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FRAGRANXE
Fragrance comparison

So First vs Sensual

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

Updated 356 ratings analysed
Some overlap
Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Sensual takes 6 of 8 categories.

  • So First

    Choose it for a floral and citrus character. Wins on note pyramid duration and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear.

  • Sensual

    Choose it for a citrus and white floral character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.

So First2/8
Sensual6/8
Ratings & consensus
Sensual
Community sentiment
Sensual
Longevity
Sensual
Sillage & projection
Sensual
Value for money
Sensual
Versatility
Sensual
Note pyramid (duration)
So First
Fragranxe ranking
So First

Head-to-head breakdown

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

Fragrance
So FirstVan Cleef & Arpels
SensualJohan B
Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split
3.90/ 5 · 291 votes
Have 45%Had 21%Want 34%
4.37/ 5 · 65 votes
Have 39%Had 22%Want 38%
Category winnerSensualRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate
28%Love
49%Like
9%Ok
12%Dislike
1%Hate

291 votes

52%Love
38%Like
3%Ok
6%Dislike
0%Hate

65 votes

Category winnerSensualMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores
⏱ Longevity56
〰 Sillage56
♥ Love / hate73
⏱ Longevity61
〰 Sillage59
♥ Love / hate84
Category winners

LongevitySensual

SillageSensual

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it
¤ Price value62
¤ Price value72
Category winnerSensualBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both
floral100%
citrus86%
vanilla72%
powdery58%
tropical44%
woody30%
citrus100%
white floral92%
fruity84%
floral77%
woody69%
green61%
Scent match48%Some overlap · both citrus, floral and woody

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared
Top15-30 mins
BergamotMagnolia
Heart2-4 hrs
FrangipaniFreesiaJasmine
Base6-8 hrs
VanillaSandalwood
Top15-30 mins
BergamotTangerineBlack CurrantNectarineApple
Heart2-4 hrs
GardeniaMagnoliaJasmineFreesiaLily-of-the-Valley
Base4-6+ hrs
PatchouliMuskSandalwoodVanillaAmber
Category winnerSo FirstLongest dry-down: 6-8 hrs

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season
Spring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter41
Day100
Night25
Spring100
Summer71
Fall29
Winter29
Day100
Night48
Category winnerSensualMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes
Men2
Unisex2
Women97
Men5
Unisex14
Women81
InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#7,760

PerfumerNathalie Lorson

Launched—

Reviews41

Overall rank#10,945

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews12

Category winnerSo FirstHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Van Cleef & Arpels So First opens with a bright splash of tangy bergamot and dewy magnolia petals that immediately brings a clean, sunny warmth to your morning routine. As the initial citrus sparkle softens on your skin, tropical frangipani blends with sweet freesia and delicate jasmine blossoms to build a lush, garde…

Reviews →

Johan B Sensual opens with an immediate burst of sparkling bergamot, tangy tangerine, and crisp green apple. It wastes no time making an impression. The initial citrus rush carries a juicy sweetness from ripe nectarine and tart black currant. Within twenty minutes, the bright fruit notes step aside for a lush bouquet …

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.

Recent comparisons

Head-to-head activity from live history

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, So First or Sensual?

Sensual takes 6 of 8 categories. So First is rated 3.90/5 from 291 votes; Sensual is rated 4.37/5 from 65 votes. Choose So First for a floral and citrus character. Wins on note pyramid duration and fragranxe ranking. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Sensual for a citrus and white floral character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.

Which lasts longer, So First or Sensual?

Sensual lasts longest (Sensual 61/100, So First 56/100), based on community performance votes.

Which projects more, So First or Sensual?

Sensual projects furthest (Sensual 59/100, So First 56/100), based on community performance votes.

Do So First and Sensual smell similar?

Some overlap: a 48% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share citrus, floral and woody accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Magnolia, Freesia and Jasmine.

Is So First or Sensual better for summer or winter?

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

What are the notes in So First and Sensual?

So First has top notes of Bergamot and Magnolia, heart notes of Frangipani, Freesia and Jasmine, a base of Vanilla and Sandalwood. Sensual has top notes of Bergamot, Tangerine, Black Currant and Nectarine, heart notes of Gardenia, Magnolia, Jasmine and Freesia, a base of Patchouli, Musk, Sandalwood and Vanilla.

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