I'm usually lazy and not the type to often write up long winding reviews with flowery language, but I felt the need to point out that this is a truly excellent unisex gourmand/oriental, especially in the EDP Intense concentration.
Anyways, this pretty much has nothing to do with the original Poison. The regular EDT version of Hypnotic Poison, made by Annick Menardo who also gave us the wonderful and weird Patchouli 24, Bvlgari Black, and Bois d'Armenie, is a velvety bittersweet vanilla-almond oriental with coumarin, heliotrope, and some oakmoss to stop it from falling into the sweet-toothed-girl category. (Don't get me wrong though, HP *IS* very sweet, but it is so in an intelligent way and not teeny-sweet) I found the EDT to fall short and turn quite thin on the dry-down too quickly as well as being quite bland after a while, but it is still a great wear.
On the other hand, is the EDP Intense aka Hypnotic Poison Elixir, an EU-exclusive rework done by Francois Demachy. (Eau Sauvage Fraîcheur Cuir, Dior Homme Cologne, etc) In addition to the extra longevity and sillage along with the original base of HP, there is added notes of salty licorice and star anise. This new element makes the scent more complex, deeper, darker, slightly smokier, and more interesting -- making it formidable competition to heliotrope-heavy niche scents like Cuir Beluga. Overall, compared to the EDT, this is much more satisfying, especially for those of us who are deep into niche territory.
I would advise lovers of gourmand scents who are hesitant to test female fragrances to give this one a try, and if possible, test the EDP as well. People who are not fond of coconut should be wary though as it is much more present in the EDT, but still isn't too much to be a nuisance. (I still don't think it smells like sun-screen!) Nevertheless, both are worth a try and can be had for a reasonable price.
So -- are there any fans out there?
Anyways, this pretty much has nothing to do with the original Poison. The regular EDT version of Hypnotic Poison, made by Annick Menardo who also gave us the wonderful and weird Patchouli 24, Bvlgari Black, and Bois d'Armenie, is a velvety bittersweet vanilla-almond oriental with coumarin, heliotrope, and some oakmoss to stop it from falling into the sweet-toothed-girl category. (Don't get me wrong though, HP *IS* very sweet, but it is so in an intelligent way and not teeny-sweet) I found the EDT to fall short and turn quite thin on the dry-down too quickly as well as being quite bland after a while, but it is still a great wear.
On the other hand, is the EDP Intense aka Hypnotic Poison Elixir, an EU-exclusive rework done by Francois Demachy. (Eau Sauvage Fraîcheur Cuir, Dior Homme Cologne, etc) In addition to the extra longevity and sillage along with the original base of HP, there is added notes of salty licorice and star anise. This new element makes the scent more complex, deeper, darker, slightly smokier, and more interesting -- making it formidable competition to heliotrope-heavy niche scents like Cuir Beluga. Overall, compared to the EDT, this is much more satisfying, especially for those of us who are deep into niche territory.
I would advise lovers of gourmand scents who are hesitant to test female fragrances to give this one a try, and if possible, test the EDP as well. People who are not fond of coconut should be wary though as it is much more present in the EDT, but still isn't too much to be a nuisance. (I still don't think it smells like sun-screen!) Nevertheless, both are worth a try and can be had for a reasonable price.
So -- are there any fans out there?
I *must* check these out the next time I head to a mall!
