First Instinct by Abercrombie & Fitch is one of the fragrances that this famous brand released for men in 2016. The nose behind this aromatic fougere Eau de Toilette is Philippe Romano, who also collaborated with the brand on First Instinct Extreme.
The fragrance has been a part of the world-famous Abercrombie & Fitch collection called First Instinct, which includes also the First Instinct version for men.
| Perfume Name | First Instinct Men |
| Brand | Abercrombie & Fitch |
| Year Released | 2016 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilet |
| Scent Family | Aromatic Fougere |
| Gender | Men |
The perfumer explained that First Instinct is based on the balance between notes. Therefore, this fragrance features a modern combination of fresh fougère and oriental warmth.
Philippe Romano said that he wanted to make a fragrance with a mix of notes that would appeal to men who aren’t afraid to show their feelings and passion. Phillippe chose aromas that are often used in Abercrombie & Fitch fragrances as well as some that aren’t used as often by the brand.
I recently got a sample of First Instinct for men and women, so I decided to try it out. I was especially curious to see how tonic, gin, and melon work together in a fragrance.
What does First Instinct by Abercombie & Fitch smell like?
The top notes of First Instinct by Abercombie & Fitch include the aquatic dominance of melon, tonic water, and gin. Violet leaf, Sichuan pepper, and citruses serve as more innovative middle notes in the fragrance, which is then completed with musk, suede, and amber.
| Top Notes | Melon, Tonic Water, Gin |
| Middle Notes | Violet Leaf, Sichuan Pepper, Citruses |
| Base Notes | Musk, Suede, Amber |
Aromatic gin and tonic mixed with melon were meant to give the fragrance a strong start with pepper, violet leaves, and citrus. In this way, a sour-spice balance is supposed to create a confident and self-aware masculine vibe.
My Experience
One of the things I liked that Phillipe Romano did for this Abercrombie & Fitch fragrance is that he stepped a bit away from the Fierce composition of the aroma. The First Instinct notes combination is, with certain modifications, used in many other fragrances. Finally, the brand has a new approach to the male fragrance top notes.
This innovation was immediately felt once I put on First Instinct. The fragrance felt different from anything I had tried from the same collection, yet the scent was very familiar. The sweet gin and melon aroma felt like a great summer combination that reminded me of CK One. Therefore, First Instinct for men felt quite tropical and a bit too sweet for my taste.
There was a hint of gin and tonic in the smell, but the melon was stronger. However, the scent was not overwhelming and sat nicely on both skin and clothes. As soon as the middle notes started to appear, I felt like the formula had changed and distanced me from the initial aroma. I was not looking for this form of opening in a male fragrance because, in my opinion, the mix didn’t have depth.
The middle notes, mostly dominated by citruses, increased the sour nature of the aromas. The vanilla leaf was supposed to carry that tropical aroma, while the pepper toned it down and created a more suffocating scent. I wouldn’t say it was a successful move since this only overwhelmed the aroma and changed it.
Because of the pepper component, I noticed the similarity with Sauvage. I saw that the popular fragrance was often compared with First Instinct. But unlike the famous Sauvage, I think the Abercrombie & Fitch combination lacked originality and had a darker aroma.
Speaking of aroma, First Instinct becomes very heavy as soon as the base notes appear and mix with the middle notes. Another factor was the body odor that, combined with a fragrance, made it very unpleasant. Musk and amber made the smell too strong, and they didn’t follow the rest of the formula. I was quite surprised since this is not something that usually happens with these notes that typically make everything pleasant and creamy.
I didn’t feel comfortable wearing the sample to any occasion besides a summer afternoon party or simply going out. It felt too citrusy and heavy for other occasions.
Silage & Projection
The First Instinct by Abercrombie & Fitch has moderate silage. Even with just one spray, the fragrance can be nicely felt. The projection is also quite decent for this type of fragrance. I could feel it on the skin for a good amount of time.
Longevity & Versatility
Since First Instinct only lasts for around 5 hours, there is room for improvement. But since this is a summer scent, it is expected that you reapply it because of the weather.
Besides being created for warm weather, I think First Instinct is meant for a younger audience that enjoys parties and watching the sunset. Even though the creators meant this fragrance for the male audience, I think First Instinct can also be considered a unisex fragrance.
Conclusion
Overall, I expected a way better performance from First Instinct for Men by Abercrombie & Fitch. The initial combination of gin and tonic with melon was quite promising, and I was really excited to check out fresh summery fragrances for men. However, the result was far from ideal.
Instead of being refreshing and airy, the aroma transitioned to a bad and unpleasant scent after the interesting top notes. The base notes only further ruined the experience for me, and the fragrance ended up being nothing more than summer mist.
Therefore, I don’t think First Instinct is worth the money unless it is used for specific occasions, such as summer walks or gym time.