Card A shareable image comparing these two fragrances - verdicts, profiles and what they share. Save or copy it to post anywhere.
Side Effect Eau de Parfum bottle Side Effect EDP
EDP Concentration EDP
U Gender U
2016 Year 2021
££ Price Tier £
After Effect Eau de Parfum bottle After Effect EDP
Our Verdict

Side Effect is a boozy, luxurious experience, while After Effect is a budget-friendly gamble that may or may not pay off. Side Effect boasts a smoother, more refined blend, justifying its higher price. After Effect, however, can be a viable option if you're willing to risk a potentially synthetic or off-putting scent profile. The key difference lies in the quality and refinement of ingredients. Side Effect is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, whereas After Effect's reception is highly subjective and batch-dependent. Choose wisely based on your budget and risk tolerance.

ScentArt

View Liquid → Side Effect EDP
View Liquid → After Effect EDP

Which Should You Buy?

Choose Side Effect if...
  • You want a guaranteed luxurious and refined scent.
  • You appreciate high-quality ingredients and smooth blends.
  • You want a long-lasting, attention-commanding fragrance.
  • You prefer a safe bet over a risky gamble.
Choose After Effect if...
  • You're on a tight budget and seeking an affordable alternative.
  • You're willing to experiment and macerate for better results.
  • You enjoy taking risks with fragrance purchases.
  • You want a similar scent profile without the premium price tag.
Our Verdict - Side Effect EDP
A boozy, spiced, tobacco-vanilla powerhouse-Side Effect is unapologetically seductive and luxurious. Not for the faint of heart, it leaves a lingering, unforgettable trail that commands attention and embraces the night.
Acquired
Our Verdict - After Effect EDP
After Effect attempts to clone a popular scent, but the community is fiercely divided. Some hail it as a cost-effective alternative if macerated properly, delivering a boozy, spicy warmth. Others find it a synthetic, headache-inducing mess, smelling of unpleasant notes from plastic to body odour. Proceed with extreme caution - this one's a gamble.
Acquired

Scent Profile

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Side Effect EDP
After Effect EDP

Notes

Shared Notes
Cinnamon 61% vs 50%
Only in Side Effect
Saffron 38%
Only in After Effect
Rum 50%
Shared Notes
Tobacco 41% vs 33%
Only in Side Effect
Vanilla 40% Hedione 19%
Only in After Effect
Jasmine 33% Saffron 33%
Shared Notes
Sandalwood 43% vs 100%
Only in Side Effect
Tonka Bean 33% Musk 23%

Accords

Side Effect After Effect
95%
Warm Spicy
100%
80%
Rum
61%
Tobacco
75%
70%
Woody
65%
Cinnamon
68%
65%
Sweet
52%
60%
Gourmand
Warm Spicy shared
95%
100%
Rum shared
80%
61%
75%
Woody shared
70%
65%
68%
Sweet shared
65%
52%
60%

Performance

Side Effect After Effect
Beast (10+h)
Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Strong
Projection
Strong
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Season and Occasion Fit

Side Effect

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Spring

The dense blend of rum, tobacco, vanilla, and warm spices makes Side Effect ideal for cold weather and crisp fall evenings, where its richness and projection can truly shine. It may feel too heavy or cloying in heat, but works for spring's chillier days.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal

With its intoxicating sillage and warmth, Side Effect excels at evening, date, and formal wear, creating a seductive aura. Its boldness and sweetness are often too much for office or sporty situations.

After Effect

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in winter and autumn.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal

This fragrance is far too loud and attention-grabbing for a professional office setting, with many noting its strong projection and potential for headaches. It's perfectly suited for date nights and special occasions in cooler weather, where its warm, boozy, and spicy character can truly shine. Its intensity makes it unsuitable for casual daytime wear or sport.

Similarity Breakdown

How alike these two fragrances smell, scored from their full scent profiles.

Overall scent match
67%
Key Similarities

Both lean warm spicy, rum, woody

Key Differences

Subtle differences in overall composition

Where to buy

Side Effect EDP
After Effect EDP
also worth checking

ScentVerdict earns a commission from purchases - this doesn't affect our verdicts.

Compare Another Pair

VS