You are officially an initio side effect survivor. I can confirm as a survivor myself of this god awful scent, that with the right treatment, medication and time, full recovery is possible 😂 Hate to see you in pain but great review :)
Especially wity Bouquet de Faunes which just came in and is sitting there staring at me begging to be used ... its painful being a survivor ..but life must go on 🤣🤣🤣
Not sure what you think about this comparison Ramsey, but I find a similarity in the sweetness btw side effect and ultra male jpg. So again outrageous prices for a vibe you can get for much cheaper
Yeah thats a good shout .. I said Joop homme in the review so there is something to this sweetness being very turned up... but with Amberwoods extreme 😆
Just got a great deal on this one. This is also my first one from them, not something I’ve ever been excited about owning but thought why not. Similar to you, only bought this for content with the ‘what am I doing this for’ content😂
The side effects of wearing Side Effect. They love free bottles that's why it smells so good to them. PdM as well as others are well known for free bottles to reviewers. It used to be a thing about the disclaimer, but now those in that circle have decided it's no longer important. I mean have you ever looked at some of the reviewer's collections that have only been collecting for a couple of years. I remember some of them when they started out, their shelves were dry from bottles. Now, they're awash in a sea of expensive things like Fragrance du Bois, PbM's Initios, etc. You never see Hisorty de Parfums or Comme de Garcons etc. You know how long it took me to get my collection, over 10 years. I've still yet to get a Roja. I'm not upset that they get free bottles, but don't tell me you like every single one from a certain house. Just look at their collections. There's no Tauer, no Areej's. The main problem is that when you show the people that their emperors have no clothes on, that crowd will show their pitch-forked teeth. The real truth is, because of the gnashing of the pronged mouths, they'll in the end have no truthful tongues. So ring that bell brother, ring it loud and well, and drive the vapid to their cliffs. For those who turn not back to the shadowed walls, there will be light atop and enlightened valleys for miles for the eyes to see and breathe. OK, that was waayyyyy over the top. Ya know what I mean though.
I agree. You just explained what I tried to figure out after trying Side Effect out today. I was honestly disgusted, foul chemicals on steroids but almost all good or rave reviews. Now I understand. Thanks.
Tbh Ram I think those reviewers, most of them at least, actually believe their own words (that’s probably even worse I know). This is the epitome of what’s considered “sexy” nowadays. There’s everything: a vanilla overload, a synthetic sandalwood/white musks base, hedione which has been working for more than 50 years now, even the tobacco & booze to make it “bad boy” lol. Each accord is as simple and catchy as possible just like a modern pop song. The point is, as you said, this stuff ain’t pop at all, given the hefty price they ask for it
Lovely video ram. I smelled side effect once and thought it’s just a dessert version of plum. No clue as to who wants to wear this. I am curious though what you’d think of something like perverso from Baruti 🤔
@@RamseytheRam it’s a brand from the perfumer of Zoologist’s Koala, Spyros Drosopoulos. Interesting stuff like chai, which is a spiced tea fragrance, and oh my deer! Which attempts to be a deer musk accord. I also have never smelled the brand but will try to sometime in the near future
The damning indictment is that you can generate a clone for this kind of fragrance so easily, and for 5% of the original price, barely spot a difference.
Well said. I’m very curious to see this formula. I mean I’ve got a very good guess what went into this slung. But I’m pretty certain this junk cost them a couple bucks per bottle of perfume concentrate and that it’s a very simple run of the mill formula.
@@RamseytheRam I have a clone of “oud” for greatness I stumbled upon at TJMaxx and it’s not bad. Even some random brand knew to take down the sweetness a bit lol
I have a few samples of PDM. The stuff is just over sweet and over priced clones . Find them really forgettable and unnecessary to have in my collection. I’m sure people get compliments when they wear that crap but I just don’t need them. Thank you so much ram for being honest and helping the community out.
@@RamseytheRam i bought a sample and somehow put 1 spray on in the gym. Just 1 single spray ... and I REEKED like a douchebag oversprayer. I actually felt embarrassed and violated. I'm not joking or exaggerating. I'm just relieved I'm not the only one that finds Side Effect a synthetic Emperor's clothes. 🤢
There is an exact clone of Initio Side Effect, called After Effect from one of these clone houses. It smell exactly the same and performs better for $24. I tried hard to find any differentiating factors between them, and there are none.
I live in Kuwait, and I can tell you you're correct. You don't smell people wearing high-end oud. You smell them wearing whatever the most popular mainstream fragrances are; niche or designer... for the most part. P.S. I owned both SE and OFG tester bottles because of the hype. Sold them both both with the quickness a year or so ago. Never even wanted to smell another from the brand. Also, I sold all my PDM for the same reason.
I have some even worse news for you PDM cloned their own fragrance. PDM released a fragrance called Haltane and its literally Oud for Greatness. And then they made it an exclusive to Harrods lol
@@stx7389 calm down there Mr. STX... we dont talk to our fellow fragrance town members that way in channel Ram... its like Spiderman around here... everyone gets one freebie, this is yours
Man, I really think Initio has its own style, which is very different to the greatest. I do like it for very specific settings and moods, they are well rounded, sweet and expensive for sure.
