Your Favorite “Not Love at First Sniff” Fragrance?

[Zenwannabee]

Perhaps a common quandary—A fragrance (or fragrances) that initially you couldn’t stand, swore you’d never wear again, and that you now can’t live without?…

 

[woofwoof]

Versace l'homme

At first it was far too animalic for me, straight up barn yard

And it still is lol

But I've kind of started liking it

I haven't worn it yet to be honest, but I feel like I'm working my way up to it lol

 

[mceaiu]

When I first tried Sycomore and Cuir de Russie (both in EdT) I couldn't find a toilet fast enough for washing them off my wrists.

I still don't care much about Cuir de Russie, but Sycomore is a top 3 Vetiver and top 5 overall for me now.

 

[jansch]

Habit Rouge.
Took me a while to go from dislike to like, but once that happened, it went to love real quick from there. Today, it's probably in my top 3.

 

[FiveoaksBouquet]

The original Nina by Nina Ricci (1987). On first sniff my reaction was “What is this?” 😶 “This” turned out to be my all-time favourite perfume, a kaleidoscopically sparkling aldehydic floral with green and amber undertones. Unfortunately it was only on the market for two or three years as the suits decided the ingredients were too costly. I still have some parfum and this mini:

​

 

[mill4r4]

When I first tried Mitsouko I disliked it, really hated it. Six months later I tried iit again and it was love. Still don't understand it but try more than once at different times of year is my take from this.

 

[Paintedtrillium]

Cuir de Russie. I didn’t let it stay on my skin long enough to develop the first try. A few weeks later, it was true love.

 

[mrcologneguy]

Creed Tabarome Millesime. I bought a 1oz travel bottle on my way home from a business trip. On the drive home from the airport I couldn’t wait, I opened it and gave myself a couple of good sprays. No kidding, I hated it so much I almost threw it out the car window.

I ended up holding onto it. Still not my favorite fragrance, but I like it now and then. No more than one modest spray, and let it dry down before you leave the house.

 

[RawM.I.A.]

Frederic Malle Dries Van Noten-smelled like baby puke to me originally.

Masque Milano Russian Tea-the smoky raspberry was way too strong my first couple of tries.

Xerjoff Ceylon-same as Russian Tea, way too strong first couple of times tested.

Roja Parfums Diaghilev-dry down used to be way too animalic for me.

Roja Parfums Great Britain-first few tries smelled like very old books in a very old library.

All loves now though.

 

[Pallas Moncreiff]

There has never been a single perfume that I may have sampled or tested and if I did not like it at first— I never liked it again.
I may appreciate a facet of it or a certain note, I would test it again to learn more— but it stays on the mouilette— never skin. Im dissecting why I don’t like it, or the structure and even the emotions it may evoke.

By the same token, the ones that I really fall for, I love them from the very first minute. They just continue to improve.
And there are some scents which intrigue me and that makes me pause, because I know from experience that this one I need to understand more, and they almost always turn to genuine likes.

I wrote about something similar a while ago, in this thread.

Perfumes: why do we love, the ones we love?

I shall begin with a quote by the fantastic, unflappable Mignon McLaughlin: "We choose those we like; with those we love, we have no say in the matter." It took me a while to learn but learn I did, 'tis as accurate of perfumes as it is of humans. Even though the top notes are there to catch...

basenotes.com

 

[hednic]

There has never been a single perfume that I may have sampled or tested and if I did not like it at first— I never liked it again.

Same here.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Chanel Egoiste - Initially I didn't like it, I first tried the current formulation which was over 10 years ago. Having tried the original formulation I had a 180 experience.

 

[Schubertian]

Chanel Egoiste - Initially I didn't like it, I first tried the current formulation which was over 10 years ago. Having tried the original formulation I had a 180 experience.

I actually remember smelling my friend's father's bottle of Egoiste around 1990 or so, when it was new. I thought it was the most gorgeous men's scent ever! Haven't smelled what's currently available.

 

[WindsweptDaze]

Heeley Athenian. Bleah the first round. Too simple. Then I took the sample with me on a trip and realized that it was the one I wanted to wear every day.

 

[Opiate]

Hardly any of my favorite fragrances were love at first sniff. Some of them I downright hated, like Egoiste & Fahrenheit.
All of the stuff I really love took time to get to know and warm up to.

I often wonder- If it wasn’t for the people on basenotes who praised fragrances and declared them as great or masterpieces… would I have given them a second chance, or took the time to try and understand them and click with them?
I don’t know that I would.

Off the top of my head, the only fragrance that was a love at first sniff that I still love is Royal Oud.

 

[UESNYC]

Piper Nigrum, initially thought it was too eclectic then I took to it.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

A lot of things, too many to list.

Typically I know by the second or third sniff and test how I feel about it.

I never write reviews on first impression; but at the same time, also recognize an absolute gut wrench when it hits me.

I take the time to ingest even the most painful experiences before committing to an opinion, for better or worse.

 

[Ken_Russell]

Likely far too many to mention.
But one striking particular example was Guerlain Heritage EDT-did stand it from the very start and while acknowledging its objective qualities, did manage to subjectively enjoy this only after quite a long absence of testing/wearing and then after multiple repetitive wears.

 

[The Cologne Cabinet]

Obsession for Men (current formulation)......I ended up eventually acquiring vintage and love it

Zino Davidoff ....same as above

Michael for Men (original from 2001)....took several wearings to appreciate this one. I was sensitive in those days to how strong it is, but I really like it now.

 

[StylinLA]

Two that stand out to me in my world are Habit Rouge and Kouros.

Years ago, as a Basenoter newbie, I read continually how these were two beloved classics. First time I tried them I was very put off. It took few wears of each from decants before I embraced them.