Reviews of Mesmerize
by Avon

I can't comment about the top notes because I almost always try to avoid them. I also try to speed up the drydown as much as possible (blowing on the area sprayed in the easiest way to do this). Mostly, this is a resinous and herbal vanilla, but not especially sweet, and certainly not "gourmand." I don't detect much in the way of spices, though this is listed in the pyramid, and there is no heavy amber presence. At most, there is a hint of woods, "precious" or not. The fruit is blended into the resin, and from what I've read in other reviews (not just for Mesmerize), some find this nauseating, so be careful if you are one of those people. I enjoy this but find Paco Rabanne's Black XS to be nearly vomit-inducing, so "go figure."

I find this (the drydown) to be natural, nicely balanced, dynamic, and unique. One spray is all that I need to get excellent project ("sillage") and longevity. I haven't been especially impressed with Avon in general, because there seems to be something "synthetic" or "off" in the ones I've tried, if only to a slight degree, but this one is quite well done. I'm very sensitive to sandalwood, and I strongly suggest not to buy this thinking that you are going to get any here, as another reviewer thinks (comparing it to Samsara, which is sweeter and "dirtier," with a very strong sandalwood note, of course).

If you like Burberry London for men and are looking for something somewhat similar, you may want to try this one for "variety's sake." Basically, these both have "heavy," "exotic," or "manly" notes blended nicely into the strong but not-too-sweet vanilla base. You can detect some of the individual notes, but it also comes across as a blend, alternating back and forth to some degree. This could certainly be used by women who enjoy "niche" type fragrances. Another fragrance in this vein is Mauboussin's Histoire d'Eau (also selling very inexpensively these days), which some have claimed to be very similar to Daim Blond.

My old "newbie" review: Excellently blended ambery herbal fragrance. I think I detect some rosewood and vanilla, but because it's so blended it may just seem like that to me. There's also a mild, subtle sweetness to it. Don't overspray this one, or else it will likely ruin it for you. And if you like clearly defined notes in your fragrances, this might not be for you either. Another ambery herbal is Jovan Sex Appeal for men, but I'd rate Mesmerize much, much higher than that one, because of the sweetness, nicer mix of ingredients, and lack of a "synthetic" quality.

This review is for the original formula, which is a dead ringer for Samsara. Powdery jasmine, spicy, musky, vanillic sandalwood. A nice run of the mill oriental. Neither impressive, nor offensive, as with Samsara. If you're on a budget and love Samsara, you can find old bottles of the original Mesmerize on Ebay for dirt cheap.

THIS fragrance I not sure, it sprays on at first kinda weird, but the drydown smells very nice, I dont know if its me or its the scent, I do like the notes there useing, maybe I need to try and use this one more often, or maybe its because I tend to like the more darker scents, but I do like it and Im going to keep it in my collection, this realy is different then what im used to .

I find this very close to Minotaur and Zino in its opening...sweet floral with a horse barn like stench...very promising...but it quickly reveals its lack of quality...there is very little depth, just an overal sweetness and some weak dark notes. Good for a quick event or dinner, certainly not for an all day affair. Not bad for the price as this is dirt cheap.

I wanted to love this, but it just gave me a headache. Upon re-sniffing 2 weeks later, I decided I did not like it at all. Too sweet at the beginning. Too fruity. Finishes up smelling exactly like ancient Egyptian enbalming preparations. I guess its the Myrrh, and the sweet note working together.

People have equated this with Obsession. They are wrong.

Enough said, cheerio!