Glad you're reviewing initio side effect. I have been itching so hard due to fomo to get side-effect or blessed baraka but didn't want to go into debt so it's been sleepless nites. I'm glad you don't like it as I'm swayed more towards unique and mature scents. Didn't know side effect was very immature.
I couldn't agree more. I've tried most of their offerings and if you smelled one you smelled all of them. I actually bought in the past Oud for Greatness and I still remember vivid my reaction when I first smelled it(it was a blind buy), "what's this 34 types of oud scent?"...massively overpriced and part of the free bottle hype train...sad times
I received a sample of Oud for Greatness early in my perfume journey. The “oud” smell intrigued me so I dig deeper and found a Russian Adam interview with ExoticScents’ Nikil. I purchased as many Areej samples as I could get my hands on and I’ve never looked back. Oud for Greatness has its place for new noses, but it should never be confused with real oud oil or a real oud composition.
Every once in a while I do like to put Lattaffa Ragba on blast. And the dirt cheap 24 Oud knockoff I picked up at my local halal market. If Di Ser ouds are for contemplation, then baklava sweet oud knockoffs are for wilding out.
Yeah but what are you projecting? i sure dont want to be projecting Oud for Greatness lol The reason it projects like that is it is choked full of Amber woods... not for me But if you love it wear it 🙂
@@RamseytheRam I think the aspect of intensity is often overlooked in fragrance world. It is not always welcome to be projecting and perfume strength should be chosen appropriately based on occasion. My wife HATES all strong perfumes. But smelling them from distance can be alluring. But I definitely see what you mean with Initio being all the same one trick synth pony.
So, this is more Initio - High defect, than side effect. Well, many fragrances are just caricatures, but thanks to them we know which ones are high quality creations, because we can compare them, and masterpieces just speaks for themselves. Thank you again my friend. I'm learning...
@Ramsey I don't think it is necessary. It is a pleasant, non threatening, safe, but strong and long lasting scent that has that typical pdm DNA woven into it. If you don't like oud greatness you shouldn't care for haltane
Oud for Greatness is horrible, I can't even smell it, it's like self flagellation, or I have to be someone with a self-inflicting harm disorder to even think of putting it on. Spot on my friend, someone needed to come out and burst that bubble, thank you.
yeahp was planning on blessed baraka ever since starting my fragrance journey but thanks for this! i may not be able to say that i will able to save money not buying baraka but at least i can allocate funds to more deserving bottles/samples.
Haven't smelled this one, but I did give Parfums de Nicolai's Number One Intense a go today. Guess what it's incredibly similar too? 😂 Here's a clue....it's in the name. Yup. Number One from Hugo Boss. 😆 Strong like from first sniff, but burst out laughing within 10 minutes. Take out the rosemary, add Patricia's signature soapy tuberose and on paper it's basically exact. A floral Number One without the urinal cake vibe. Crazy. Or I dunno...maybe it's a side effect? 🤭 Immediately rocketed up to my #2 behind Patchouli Intense. If you ever get the sample set, start with Number One. I think you'll dig it. Ps, quite a few excellent cheap clones of Side Effect out there for anyone itching to try the scent.
Some one made the point earlier that a 360 dollar fragrance shouldnt be so easily cloned 😇 Also trying these rest of those nicolai frags is definately on my list...but a boss number one clone is NOT what I was expecting😆
@@RamseytheRam Me neither! Not quite a clone though. Many of their fragrances aren't linear so they change. But Musc Intense does smells just like a vintage floral my mother used to keep under the bathroom sink (something from Lancome perhaps?) and Baikal Leather Intense starts off similar to Ombre Leather but turns into a spicy iris-violet. The mid of New York Intense also reminds me strongly of Gravel's American Dream. I'm sure these are just accords that many perfumers use.
Much Appreciated My Man!✊🏾 I've really only gotten into niche fragrances for the last couple of years. Initio and PDM have been fragrances I've been hesitant about. I've tried Layton from PDM, (because of the hype) and remembered how "not so special" it was. I have tried Percival, that one was okay, but always gets compared to Fierce. In fact, I've heard most PDMs are clones of something else. I have tried Musk Therapy. Nothing fantastic. But I did find it a "calming" experience. I have wanted to try Blessed Barahka, because Alberto Morillas is the nose behind it. Perhaps I'll wait for your input. In the meantime, I think I'll check out more of your videos. Looking to further my fragrance journey!!
I am now in a no buy of any fragrance right now and am just spraying from my own collection, which is embarrassingly ridiculous. It is almost like most of my life I have spent in a perfume cult and lost complete control. However, I have finally tried to correct my perfume affliction with no avail, even though now I have to stop unless something comes out is truly botltle coveted and reasonably priced.
