Colognes Similar To Side Effect Initio Parfums Prives

Side Effect by Initio Parfums Prives is something that no one can ignore. It smells amazing and also offers an out-of-the-world performance.

But one thing that often stops me from buying it again is the extravagant price tag.

I mean, why should you spend hundreds of bucks on a cologne when you can just get an identical aroma at a much lower price?

Hence, I started to look for alternatives. After months of research and testing, I finally sorted the best Side Effect Initio dupes that I’ll be describing below.

So, if that’s what you want, stay put.

What Does Side Effect Initio Parfums Prives Smell Like?

Side Effect by Initio Parfums Prives has a warm, sweet, boozy aroma with a delightful dose of rum. Initially, it smells syrupy and spicy with a subtle hint of cinnamon. However, it becomes irresistible when the harmonious tobacco-vanilla blend infuses a leathery, woody texture.

Now, to have a better understanding of its aroma, let’s see the notes present in Effect Initio Parfums Prives:

Notes: Rum, Vanilla, Tobacco, and Cinnamon

Side Effect came to the market in 2016 as a unisex fragrance, but I think its dominating boozy, animalic nature suits men more.

When you take a sniff of this scent, the first thing that you’ll notice is a syrupy, sweet aroma with a subtle, spicy, woody undertone. Personally, I’m not a big fan of its opening. Its synthetic, sugary tone doesn’t attract me that much.

However, the fragrance actually gets a drastic change after 10 to 15 minutes, and when it happens, you’ll feel a smoothly sweet vanilla aroma gorgeously blended with the boozy warmth of rum.

Well, smoky, woody tobacco leaf appears towards the closing while giving a sensual, classy-masculine character to the composition.

Overall, Side Effect is a top-notch, boozy, ambery scent with a great complimenting factor. I would say it would be perfect for clubbing, partying, or date nights throughout the cold days of winter or late fall.

Additionally, this is a performance beast. Its projection is just wow and also stays up over 12 hours on the skin.

What Colognes Smell Similar To Side Effect Initio Parfums Prives?

Now that you know every detail about Side Effect Initio, it’s time to know about its worthy replacements.

My main intention was to accumulate cheaper clones in this list. However, I’ve also added some luxurious and high-end fragrances that I think possess an uncanny resemblance to the OG.

And here is a list of some of the best Side Effect Initio Parfums Prives substitutes:

1. Upside Down Alexandria Fragrances

With the name of Upside Down, Alexandria Fragrances released their interpretation of Side Effect by Initio Parfums Prives in 2020.

The opening of this Initio Side Effect clone is intensely sweet. I could sense the boozy, gourmand sweetness of rum from the very beginning.

After a while, you’ll feel the warm, spicy tone of vanilla laced with some woody, sweet cinnamon.

Well, it is the dry-down when this fragrance gets really interesting and identical to the OG. Here, the scent reveals a smoky, leathery tobacco facet that goes amazingly with the gourmand vanilla.

The only difference is that Upside Down is a bit sweeter with more prominent vanilla and, of course, a lot cheaper. This cologne also has an intense masculine aroma that lasts on the skin for the whole day.

From what I’ve experienced, this fragrance is very attractive and projects stronger than the original.

When To Wear

Wear Upside Down in any event during the winter or fall when you need to smell extremely sexy and confident.

Why Should You Buy

2. Tobacco & Tonka Bean Banana Republic

Tobacco & Tonka Bean by Banana Republic is one of the finest Initio Side Effect dupes you can find today. This creation by Mane and Gino Percontino starts with the sweet, juicy crispiness of Mirabelle plum and pear.

For me, this refreshingly sweet opening is an absolute mood-lifter. It’s different but much more pleasing than the syrupy opening of the OG.

Minutes later, the core brings in a warm, leathery tobacco aroma infused with the creamy, tropical sweetness of coconut. All together, it gives something like a dark, fruity vibe in the middle.

However, it dries down with sweet, spicy tonka, having a subtle but very addictive tobacco undertone. In the end, this clone offers the same kind of powdery, sweet, vanilla texture as the Side Effect.

Tobacco & Tonka Bean is definitely a sensual and classy scent. But it lasts around 6 hours with moderate sillage, which is much less than the original.

However, considering its unbelievably cheap price, I think this fragrance is worth every penny.

When To Wear

The colder months of the year are the perfect times to pull off this fragrance perfectly. In my opinion, this intense aroma is best suited for any casual to special evening events.

Why Should You Buy

3. Jazz Club Maison Martin Margiela

Jazz Club by Maison Martin Margiela comes in a similar leathery-vanilla aroma as Side Effect Initio. However, I think this affordable fragrance is much more interesting and enjoyable than the overpriced Side Effect.

The initial composition of Jazz Club is beautifully nuanced with some spicy, citrusy accords.

After a while, rum gives the fragrance a boozy, warm, slightly sweet core. Apart from that, it has a fusion of earthy, woody vetiver oil and airy, herbaceous clary sage. So, the core actually feels warm and refreshing at the same time.

Finally, in the base, smoky, sweet tobacco tunes with the creamy, woody vanilla adding an elegant and sensual edge to the aroma.

Vanilla and tobacco are definitely the stars of the show, but the floral, resinous styrax is the one that makes the aroma last longer.

You can easily expect about 10 to 12 hours of longevity and strong projection from this charming cologne. Plus, it is more reasonable than the OG, so you should try this one for sure.

