First vs Spectacular
Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.
30%scent match
Clearly different
Quick verdict
Which one should you pick?
Spectacular takes 7 of 8 categories.
FirstChoose it for a floral and green character. Wins on fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.
SpectacularChoose it for a amber and white floral character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, evening wear.
First1/8
Spectacular7/8
- Ratings & consensus
- Spectacular
- Community sentiment
- Spectacular
- Longevity
- Spectacular
- Sillage & projection
- Spectacular
- Value for money
- Spectacular
- Versatility
- Spectacular
- Note pyramid (duration)
- Spectacular
- Fragranxe ranking
- First
Head-to-head breakdown
Every category side by side, with the winner called out.
Fragrance
FirstVan Cleef & ArpelsSpectacularJoan CollinsWinner
Ratings & consensus
Average rating and ownership split3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes
Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%
4.09/ 5 · 118 votes
Have 71%Had 29%Want 0%
Category winnerSpectacularRating weighted by vote count
Community sentiment
How voters split from love to hate38%Love
41%Like
3%Ok
17%Dislike
1%Hate
3,483 votes
39%Love
47%Like
4%Ok
5%Dislike
5%Hate
118 votes
Category winnerSpectacularMost positive mix (25+ votes)
Longevity & sillage
0–100 community performance scores
Category winners
LongevitySpectacular
SillageSpectacular
Value for money
How fairly priced voters find itCategory winnerSpectacularBest value score
Main accords
Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by bothfloral100%
green92%
aldehydic84%
white floral77%
yellow floral69%
fresh61%
amber100%
white floral92%
woody84%
animalic77%
powdery69%
musky61%
Scent match30%Clearly different · both white floral
Note pyramid (duration)
Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = sharedTop20-30 mins
AldehydesBergamotBlack CurrantPeachMandarin OrangeRaspberry
Heart3-4 hrs
NarcissusHiacynthJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangOrris RootTuberose
Base6-8+ hrs
CivetOakmossHoneyAmberMuskSandalwoodVetiverTonka Bean
Top20-30 mins
GardeniaAldehydesPeachBergamotGreen Notes
Heart3-4 hrs
TuberoseNarcissusJasmineBenzoinYlang-YlangSandalwoodOrris RootLily-of-the-Valley
Base8-10+ hrs
CivetMuskIncenseLeatherAmberPatchouliStyraxVetiver
Category winnerSpectacularLongest dry-down: 8-10+ hrs
Seasons & time of day
Relative to each fragrance's best seasonSpring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter99
Day100
Night85
Spring100
Summer41
Fall0
Winter94
Day78
Night100
Category winnerSpectacularMost year-round
Who wears it
Gender appeal votesInformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored
Ranking & credits
Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launchOverall rank#955
PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena
Launched—
Reviews205
Overall rank#6,590
PerfumerNot listed
Launched—
Reviews35
Category winnerFirstHigher overall rank
In a nutshell
Description & review snapshotFirst 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 →Joan Collins Spectacular smells like unapologetic 1980s theatrical glamor captured inside a glass flacon. The first spray explodes with crisp green aldehydes and ripe peach before rich gardenia takes over the room. It does not whisper. Warm honeyed tuberose and earthy oakmoss quickly join the party, anchored by a deep…
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.
Guided comparison
Ask about this matchup
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Common questions
Straight answers from the data above.
Which is better, First or Spectacular?
Spectacular takes 7 of 8 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; Spectacular is rated 4.09/5 from 118 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Spectacular for a amber and white floral character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, evening wear.
Which lasts longer, First or Spectacular?
Spectacular lasts longest (Spectacular 81/100, First 72/100), based on community performance votes.
Which projects more, First or Spectacular?
Spectacular projects furthest (Spectacular 72/100, First 64/100), based on community performance votes.
Do First and Spectacular smell similar?
Clearly different: a 30% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share white floral accords. Common notes include Aldehydes, Bergamot, Peach and Narcissus.
Is First or Spectacular better for summer or winter?
For summer, Spectacular is the stronger pick. For winter, First is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear; Spectacular suits evening wear. Based on community season votes.
What are the notes in First and Spectacular?
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. Spectacular has top notes of Gardenia, Aldehydes, Peach and Bergamot, heart notes of Tuberose, Narcissus, Jasmine and Benzoin, a base of Civet, Musk, Incense and Leather.
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