Fragrance comparison

First vs L'Insolent

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

Updated 30 Oct 2026 3,645 ratings analysed

First

Van Cleef & Arpels

3.983,483 votes

Rank #934 FloralGreen

Full profile Similar & dupes

25%scent match

Clearly different

4 wins

L'Insolent

Charles Jourdan

4.22162 votes

Rank #28,908 White FloralWoody

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

L'Insolent takes 4 of 8 categories.

First
Choose it for a floral and green character. Wins on value for money, versatility and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.
L'Insolent
Choose it for a white floral and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and sillage & projection. Best in winter, evening wear.

First3/8

L'Insolent4/8

Ratings & consensus: L'Insolent
Community sentiment: L'Insolent
Longevity: Tie
Sillage & projection: L'Insolent
Value for money: First
Versatility: First
Note pyramid (duration): L'Insolent
Fragranxe ranking: First

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

FirstVan Cleef & Arpels

L'InsolentCharles Jourdan

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes

Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%

4.22/ 5 · 162 votes

Have 66%Had 34%Want 0%

Category winnerL'InsolentRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

38%Love

41%Like

3%Ok

17%Dislike

1%Hate

3,483 votes

43%Love

47%Like

1%Ok

9%Dislike

1%Hate

162 votes

Category winnerL'InsolentMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage64

♥ Love / hate75

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage68

♥ Love / hate80

Category winners

LongevityTie

SillageL'Insolent

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value59

¤ Price value54

Category winnerFirstBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

floral100%

green92%

aldehydic84%

white floral77%

yellow floral69%

fresh61%

white floral100%

woody92%

fruity84%

aromatic77%

sweet69%

citrus61%

Scent match25%Clearly different · both white floral

Note pyramid (duration)

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

Top20-30 mins

AldehydesBergamotBlack CurrantPeachMandarin OrangeRaspberry

Heart3-4 hrs

NarcissusHiacynthJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangOrris RootTuberose

Base6-8+ hrs

CivetOakmossHoneyAmberMuskSandalwoodVetiverTonka Bean

Top20-30 mins

PeachCassiaPineappleMandarin OrangeBergamot

Heart3-5 hrs

TuberoseCorianderBrazilian RosewoodCarnationOrange BlossomJasmineLily-of-the-Valley

Base8-12 hrs

OakmossCedarAmberPatchouliMuskVanilla

Category winnerL'InsolentLongest dry-down: 8-12 hrs

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring100

Summer0

Fall0

Winter99

Day100

Night85

Spring58

Summer0

Fall0

Winter100

Day82

Night100

Category winnerFirstMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men2

Unisex12

Women86

Men0

Unisex20

Women80

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#934

PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena

Launched—

Reviews205

Overall rank#28,908

PerfumerMax Gavarry

Launched—

Reviews0

Category winnerFirstHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

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 →

Charles Jourdan launched L'Insolent in 1986 as an unapologetic, opulent floriental with serious backbone. The first spray releases a tangy burst of ripe peach, juicy mandarin orange, and tart cassia buds that immediately grab your attention. Within twenty minutes, the initial fruit settles into a lush floral heart pac…

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, First or L'Insolent?

L'Insolent takes 4 of 8 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; L'Insolent is rated 4.22/5 from 162 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on value for money, versatility and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose L'Insolent for a white floral and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and sillage & projection. Best in winter, evening wear.

Which lasts longer, First or L'Insolent?

They last about the same: First 72/100, L'Insolent 72/100 for longevity in community votes.

Which projects more, First or L'Insolent?

L'Insolent projects furthest (L'Insolent 68/100, First 64/100), based on community performance votes.

Do First and L'Insolent smell similar?

Clearly different: a 25% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share white floral accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Peach, Mandarin Orange and Jasmine.

Is First or L'Insolent better for summer or winter?

For summer, First is the stronger pick. For winter, L'Insolent is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear; L'Insolent suits evening wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in First and L'Insolent?

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. L'Insolent has top notes of Peach, Cassia, Pineapple and Mandarin Orange, heart notes of Tuberose, Coriander, Brazilian Rosewood and Carnation, a base of Oakmoss, Cedar, Amber and Patchouli.