Hypnotic Poison by Dior is an Amber Vanilla fragrance for women launched in 1998. The creators behind the perfume are Annick Menardo and Christian Dussoulier.
Hypnotic Poison is part of Dior’s iconic Poison collection. It’s a flanker to the original Poison, released in 1985. However, I feel it bears little resemblance to its predecessor, with the exception of the beautiful bottle and the name. I don’t really pick up much of the smoky plum and tuberose in this flanker.
Although interest in the perfume has decreased in the past decade, it’s still an iconic scent that many people instantly recognize. Hypnotic Poison is part of the Amber scent family, and the keynotes are vanilla and almond.
A note from the brand:
Hypnotic Poison isn’t a fragrance you wear, it’s a fragrance that wears you. Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette is a magnetic scent, a heady oriental fragrance with carnal Vanilla notes that meld with an Almond and Jasmine accord. It’s a terribly sensual fragrance.
| Perfume Name | Hypnotic Poison |
| Brand | Dior |
| Year Released | 1998 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette |
| Scent Family | Amber |
| Gender | women |
This is a scent I grew up with as this is my mother’s signature scent. As soon as I felt I was mature enough to wear it, I immediately bought my first bottle. It’s still a key piece in my collection.
What does Hypnotic Poison by Dior smell like?
The most noticeable notes in Hypnotic Poison are the almond and vanilla scents. These two notes work together to create a unique fragrance that is both sweet and woody.
This scent radiates warmth and confidence. It’s incredibly alluring and sensual. It makes me think of a classic beauty in a black velvet dress and red lipstick. The bottle is also in the classic Poison shape, and its deep red color really adds to the mystery and edginess of the scent. It’s reminiscent of forbidden fruit.
While the scent is marketed to women, I can definitely imagine it as being a unisex scent as the floral notes aren’t very pronounced. I find it quite similar to Dolce & Gabanna The One, but much stronger!
| Top Notes | Coconut, Plum and Apricot |
| Middle Notes | Brazilian Rosewood, Jasmine, Caraway, Tuberose, Rose and Lily-of-the-Valley |
| Base Notes | Vanilla, Almond, Sandalwood and Musk |
My Experience
The first spray always feels a bit intense, but in a good way. It just instantly transports you somewhere else. I’d describe the opening as crips and sweet, but also a little bit spicy. I give it at least half an hour to settle on my skin.
As it dries down, it settles into a beautiful creamy soft vanilla that I’m in love with. It’s just such a well-blended and smooth vanilla perfume with a nice almond undertone. Even after wearing it for so many years, the first few times I start using it again, as it gets colder, I keep finding myself smelling my wrists.
Even my partner, that doesn’t usually like the stronger, prominent, and ‘dark’ fragrances, loves this scent on me. It keeps surprising me that this is an Eau de Toilette. It absolutely performs like an intense Eau de Parfum.
Sillage & Projection
The sillage and projection of Hypnotic Poison is very strong – so much so that you’ll be able to smell it even if you’re a few feet away from someone wearing it! This makes it perfect for making a statement. This scent is a head-turner that will definitely get you compliments. I’d give the sillage and projection both a 9/10.
Longevity & Versatility
Hypnotic Poison is a warm and sultry scent that you wear on a sexy date or a special evening occasion. It would be extremely overpowering in the office or, frankly, any day during the warmer months. Even during spring, summer, and early autumn, I opt for a different scent for the evening. It absolutely shines during colder weather as you almost feel the warmth from the scent.
The longevity of this scent is really good, and about 9 hours on my skin. Even after taking a shower, I can still smell it on my wrists.
Closing thoughts
If you are looking for something sultry and a bit more edgy you should absolutely give Hypnotic Poison a try. It’s probably risky as a blind buy as it could be too sweet or intense for some people, so start out with a sample first.
It’s not a very versatile perfume, so that’s another thing to consider. Some of my friends say that it’s become very mainstream thanks to its popularity over such a long period, but as a devout fan, I know I’ll always keep a bottle in my collection.
Ultimately, it’s the perfect fragrance for a night out or a special occasion, and I think anyone who likes a strong, sweet scent would love it.