When To Wear

The warm, boozy tone of Jazz Club perfectly vibes with any evening or late-night occasion during winter or fall.

Why Should You Buy

4. The One Luminous Night Dolce&Gabbana

If you need a luxurious and top-notch substitute for Side Effect, I would say go for The One Luminous Night by D&G. This is like a sweeter and warmer iteration of the OG.

The spicy, green opening of this cologne smells extremely refreshing, with a hint of citruses underneath.

Instead of rum, dates give the boozy, sugary character to this fragrance.

However, the sweetness is adequately balanced with the fresh, aromatic touch of geranium and sage that also makes the core stand out.

This sugary tone is very prominent and persists even in the dry down. When the fragrance settles on the skin, you’ll get to feel the warmth of amber fused with some smoky incense and the powdery elegance of sandalwood.

Altogether, The One Luminous Night manifests a warm, classy, boozy Middle Eastern vibe all day long.

Even though this fragrance leans towards the expensive range, I think the price is well justified as it offers both amazing aroma and performance.

Yet, if this cologne doesn’t fall within your budget, you can always seek some reasonable colognes that smell similar to The One Luminous Night Dolce&Gabbana.

When To Wear

The majestic The One Luminous Night is the best pick to give you a radiant aura on any special night events held during fall or winter.

Why Should You Buy

5. Eye of Seven Hills Alghabra Parfums

Eye of Seven Hills by Alghabra Parfums has an excellent boozy scent with a seductive whiskey accord. This luxurious Side Effect dupe came to the market in 2019.

High-quality cinnamon and nutmeg blend charmingly to give the cologne a sweet, syrupy, slightly nutty beginning. Meanwhile, saffron adds a spicy, soft, and slightly warm tone to the opening aroma.

Gourmand, sweet whiskey, is the heart of this fragrance. It sparkles with the smoky creaminess of vanilla and tobacco mingled with some other amber-like spicy, powdery accords.

In the dry-down, the sweetness subdues, and what you’ll get is a warm, musky, woody base aroma. Here, the royal agarwood manifests a smoky, woody texture to the powdery classiness of sandalwood and amber.

Overall, it offers a gorgeous vanilla, tonka, oud harmony that lasts for like eternity. Plus, this densely woody scent projects really strong.

When To Wear

Eye of Seven Hills can be your go-to scent for any special event or formal party during the cold season. As this scent is extremely intense, make sure to spray it lightly.

Why Should You Buy

6. Infinity Montale

Infinity by Montale is another classy cologne that exerts a similarly sweet, leathery vanilla aura as Side Effect. But other than this similar smell, this fragrance has a lot more to offer.

Infinity starts brightly with the sweet booziness of smoky cherry blended with refined saffron and juicy plum.

In the core, the harmony of oud, leather, and sandalwood with some delicate florals adds warmth and sophistication to the scent.

Well, the most awaited tobacco appears when the cologne starts to settle. The smoky, sweet touch of vanilla and Tonka takes this fragrance to a whole new dimension.

Overall, I would say this is a classy, masculine tobacco fragrance with a sweet touch of cherry and vanilla. Plus, it stays up on the skin for around 10 hours and provides moderate sillage and projection.

When To Wear

You can wear Infinity at parties, clubbing with friends, and even blind dates throughout the winter and fall.

Why Should You Buy

7. Spicebomb Extreme Viktor&Rolf

Just like the Side Effect, Spicebomb Extreme by Viktor&Rolf has a simple, sweet, heady vanilla-tobacco aroma. But what I mostly love about this cologne is its spicy, saffrony twist.

From the opening, you can feel the smoky warmth of tobacco layered with some amazing spicy accords.

Towards the dry-down, the spices become more delicate and sweet, creamy vanilla takes the front spot. Well, the booziness of whiskey is there, but it is not as prominent as Side Effect.

Spicebomb Extreme has everything you look for in a perfect alternative. It performs amazingly, smells similar, and is actually less expensive than the OG.

This fragrance line is so massively popular that you can find a lot of colognes smelling similar to Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb.

When To Wear

This intense vanilla scent is ideal for dates, parties, and clubbing on winter nights.

Why Should You Buy

8. Moon Nicheend

My last but the most luxurious Side Effect replica on this list is Moon by Nicheend. This niche-quality fragrance was released in 2022.

Unlike the original, this fragrance actually features a fresh, uplifting start with some fruity and citrusy accords.

The sweetness stays up till the core, where it mingles with some airy, delicate floral, making the aroma irresistible.

Finally, the base emerges with a lot of classy, warm, woody accords.

Here, you may not get the smokiness of tobacco, but the harmony of musk, sandalwood, and vanilla with amber creates an insanely seductive and manly environment.

And you can feel its charm on your skin easily for around 8 to 10 hours. Its projection and sillage are also impressive.

However, it is very pricey, so only go for this one when you don’t have any budget-related issues.

When To Wear

In my opinion, Moon Nicheend works best on any fall or winter-time occasion. You can wear it to both dates and parties.

Why Should You Buy

Final Words

A sweet, vanilla, tobacco scent lover will always look for Side Effect Initio clones. It is one of the classiest and sexiest cologne that men crave.

And the alternatives listed here will definitely give you the similarities you’re looking for, along with their own unique facets.

So, check them out, and pick the one you prefer most.

For any more queries, comment below.