Fragrance Review: Hypnotic Poison by Christian Dior

Bitter almond folded into jasmine cream, with a metallic note cutting through the voluptuous richness is a vision of olfactory dessert that was created by Annick Ménardo. Having debuted in 1998, Hypnotic Poison does not shock like the original Poison. Instead, everything about its voluptuous oriental form is slow seduction. At the same time, it projects a comforting aura, with the sweetness of vanilla unfolding against the radiant freshness of musk and the milky bitterness of almonds.

Underscored by jasmine, a cloud of powdered sugar settles upon the base of elegant musk and vanilla. The musk note is almost austere, with a clean and metallic touch that contrasts beautifully with the bitterness of almond, conferring a restraint upon gourmand notes. ....

As time goes on, warm sensuality of delicate, rather than animalic musk fills the arrangement, touching it gently at first and then embracing the composition fully. Ambery richness juxtaposed with the creamy sandalwood lends another interesting facet, which is almost akin to throwing red silk over a lamp. Suddenly, the hues deepen, while the forms soften, and yet the arrangement retains its radiance.

Notes: Bitter almond, caraway, jasmine sambac, moss, jacaranda wood, vanilla musk. Available at the Dior boutiques, select retail venues as well as various online discount stores.

Painting: Henri Matisse. Odalisque, Harmony in Red. 1926. Oil on canvas. Private collection. From abcgallery.com