Etienne Aigner 2021 EDP

M ££ Favourite

Initial

by Barbara Wittig

Share
Card A shareable image of this fragrance - its verdict, notes and profile. Save or copy it to post anywhere.

Etienne Aigner Initial is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2021, created by Barbara Wittig. Initial opens with Grapefruit, Pepper, Ginger, and Apple, settles into a heart of Patchouli, Iris, Lavender, and Geranium, and dries down to a base of Driftwood, Musk, Amber, and Sandalwood. Etienne Aigner's Initial carries a Favourite verdict, a woody-led wear.

A truly gorgeous aroma that punches well above its weight for scent profile, but sadly flops on performance. If you can nab it at a discount, it's worth it for the fleeting joy.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Fresh
  • Sophisticated
  • Clean
  • Modern
  • Elegant
£39.49 at MyBeauty.Boutique 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Initial Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

ScentArt Explorer What is ScentArt?

Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Fall
Also Works:
Spring Summer Winter

An autumn-weather scent at heart - warm leaves and shorter days territory.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date

Its elegant, clean profile makes it perfect for the office, and its gentle projection means it won't overwhelm colleagues. However, its poor longevity limits its utility for longer events like dates or formal occasions, despite its sophisticated scent.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

Declarable under EU Annex III

  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Rose geranium Pelargonium Graveolens Oil from Geranium
  • Sandalwood Santalol from Sandalwood
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Initial greets you with a vibrant, fresh-spicy kick of grapefruit and ginger, softened by crisp apple. The heart blooms into a refined blend of lavender, powdery iris, and earthy patchouli, adding a clean, slightly floral masculinity. It settles into a warm, woody base of amber, sandalwood, and the uniquely salty nuances of driftwood, draped in a smooth musk.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Initial Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Initial Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 25 September

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

Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.