Fragrance comparison

First vs Primitif

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

Updated 14 Nov 2026 3,552 ratings analysed

First

Van Cleef & Arpels

3.983,483 votes

Rank #955 FloralGreen

Full profile Similar & dupes

20%scent match

Clearly different

5 wins

Primitif

Max Factor

4.4569 votes

Rank #5,594 PowderyMusky

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Primitif takes 5 of 7 categories.

First
Choose it for a floral and green character. Wins on longevity and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Primitif
Choose it for a powdery and musky character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and sillage & projection. Best in fall, evening wear.

First2/7

Primitif5/7

Ratings & consensus: Primitif
Community sentiment: Primitif
Longevity: First
Sillage & projection: Primitif
Value for money: Primitif
Versatility: Primitif
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

PrimitifMax Factor

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes

Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%

4.45/ 5 · 69 votes

Have 53%Had 8%Want 39%

Category winnerPrimitifRating 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

54%Love

41%Like

3%Ok

3%Dislike

0%Hate

69 votes

Category winnerPrimitifMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage64

♥ Love / hate75

⏱ Longevity61

〰 Sillage67

♥ Love / hate86

Category winners

LongevityFirst

SillagePrimitif

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value59

¤ Price value75

Category winnerPrimitifBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family

floral100%

green92%

aldehydic84%

white floral77%

yellow floral69%

fresh61%

powdery100%

musky92%

iris84%

woody77%

earthy69%

animalic61%

Scent match20%Clearly different

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

AldehydesPeachBergamot

Heart

IrisJasmineBulgarian RoseYlang-YlangLily-of-the-ValleyGeranium

Base

CivetMuskOakmossOrris RootAmberVetiverSandalwoodPatchouli

InformationalShared notesAldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Jasmine. 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

Spring29

Summer36

Fall100

Winter86

Day65

Night100

Category winnerPrimitifMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men2

Unisex12

Women86

Men0

Unisex45

Women55

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#955

PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena

Launched—

Reviews205

Overall rank#5,594

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews25

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 →

Primitif is a vintage floral chypre that wears soft-focus at first, then turns darker, warmer, and more carnal on skin. Reviewers repeatedly point to powdery iris, jasmine, patchouli, oakmoss, and animalic depth, with a peachy aldehydic lift up top. It suits shoppers who enjoy old-school structure, earthy moss, and a …

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 Primitif?

Primitif takes 5 of 7 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; Primitif is rated 4.45/5 from 69 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on longevity and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Primitif for a powdery and musky character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and sillage & projection. Best in fall, evening wear.

Which lasts longer, First or Primitif?

First lasts longest (First 72/100, Primitif 61/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, First or Primitif?

Primitif projects furthest (Primitif 67/100, First 64/100), based on community performance votes.

Do First and Primitif smell similar?

Clearly different: a 20% scent match on Fragranxe. They share few main accords. Common notes include Aldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Jasmine.

Is First or Primitif better for summer or winter?

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

What are the notes in First and Primitif?

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. Primitif has top notes of Aldehydes, Peach and Bergamot, heart notes of Iris, Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose and Ylang-Ylang, a base of Civet, Musk, Oakmoss and Orris Root.