Fragrance comparison

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel vs Initiation

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

Updated 30 Oct 2026 130 ratings analysed

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel

Clinique

4.4255 votes

Rank #36,094 WoodyAromatic

Full profile Similar & dupes

51%scent match

Some overlap

Initiation

Molyneux

4.2375 votes

Rank #14,460 White FloralSweet

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

No clear winner: the 6 categories split 3–3.

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel
Choose it for a woody and aromatic character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in winter, evening wear.
Initiation
Choose it for a white floral and sweet character. Wins on community sentiment, versatility and fragranxe ranking. Best in fall, day or night wear.

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel3/6

Initiation3/6

Ratings & consensus: Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel
Community sentiment: Initiation
Longevity: Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel
Sillage & projection: Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel
Value for money: Not scored
Versatility: Initiation
Note pyramid (duration): Not scored
Fragranxe ranking: Initiation

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre SensuelClinique

InitiationMolyneux

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

4.42/ 5 · 55 votes

Have 29%Had 11%Want 60%

4.23/ 5 · 75 votes

Have 38%Had 19%Want 43%

Category winnerAromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre SensuelRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

62%Love

29%Like

0%Ok

7%Dislike

2%Hate

55 votes

40%Love

52%Like

1%Ok

4%Dislike

3%Hate

75 votes

Category winnerInitiationMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity80

〰 Sillage58

♥ Love / hate85

⏱ Longevity66

〰 Sillage56

♥ Love / hate81

Category winners

LongevityAromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel

SillageAromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price valueN/A

¤ Price value81

Category winnerNot enough dataBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

woody100%

aromatic92%

earthy84%

white floral77%

floral69%

herbal61%

white floral100%

sweet92%

woody84%

floral77%

yellow floral69%

animalic61%

Scent match51%Some overlap · both woody, white floral and floral

Note pyramid (duration)

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

Top30 to 45 minutes

ChamomileAldehydesCorianderBergamotGreen NotesBrazilian RosewoodOrange Blossom

Heart3 to 4 hours

Ylang-YlangRoseOrris RootCarnationLily-of-the-ValleyJasmineTuberose

Base6 to 8 hours

OakmossVetiverSandalwoodPatchouliCoconutMusk

Top

PeachGardeniaBrazilian RosewoodAldehydesMandarin OrangeBergamot

Heart

TuberoseYlang-YlangRoseNarcissusHeliotropeJasmineCarnationLily-of-the-Valley

Base

HoneyAmberCivetOakmossCoconutPatchouliVetiver

InformationalShared notesAldehydes, Bergamot, Brazilian Rosewood and Ylang-Ylang. Durations are only published for Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring50

Summer40

Fall70

Winter100

Day82

Night100

Spring47

Summer40

Fall100

Winter80

Day100

Night94

Category winnerInitiationMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Not enough votes yet

Men0

Unisex10

Women90

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#36,094

PerfumerTrudi Loren

Launched—

Reviews0

Overall rank#14,460

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews8

Category winnerInitiationHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel by Clinique brings a softer texture to the classic chypre style. It opens with herbal chamomile, dry coriander, and crisp aldehydes that smell like clean air with a dusting of bergamot peel. As it settles, a lush bouquet of rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and earthy orris root…

Reviews →

Initiation by Molyneux is a Oriental Floral fragrance for women. Initiation was launched in 1990. Top notes are Peach, Gardenia, Brazilian Rosewood, Aldehydes, Mandarin Orange and Bergamot; middle notes are Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Narcissus, Heliotrope, Jasmine, Carnation and Lily-of-the-Valley; base notes are Ho…

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.

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel or Initiation?

No clear winner: the 6 categories split 3–3. Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel is rated 4.42/5 from 55 votes; Initiation is rated 4.23/5 from 75 votes. Choose Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel for a woody and aromatic character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in winter, evening wear. Choose Initiation for a white floral and sweet character. Wins on community sentiment, versatility and fragranxe ranking. Best in fall, day or night wear.

Which lasts longer, Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel or Initiation?

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel lasts longest (Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel 80/100, Initiation 66/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel or Initiation?

Projection is very close: Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel 58/100, Initiation 56/100 for sillage.

Do Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel and Initiation smell similar?

Some overlap: a 51% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share woody, white floral and floral accords. Common notes include Aldehydes, Bergamot, Brazilian Rosewood and Ylang-Ylang.

Is Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel or Initiation better for summer or winter?

For summer, Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel is the stronger pick. For winter, Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel is the stronger pick. Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel suits evening wear; Initiation suits day or night wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel and Initiation?

Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet Philtre Sensuel has top notes of Chamomile, Aldehydes, Coriander and Bergamot, heart notes of Ylang-Ylang, Rose, Orris Root and Carnation, a base of Oakmoss, Vetiver, Sandalwood and Patchouli. Initiation has top notes of Peach, Gardenia, Brazilian Rosewood and Aldehydes, heart notes of Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Rose and Narcissus, a base of Honey, Amber, Civet and Oakmoss.