At first sniff, I did not like this fragrance. I thought the leather notes were a bit too strong for my taste, and there was a hint of powderyness that I didn't love - but, I realized after a bit of it being on my skin, that harshness went away and it became just a lovely spicy warm scent, where you could smell the woods and tobacco, the sweetness of the vanilla, without any one piece standing out too strong. I very much like it now, but I bet it's going to depend on your body chemistry and if you can wait through that initial phase.

Oh man. Smells like bug spray. Absolutely not for me.

My rating is actually 4.25/5 stars! It’s a gorgeous unisex fragrance, although I would say it’s a sexy masculine fragrance. It’s very warm and leathery, but at first spray it had a floral crisp green citrus scent. I couldn’t place it so I had to go to the INITIO site and look up the notes. It’s Hedione! Never heard of those note before, but the description online was spot on of what I was smelling, even though it’s just barely noticeable and sits on top while the base is warm and sexy. Hedione is similar to jasmine, but mostly is a mixture of floral and citrus. Side Effect is very unique! I didn’t give it 5 stars because it’s not a fragrance I’m in love with and would wear every day. It’s definitely a winter date night fragrance I would want my husband to wear.

Tied with Musk Therapy as Initio's best, but MT leans way more feminine than this does, so I can get away with this one a lot more. It's one of my only blind buys back before I found decanting, but I got very lucky.

My son says he really like it.

Initio Side Effect is truly captivating. The blend of rum, vanilla, and tobacco notes is rich, sophisticated, and perfectly balanced. It has an impressive longevity and projects beautifully without being overpowering. I receive compliments every time I wear it—definitely a unique and luxurious scent worth every penny (especially for the full bottle). Highly recommended!

The scent has it all, Vanilla, Spice, Booze, Leather and Tobacco and somehow some way it all ties in wonderfully together. I love it and I've gotten many compliment.

My favorite scent so far. Definitely warm notes, phenomenal for colder weather.

Strong smelling scent, a boozy and warm smell with some sweetmess that projects well.

It has a strong bug repellent smell but once it wears down on the skin. It starts to smell better but for some reason it smells alittle like gasoline on my skin. Maybe itll work for you but it wasnt compatable with me. It sucks cause i had high hopes for this scent

You should absolutely believe the hype around this fragrance. It’s musky. It’s spicy. It’s warm. It’s boozy. There’s vanilla. There’s leather. It’s just damn good.

One of the best musk smelling fragrances 10/10 buy

Dry down is insane. Strong but not overwhelming boozy cinnamon vanilla . Unisex but leans masculine . More of a winter/date night fragrance

Intoxicating. Valid. A1

This scent is awesome- very much like dark and juicy at the same time? At first spray it reads very fruit-forward with musk to make it definitely more masculine; very unique fragrance for special occasions

Its worth all the hype has soft musky smell . I get a lot of compliments and it last long which i enjoy that about this product the most . It has a really faint light but strong smell not as pudgent as you would imagine .

Interesting and different! I get compliment on this one!

Love it.

Nice scent but leans a little too masculine for my taste.

I ordered 3 fragrances. This one, Baccarat Rouge, and gentle fluidity gold. Side effect is the only one I liked. Smells so good. More dark and kind of spicy/sweet.

Smelled like a cross between bug spray and medicine. Long lasting. Not for me. I mostly like scents leaning towards Siren by Paris Hilton. This is a no for me.

Not my favorite. Very weak, very light. I know many people love this one, but it's not for me. I'll take Jazz Club over this any day.

Amazing. Love this one

Delightfully sweet and spicy

This is a slightly sweet fragrance. Very seductive and alluring. I prefer this one over absolute aphrodisiac.

Love this! Wasn’t expecting to from the notes. Really addictive scent. Smells like oudy cherry and Tobacco to me.

I usually like a more masculine spicy scent. But I did not care for this one. It smelled like bug spray on the first spray. It did get a little better after wearing it for awhile but it did not improve enough for me to like it.

After seeing a ton of hype online I figured I would try this out. This would have been the first time I had smelt a niche fragrance. I was not disappointed. The opening notes are heavy in booze and spice and tobacco. Then this masterpiece begins to transition into a beautiful vanilla note that just doesn't quit. 10 hrs after spraying on skin I could still smell it on myself. My sweater was closer to 24 hrs. Before smelling Side Effect I couldn't understand why anyone would spent 200+ dollars on a fragrance. I now get it and would be happy to pick up a bottle in the future. 5 easy stars.

Very nice.

Smells like a grandma. Ugh. Such a waste of money.

Smells amazing. It reminds me of Herod from the house of Parfum de Marleys. I love the opening, but it gives me a headache. This fragrance literally last forever.

Smells great!! Unisex but leans a tad bit masculine. Definitely full bottle worthy

I like this one.

