First vs Suspense
Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.
50%scent match
Some overlap
Quick verdict
Which one should you pick?
Suspense takes 6 of 7 categories.
FirstChoose it for a floral and green character. Wins on fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.
SuspenseChoose it for a green and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.
First1/7
Suspense6/7
- Ratings & consensus
- Suspense
- Community sentiment
- Suspense
- Longevity
- Suspense
- Sillage & projection
- Suspense
- Value for money
- Suspense
- Versatility
- Suspense
- 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 & ArpelsSuspenseLancettiWinner
Ratings & consensus
Average rating and ownership split3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes
Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%
4.49/ 5 · 68 votes
Have 76%Had 24%Want 0%
Category winnerSuspenseRating 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
62%Love
31%Like
1%Ok
6%Dislike
0%Hate
68 votes
Category winnerSuspenseMost positive mix (25+ votes)
Longevity & sillage
0–100 community performance scores
Category winners
LongevitySuspense
SillageSuspense
Value for money
How fairly priced voters find itCategory winnerSuspenseBest value score
Main accords
Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by bothfloral100%
green92%
aldehydic84%
white floral77%
yellow floral69%
fresh61%
green100%
woody92%
aromatic84%
floral77%
earthy69%
citrus61%
Scent match50%Some overlap · both green and 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
Top
Green NotesGalbanumBergamotHiacynthLemonMandarin OrangePeach
Heart
HoneyNarcissusLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangRoseJasmineOrris Root
Base
OakmossSandalwoodVetiverAmberStyraxMuskTonka BeanVanilla
InformationalShared notesBergamot, Peach, Mandarin Orange and Narcissus. Durations are only published for First, so this is not scored.
Seasons & time of day
Relative to each fragrance's best seasonSpring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter99
Day100
Night85
Spring100
Summer33
Fall80
Winter87
Day100
Night47
Category winnerSuspenseMost 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#9,250
PerfumerArturetto Landi
Launched—
Reviews10
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 →Suspense by Lancetti delivers a striking contrast of bitter greenery and golden sweetness, making it a standout choice for those who appreciate complex, evolving scents. The fragrance opens with a sharp burst of galbanum, lemon, and crisp green notes, mimicking the snap of fresh stems in cold morning air. As it rests …
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 Suspense?
Suspense takes 6 of 7 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; Suspense is rated 4.49/5 from 68 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Suspense for a green and woody character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Which lasts longer, First or Suspense?
They last about the same: Suspense 73/100, First 72/100 for longevity in community votes.
Which projects more, First or Suspense?
Suspense projects furthest (Suspense 67/100, First 64/100), based on community performance votes.
Do First and Suspense smell similar?
Some overlap: a 50% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share green and floral accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Peach, Mandarin Orange and Narcissus.
Is First or Suspense better for summer or winter?
For summer, Suspense is the stronger pick. For winter, First is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear; Suspense suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.
What are the notes in First and Suspense?
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. Suspense has top notes of Green Notes, Galbanum, Bergamot and Hiacynth, heart notes of Honey, Narcissus, Lily-of-the-Valley and Carnation, a base of Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Vetiver and Amber.
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