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13 community ratings
Van Gils

Basic Instinct (Eau de Toilette)

Perfumer: Pierre Bourdon

2002MenModern
6.8/ 10
Community score
13 ratings
See your match

Van Gils Basic Instinct Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that carries the fresh, fruity opening of melon, lavender and pineapple down to a warmer vetiver and amber base.

Compare

Skunky's take: When spring arrives, this bottle comes off the shelf.

How does it perform?

From 16 community ratings, all out of 10.

Longevity
6.2 /10

Keeps you company for a few hours, a quick refresh fits nicely.

Sillage
5.6 /10

Leaves a light trail and stays polite in a crowd.

Bottle
6.6 /10

Looks good without trying too hard.

Blind buy risk

Medium risk

69% of votes are positive, the rest are more reserved.

Notes

They open one after another, from the first spray into the evening.

Heart notesfirst few hours

Base noteswhat stays into the evening

Accords

From most dominant to most subtle.

  1. Fresh
  2. Citrus
  3. Floral
  4. Aquatic
  5. Green
  6. Fruity
  7. Sweet
  8. Synthetic

What does Basic Instinct (Eau de Toilette) smell like?

It suits relaxed daily wear: voters pick it most for leisure and daytime, and also find it fitting for sport and the office. Longevity and sillage are moderate, so the scent stays close to the skin without pushing itself on the room.

The top is melon, pineapple, lavender, nutmeg and blackcurrant, giving a fresh, citrusy, slightly aquatic start. Orange blossom, violet and jasmine add a soft floral heart. At the base, vetiver, amber, patchouli and oakmoss settle it onto a green, earthy ground. The overall impression is clean and leaning sweet. Vespa Vespa for Him and French Avenue Safari Breeze have a close profile.

How it changes through the day

  1. First minutes

    • Melon
    • Lavender
    • Pineapple
  2. First hours

    • Orange blossom
    • Violet
    • Jasmine
  3. Towards evening

    • Vetiver
    • Amber
    • Patchouli

When to wear it?

Seasons and occasions, by user votes.

  • 50%
    Spring
  • 45%
    Summer
  • 5%
    Autumn
  • Casual
    30%
  • Daytime
    23%
  • Sport
    17%
  • Office
    17%
  • Nighttime
    7%
  • Evening
    7%

Smells like this

The closest scents by notes and accords.

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Last updated: October 26, 2026