Initio
Side Effect
EDP · 2016 · heavy weight
The note pyramid.
Notes as the brand lists them ↗ · checked 2026-10-17. Note families with five or more bottles have a page.
The accord balance.
Our weights, from 0 to 1. A guide to character.
- citrus0.00
- aromatic0.00
- aquatic0.00
- green0.00
- floral0.00
- spicy0.60
- woody0.40
- amber0.60
- sweet0.70
- leather0.00
- smoky0.60
- musky0.00
Where it fits.
Winter cold
Side Effect is rich, sweet and amber, so it lasts in cold air.
Date night
Side Effect is sweet and amber, made for a night out.
Wildcard
Side Effect is smoky, a change of pace from the everyday.
Signature
Side Effect is sweet and spicy with a clear character, best in fall and winter.
Try them together
Three pairings
The three highest pair scores among our checked bottles. Each score has a reason. Smell is personal; these rules are a starting point.
Ralph Lauren
Polo Red
83/100Side Effect's tobacco and Polo Red's vanilla make a warm smoky-sweet base, with saffron in both.
Spray Side Effect first (1 spray, chest, under your shirt), let it settle a minute, then Polo Red on top (2 sprays, neck and wrists).
BDK Parfums
Gris Charnel
81/100Side Effect's tobacco melts into the tonka bean absolute in Gris Charnel, with sandalwood in both.
Spray Side Effect first (1 spray, chest, under your shirt), let it settle a minute, then Gris Charnel on top (2 sprays, neck and wrists).
Byredo
Bibliothèque
81/100Side Effect's tobacco and Bibliothèque's vanilla make a warm smoky-sweet base, tied by shared cinnamon.
Spray Side Effect first (1 spray, chest, under your shirt), let it settle a minute, then Bibliothèque on top (2 sprays, neck and wrists).