Fragrance comparison

First vs Norell

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

Updated 15 Nov 2026 3,869 ratings analysed

First

Van Cleef & Arpels

3.983,483 votes

Rank #954 FloralGreen

Full profile Similar & dupes

45%scent match

Some overlap

6 wins

Norell

4.17386 votes

Rank #1,972 AromaticGreen

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Norell takes 6 of 7 categories.

First
Choose it for a floral and green character. Wins on fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Norell
Choose it for a aromatic and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in fall, daytime wear.

First1/7

Norell6/7

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

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

FirstVan Cleef & Arpels

NorellNorell

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes

Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%

4.17/ 5 · 386 votes

Have 69%Had 31%Want 0%

Category winnerNorellRating 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

44%Love

41%Like

1%Ok

13%Dislike

0%Hate

386 votes

Category winnerNorellMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage64

♥ Love / hate75

⏱ Longevity76

〰 Sillage68

♥ Love / hate79

Category winners

LongevityNorell

SillageNorell

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value59

¤ Price value63

Category winnerNorellBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

floral100%

green92%

aldehydic84%

white floral77%

yellow floral69%

fresh61%

aromatic100%

green92%

floral84%

warm spicy77%

yellow floral69%

woody61%

Scent match45%Some overlap · both floral, green and yellow 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

Top

NarcissusGalbanumHiacynthLavenderBergamotLemonMandarin Orange

Heart

CarnationArum LilyCorianderRoseMimosaIrisGardeniaYlang-Ylang

Base

OakmossVetiverMyrrhMuskAmberCedarSandalwoodVanilla

InformationalShared notesBergamot, Mandarin Orange, Narcissus and Hiacynth. Durations are only published for First, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring100

Summer0

Fall0

Winter99

Day100

Night85

Spring79

Summer55

Fall100

Winter72

Day100

Night77

Category winnerNorellMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men2

Unisex12

Women86

Men0

Unisex30

Women70

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#954

PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena

Launched—

Reviews205

Overall rank#1,972

PerfumerJosephine Catapano

Launched—

Reviews89

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 →

Norell by Norell, composed by Josephine Catapano in 1968, opens with an unmistakable snap of bitter galbanum and hyacinth. Lemon and bergamot provide a bright citrus flash, but green resin dominates the immediate atmosphere. As the sharp top notes soften, a complex heart of clove-spiced carnation, narcissus, ylang-yla…

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.

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Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, First or Norell?

Norell takes 6 of 7 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; Norell is rated 4.17/5 from 386 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Norell for a aromatic and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in fall, daytime wear.

Which lasts longer, First or Norell?

Norell lasts longest (Norell 76/100, First 72/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, First or Norell?

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

Do First and Norell smell similar?

Some overlap: a 45% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share floral, green and yellow floral accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Narcissus and Hiacynth.

Is First or Norell better for summer or winter?

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

What are the notes in First and Norell?

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. Norell has top notes of Narcissus, Galbanum, Hiacynth and Lavender, heart notes of Carnation, Arum Lily, Coriander and Rose, a base of Oakmoss, Vetiver, Myrrh and Musk.