I know exactly what you mean... however the best thing about having huge collection is there is so much to choose from and wear you dont need new bottles 🙏🙏🙏
exactly Ramsey! My collection embarrassingly huge, but for now will not include very many new houses or perfumes. In fact, if I lived to be 100 years old, I would definitely predecease my myriad of perfumes.
Yes, as "sensual and dreamy" as the waft one gets when entering a janator's closet. As always, good stuff Ram ✌ ...btw, I respectfully (and frivolously) disagree, their best is Rehab (err spice bomb)
Thank you for your pain and suffering for all of us. Bless you. Great video as always mate. I think this kinda perfumery says so much about the world we live in.. all just leave it there cuz I can feel a rant coming on.
@@RamseytheRam I'm certainly not as experienced as you but I think Baccarat Rouge is right in that synth alley. Oud Satin is nice, but still quite synthetic to me. I cannot speak for the other perfumes.
The whole "I didn't pay retail" coping mindset is so ridiculous to me. I can't tell you how many people will say something like, oh it's really not that good and I certainly wouldn't pay the $300 retail price, but I got a "good deal" and only paid $140. Dude, you realize it's all price fixed right? It's like when you buy a mattress and every mattress store is constantly 50% off. Wow I got such a good deal!!!!
@@RamseytheRam it's the same reason as perfume houses. The Initio fragrances cost $.50 to make. Mattresses probably cost $25 to make. You're spot on about Lattafa. They're identical to Initio and they cost $25. Once again, $.50 formula cost lol
I've never smelled this. I hate Oud for Greatness. No Oud. Smells like BR540 rip off with a wood aromachem in it. I do like Paragon but it's like a plum version of PDM Layton and PDM Layton can be cloned for $20. So why is this $500?
The only one I like from this house is Rehab. Plus, I often forget that Parfumes de Marley is their sister. I am always pissed off at Parfumes de Marley because their prices are disgusting.
It’s so weird with women in this area (to be honest Parfums are not used very much here) either they hate it or love it, hardly any in between it’s like Fahrenheit edt (now Herod I can’t find a single person who like that at all)
With the exception of Essential Parfums, most of the fragrances from other houses are out of sight. Although I am not legally affiliated with the brand, each fragrance is made by a well-known perfumer and they all are priced the same. They are not exotic or unusual, but they are affordable and very nice fragrances.
@@RamseytheRam I meant, I have no affiliation with the brand and don’t get paid to promote it , but there are several good perfumes in their lineup and each is made by a well known perfumer and none cost an arm and a leg.
Recently I visited their shop in Paris and was so disappointed by their offerings. Very loud synthetic, cheap scents. I don't have anything against synthetics, but it's just not worth the money. Well done, Ramsey, for having the courage to say this. Parfums de Marly and Initio give away a lot of bottles to create the massive hype they currently have. French Haute parfumeris at its best. 🤮
I trust your nose enough Rams that I won’t waste money on Initio ill effects or Oud for mediocrity or any of that crap. I’d rather buy one man show Oud edition
Why is there such a trend of Super Amber materials being used in overdose!? It's so tasteless and it's everywhere. If you like big Amber Woods, you might also enjoy: 2000 Watts of Trap Bass in a teenagers Mazda, complete with rattling wing spoiler. A Transformers movie, over and over again. An army of gummy bears pushing a fleet of tiny wood chippers right up into your nostrils.
Once you smell some oud frags from Bortnikoff / Areej Le Dore / Ensar oud / Sultan Pasha u will realize how bad Oud for Greatness really is ... it is really 🤨
@@RamseytheRam good point. I haven’t tried those. But OfG is really what got me to dive into buying more expensive fragrances so it plays a very prominent part in my journey. But I’m also worried about your decant if you can draw similarities with side effect. I don’t catch a hint of similarity between the two.
@@RamseytheRam have you tried Rehab? I don’t think it would be your style but from what you describe disliking about Initio, it seems like you wouldn’t have too much of a problem with that one.
No I havent ... i just think Initio is 💩 If someone sent me a decant I will review it... but it will probably be one of these reviews where I have to look up synonyms for the word hate so I dont keep repeating myself 😅
I love u Ramsey , but man 😊, I think this is over 😂. I completely agree with you about the prices for this house and the synthetic ingredients included , which is the same even in PDM , but I feel there is something personal 😅in this review don’t get me wrong. You are the best ❤
Love your reviews, most of the people in the community they dont have knowledge they only smell what was make the las ten years and a big portion of those perfums are synthetic notes, I think they don't really know what they are talking about. I have to say that I like Absolut Aphrodisiac
Thank you so much for the kind words.. although we disagree on which of the Initio we would wear if someone FORCED us to wear one.. I would pick side effect, you would pick Absolute Aphrodisiac ... they are both 🚮 IMHO 😅😅😅
I like a lot Absolut Afrodciac but I am agree that they are synthetic, over hip and tacky. But is a guilty pleasure and I love Delina Exclusif 🥰 other synthetic guilty love
Wholeheartedly agree with you. The worst synthetic sugary mess. Not to mention crazy overpriced. The entire house is fraud. And great name indeed Side Effect. The only side effect of smelling this garbage is barf. This home is a travesty of perfumery.
