Psychedelic Love by Initio Parfums Prives

At first, it hit me hard; I sense an incense that isn’t listed, or perhaps it’s that myrrh dominating the opening. But once it settles on the skin, it becomes totally floral. The white florals are tangled with rose and heliotrope, which feels heavy at first, but the dry-down is gorgeous. Don’t buy this blindly; you need to understand it to appreciate it from start to finish.

I ordered it based on the reviews, and when I opened it, I was blown away: it smells a lot like Black Phantom. I tested it on my skin, and everyone said the same thing. Typical of the PH family, I guess.

I’ve used it again and confirm what I said: a low-quality perfume that’s way too expensive. Paying that much for something that doesn’t last or leave a trail isn’t justified. I’ve tried two from this brand, and both were disappointing.

Psychedelic Love: Opens with a floral burst of ylang-ylang soaked in bergamot. The heart keeps the ylang-ylang going, adds powdery heliotrope, and a Bulgarian rose that dominates the mid-stage. Dry-down: a powdery floral dominated by rose over a sweet base of sandalwood and myrrh. Projection and longevity: about 6 hours of projection and 10-12 hours of longevity. Verdict: it’s a floral bouquet led by rose. It has a very pleasant evolution, like a walk through a floral garden where you finally find a quiet corner to rest while a bit of sandalwood and myrrh smolders. With occasional powdery and almond notes, it can be overwhelming at times, but it never tires or saturates. Definitely one of the best florals I’ve enjoyed.

Nice perfume, but unfortunately it doesn’t last well and leaves no trail; it’s only noticeable up close. How can people rate the longevity and sillage so highly if that’s not the case? At least don’t scam me. I bought the decant at Zona Perfumes, and the price is high for the low quality.

Dear Psychedelic Love: I smelled you almost a year ago at a collector friend’s house, and since then, I haven’t forgotten you. That night, I kept sniffing my arm until I fell asleep with your memory. No scent has ever marked me as much as you; I kept your essence in my mind, waiting to see you in a bottle for myself. You’re the second perfume I can remember without smelling it in months; the first was my signature fifteen years ago. Psychedelic Love doesn’t play at being discreet: it’s powerful, with great sillage and longevity. If I wear it without going out, it gives me a headache. Although I use a lot of unisex, I find it hard to imagine it on a man; in my mind, it highlights femininity with its sweetness, creaminess, and sensuality. It opens with a glorious, creamy ylang-ylang, bergamota passes quickly, and then comes a powdery accord with a stench, the rose almost imperceptible. Minutes later, something very provocative and animalistic that comes and goes, I don’t know if it’s castoreum or civet, but it gives that sensual halo. Suddenly, the myrrh with its sweetness and slight smokiness, and that sandalwood, what a marvel. I also sense vanilla, but not for very hot days.

I want to say so many things about this wonderful perfume, but I’ll summarize it in a few words: masterful, sexy, seductive, addictive, magnificent. I love it.

What can I say about this perfume? I had high expectations for the notes I love, except for heliotrope, which I don’t know how it smells, though I’m starting to suspect. It’s a cheerful and original floral. It’s been a while since I smelled a purely floral that didn’t bore me. It’s not powdery, but very sweet and persistent, sticky as another reviewer said. Zero subtle, zero refined, but pleasant. I sense creamy sandalwood. The first time I swore it had vanilla, but it doesn’t; the heliotrope smells vanillic and gives that sweetness. Fun fact: that sweetness used to bother me with Kilian’s Black Phantom, which also has heliotrope, so that note and I just don’t click. For men who fear sweet-floral unisex scents, a heads-up: this leans more feminine.

I don’t get why they call this unisex. I own way more unisex scents than men’s fragrances, but this is pure woman.

Excellent perfume. To my nose, it’s 60% feminine and 40% masculine. It reminds me of Zadig & Voltaire’s White for women, though this is a bit more unisex thanks to the ambered base that makes it shine. It shines. Flowers are the stars accompanied by myrrh resin. Very cozy, ideal for delicate days, not aggressive. Watch out, nothing clean: it’s very sweet and sticky. Great option for floral lovers.