this lovely very soon. I also want to thank Chellebelle4u for sharing about her fave layering combos with Basic Instinct. I layered Fearless over BI & truly loved the result. That's another that frequently can be a bit overpowering on me, yet they round each other out in such a beautiful way.

I am officially impressed. Wearing this today has been such a treat, and entirely owing to the generousity of a real sweetie here at Fragrantica. The mini she sent me did not have a name, but with VS on the bottom it wasn't hard to look up. Several things surprise me about this fragrance. For one thing, I never thought I'd be complementing a VS perfume! For another, this is the only fruity floral that smells this Terrific on me. I think it actually resembles a Floriental rather closely in structure.... The third thing I can hardly believe is that Basic Instinct contains so many notes that typically sour on me. Perhaps it is the strength of the patchouli that simply overwhelms everything else? There is a peppery bite ( again the patchouli? ) that sings out, backed by a group of subtle florals. I smell a rich and grounded plum with the florals, but little else. The notes make this sound Too sweet, which could not be further from the truth. My chemistry gives this a decided thumbs up, even while my brain is still whirling from the experience! This one defies expectation, creating an aura of womanly grace and charm. I'm smitten!

Patchouli - Rich - Purple - Elixer! Sadly discontinued, and ( not surprisingly ) far more sophisticated than your average Victoria Secret release. I feel that it may not suit as many people as gentle fruity florals, thereby earning the title of 'stinker' somewhat predictably. :) On my skin the results are almost electrifying, in an entirely positive way. "WHAT are you WEARING?!", being the question most often asked. I can honestly say that Basic Instinct is one of the few fragrances I receive consistent compliments on, right along with several other despised 'granny' scents. This amuses me no end, since I'm not anywhere near my grandmother's age, nor usually interested in Victoria Secret Fragrances! Conclusion: Most fruitchouli lovers will be unimpressed, but DO give this a whirl if you're the sort of girl who generally favors classic, patchouli - dense Florientals. Rating - 4 stars. Great sillage, longevity, and uniqueness.... wish it were a tad less expensive and still in production!

Basic Instinct is deep and lush. I do admit to having a difficult relationship with this fragrance though. I blind-bought it from VS a few years ago during one of their Semi-Annual Sales. At the time, it felt too dark, strong, and syrupy for my tastes, and I could not for the life of me come up with an occasion where I would actually wear it. So I de-stashed it. Fast forward to this summer’s SAS, and Basic Instinct was back, and I found myself missing it on my vanity. I’ve been gravitating toward more vintage-style scents lately, and I desperately wanted to smell Basic Instinct again, so I re-purchased it. (Shhh...don’t tell my husband!) I still don’t really know when or where I’ll wear it (possibly a night out this upcoming winter), but I’m glad to have it back even if it’s just to occasionally spray around the house when I want to smell a whiff of something different. If you like opulent, earthy white florals, this one’s for you.

I got this at the semi-annual sale today, 75% off. What a find! A few points: 1. I can't believe musk isn't listed in the notes here. I'm not a chemist, of course, but this smells musk-tastic. If it were listed, I'd score it as the dominant note. 2. I love how the bottle is very Elizabeth Taylor-like. 3. Like others have said, this has a Narciso Rodriguez vibe, but I would add that it's also very much like a lighter version of Agent Provocateur. The similarities to both of these perfumes have to do with the patchouli (and musk combination? Surely it has musk!). 4. I guess this is technically a floral fruity, but it's much more "floral woody musk" or even "chypre floral" to me. This fragrance does seem a bit retro; I feel like a hot pinup broad wearing it. I had, for well over a decade, browsed the Victoria's Secret perfumes but not bought any. Basic Instinct is the first VS I've bought in many years.

This is back?? Oh, now I’m excited! I have two bottles from the late 90s and I have been rationing them! This is my kind of scent! Sexy date nights are the best time to wear this! I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I happen to adore the 90s vibe of this fragrance! In my opinion, that was the best eras for perfumes! There were so many fabulous creations and most of them were powerhouses! I happen to like my fragrances a bit on the louder side! It may not be the current trend, but it is a very good fragrance for women who like a perfumey perfume! (If that makes sense) Perhaps the trends are shifting! I’m curious to see if it’s undergone a reformulation from the last version. I have to get my hands on a new one ASAP!

The original bottle of this was very cabaret, glam and campy. I got a more recent plain bottle from last years semi annual. The fragrance itself is very bold for todays standards at vs. you have to really like white florals and patchouli for this. I don’t think it’s mature, I think it has a sexy soft spice that is ripined a bit with the plum then has a very classic medley of white florals. This is a very mysterious yet playful one from vs. I see that it doesn’t really fit in with the current lineup at the company, but it makes sense for the time it was released. It does smell like a real, true supermodel. I think overall I just really like it because it’s so different compared to what’s over done these days.

Wow.. I got this because it's on sale for $12.99 right now. This isn't basic a** victoria's secret perfume, this is like REAL perfume lol. This doesn't smell like their typical fruity floral. Patchouli and plum, tuberose, a little gardenia and rose. Very nice. Not daytime summer. Possibly nighttime summer (depending where you live). Would be good for fall/winter, day or night.