Lol @ “I don’t want them to infect the other bottles.” You have to dump them roadside 10 miles from your home; any less and they’ll find their way back. Haven’t tried Initio, but the breathless praise from the usual suspects confirmed for me that I don’t need to waste my time.
Couldn't agree more. Side Effect very much gives the impression of overcompensation - a fragrance worn by people who wear perfume for others, not themselves. Also (controversial opinion), Parfums de Marly sucks. It's nothing more than mass-market, designer quality juice dressed in a fancy bottle and a pumped-up price tag. The Nouveau Riche and old-money analogy is a good one. New-rich almost always has gaudy, irreverent, and tasteless style. Any fragrance from Initio or Parfums de Marly would go perfect with a letter-blasted Gucci track suit. No thanks.
You are officially an initio side effect survivor. I can confirm as a survivor myself of this god awful scent, that with the right treatment, medication and time, full recovery is possible 😂
Hate to see you in pain but great review :)
Especially wity Bouquet de Faunes which just came in and is sitting there staring at me begging to be used ... its painful being a survivor ..but life must go on 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for your sacrifices! 🙏
Freedom aint free 😂😂😂
Not sure what you think about this comparison Ramsey, but I find a similarity in the sweetness btw side effect and ultra male jpg. So again outrageous prices for a vibe you can get for much cheaper
Yeah thats a good shout .. I said Joop homme in the review so there is something to this sweetness being very turned up... but with Amberwoods extreme 😆
Hate is a strong word...
....but our love for quality fragrances is stronger.
I could have used the word disdain or contempt ... but white hote HATE felt true-er to how I actually feel about this brand 😆
Just got a great deal on this one. This is also my first one from them, not something I’ve ever been excited about owning but thought why not. Similar to you, only bought this for content with the ‘what am I doing this for’ content😂
It is a tough trap to get out of 🙄😂
The side effects of wearing Side Effect.
They love free bottles that's why it smells so good to them.
PdM as well as others are well known for free bottles to reviewers.
It used to be a thing about the disclaimer, but now those in that circle have decided it's no longer important.
I mean have you ever looked at some of the reviewer's collections that have only been collecting
for a couple of years. I remember some of them when they started out, their shelves were dry from bottles.
Now, they're awash in a sea of expensive things like Fragrance du Bois, PbM's Initios, etc.
You never see Hisorty de Parfums or Comme de Garcons etc.
You know how long it took me to get my collection, over 10 years.
I've still yet to get a Roja.
I'm not upset that they get free bottles, but don't tell me you like every single one from a certain house.
Just look at their collections. There's no Tauer, no Areej's.
The main problem is that when you show the people that their emperors have no clothes on,
that crowd will show their pitch-forked teeth.
The real truth is, because of the gnashing of the pronged mouths, they'll in the end have no truthful tongues.
So ring that bell brother, ring it loud and well, and drive the vapid to their cliffs.
For those who turn not back to the shadowed walls, there will be light atop and enlightened valleys
for miles for the eyes to see and breathe.
OK, that was waayyyyy over the top.
Ya know what I mean though.
You should be leading men into battle with that battle cry Eddie ⚒️
I agree. You just explained what I tried to figure out after trying Side Effect out today. I was honestly disgusted, foul chemicals on steroids but almost all good or rave reviews.
Now I understand. Thanks.
Tbh Ram I think those reviewers, most of them at least, actually believe their own words (that’s probably even worse I know). This is the epitome of what’s considered “sexy” nowadays. There’s everything: a vanilla overload, a synthetic sandalwood/white musks base, hedione which has been working for more than 50 years now, even the tobacco & booze to make it “bad boy” lol. Each accord is as simple and catchy as possible just like a modern pop song. The point is, as you said, this stuff ain’t pop at all, given the hefty price they ask for it
Thats a great way to describe it... its like one of those made for Radio songs that all sound the same in perfume form 😂😂😂
Lovely video ram. I smelled side effect once and thought it’s just a dessert version of plum. No clue as to who wants to wear this. I am curious though what you’d think of something like perverso from Baruti 🤔
Never smelled or even heard of that brand 🤔
@@RamseytheRam it’s a brand from the perfumer of Zoologist’s Koala, Spyros Drosopoulos. Interesting stuff like chai, which is a spiced tea fragrance, and oh my deer! Which attempts to be a deer musk accord. I also have never smelled the brand but will try to sometime in the near future
@@Devppp ahhh yes I remember this guy when i tested the zoologists
we appreciate this.
The suffering is over at least 😅
The damning indictment is that you can generate a clone for this kind of fragrance so easily, and for 5% of the original price, barely spot a difference.
Thats a fantastic point Nick... and sometimes the clones smell even better 😂😂😂
Well said. I’m very curious to see this formula. I mean I’ve got a very good guess what went into this slung. But I’m pretty certain this junk cost them a couple bucks per bottle of perfume concentrate and that it’s a very simple run of the mill formula.
