Dior Addict by Christian Dior, 2002

First wore this when a sample was given to me. Liked it, used it. Just around the time the sample was almost gone, I found myself looking for more, wanting more, and no other perfume seemed to fill the void. I ended up giving in and purchasing a large bottle. Later on, I found myself buying a smaller bottle for travel. While I am far from being "addicted", I often find myself craving the indescribable warmth and all-encompassing aura that only Addict seems to evoke for me. I love wearing it for an evening out, and find it has the same effect as diamonds. Great with (faux) fur! As a woman in her early 30s it strikes me as seriously mature and devilishly young at the same time. Lasts a long time and leaves beautiful fragrance memories in garments worn. Far from cheap, I find this fragrance gives off an instant richness and classiness, a feeling of opulent elegance and citrusy refinement, notes that impress you and imply a certain level of status, right before you find yourself melting into an unrivalled smokey warmth, with such blatant sexual overtones you soon become aware that you are in overt seduction territory, and yet the balance is one of "sophisticated dirtiness" - the tonka/vanilla and spiciness arouse an almost spiritual vibe, not exactly mysterious - but deep and warm and dark and cozy. Too comforting to be dangerous, yet too dangerous to be comforting. This fragrance is captivating, and simply beautiful. Pairs well with cold weather, evening outings, elegant attire, and deserving romances.

I bought this blind, sure i would love it. I keep trying to wear it, and i find it strange, because the opening is nice and sweet and warm, as a whole, but then i get this jarring note that stands out, and stays sticking out, amidst a lovely warm drydown. Mostly, i like anything with vanilla, i thought i loved gourmands, but i just can't stand the jarring floral note, that sticks out in the middle, all angular and annoying. I think it must be jasmine, and i have seen ylang ylang mentioned as being included on one site, which would explain my dislike. I can get away with jasmine sometimes, if it's included in a gentle, light, and not heavy way, maybe lifted by something brighter - don't know enough about all the varieties to be able to discuss it with any knowledge, but to have ylang, and a discordant jangling sharp jasmine in the same fragrance is too much heavy floral for me, i just hate their heavy, waxy, cloying clinginess, they drape around you, some might say seductively, i would say parasitically. It stays there, glaring at me, the entire time i wear it, and doesn't go away, like all horrible smells. For me, it spoils what might have been a lovely scent, warm and cosy, sexy and cuddly all at once. Except for those horrible flowers. I feel very glad to have finally admitted how i really feel about this. I was pretending i liked it, to avoid being annoyed with myself at wasting money on a blind buy that i don't like. I am getting rid of you Dior Addict