Description
The French jewelry house, founded by Alfred Van Cleef and Charles and Julien Arpels in 1906, introduced its first fragrance, the floral-aldehyde First back in 1976. The slogan of the perfume was “Every woman deserves to be First.” In 2016, honoring the 40th anniversary of the fragrance, Van Cleef & Arpels presents the new edition So First.
So First is signed by perfumer Nathalie Lorson. The soft floral blend that develops with gourmand sweetness, begins with fresh bergamot and cheerful magolia. The heart of the perfume features an elegant and intoxicating bouquet of white flowers that includes jasmine, freesia and frangipani. The base consists of sensual sandalwood and sweet vanilla.
The fragrance is available as a 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum. It comes out on 1st May 2016.
WAqahronW – :
I’m Van Cleef & Arpels fan.Soft, gentle and sweet.
I’d recommend it.
WrireeSeenisy – :
Nice scent. Girlie and classy. Not very original, but pleasant. I can imagine a sweet and romantic rich teenage girl wearing it. It is well blended, a bit sweet, joyful. A fragrance uncapable of offending anyone. If you want to come across as feminine and giving, wear this perfume.
siosesti – :
The release of So First marks the 40th Anniversary of the original Van Cleef & Arpels First EDT. First is a classic aldehydic floral, a scent closely resembling Chanel No. 5 EDT. So First, however, is not a mature scent nor is it aldehydic. This flanker is actually surprisingly sweet on my skin.
I can see why some would draw comparisons between So First and Viktor & Rolf’s infamous Flowerbomb. They do share some similarities, particularly in the drydown. Flowerbomb is, however, a much stronger fragrance with bold tea and sugar notes. So First is more subtle on the skin, tending to wear more like a skin-scent.
A young woman that prefers soft, clean florals would definitely enjoy this fragrance. Van Cleef & Arpels most likely intended for this flanker to be sweeter than most fragrances from their collection so that it would appeal to the younger consumers. It is a shame though that So First has been relegated to the bargain shelves so soon after its release. Perhaps it did not sell as well as they had hoped.
The most dominant notes to my nose include freesia, vanilla, frangipani and jasmine. A creamy note of sandalwood blends with the sweet vanilla to create a smooth and delicate drydown to finish.
Although very inexpensive, I don’t think I’d ever purchase a bottle of So First, but with that being said, I wouldn’t be unhappy if a bottle just so happened to fall into my lap.
vovan4uk – :
It’s in the notes – that’s a very vanilla of fragrances.
It is a perfectly nice, I dare even to say comfortable and cozy, day scent. Not very plain but not over-complicated either. Not really sophisticated albeit still elegant and pure. The thing is that’s a scent nobody minds. It might not be an alluring thing to say, but we all need that kind of fragrance in our lives – something that smells nice, that nobody gets headache by, etc. Something we can wear to work or school that we feel good about but it’s not just ‘meh’.
The lasting power on my skin is pretty decent. On me it’s mostly rosey vanilla, but at the end of the day there’s nice hint of sandalwood.
If you are looking for a gourmet scent that’s might not be a good choice. Try it if you want some vanilla-ish scent that’s not so plain.
Not sure if I’m going to buy again but that’s a perfume worth its not so expensive price.
katandrey – :
so first is a sweet soft powdery floral on me but it doesnt last long on my skin. it reminds me of blossoming fruit trees for some reason.
safe everyday scent. really quite lovely but nothing outstanding.
pretty bottle.
odio – :
This was a blind buy, as it was at a great price for a fine fragrance. I love the original First..so I thought it was a safe bet.
Wrong.
Though I don’t hate it, I don’t like it either. It has that ubiquitous fruity tang
of every other recent lauch fragrance, that makes you ultimately smell like everyone else around. It strikes me it was created to capture that teenage market, sixteen going on 36.
A very forgettable fragrance. Certainly not a signature, and will likely be a discontinued flanker.