@@RamseytheRam I have a clone of “oud” for greatness I stumbled upon at TJMaxx and it’s not bad. Even some random brand knew to take down the sweetness a bit lol
@@nickyb7185 its just "that smell" to me now... I will forever associate it with Oud for Greatness... and its just 🤮
I have a few samples of PDM. The stuff is just over sweet and over priced clones . Find them really forgettable and unnecessary to have in my collection. I’m sure people get compliments when they wear that crap but I just don’t need them.
Thank you so much ram for being honest and helping the community out.
Thanks for sharing Andy 🙏🙏🙏
Gen Z finest, to tell the truth they don't know any better nor they deserve better.
It's a reflection of wearers morals and values..
😂😂😂
They dont deserve this though mate... this could be considered cruel and unusual punishment
@@RamseytheRam i bought a sample and somehow put 1 spray on in the gym. Just 1 single spray ... and I REEKED like a douchebag oversprayer.
I actually felt embarrassed and violated. I'm not joking or exaggerating. I'm just relieved I'm not the only one that finds Side Effect a synthetic Emperor's clothes.
🤢
😂😂😂
Yes I really really really don't like the house of Initio... in case you couldn't tell 💪🐏
There is an exact clone of Initio Side Effect, called After Effect from one of these clone houses. It smell exactly the same and performs better for $24. I tried hard to find any differentiating factors between them, and there are none.
Thanks for watching & sharing
Love your straightforward approach
I’m curious what is your pendant it’s beautiful
If its gold itd a coin... walking lady liberty
If it's silver it's a rose pendant of silver from the PAMP
I would love to see what you think of LV Imagination and L'Immensite, i believe that would be a really great and entertaining video 😂
Did you know parfumo says imagination is the #1 fragrance for Men right Now?! WTF 😂😂😂
I live in Kuwait, and I can tell you you're correct. You don't smell people wearing high-end oud. You smell them wearing whatever the most popular mainstream fragrances are; niche or designer... for the most part.
P.S. I owned both SE and OFG tester bottles because of the hype. Sold them both both with the quickness a year or so ago. Never even wanted to smell another from the brand. Also, I sold all my PDM for the same reason.
Thanks for sharing Mr. NORTH... really enjoyed reading your comment🤌🤌🤌
Varanis Ridari has recently made his own youtube channel! You should have him on the show, Ramsey.
Yes he is very knowledgeable
Aaron Terrence Hughes loves this fragrance.He said it made him tingle all over
there are many things that make ATH tingle. Doesnt mean its a good thing.
🤣🤣🤣
I have some even worse news for you PDM cloned their own fragrance. PDM released a fragrance called Haltane and its literally Oud for Greatness. And then they made it an exclusive to Harrods lol
😂😂😂
Wow never smelled Haltane but I really dont want to now 😬
No its not get new nose
@@stx7389 calm down there Mr. STX... we dont talk to our fellow fragrance town members that way in channel Ram... its like Spiderman around here... everyone gets one freebie, this is yours
Man, I really think Initio has its own style, which is very different to the greatest. I do like it for very specific settings and moods, they are well rounded, sweet and expensive for sure.
Thanks for watching 🍻
Glad you're reviewing initio side effect. I have been itching so hard due to fomo to get side-effect or blessed baraka but didn't want to go into debt so it's been sleepless nites. I'm glad you don't like it as I'm swayed more towards unique and mature scents. Didn't know side effect was very immature.
All sweet fragrances have an element of immaturity to my nose 🐽
Thanks for watching & commenting 😁
Never blind buy! I bought a sample, you may have it for free. It's trash!
I just told Rich Mich as well - There's a partial bottle of the original Bois
1920 Real Patchouly on Mercari in the US for $60 USD FYI!
E
Dang! I already have a bottle of the EDT and I dont think I want a back up... its a great Patch though
I couldn't agree more. I've tried most of their offerings and if you smelled one you smelled all of them. I actually bought in the past Oud for Greatness and I still remember vivid my reaction when I first smelled it(it was a blind buy), "what's this 34 types of oud scent?"...massively overpriced and part of the free bottle hype train...sad times
Spot on ... the free bottle hype train rolls on 🚅
so funny to watch this after watching the ATH review. it is curious to me how lattafa can clone every pdm and initio perfume perfectly 1:1
Of course you know why they are so easy to clone.... lots of cheaper synthetics is my guess
I did Erba Purba this morning for bed. I also consider myself a survivor. The opening was sickly and the drydown was so synthetic.
Side Effect survivors unite 😂😂😂
I only like 2 fragrances of the PdM family, Sedley&Percival, funny enough the reviewers rarely talk about these xD
I have never smelled them... although I would like to... thanks for watching & commenting 🙂
Ooh burn. I probably would have walked straight over to these if I saw them in a shop. Thank you!!!
