Heya Crew! How am I so late to Psychedelic Love by Initio? Also, I could only find one other dedicated Initio review of ANY of their fragrances here on Perfume Posse so it’s probably time to break the drought. Last year City Perfume (one of Australia’s largest importers/retailers of beauty) had a launch night of Initio’s latest release Oud for Greatness Neo at Sydney’s Four Seasons Hotel: Grain Bar. It was a really big deal. Maybe 150 guests from fashion, magazines, blogs and the TikTok/Insta crowd. A very beautiful demographic. At the end we all got a full set of Initio samples to take home and try. Life has been a bit hectic so I’m only now getting my sniff on them. INTERESTING house.
Mildly amusing, I keep thinking this perfume is called Psychotic Love. Yes, even though I can read and do understand the difference, it keeps popping into my mind. Wikipedia tells meals me that the word “psychedelic was coined by the psychiatrist Humphrey Osmond during written correspondence with author Aldous Huxley”.
Psychedelic Love by Initio Parfums Prives 2017
Initio gives these featured accords:
Bergamot, Rose, Myrrh, Vanilla, Patchouli, Heliotrope, Hedione
Ahhhh! The opening of Psychedelic Love includes a large hit of the cotton candy Angel note and there is also a similar patchouli. Though not the same, at all, there is definitely a reference here. If you like the idea of Angel but find it overwhelming or nauseous then this may very well be the perfect antidote.
There is a lovely popcorn note riding through the heart, it’s, toasted, salty and warm. Also a nutty nougat. These are adjuncts to the main game of rose/patchouli and a dark, resinous vanilla. Psychedelic Love is a very sophisticated gourmand that references a lot of other perfumery in quite a different way. Like a logical progression that will definitely find fans who have grown out of that teeth shivering sweetness that has been so prevalent this century. I am also thinking that the sweet nay sayers could find it a gateway drug to the genre.
As we head towards dry down a nutty marshmallow makes itself known. It’s a little Rocky Road like. Such an interesting and fun trajectory.
Psychedelic Love needs a light touch. It’s big and with a heavy hand could easily become a weapon. Longevity and diffusion are excellent. While definitely being aimed at women I see no reason that a confident man could not smell utterly amazing in Psychedelic Love. It would definitely help you stand out in a crowd and the perfume itself smells very thoughtfully composed to me.
Sound good? Do you have an Initio favourite?
Portia xx
Weirdly, I think the small perfume/gift shop downtown at the fancy hotel sells this line? I don’t know that I’ve smelled any of them! This doesn’t sound much like “me” but you’ve piqued my curiosity about the line. I hope you’re having a great trip!
I tried Psychotic Love (which is a much better name IMHO) and kind of hated it. And it was $400. So I moved along..
Initio are carried by a dept store just down the M1 from me. I tried them only a week or two after lockdown part II ended. The testers were only for their Ouds. Oud for Greatness, Oud for Happiness, Oud for Overspraying etc etc etc. Not my taste so a sniff on paper was enough for me.
I do remember that so many of the testers were spoilt. Even the coffee beans offered to “refresh my nose” were burnt & acrid smelling.
I must take a trip there soon. Hopefully they will have refreshed the testers & beans. Maybe they’ll have extended the Initio offering.
I tried some Initio perfumes a long time ago. I didn’t like them or dislike them. I know I tried Psychedelic Love because of the name and notes. I was disappointed.
I’ve tried them out when they only had a few scents (Mystic Experience, Addictive Vibration, Blessed Baraka…) and some additional perfume enhancers for layering called Magnetic Blend 1, 7, 8. It basically means you could buy the enhancer + perfume and the prices of both were sky high. To me most of Initio perfumes are rather loud and dramatic and that is not my style. I haven’t tried Psychedelic Love though…
My favorite thing about this scent would have to be the packaging and the bottle. Looks really cool. Otherwise, no, not interested in the juice. Thanks Portia!
Don’t know anything about this brand but that notes list. Uh, yes, please, thank you. Popcorn. Who knew…