Fragrance comparison

First vs Raffinee

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

Updated 9 Oct 2026 3,802 ratings analysed

First

Van Cleef & Arpels

3.983,483 votes

Rank #899 FloralGreen

Full profile Similar & dupes

26%scent match

Clearly different

5 wins

Raffinee

Houbigant

4.04319 votes

Rank #23,427 Warm SpicyFloral

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Raffinee takes 5 of 8 categories.

First
Choose it for a floral and green character. Wins on versatility and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Raffinee
Choose it for a warm spicy and floral character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in winter, evening wear.

First2/8

Raffinee5/8

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

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance

FirstVan Cleef & Arpels

RaffineeHoubigant

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes

Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%

4.04/ 5 · 319 votes

Have 59%Had 41%Want 0%

Category winnerRaffineeRating 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

40%Love

42%Like

2%Ok

15%Dislike

2%Hate

319 votes

Category winnerRaffineeMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity72

〰 Sillage64

♥ Love / hate75

⏱ Longevity78

〰 Sillage68

♥ Love / hate76

Category winners

LongevityRaffinee

SillageRaffinee

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value59

Category winnerTieBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

floral100%

green92%

aldehydic84%

white floral77%

yellow floral69%

fresh61%

warm spicy100%

floral92%

aromatic84%

woody77%

powdery69%

sweet61%

Scent match26%Clearly different · both 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

Top15-30 mins

CarnationPlumClary SageOrange BlossomBergamotRoseJasmineLemon

Heart2-4 hrs

Orris RootTonka BeanMimosaTuberoseYlang-YlangHiacynthOrchidOsmanthus

Base8-12 hrs

SpicesCinnamonIncenseSandalwoodVanillaMuskCypressVetiver

Category winnerRaffineeLongest dry-down: 8-12 hrs

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring100

Summer0

Fall0

Winter99

Day100

Night66

Spring35

Summer19

Fall0

Winter100

Day32

Night100

Category winnerFirstMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men2

Unisex12

Women86

Work 33%Casual 29%Date 25%Party 14%

Men3

Unisex20

Women77

Date 38%Party 36%Casual 15%Work 11%

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#899

PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena

Launched—

Reviews205

Overall rank#23,427

PerfumerNot listed

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 →

Raffinee by Houbigant is an unapologetic powerhouse from 1982 that captures the bold theatrical spirit of early eighties perfumery. The spray opens with a punchy burst of dark stewed plum, sharp clary sage, and clove-like carnation. You get a brief alcoholic sting for two minutes before the dense oils grip the skin. O…

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 Raffinee?

Raffinee takes 5 of 8 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; Raffinee is rated 4.04/5 from 319 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on versatility and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Raffinee for a warm spicy and floral character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in winter, evening wear.

Which lasts longer, First or Raffinee?

Raffinee lasts longest (Raffinee 78/100, First 72/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, First or Raffinee?

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

Do First and Raffinee smell similar?

Clearly different: a 26% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share floral accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Hiacynth, Jasmine and Carnation.

Is First or Raffinee better for summer or winter?

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

What are the notes in First and Raffinee?

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. Raffinee has top notes of Carnation, Plum, Clary Sage and Orange Blossom, heart notes of Orris Root, Tonka Bean, Mimosa and Tuberose, a base of Spices, Cinnamon, Incense and Sandalwood.