The only thing that takes the sting out of this purchase was that it did not cost me much, and I will be giving it away this Christmas…the bottle is very pretty.
mr_TN – :
Yes it is a bit Coco Mademoiselle, a bit Flowerbomb, and a bit Miss Dior as well. I confess I don’t recall which year Dior; whichever one was the jammy rose one. Very surprised this doesn’t list rose in the notes. It’s on top and dies swiftly though. This is a good gift perfume, it’s cute and well done, not particularly heavy or longevitous but it works for a few hours. It’s like Coco but with training wheels on. And even though it’s very girl next door ordinary it manages to have more personality than Gabrielle.
Creerpeclus – :
I don’t see it described as a powerhouse,signature scent. So it should not come as a surprise that it’s soft and sweet!
garik_kon – :
Inoffensive, quiet, accurate perfume. Too quiet for someone who need feel “orchestra of rainbow” for comfort.
Wasn’t impressed while bought following reviews so expected something interesting. Turned out something what my teenage daughter likes a lot…
Those who like strong complicated “signature” smells have to avoid purchase not to get disappointed..
Smirko – :
First off the bottle is so pretty in person. Secondly this is a gorgeous perfume!
Like Blake.lee below, I do get a bit of The flowerbomb,which I adore! But also the Coco mad too!,, just sweeter which is good for me❤️ Just an all around heavenly perfume.
Vanilla,Frangipani,and Bergamot. Dries clean and sweet and creamy.! Love it.
This would shine in the summer and spring!!
All in all a very pretty loveable fragrance. What’s not to love?❤️
Ezhik – :
Smells like Flowerbomb and Shalimar Parfum Initial layered. Basically it’s a very bergamot heavy Flowerbomb. Very sweet, powdery but a fluffy powder, floral with lots of bergamot and a little patchouli. I don’t know why patchouli isn’t listed since it’s obviously in this.
Edited to add: I wore this to work today and a woman approached me and asked if I was wearing Coco mademoiselle by Chanel. I told her what I was wearing and she said to her it smelled like a slightly sweeter version of Coco Mademoiselle which is her favorite fragrance. She then wrote down the name. Weird, I didn’t think this at all when I smelled it, but I guess I can see how some people could interpret it this way.
Second edit: Wore this to work again today and female customer asked me if I was wearing Coco Mademoiselle. She said it smelled wonderful. One of my male coworkers told me it was his favorite perfume I’ve ever worn and, obviously, I wear many different perfumes around him. I find this all so strange. It doesn’t smell like Coco Mademoiselle to me, but I’ve worn this fragrance twice and both times strangers thought it was the Chanel. The actual Chanel smells really terrible on me. Bizarre!
HalAledaned – :
OMG I am in love with this baby! Bought it online at a huge sale, as a blind buy, but the reviews sounded promising, and I love several other Van Cleef & Arpels – especially Féerie and Oriens. It was so cheap I couldn’t resist buying it unsniffed, and I am SO happy I did, as I am completely amazed by it.
When first sprayed, it is very zesty bergamot and lemon, but it only last a minute or so, and very quickly turns into something more creamy and soft – white flowers especially. I think I get tuberose the most, and freesia maybe? Very difficult to put a specific label on which kinda flowers, but def. white flowers. Clean, soft, creamy, feminine.
After approx. half an hour, it starts developing a bit – gets a bit deeper and richer. I know patchouli is not listed, but I def. get some patchouli like scent.. The vanilla and the frangipani really steps up and make their fabulous entrée .
After some hours of wear, it dries down to end – and stay – as this beautiful vanilla trail on the skin, which has a frangipani kick, without being a typical frangipani-beach scent . There is some amazing, underlaying flowers underneath – still smells like patchouli to me – which gives it depth.
It has great projection, and last for AGES. Amazing quality. Bottle is so pretty .
This is a new favorite for sure, can’t believe this hasn’t got more hype. A very safe buy. It is in same genre as Viktor & Rolf ‘Flowerbomb’, Lancôme ‘La Vie Est Belle’, Prada ‘Candy’ and similar, popular sweet patchouli fragrances. With that being said, this is still unique, and not a ‘copy’.
