Side Effect Initio 2016

Electrifying. But not like being struck by lightning. Rather, the first spray of Side Effect feels like slowly gliding your fingertip across a charged screen. You know the surface is actually smooth, but due to the static, it feels like you are gliding over tiny little waves. Hypnotic. Do you know what I mean? I probably should get my laptop checked.

The most prominent element I perceive is rum, closely followed by tobacco and a tiny hint of saffron. In the first four hours, I don't smell any vanilla, but I believe it contributes to the unidentifiable sweetness. From the fifth hour on, however, it becomes very present.

I belong to the faction that associates Side Effect with "Replica - Jazz Club | Maison Margiela." For me, Side Effect is much softer than Jazz Club. Jazz Club starts off more masculine, a bit scratchy, which I can only attribute to the pink pepper. At first, the two fragrances smell quite different. After about an hour, however, Jazz Club develops similarly to the first four hours of Side Effect. The masculine touch of Jazz Club never completely disappears, though.

If money is no object, I would choose Side Effect as a woman. For the patient, Jazz Club is also a good choice. For a man, I would rather recommend Jazz Club, as it does not develop a pronounced sweet vanilla after a few hours like Side Effect does. Unless, of course, that is exactly what one wants.

Once my nose has adjusted to the side effects, the static screen gives way to a cold, black silk satin dress that occasionally sends chills down your spine because you encounter spots that haven't yet adjusted to body temperature while moving.