Poison by Dior is an Amber Floral fragrance for women launched in 1985. The nose behind this fragrance is Edouard Flechier.
This original Poison perfume was so immensely successful that, to date, it has inspired a range of flankers. Although it’s not as popular as it was once, it’s an absolute iconic scent that is still a head-turner. You can pick up notes of heavy tuberose, smokey incense, deep plum, and vanilla.
A note from the brand:
Poison is a sultry elixir. Some fragrances are born legendary. Provocative and mysterious since its inception, Poison is the ultimate fragrant weapon by Dior for heightened seduction.
The exceptional alchemy of the fragrance is created by rich, spicy, floral and ambery notes with sensual accords of Honey and Musk. It’s a charismatic and unforgettable oriental fragrance.
| Perfume name | Poison |
| Brand | Dior |
| Year Released | 1985 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette |
| Scent Family | Amber Floral |
| Gender | women |
I’ve always wanted to try and wear more of the original Poison that sparked this iconic range, so my mom and I went to get a sample. She wore it back when it came out in the 1980s, so I had to see if I would also like it.
What does Poison by Dior smell like?
It is a powerhouse tuberose oriental with a berry-spicy-musky interlay. The plum is by far the most prominent note for my nose.
This scent screams the 1980s, and my mom tells me that it was the scent everyone wore when it came out. Once you smell it, you can’t argue that with its 80s character. It is probably the most gothic, dramatic, femme-fatale tuberose imaginable.
When Edouard Flechier created this, he spoke directly to the heart of the quintessentially 80s woman with a love for big hair, loud makeup, and acrylic nails. It reminds me a bit of Dior Dior Addict and Givenchy L’Interdit Intense.
| Top Notes | Plum, Wild berries, Coriander, Anise and Brazilian Rosewood |
| Middle Notes | Tuberose, Incense, white honey, Cinnamon, Opoponax, Carnation, Jasmine, African Orange flower and Rose |
| Base Notes | Vanille, Amber, Sandalwood, Musk, Heliotrope, Vetiver and Virginia Cedar. |
My Experience
I was so excited to try the sample, and with the first spray, an explosion of plum and cinnamon hit me.
The dry-down was pretty interesting. It’s a smoky, almost incense-like dry down with a gourmand opening. The plum note is still very present at this stage, but with an almost sweet honey accent to it.
I actually prefer the dry down even more as the sweetness of the honey and plum seeps through the smokiness.
Sillage & Projection
The sillage and projection are both incredible. If you wear it, you need to be fine with people coming up to you to ask what you are wearing. It’s really potent. Even as I put it on before going out, my partner smelled it from the next room. I’d give the sillage and projection both a 9 out of 10.
Longevity & Versatility
I definitely found this scent to be something I’d only wear in colder weather and only at night. It’s sultry and sexy, and it would feel very out of place in the office, for example. I really can’t imagine anyone wearing this on a hot summer day. I wore it out with friends to a club, but I’m not sure if I would even wear it to a small restaurant.
This scent has absolute nuclear longevity, and I can smell it on my skin even the day after wearing it.
Closing thoughts
People either love or hate this scent. It’s not for everyone, so it’s definitely not something I’d recommend as a blind buy. It takes some time to appreciate the scent’s complexity of the scent so stick with a sample first.
If you like strong, dramatic scents and you are ready to make a statement then Poison could be up your alley. So for those that genuinely love the perfume, it’s worth money over and over again. That being said, it’s better suited to someone a bit older than can really own the scent.
If you are someone that remembers the 80s and being suffocated by the smell when it was at its absolute peak – give it a try again. Some of my mom’s friends hated Poison, but now decades later, after trying it out again, it felt completely different.