Fragrance comparison

Ariane vs First

Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.

Updated 15 Nov 2026 3,581 ratings analysed

Ariane

Avon · 1977

3.8498 votes

Rank #11,005 WoodyFloral

Full profile Similar & dupes

36%scent match

Some overlap

4 wins

First

Van Cleef & Arpels

3.983,483 votes

Rank #955 FloralGreen

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

First takes 4 of 7 categories.

Ariane
Choose it for a woody and floral character. Wins on community sentiment, value for money and versatility. Best in summer.
First
Choose it for a floral and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in spring, daytime wear.

Ariane3/7

First4/7

Ratings & consensus: First
Community sentiment: Ariane
Longevity: First
Sillage & projection: First
Value for money: Ariane
Versatility: Ariane
Note pyramid (duration): Not scored
Fragranxe ranking: First

Head-to-head breakdown

Every category side by side, with the winner called out.

Fragrance

ArianeAvon

FirstVan Cleef & Arpels

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.84/ 5 · 98 votes

Have 31%Had 43%Want 26%

3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes

Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%

Category winnerFirstRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

31%Love

60%Like

2%Ok

6%Dislike

0%Hate

86 votes

38%Love

41%Like

3%Ok

17%Dislike

1%Hate

3,483 votes

Category winnerArianeMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity59

〰 Sillage55

♥ Love / hate79

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage64

♥ Love / hate75

Category winners

LongevityFirst

SillageFirst

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value88

¤ Price value59

Category winnerArianeBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

woody100%

floral92%

warm spicy84%

aromatic77%

powdery69%

white floral61%

floral100%

green92%

aldehydic84%

white floral77%

yellow floral69%

fresh61%

Scent match36%Some overlap · both floral and white floral

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared

Top

AldehydesPalisander RosewoodPink PepperCorianderBergamotPeach

Heart

RoseCarnationOrchidYlang-YlangOrris RootLily-of-the-ValleyJasmine

Base

VetiverSandalwoodBenzoinMuskCinnamon

Top20-30 mins

AldehydesBergamotBlack CurrantPeachMandarin OrangeRaspberry

Heart3-4 hrs

NarcissusHiacynthJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangOrris RootTuberose

Base6-8+ hrs

CivetOakmossHoneyAmberMuskSandalwoodVetiverTonka Bean

InformationalShared notesAldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Carnation. Durations are only published for First, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring81

Summer100

Fall67

Winter72

Day–

Night–

Spring100

Summer0

Fall0

Winter99

Day100

Night85

Category winnerArianeMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men0

Unisex0

Women100

Men2

Unisex12

Women86

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#11,005

PerfumerNot listed

Launched1977

Reviews22

Overall rank#955

PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena

Launched—

Reviews205

Category winnerFirstHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Avon Ariane (1977) is a vintage floral aldehyde that balances a bright, soap-clean opening with a soft heart of rose and carnation. It eventually settles into a powdery orris and woody musk base. This fragrance is best suited for those who appreciate retro, polished scents that sit intimately on the skin, perfect for …

Reviews →

First by Van Cleef & Arpels opens with a brisk, effervescent burst of aldehydes, tart bergamot, and ripe black currant that immediately calls to mind crisp, high-end French milled soap. As the initial sparkle settles, the scent unfolds into an abundant floral heart packed with spring narcissus, dewy green hyacinth, an…

Reviews →

InformationalRead bothTaste is personal

How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.

Recent comparisons

Head-to-head activity from live history

Fancy NightsJessica SimpsonRUNNER-UP vs

Nino Cerruti Pour FemmeCerrutiWINNER

3 people compared this today

Sweet DreamsHouse Of SillageWINNER vs

Safari ElixirAthoor Al AlamRUNNER-UP

1 person compared this today

PrometheuNecalliWINNER vs

Bruno ImperialAnfar LondonRUNNER-UP

1 person compared this today

Super CedarByredoRUNNER-UP vs

NorthMendittorosaWINNER

1 person compared this today

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Ariane or First?

First takes 4 of 7 categories. Ariane is rated 3.84/5 from 98 votes; First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes. Choose Ariane for a woody and floral character. Wins on community sentiment, value for money and versatility. Best in summer. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in spring, daytime wear.

Which lasts longer, Ariane or First?

First lasts longest (First 72/100, Ariane 59/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, Ariane or First?

First projects furthest (First 64/100, Ariane 55/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Ariane and First smell similar?

Some overlap: a 36% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share floral and white floral accords. Common notes include Aldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Carnation.

Is Ariane or First better for summer or winter?

For summer, Ariane is the stronger pick. For winter, First is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Ariane and First?

Ariane has top notes of Aldehydes, Palisander Rosewood, Pink Pepper and Coriander, heart notes of Rose, Carnation, Orchid and Ylang-Ylang, a base of Vetiver, Sandalwood, Benzoin and Musk. First has top notes of Aldehydes, Bergamot, Black Currant and Peach, heart notes of Narcissus, Hiacynth, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley, a base of Civet, Oakmoss, Honey and Amber.