Dan81

I have been interested in Initio for a while but did not want to like them too much as they are quite expensive. After comparing multiple scents, Initio has become the top niche brand for my nose. Their absolute collections with the layering capability of magnetic blends slowly grew on me but the recent carnal bland collection has simply been astonishing. I cannot be satisfied with decants anymore and I have to get psychedelic love, Rehab and even side effect - which I think is quite similar to my beloved Herod from PDM but ugh it smells so gorgeous and complex that I don't think I can refuse it. Anyway, that's how much I love this house and their products.

Back to Psychedelic love: This is my absolute favorite scent from the house at this moment. Initio doesn't have an official website so I am not sure where the description came from in Fragrantica, but its descrition as a "narcotic bomb" could not be more right.
I simply cannot stop sniffing this beauty.
The three essential ingredients that they list are rose, hedoine and helitropin. The rose is subtle and not overwhelming to my nose, hence I do not get an overt feminine impression others have said. I also don't believe in the pheromone-like substance or it's potential influence on other human...but I am sniffing it like crazy so what do I know?
What I can say is that the helitrope smells AMAZING with creamy sandal wood and a light touch of vanilla, like a bee attracted to a flower I keep . Simply indulgent, addictive and sexy. It will be my new signature scent and I cannot wait to test out layering with MB7 or MB8.

Acqua di Gio was a big shock for me when it first came out. Immediately purchased it as a teenager when it came out in the 90s as I was completely mesmerized. Until then I had worn Chanel Egoiste, an odd choice for a teenage boy but that is what I liked, then CK one happened. The freshness was refreshing, and I remember my interest shifting towards something more masculine. I was very disappointed to come across Cool water, as that smelled like soapy fresh cut green to me than the ocean. Acqua di Gio, with its beautiful marine notes absolutely captured and registered as ocean. The blending with citrus and the Jasmine is so iconic that there is no wonder it became the all time best seller for men's cologne.

What more can be said about Acqua Di Gio? I still love this fragrance despite owning the newer flankers.
Would I still purchase the original? It's a difficult no. I do believe his successful flankers are more modern and improved on performance. Namely the profumo but I also like Absolu a lot. The reason I like these two scents, is absolutely because of the undeniable ozone scent pillar that it continues to hold up. I like them because where they came from and believe each are great creations. But the original would only serve the purpose of being a wall flower in my collection with occasional sniffing should he join, so I will not do that to my favorite scent. His legacy will be carried on by his new flankers who I will test every time they come out. I wasn't a fan of the profundo or Absolute extreme, but that is not going to stop me from pilgrimaging Gio flanker releases.

Egoiste was my very first perfume that I wore. I was a teenager and it was definitely heavier than what my peers were wearing. Then came Platinum Egoiste a few years later. It was fresh, metallic and blossoming with a spark that made my teenage heart believe it was more modern and sharp. I switched from Egoiste to Egoiste Platinum as I was eager to appear more mature.

Fast forward 20 years. I had gone through multiple different and "modern" perfumes and then I spend another ten years nearly never wearing colognes for work reasons. When I was able to enjoy fragrances again, I realize my old Egoiste bottle had been long gone but my Egoiste Platinum had survived the multiple changes in countries and cities. It unfortunately did not get stored in the dark or cool place. So most of the top notes are gone and has a piercing ethanol smell but the heart and base notes were alive. I was curious to compare the new and old Platinum Egoiste side by side, albeit the old one has been spoiled a bit so I purchased the new Platinum. With the reformulation, comparison is even more obscure but I feel the metallic coldness that I felt with the old Platinum may be much more rounder and warmer in the new platinum, but it is still very fresh.

I do feel the platinum does smell a little dated in comparison to other modern fragrance, however it is still very charming. I now appreciate how Platinum is so absolutely different from Egoiste itself the original in terms of scents, yet I feel they both accomplish to illustrate an Egoiste : the original feels more warm overall but you know he doesn't care anybody but himself. Platinum appears fresh and easily approachable, but it has metallic coldness that signals he is an Egoiste who is stylish and doesn't mind to play nice with others but do not compromise who he is. I believe Egoiste and Egoiste platinum will always remain fascinating for me.

I like Acqua di Gio Absolu a lot.
Albeit it's not love, but I like it a lot and I don't think this scent should be rated at 6.3. It's been called a flop and what not, but I will stand up and declare my strong like, sorry not love, but a strong like for you.

I used to love the original Gio DNA 20 years ago. I love it so much that I don't mind the mindless flanker creation; what's wrong with it if an amazing scent comes out like Profumo right?
Yes this absolu has similarities to Invictus but I again, so what? Invictus by itself is too synthetic and headache inducing for me. The synthetic fruity components in Gio Absolu are mixed well with the core Acqua di Gio DNA that it "adds" fruits to the masterpiece that gives youthful vibe. Frankly I can't say the same for the newer absolu instinct, which seems even more confused where it needs to stand between absolu and profumo. Point being I think Gio Absolu is a great addition to the line up. I like wearing it as I find it uplifting. It gets compliments fine. My favorite part is to switch over to Profumo. I start off the pool/beach/day time with Gio Absolu, then use Gio Profumo for the evening.

So I will be rocking this not-so-appreciated gem this summer during the day.

Versace Dreamer captured my heart immediately back in 90s. At the time I had just purchased Versace blue Jeans, but the Dreamer smelt more mature and carried a "let's go out in the night" vibe that I loved. Fast forward 20 years later and with my rejuvenated enthusiasm for scents I purchased a new bottle of Versace dreamer. This fragrance is also subject to debate about reformation; I frankly cannot tell how much of a difference there is from memory alone. I do feel the top notes and lily used to be stronger in the opening with the amber and tobacco dry down, but it may be figments of my imagination that the floral impression was stronger before. I get the Iris and lily right away with tobacco scent cloud growing rapidly. Most importantly, I still get the overall vibe of synthetic playfulness as the name of Dreamer crowns. It makes me think of summer nights, late summer nights when the temperature has gone down slightly but there is still lingering warmth in the air, people still wanting to hang out and continue to have fun. Light up a cigarette, have a drink or two and explore the possibilities that summer encounters can provide.

Versace Dreamer is definitely a 90s child and it is dated. I'd say it is dated due to its own success instead of the fragrance composition itself becoming old. It still has the extra something that lingers in my heart. Along with my bottle of Egoiste, the Dreamer has a spot in my collection.