Side Effect

Perfume Pyramid

Longevity

Sillage

When To Wear

Pros & Cons

Reviews

1. J

   June Novak Love December 28, 2025

   I’ve been wearing Side Effect on and off for a few weeks now (2016). After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. The trail is there if someone steps close, not across the room. I would happily buy a full bottle.
2. I

   Ivy Cattaneo Like March 31, 2026

   A friend passed me a decant of Side Effect (2016) and I wasn’t prepared for it. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. The trail is there if someone steps close, not across the room. A solid addition for anyone who enjoys this style.
3. D

   Dario Horvat Ok April 11, 2026

   A decant of Side Effect sat in my box for weeks before I finally wore it. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. I get about four to six hours before it turns into a skin scent. Pleasant, though I would not call it essential.
4. E

   Emilia Novak Like May 16, 2026

   My first Initio Parfums Prives experience was this one, Side Effect (2016). Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. In cooler weather it sits closer to the skin, which I actually prefer here. A very likeable composition that is easy to appreciate.
5. R

   Ruben Müller Love June 7, 2026

   Everyone keeps talking about Side Effect, so I finally gave it a proper test. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Two sprays are enough — it carries well without shouting. I would happily buy a full bottle.
6. I

   Iris Fontaine Like June 9, 2026

   My first Initio Parfums Prives experience was this one, Side Effect (2016). The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. It is not the loudest scent I own, but the balance suits it well. I reach for it often and always enjoy the wear.
7. F

   Freya Öztürk Like June 11, 2026

   A couple of wears in, Side Effect has really grown on me. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The drydown lingers pleasantly, and I do not need to reapply at lunch. I reach for it often and always enjoy the wear.
8. M

   Mateo Khan Like June 13, 2026

   A decant of Side Effect sat in my box for weeks before I finally wore it. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. After a few hours it becomes a soft skin scent with a lovely trail. Well done — recommended if the notes appeal to you.
9. F

   Freja Larsson Dislike June 15, 2026

   Initio Parfums Prives knows how to compose, and Side Effect (2016) is proof. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The trail is there if someone steps close, not across the room. Sadly this one does not work on my skin.
10. N

    Nina Moreau Like June 17, 2026

    I keep reaching for Side Effect more than I expected to. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. It performs better in warmer weather — in the heat it opens up nicely. I can see this getting a lot of wear in my collection.
11. F

    Finn Ford Love June 22, 2026

    My first Initio Parfums Prives experience was this one, Side Effect (2016). The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. In cooler weather it sits closer to the skin, which I actually prefer here. This has earned a permanent spot in my rotation.
12. M

    Mina Marin Like June 23, 2026

    I have owned Side Effect for a while now and my opinion has only gotten stronger. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Performance is consistent: comfortable sillage and several hours of wear on my skin. I reach for it often and always enjoy the wear.
13. F

    Freya Molnár Ok June 24, 2026

    Everyone keeps talking about Side Effect, so I finally gave it a proper test. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. On my skin the performance is reliable, not a beast but far from weak. Worth sampling before committing to a bottle.
14. K

    Kai Meyer Love June 26, 2026

    I have owned Side Effect for a while now and my opinion has only gotten stronger. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. It lasts through a full workday on me, which is exactly what I want. This one gets my highest praise — beautiful from start to finish.
15. M

    Margot Schmidt Ok June 27, 2026

    A couple of wears in, Side Effect has really grown on me. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. I get about four to six hours before it turns into a skin scent. I enjoy it when I wear it, yet I rarely think of reaching for it.
16. M

    Milan Dubois Love July 10, 2026

    I keep reaching for Side Effect more than I expected to. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. The trail is there if someone steps close, not across the room. Full-bottle worthy without a doubt.
17. O

    Oscar Hasegawa Love July 13, 2026

    I have owned Side Effect for a while now and my opinion has only gotten stronger. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. In cooler weather it sits closer to the skin, which I actually prefer here. Easily one of my favourite finds this season.
18. M

    Max Lockhart Like July 14, 2026

    A friend passed me a decant of Side Effect (2016) and I wasn’t prepared for it. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. It performs better in warmer weather — in the heat it opens up nicely. I reach for it often and always enjoy the wear.
19. L

    Lena Sullivan Love July 16, 2026

    I needed a full wearing before I made my mind up about Side Effect. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. It is not the loudest scent I own, but the balance suits it well. This one gets my highest praise — beautiful from start to finish.
20. I

    Idris Fernandez Love July 16, 2026

    A friend passed me a decant of Side Effect (2016) and I wasn’t prepared for it. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. It performs better in warmer weather — in the heat it opens up nicely. I would happily buy a full bottle.
21. A

    Adrian Petrov Dislike July 16, 2026

    A friend passed me a decant of Side Effect (2016) and I wasn’t prepared for it. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. On my skin the performance is reliable, not a beast but far from weak. I can see its quality, but it simply is not my style.
22. F

    Freya Khan Love July 20, 2026

    Picked up a sample of Side Effect after reading the community buzz (2016). After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. It projects politely for a couple of hours, then stays close and cosy. This has earned a permanent spot in my rotation.
23. Y

    Yuki Khan Like July 21, 2026

    For a 2016 release, Side Effect deserves more attention than it gets. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. On my skin the performance is reliable, not a beast but far from weak. I reach for it often and always enjoy the wear.
24. J

    Jasper Larsson Like July 22, 2026

    I needed a full wearing before I made my mind up about Side Effect. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. I get about four to six hours before it turns into a skin scent. A solid addition for anyone who enjoys this style.
25. O

    Otto Moretti Love July 29, 2026

    I have owned Side Effect for a while now and my opinion has only gotten stronger. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. Three sprays last me most of the day without ever becoming cloying. This one gets my highest praise — beautiful from start to finish.
26. F

    Finn Reed Love August 5, 2026

    My first Initio Parfums Prives experience was this one, Side Effect (2016). After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. The heart is the best part for me: Rum and Tobacco feel carefully balanced. Three sprays last me most of the day without ever becoming cloying. I would happily buy a full bottle.
27. M

    Max Ashford Ok August 6, 2026

    Everyone keeps talking about Side Effect, so I finally gave it a proper test. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Performance is consistent: comfortable sillage and several hours of wear on my skin. I enjoy it when I wear it, yet I rarely think of reaching for it.
28. S

    Sofia Romano Dislike August 10, 2026

    I’ve been wearing Side Effect on and off for a few weeks now (2016). After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. Projection stays close for the first hour, then becomes a soft, pleasant aura. I wanted to like it more than I did.
29. H

    Hugo Fischer Dislike August 13, 2026

    Initio Parfums Prives knows how to compose, and Side Effect (2016) is proof. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. Projection stays close for the first hour, then becomes a soft, pleasant aura. The composition is well made but not for me.
30. A

    Alina Berg Love 2 weeks ago

    Everyone keeps talking about Side Effect, so I finally gave it a proper test. After about twenty minutes the heart settles into Rum with Tobacco, which is where the fragrance really shines. Give it a little time and Rum with Tobacco comes forward — smooth and well done. In cooler weather it sits closer to the skin, which I actually prefer here. I would happily buy a full bottle.