Scentonym Analysis
Our objective metric for performance per dollar.
How it Smells
Happiness Oud opens with a fizzy bergamot and a spicy ginger kick, aiming for that bright, joyful impression of Initio's original. The heart leans heavily into a sweet, slightly medicinal licorice note. The oud is present, but plays a supporting role. Cedar adds a dry, woody backbone. Sadly, the base reveals its budget. The vanilla and musk feel a bit synthetic and lack the richness of the original. Compared to Initio's Oud for Happiness, this clone hits about 79% of the mark. It captures the initial vibrancy but falls short in the luxurious drydown.
Is it Worth It?
Happiness Oud is a decent approximation of a luxury fragrance, ideal for those curious about the Oud for Happiness profile without the hefty price tag. If you crave a truly opulent experience, the original is worth the splurge. Someone who appreciates a sweet-leaning, woody scent profile will find this appealing. If you are OK with a more synthetic edge, this delivers enough of the desired experience .
Performance Reality Check
Longevity is surprisingly good. I get around 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first hour, then settles closer to the skin. It creates a nice, personal bubble, but won't fill a room. Decent performance point.
Performance Audit
Based on average wear time
Sillage & radius
Relative to market avg
Why we track this:
Price Arbitrage: Significant savings compared to the original Initio pricing.
Community Verified: Cross-referenced against 94 enthusiast votes for accuracy.