Wicked

Is it Worth It?

Wicked is a solid budget option for fans of High Frequency who don't want to drop serious cash. If you're seeking a dead-ringer, perfectly blended, and with fantastic longevity, then the original is the only option. However, if you want to capture the essence of that powdery, almond-y sweetness without breaking the bank, Wicked gets the job done. It's worth it for casual wear or for those who blind-bought High Frequency and find it underwhelming. Is Initio's price ten times better? Objectively, no. Twice as good? Maybe.

Olfactory Experience

Wicked by HK Perfumes aims to mimic Initio's High Frequency, and it gets respectably close. The almond-magnolia opening is there, a powdery sweetness that’s pleasant enough. However, it's clearly not as refined. The almond has a slightly artificial edge in the opening, missing the natural creaminess of the original. The heart of heliotrope tries to capture that vanillic, almost marzipan-like quality, and largely succeeds. The hedione base offers a clean, slightly floral musk. Overall, I'd say it's about 90% similar. The missing 90% is in the smoother blending and higher-quality ingredients you find in High Frequency.

Projection Power

Don't expect beast mode. Wicked offers moderate projection for the first hour, creating a nice scent bubble. It then settles closer to the skin, lasting a total of 5-6 hours. On clothing, you might squeeze out another hour or two. This isn't bad but it's not going to fill a room.