BWT: this is not similar to the original ‘First’ at all – they’re two completely different fragrances. I think it is named like this, to kinda keep it in the family of the brand. Just like ‘Black Opium’ has nothing to do with the original ‘Opium’ from Yves Saint Laurent.
This will suit many kinda women at different ages and taste. This is a safe buy – a crowd pleaser, in the best way possible. Can’t recommend it enough 🙂
LEKS04 – :
So, this lasts pretty f*ing long.
Now that’s out of the way, it is a not-too-sweet and creamy vanilla that’s perfect for everyday wear. It is not overbearing and won’t bother anybody as warm as the weather gets.
Although it is pretty simple, people care enough to compliment it and ask what it is, which is always a good sign to me.
I’d recommend it (also a safe blind buy btw), really because it is cheap, it smells good, and people around me like it as much as I do, so for a perfume it does the job.
annaevseeva21 – :
So First is a fresh spring/summer scent to me. Fresh and airy, and there for many hours. Not heavy, more fresh, sparkling uplifting. The Vanilla and Fragipani is dominant on my skin supportet by soft mild sandalwood. Very nice indeed.
So First är en fräsch vår/sommardoft för mig. Fräsch och luftig och närvarande runt dig länge. Inte tung utan mer fräsch, sprudlande och glad. Vanilj och Frangipani är den dominanta mixen på min hud, uppbackad av mjuk varm sandelträ. Superfin doft.
tlt596speagoessenda – :
Absolutely gorgeous light sweet fragrance that’s just ideal for spring and summer.
аполон87 – :
I’m not a huge Van Cleef & Arpels fan, simply because the fragrances are too ‘fresh’ for my tastes. I like mine sweet and cuddly, creamy. I blind bought this and I’m still waiting for my bottle, but yesterday I ‘stumbled into’ a shop who has this. So, since I bought it already, I decided to give it a try.
This fragrance is Angel Eau Sucree meets Dame’s Mexican Vanilla for a cold lemonade in a quiet garden. It’s Vanilla, creamy, soft, hint of powder. I don’t really detect much except for the vanilla and maybe a bit of the sandalwood. Divine!!!! I’m getting a backup of this ASAP
Marvin10 – :
It has nothing to do with the original EDP, but that’s what I like about it.
It’s a nice and simple everyday scent, the most dominant notes are vanilla and frangipani. I can also sense tart lime note, which balances the sweetness well.
Very light and creamy, I like it.
иаг – :
This is absolutely stunning. Very soft and gentle. I’m actually quite moved as I sniff my wrist. It is reminiscent of a tender Flowerbomb and evokes true femininity. The scent itself is a creamy concoction of magnolia and vanilla with tarte nuances of frangipani. It remains close to the skin on myself which I don’t mind because it’s one of those scents that are enjoyed best in a close embrace.
khariton22117 – :
01. July 2016
Oh it is so not first (and im not comparing it to the classic one), been there, smelled that before…
Nothing much to say except that it is a hevay vanilla frangipani mix in the opening (quite sufgocating and headache causing to me) in a vein of La vie est belle (muchh lesser praline though) and mix of Flowerbomb. Later Frangipani takes over and vailla is less dominating, but still ot is one of modern sweet scents with moderate sillage and lasting power. If only i could take away the opening it would be much more wearable for me but the way it is as it is its a suffer for me.
паштет – :
Very sweet, heavy vanilla and intense frangipani scent. Proud representative of sugary scents’ trend. If you like La vie est belle or Flowerbomb, you must try it. For me it’s far too sweet.
Xeroxweulw – :
Real pretty, the sweetness isn’t overdone, the scent has projection, it s a lovely sweet take on a more classic scent!! The base is more floral, less sweet, with a nice creaminess..smooth florals blended in with vanilla..the freesia seems to dominate, but I do detect frangipani, ..in a way it reminded me of Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance, but I much prefer So First, just better all around..
Don’t expect though the Van cleef elegance, it is a simplistic modern juice!!
.I must say I like wearing it!! Longevity is ok..
In the end it is like a very nice shower gel!!!