If I saved even one person I feel like the suffering of today was worth it 🤕😆
@@RamseytheRam you saved me 🤣♥️
@@Tina-wi7we ❤️
I received a sample of Oud for Greatness early in my perfume journey. The “oud” smell intrigued me so I dig deeper and found a Russian Adam interview with ExoticScents’ Nikil. I purchased as many Areej samples as I could get my hands on and I’ve never looked back. Oud for Greatness has its place for new noses, but it should never be confused with real oud oil or a real oud composition.
Every once in a while I do like to put Lattaffa Ragba on blast. And the dirt cheap 24 Oud knockoff I picked up at my local halal market. If Di Ser ouds are for contemplation, then baklava sweet oud knockoffs are for wilding out.
They shouldnt even be allowed to use the word OUD in compositions like Oud for Greatness or Oud Wood... thats my opinion
Explains all those clones. What I like about Oud for Greatness and it's clones is projection. Nothing projects more that I know of.
Yeah but what are you projecting? i sure dont want to be projecting Oud for Greatness lol
The reason it projects like that is it is choked full of Amber woods... not for me
But if you love it wear it 🙂
@@RamseytheRam I think the aspect of intensity is often overlooked in fragrance world. It is not always welcome to be projecting and perfume strength should be chosen appropriately based on occasion. My wife HATES all strong perfumes. But smelling them from distance can be alluring. But I definitely see what you mean with Initio being all the same one trick synth pony.
The clone “after effect” is actually around $50 and smells better because it’s less sweet.
Yup this is way to sweet for me 🍭
So, this is more Initio - High defect,
than side effect.
Well, many fragrances are just caricatures, but thanks to them we know which ones are high quality creations, because we can compare them, and masterpieces just speaks for themselves.
Thank you again my friend.
I'm learning...
High defect!! 😂😂😂
I love it 🤌🤌🤌
Spot on mate! I don't even get amber/booze/tobacco...just SWEET
Sorry I thought this comment was for my newest video on Luce😂😂😂
Yeah totally agree it smells like a 20 dollar Lattafa fragrance lol
Do you like Montabaco
I have never smelled Montobaco by Ormonde Jayne 🤷♂️
They say oud for greatness smells like a flanker of pdm Haltane. Haltane is decent, it is strong but a nice safe sweet scent.
Never smelled Haltane... than again, do I want to 🤔👎
@Ramsey I don't think it is necessary. It is a pleasant, non threatening, safe, but strong and long lasting scent that has that typical pdm DNA woven into it.
If you don't like oud greatness you shouldn't care for haltane
Oud for Greatness is horrible, I can't even smell it, it's like self flagellation, or I have to be someone with a self-inflicting harm disorder to even think of putting it on. Spot on my friend, someone needed to come out and burst that bubble, thank you.
🤌🤌🤌
yeahp was planning on blessed baraka ever since starting my fragrance journey but thanks for this! i may not be able to say that i will able to save money not buying baraka but at least i can allocate funds to more deserving bottles/samples.
Blessed Baraka ☹️
Haven't smelled this one, but I did give Parfums de Nicolai's Number One Intense a go today. Guess what it's incredibly similar too? 😂 Here's a clue....it's in the name. Yup. Number One from Hugo Boss. 😆 Strong like from first sniff, but burst out laughing within 10 minutes. Take out the rosemary, add Patricia's signature soapy tuberose and on paper it's basically exact. A floral Number One without the urinal cake vibe. Crazy. Or I dunno...maybe it's a side effect? 🤭 Immediately rocketed up to my #2 behind Patchouli Intense. If you ever get the sample set, start with Number One. I think you'll dig it. Ps, quite a few excellent cheap clones of Side Effect out there for anyone itching to try the scent.
Some one made the point earlier that a 360 dollar fragrance shouldnt be so easily cloned 😇
Also trying these rest of those nicolai frags is definately on my list...but a boss number one clone is NOT what I was expecting😆
@@RamseytheRam Me neither! Not quite a clone though. Many of their fragrances aren't linear so they change. But Musc Intense does smells just like a vintage floral my mother used to keep under the bathroom sink (something from Lancome perhaps?) and Baikal Leather Intense starts off similar to Ombre Leather but turns into a spicy iris-violet. The mid of New York Intense also reminds me strongly of Gravel's American Dream. I'm sure these are just accords that many perfumers use.
Much Appreciated My Man!✊🏾
I've really only gotten into niche fragrances for the last couple of years.
Initio and PDM have been fragrances I've been hesitant about.
I've tried Layton from PDM, (because of the hype) and remembered how "not so special" it was.
I have tried Percival, that one was okay, but always gets compared to Fierce.
In fact, I've heard most PDMs are clones of something else.
I have tried Musk Therapy. Nothing fantastic. But I did find it a "calming" experience.
I have wanted to try Blessed Barahka, because Alberto Morillas is the nose behind it.
Perhaps I'll wait for your input.
In the meantime, I think I'll check out more of your videos.
Looking to further my fragrance journey!!