This fragrance is a very floral and musky fragrance. Out of the the it being floral is a 9 and musk being a 4 1/2. When I first smelled this fragrance it said "Dusty Rose" The musk was the dust and the rose is obviously the rose. I smell the gardenia in there as well with just a hint of tuberose. --------------------------- Fragrance Rating 10/10

I am very surprised that this was produced by Victoria's Secrets! Today their lines are very linear combining a flower and a fruit... Although I dont admire the sillage and longevity of this scent, I am taken aback when I realize how mature this is and how there are hints of incense and oud in the background... I spray it on clothes not on skin

Usually patchouli is not my thing, but this fragrance is really seductive! It's for powerful women, who enjoy playing dangerous games with other sex. For me this is also a nice confidence booster for shy girls, becoming mature women.

smells like something a classy grandma would wear. I enjoy the fruity plum opening of this fragrance then it develops in to a white floral and patchouli scent. It is a pretty mature fragrance from victoria secret.

This isn't for everyone, but I personally like it! The patchouli pairs well with the plum notes and the soft white florals. And at like 29.99 a bottle I'm not mad. This would be good for a nighttime event!

Got the latest version and it is very moody white floral. The gardenia and tuberose are the stars. The plum and patchouli are backup to the white floral and apricot. Distinctive, animalic and 90's AF.

Interesting and seductive. The potent Tuberose stood out in this creation. A good perfume with moderate longevity and silage.

I may need to reserve judgment on this perfume until I can test it in really hot, oppressive weather. This is not a heavy white floral. Anyone who thinks this smells of gardenia or tuberose has smelled neither. I'm normally a huge white florals fan. I love Poison, Byzance, Ysatis, Loulou, Corday Fame, Narcisse Noir, Samsara, Fracas...All of those are by far louder and richer than this fragrance, with the exception perhaps of Narcisse Noir, which I always wish was stronger. This perfume is a fruitchouli with a fresh musky note, not a showstopper white floral. A bit of an Angel clone, like everything of its time, but with fresh synthetics. I do think it's better than most VS fragrances, and the old style bottle with the double row of rhinestones is so fun in a tacky glamour kind of way that I really wanted to love this. I find the plum-apricot layered over the patchouli interesting, but it's just too fresh for me. I would probably like more to smell it as a scent trail on someone else, rather than have it too close on my own skin. I'd like to try it again when it isn't both humid and frigid outside, though.

Yeah it's heavy and old lady and probably not the floral scent to convert people to florals. Pretty big fan though. I thought the name was super funny and I blind bought it since VS re-released it recently. I really do think about it as something Sharon Stone would wear in the film. She don't need no man... or she does need a man but then she murders him with an ice pick. The vibe comes through, trust me.

Overwhelming and overpowering are the two words I'd use to describe this one from Victoria's Secret. Reminded me of a mature older woman's scent.

I also can't decide if I like or hate this stuff! I just happen to be in VS one day and saw this sitting on a table. The bottle caught my eye. Spritzed a little on me, and left. Later on I kept smelling this wonderful scent and realized it was that VS stuff I sprayed on me, so ran back to purchase it. I used it a few times and it's ok. Never get compliments wearing it, and usually my husband is first to notice a scent. So the other day was sniffing all my perfumes, came across this, and WOW, all of a sudden, it literally gags me! Way strong and thought "old lady" instant. My 7 yr old daughter ran and said Yuck! lol My husband said "it's no Coco M.!" (that's his fav for me) So now way up on a shelf it goes until I throw it on ebay! Edit: I ended up swapping this with a friend. She traded me a $20 gift card along with $10 coupon at VS. So I went and bought myself VS Sexy Little Things Tease. So happy I got rid of the other one.

Funny story: My fiancee and I were strolling the mall one day and decided to check out VS as it's one of my favorite stores and oddly enough he never complains about that ;) I picked up this perfume because the name humored me and I was curious what it would smell like. Spritz a little on and OMG blech! So not for me! This stuff was way too strong, way too old lady floral for me. Didn't even notice that my fella was next to me looking at the lotion version. Being the curious guy he is, he pops the cap up to smell but accidentally squeezed some in his face. Im laughing and heading toward the checkout with some other things I picked out and in a very audible voice he belts out "AAW I dont wanna smell like Sharon Stone!" :-P Maybe there's a reason it seems easier to shop alone lol. But long story short, I was not impressed with this one.

I was hoping to smell all the notes but the patchouli... Unfortunately this is a major heavy patchouli bomb with no supporting notes. All patchouli and since i hate patchouli of course thats the only note that shows up and its long and strong... I just sprayed it so hopefully the other notes will come out and choke out the dirty patch. And it is dirty, i smell dark brown moist dirt alongside the star of this show, patch. 😒

First VS perfume that I dislike (I got 9 of them), I dont hate it, but wont wear it much. It smells like grass or lettuce to me, certainly floral, but not like blossoms, more like stems. For some reason the undertones remind me of the smell of dirty public restrooms. Yuck. But that might be just because it doesnt go well with my skin, Im sure lots of girls would disagree :)

oh my God, it's very very sharp . It reminds me of Shalimar men's cologne. I tried and I tried to like this perfume because it was on sale 75% off during the semi annual sale but it's badly headache induced . Maybe it's made for more mature people with less sensitive olfactory senses. For me, it's just too nauseous. I would put it into the offensive fragrant

Soft but neon-vibrant in flavor, creamy fresh tuberose & playful plum. There's depth but it isn't heavy or too much patchouli/spice.. the musk is clean smelling. I think I would like it with a little more of that tuberose.. this ends up with a koolaid flavor. "Ungaro" (2007) is similar & better.

I'm not a fan of this scent at all, it's too musky. I think people who like the Very Sexy for her or So In Love may like this scent.