This is a banger. This leans masculine but still very unisex. The projection and longevity is out of this world. The scent is a beautiful spicey, cold weather fragrance. Do not overspray this one. Often times I overspray bc I’m used to fragrances that don’t lay and/or don’t project but that is NOT the case for this. If you overspray, you will regret it. Really only 1 spray is needed. I wouldn’t do anymore than 3 sprays.

Amazing scent. I definitely get the cinnamon and vanilla. Long lasting and warm.

lasts all day but is a pretty masculine scent. the tobacco is strong but the vanilla makes it dreamy

I love this scent! It's so different than anything I'm used to. When you first spray it it smells kind of like cherry cola to me. Then after it sits on my skin it's like a smoky vanilla. Very nice.

Distinctive sexy night out fragrance. I think I would like this better on a guy even though I prefer unisex fragrances. Super longevity!

This is a HEAD TURNER!!! It’s giving rich-bih vibes. I wear this to cigar bars because it’s distinctive enough to be picked up through the sultry tobacco scent while complimenting the smoke plumes.

It was not for me. I exchanged it for another scent.

A little too much tobacco for me.

Very pleasant, light and airy.

I found this one off putting. I liked the intensity level but something about the scent profile didn't agree with me.

Boozy with hint of tobacco. Known as a beast mode fragrance but on my skin it was moderate/intimate. Most people favor this scent above all others, but I prefer Atomic Rose personally.

Boozy tobacco and vanilla = LOVE

Probably the most disgusting fragrance I’ve ever smelled. Smells totally synthetic like cherry scented tire dressing. I really should have sent this back but I tried it a couple times.

NICE ANS SUTTLE NOT TO STRONG... A REALLY "SMOOTH" SMELL FOR WHEN YOURE GONNA BE CLOSE UP ON DATES.

Interesting coincidence that I am a physician and wear a "side Effect" perfume. Great quality, classy perfume with significant longevity. I love Initio house productions and will continue to explore their products. I wish they have a "men" and "women" perfumes in addition to the "unisex" ones. Many of their beautiful smells, being unisex, they are closer to the feminine gender.

Not for me

It's a powerful and intriguing scent

Very nice fragrance. It is unisex, and I truly believe anyone can pull this one off. I will be ordering a full bottle.

This scent is intoxicating on me. I have received so many complements even hours after putting it on, one of my favorites I have tried out so far!

Smells like bug spray I do not know where this vanilla and other terms are coming from and I came back to it several times to see if the scent had changed and it smelled the same, it also didn’t last

Fantastic boozy tobacco vanilla. Probably in my top 2 scents of all time

Boozy vanilla for winter!

Super good quality. One of those that will make you commit to a style. I worn it out a lot and every time has gotten a compliment.

I love it. It has good performance like all pdm/initio fragrances. It’s one of the few niche fragrances I’d consider getting a full bottle of.

Really enjoyed the scent! If you like a tobacco note you may enjoy this scent.

My favourite from Initio, it is very strong and last all day. Opening may be a bit too much for some people but after it dries down it is addicting.

I wanted so much to like this, but to me it smelled very medicinal. Kinda like cherry cough syrup and latex gloves.

Beautiful fragrance especially after 1-2 hours as the vanilla comes thru. Projection and longevity king. Love it.

Loved it! Lots of compliments

THIS SCENT!!! Is wild. I really did not like it at first, the opening is kind of obnoxious and sweet, kind of like a dark cherry medicine ish. The opening is very loud and present in the room. However after about an hour it turns into something kind of spicy sweet, alluring, kind of like a chocolate rum candy with some earthy undertones. VERY interesting! It smells very good. I kind of enjoy the opening now that I've gotten used to it and I find myself wanting to put in on every once in a while because I want to see if I like it even more than last time. Would I buy a bottle? Maybe. Hard to say if I am in love with it or not. I do think I could use this but maybe only in niche situations. I wouldn't recommend this to the complete beginner, as the scent is one that most would need to get used to. But I do believe this scent could be used in very seductive or a romantic settings.

I didnt like this sent unfortunately. Too strong. Mellows out eventually.

I did not like it at all

I like it! A lot!

Addicted to this scent, but not one I would personally choose to wear. If I smelled this one someone else though, I think I would go feral. It gets sweeter as it dries down, at first the leather is a really dominant note which can be off putting but as it dries it becomes divine.

Scent box is a horrible ripoff with Walmart scents. They sent perfume when I am registered as a man looking for cologne the return process is horrible and they only send out cheap penny cents

Give me a headache

I’m obsessed with this fragrance!

The first time I sprayed it I wasn't too sure how I felt about it, but after a few times of wearing Side Effect I am obsessed! It is a veey strong, oriental, sexy fragrance. To me It's a woody, creamy, sexy tobacco. I would wear ot for a date night or in colder temperature.

I wouldnt use for everyday. More like a special occasion. Smells spicy at first spray but mellows down after a few minutes

I have read alot of good things about this fragrance and it does not disappoint. It’s complex and it smells amazing. To me it smells spicy at first spray.

Super interesting and really hard to describe. That said, I love it!