Welcome to our little fragrance town Jason 🤜🤛🏻
Glad to have you here as a part of it... i have a sample of blessed baraka so video coming soon 🍻
We love you 2 - action means more than words:-)
Thanks for that brother 🤜🤛🏻
I can do Rehab by Initio. I can do PFM Herod and Layton. That's about it.
I am with you.... most of the stuff from the house is just attrocious 😆
I am now in a no buy of any fragrance right now and am just spraying from my own collection, which is embarrassingly ridiculous. It is almost like most of my life I have spent in a perfume cult and lost complete control. However, I have finally tried to correct my perfume affliction with no avail, even though now I have to stop unless something comes out is truly botltle coveted and reasonably priced.
I know exactly what you mean... however the best thing about having huge collection is there is so much to choose from and wear you dont need new bottles 🙏🙏🙏
exactly Ramsey! My collection embarrassingly huge, but for now will not include very many new houses or perfumes. In fact, if I lived to be 100 years old, I would definitely predecease my myriad of perfumes.
@@RamseytheRam exactly! I will finally wear what I already have!
It's definitely provocative....
You mean offensive 🙃
Agree with every word.
Thanks for the support 🙏🙏🙏
Yes, as "sensual and dreamy" as the waft one gets when entering a janator's closet. As always, good stuff Ram ✌ ...btw, I respectfully (and frivolously) disagree, their best is Rehab (err spice bomb)
Ohhh i dont know if I smelled Rehab (spicebomb)🙄
Thank you for your pain and suffering for all of us. Bless you. Great video as always mate. I think this kinda perfumery says so much about the world we live in.. all just leave it there cuz I can feel a rant coming on.
😂😂😂
Parfums de Rant & hide defect
I think Maison Francis Kurkdjian is even more synthetic smelling than Initio
I personally disagree ... give me ciel de gum or oud in EDP form or Absolue pour le soir any day over any initio
@@RamseytheRam I'm certainly not as experienced as you but I think Baccarat Rouge is right in that synth alley. Oud Satin is nice, but still quite synthetic to me. I cannot speak for the other perfumes.
@@jankucera8505 i also hate BR 😂😂😂
The whole "I didn't pay retail" coping mindset is so ridiculous to me. I can't tell you how many people will say something like, oh it's really not that good and I certainly wouldn't pay the $300 retail price, but I got a "good deal" and only paid $140. Dude, you realize it's all price fixed right? It's like when you buy a mattress and every mattress store is constantly 50% off. Wow I got such a good deal!!!!
Thats a great comparison...i still have no clue how those mattress stores stay in business 😆
@@RamseytheRam it's the same reason as perfume houses. The Initio fragrances cost $.50 to make. Mattresses probably cost $25 to make. You're spot on about Lattafa. They're identical to Initio and they cost $25. Once again, $.50 formula cost lol
Spot on man ...i would guess its probably double or tripple that .. give them SOME credit.. they probably spend at least a dollar on the juice 😂😂😂
I've never smelled this. I hate Oud for Greatness. No Oud. Smells like BR540 rip off with a wood aromachem in it. I do like Paragon but it's like a plum version of PDM Layton and PDM Layton can be cloned for $20. So why is this $500?
I hated Side Effect 😆
Thanks so much for watching & commenting 😊
The only one I like from this house is Rehab. Plus, I often forget that Parfumes de Marley is their sister. I am always pissed off at Parfumes de Marley because their prices are disgusting.
Never tried Rehab but if you like it I will put it on the to sniff list Phyllis 🙂
It’s so weird with women in this area (to be honest Parfums are not used very much here) either they hate it or love it, hardly any in between it’s like Fahrenheit edt (now Herod I can’t find a single person who like that at all)
Thanks for watching 🙂
With the exception of Essential Parfums, most of the fragrances from other houses are out of sight. Although I am not legally affiliated with the brand, each fragrance is made by a well-known perfumer and they all are priced the same. They are not exotic or unusual, but they are affordable and very nice fragrances.
Thanks so much Phyllis :)
PS what is this Legal affiliation you speak of? 🤔😂
@@RamseytheRam I meant, I have no affiliation with the brand and don’t get paid to promote it , but there are several good perfumes in their lineup and each is made by a well known perfumer and none cost an arm and a leg.
Recently I visited their shop in Paris and was so disappointed by their offerings. Very loud synthetic, cheap scents. I don't have anything against synthetics, but it's just not worth the money. Well done, Ramsey, for having the courage to say this. Parfums de Marly and Initio give away a lot of bottles to create the massive hype they currently have. French Haute parfumeris at its best. 🤮
100% agree ...just 🤮
Synthetic Oud for Greatness should be called 😂😂Ensar Oud is truly the king😎
🤣🤣🤣
Yes exactly... Ensar , Areej , Bortnikoff , Agar Aura, Rising Phoenix etc... all the "Artisnal" Oud Houses👑
I trust your nose enough Rams that I won’t waste money on Initio ill effects or Oud for mediocrity or any of that crap. I’d rather buy one man show Oud edition
100% spot on ... and its 15 bucks on fragracebuy lol
I'm getting the sense you're not a fan 🤔
😂😂😂
What gave it away?
