In 2018, Abercrombie & Fitch added a new scent to their First Instinct collection. It was called “First Instinct Blue.” The main perfumer behind this fragrance is Yves Cassar. He made an aromatic fougere scent for men in an Eau de Toilette concentration.
There is also a “blue” scent for women in the First Instinct collection, as well as other scents that were all inspired by the original First Instinct.
| Perfume Name | First Instinct Blue |
| Brand | Abercrombie & Fitch |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette |
| Scent Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Gender | Men |
Cassar says that the First Instinct Blue was made to be a really surprising, bold, and masculine scent. He believed this fragrance was a way to interpret that moment of power and success when people feel like the sky is the limit.
As it’s creators mentioned First Instinct Blue is a fresh, one-of-a-kind fragrance meant for those who want to experience adventure and believe in the magic of that first instinct.
I was happy to check out this new fragrance since I am a fan of blue perfumes. Luckily, I found the sample in a local fragrance store and decided to try it.
What does First Instinct Blue by Abercrombie & Fitch smell like?
First Instinct Blue is created using the top notes of apple, bergamot, and cardamom. These are followed by the middle notes of lavender, rosemary, and pepper. Finally, the base notes include tonka bean, sandalwood, and amber.
| Top Notes | Apple, Bergamot, Cardamom |
| Middle Notes | Lavender, Rosemary, Pepper |
| Base Notes | Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Amber |
A blend of exciting top notes with spicy aromas was done to balance out the powerful intensity of amber. So, Yves Cassar made a formula that combined the brand’s key elements with blue aromas to make a scent that was both aromatic and fresh.
My Experience
As someone who often uses “blue” fragrances, I was excited to try First Instinct Blue. I loved the combination used in Fierce, so I also really liked the approach Yves Cassar took by using traditional elements and bringing innovation.
However, as soon as I could feel the opening aromas, I felt slightly disappointed. I didn’t like how strong the apple smell was and how it took over the entire opening. I could also smell lavender and bergamot, but this mix took away the freshness I was hoping for. Weirdly, it also created more of a harsh alcoholic scent.
I am also not a fan of too much apple in a fragrance, especially since it reminds me of a tart and can have a cheap aroma. Also, I didn’t get to smell “blue,” since the top notes of this kind of scent are usually grapefruit or jasmine.
The fragrance notes of rosemary and pepper felt new for this brand’s formula. These are, however traditional “blue” aromas, which appeared after a while, once First Instinct Blue set on the skin. This combination reminded me a lot of Kenneth Cole Vintage Black, but I felt that the blend of notes was better done in that Vintage Black than in Instinct Blue.
Speaking of similar fragrances, I could see some similarities with Dylan Blue, but I think it is more because of the generic “blue” middle notes than certain specific ones. I also think that sandalwood made First Instinct Blue more aromatic without making it smell too much like other fragrances.
The base notes of tonka beans and amber also impacted the aroma. I feel like these contributed to the scents being toned down, but they stayed behind the scenes. Because of this, the fragrance was a bit harsh.
Silage & Projection
The First Instinct Blue by Abercrombie & Fitch has very poor silage. I had to put it on more than once, but the smell went away almost right away and didn’t leave a trail. The same thing happened with projection, which also disappointed me, especially since almost every Abercombie & Fitch fragrance usually has moderate performance.
Longevity & Versatility
The longevity of First Instinct Blue was also very bad. The fragrance didn’t last for more than 2 hours, so I had to reapply, and it didn’t leave any impression.
Because of the formula, I feel First Instinct is entirely a summer fragrance. It is a good choice for warm days and a short walk around town. Since it does not last, I would not recommend it for anything else. The creators meant this fragrance for the male audience, who would feel empowered and inspired, but I think the longevity and performance didn’t match this initial idea.
Conclusion
First Instinct Blue really disappointed me. I expected a good blue fragrance that would make me feel fresh and masculine. On the contrary, it frustrated me since it didn’t last and the fragrance had an unpleasant and harsh scent in the first few minutes.
The aromas shifted as the fragrance set on my skin, but I still couldn’t find anything in the formula that I liked. The combination of notes felt completely different than what a true “blue” fragrance should be, and the key was, I think, the wrong concentration of notes. Great “blue” fragrances can make me feel masculine yet fresh and light, but unfortunately First Instinct Blue didn’t achieve any of this.
The performance compared to other fragrances from the same collection could also be much improved. I think the formula for this blue fragrance might need to be changed so that it smells like it was meant to.
Therefore, I don’t think I will purchase First Instinct Blue since I don’t feel it is worth the time or money spent. There are plenty of other, much better fragrances from this brand or much better “blue” fragrances on the market.