Why is there such a trend of Super Amber materials being used in overdose!? It's so tasteless and it's everywhere.
If you like big Amber Woods, you might also enjoy:
2000 Watts of Trap Bass in a teenagers Mazda, complete with rattling wing spoiler.
A Transformers movie, over and over again.
An army of gummy bears pushing a fleet of tiny wood chippers right up into your nostrils.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I cant unsee that army of gummie 🐻
Ramsey here doing God’s work.
🐏😇
Ha Oud for Greatness is my #1 but I agree with you on Side Effect.
Once you smell some oud frags from Bortnikoff / Areej Le Dore / Ensar oud / Sultan Pasha u will realize how bad Oud for Greatness really is ... it is really 🤨
@@RamseytheRam good point. I haven’t tried those. But OfG is really what got me to dive into buying more expensive fragrances so it plays a very prominent part in my journey. But I’m also worried about your decant if you can draw similarities with side effect. I don’t catch a hint of similarity between the two.
@@dranek my decant is legit... its the similarity in the woody amber materials Initio uses
@@RamseytheRam have you tried Rehab? I don’t think it would be your style but from what you describe disliking about Initio, it seems like you wouldn’t have too much of a problem with that one.
No I havent ... i just think Initio is 💩
If someone sent me a decant I will review it... but it will probably be one of these reviews where I have to look up synonyms for the word hate so I dont keep repeating myself 😅
I love u Ramsey , but man 😊, I think this is over 😂.
I completely agree with you about the prices for this house and the synthetic ingredients included , which is the same even in PDM , but I feel there is something personal 😅in this review don’t get me wrong. You are the best ❤
I really dont like Initio 😂😂😂
Will be the same when I review Oud for greatness or Absolute Aphrodisiac 😡
Thanks for watching & commenting 🍻
Love your reviews, most of the people in the community they dont have knowledge they only smell what was make the las ten years and a big portion of those perfums are synthetic notes, I think they don't really know what they are talking about. I have to say that I like Absolut Aphrodisiac
Thank you so much for the kind words.. although we disagree on which of the Initio we would wear if someone FORCED us to wear one.. I would pick side effect, you would pick Absolute Aphrodisiac ... they are both 🚮 IMHO 😅😅😅
I like a lot Absolut Afrodciac but I am agree that they are synthetic, over hip and tacky. But is a guilty pleasure and I love Delina Exclusif 🥰 other synthetic guilty love
Wholeheartedly agree with you. The worst synthetic sugary mess. Not to mention crazy overpriced. The entire house is fraud. And great name indeed Side Effect. The only side effect of smelling this garbage is barf. This home is a travesty of perfumery.
Yes indeed... well said
Ironic that ATH is a champion for natural ingredients but his favorite fragrance Side Effect is a synthetic mess.
Very "ironic" indeed 😆
Lol @ “I don’t want them to infect the other bottles.”
You have to dump them roadside 10 miles from your home; any less and they’ll find their way back.
Haven’t tried Initio, but the breathless praise from the usual suspects confirmed for me that I don’t need to waste my time.
😂😂😂
They will find their way back the clever little shites
That was refreshing.
Thank you Keith... appreciate your support brother 🍻
Couldn't agree more. Side Effect very much gives the impression of overcompensation - a fragrance worn by people who wear perfume for others, not themselves. Also (controversial opinion), Parfums de Marly sucks. It's nothing more than mass-market, designer quality juice dressed in a fancy bottle and a pumped-up price tag.
The Nouveau Riche and old-money analogy is a good one. New-rich almost always has gaudy, irreverent, and tasteless style. Any fragrance from Initio or Parfums de Marly would go perfect with a letter-blasted Gucci track suit. No thanks.
🤣🤣🤣
Leather Blasted Gucci Track suit
I agree...
Thank you Shelby... glad to have you in my corner 🙏🙏🙏
Sometimes I am getting into the video forgetting to like it. Sorry bro.
All good I appreciate you 🙏
Same
Thanks for the support Filippo 🍻
Oh no.
I am stamped as an Initio Side Effect survivor 😂😂😂
This guy really hates this shit :)
I do! Lol
Hater
Wussy
I do not like Side Effect at all!
That makes two of us! Thanks for watching & commenting 🙂
Your face in the thumbnail says it all mate 😂 to me this just smelt like burnt rubber? Apparently it smells better in the air but it was a no for me
Absolutely a no go for me 😂😂😂
Thanks for watching & commenting 🍻
@@RamseytheRam your videos are quality mate. The amouge & roja house overview videos are so good! Hope to see you do well on here
Appreciate the support Ryan 🍻
Ramsay doing a review on side effect, what has the world come to 🫡😂
Its a hard knock life.... but someone has got to do it! 😅😅😅
@@RamseytheRam I’d like to petition the government to give Ramsay hazard pay🙌🏼😉
☣️