Transfixed

I was excited to try Demeter's new Dark Flowers collection just in time for Halloween, since I've been hunting for another "goth" kind of scent a little more affordable than my beloved Poison. Transfixed is interesting! I can smell something like fresh cut flower stems and something that reminds me subtly of licorice or anise. I also get the cool, "frosty" accord described on the Demeter website, which I'm betting comes from the coca. While I can't specifically pick out ylang ylang or poppies, the overriding impression I have is definitely of a floral bouquet, sweet, fresh and green, but with a unique, mysterious character that's darker and spicy-sweet. In the drydown, the tobacco and black vanilla bean responsible for that alluring undertone come out more distinctly and linger the longest, but overall I think this scent embodies the theme of "dark flowers" very well. I love the name, and with several addictive substances represented in the blend, it's very fitting! It was brought to my attention by a post on the Fragantica forum that the Dark Flowers collection might be a rebranding of Demeter's "Elvira" collection, which I never had the opportunity to try before they were discontinued. The notes do seem very similar between the four Dark Flowers fragrances and the four Elvira ones, but not identical, so I'm unsure whether Demeter tweaked the blends or whether notes listings just got a bit changed in translation here on Fragrantica. At any rate, I like the new names much better, and they were part of why I wanted to sample these fragrances. UPDATE: 2/25/22: Gave Transfixed another try and I still find it very intriguing! A dark and slightly earthy sweetness, cut flower stems, a chilly tingle. I can imagine fresh flowers being laid on a grave on a frosty autumn night. A very well-done spooky kind of scent that I think I'll be keeping in mind! UPDATE: 10/29/22 One year later, I seem to keep coming back to this one. Found myself wanting to try it again for Halloween. This time I got anise/licorice the most strongly in the opening, much more than on previous wears. It kind of overwhelmed the frosty-cool accord, which I missed, but it lends the composition an absinthe vibe that isn't at all out of place, and it started to settle down before too long and let some of the frostiness through again. After the opening, I still got a sweet green floral scent with a dark, spicy, vanilla-tobacco base, which gradually emerges to take over. I saw another review saying this is a linear scent and I have to disagree. I've gotten three very distinct phases each time I've worn it; whether the opening is a blast of frost or a draught of absinthe, it transitions smoothly into sweet flowers dripping their lifeblood out through lacerated green stems, and then to a smooth, sweet, spicy tobacco kiss that lingers and lingers. This still strikes me as a unique, evocative, witchy kind of scent and one that's just the right amount of weird, perfect for Halloween and anyone who wants to "goth up" their scent wardrobe a bit. Now I find myself thinking that the next time the economy allows me to justify a perfume purchase, it might just be a bottle of Transfixed!

I adore this. Refreshing and green in the opening almost metallic, with a touch of floral sweetness and a sunny feel from the ylang ylang and vanilla, meshing with the powdery red poppy. It's soon accompanied by the rich balsamic and herbaceous aroma of the tobacco. The tobacco note adds depth and contrasts the happy opening with its own darker power, its very own earthy sweetness along with its sun-warmed hay and dried tea leaves nuances, giving a masculine vibe to the whole scent and a more mysterious character. I consider it unisex, but at this point it does lean masculine to me. The warm, sultry tobacco which is a fav note of mine, pairs well with the green herbal essence of the coca plant here - quite a temperature-dropping note taming the warmth of the tobacco and offering a cooling sensation which elevates the tobacco's subtle woody sweetness. The tobacco's earthy and leafy nuances are reinforced by the coca plant's earthy herbal character. It's a beautiful symphony of aromas. I love this scent so much and yet I couldn't be so selfish, I felt I had to gift it to my dad who loves perfumes like I do. I bought a tiny sample from the US Demeter store a few months before moving to Europe after 18+ yrs Stateside and I'm so happy to find the bigger size on notino in Europe. My dad loved it too and it lasts and projects on him so well. He finished the sample in 2 days. It's one of these perfumes that I love smelling on others as much as on myself. It instantly calms me and fills the room. The first time he sprayed it secretly on himself I was trying to figure out who smells so beautifully. It's such a calming, invigorating scent.

One of the highest performing colognes from Demeter imo in terms of longevity and projection. I find that little goes a long way for me – the fragrance is quite strong and very heady for me. But you know what, I really like it. I like it so much that it is almost embarrassing. To me, this smells like floral scented shampoo, but not the clean fruity kinda floral. More like old flowers floral. Similar scent (although they don't smell the same at all) to the vibe that the retro Herbal Essences shampoo in the 90s had back in the day. This cologne has a cleanness to it, but it's not too clean. Moreso sharp. This is a floral scent, but in sort of an unexpected way. It's got a darkness to the way it presents the notes it contains, but not in an obvious maybe gothic sort of way. It's not melancholic or scary. It's, as another review puts it, narcotic. If you're curious, you'll just have to try it. I got mine from the dark florals sample set and this is a standout from the collection.

Was on the prowl for another fragrance to bring out my inner goth and gave Demeter's Dark Flowers Collection a try. "Transfixed" is by far my favorite among the scents included; love it so much I plan to upgrade to its 1oz spray eventually. It's like a necromancer in a bottle---just one whiff revives my spirits and leaves me wanting more. And more. And more. Never touched a cigarette in my life yet tobacco notes have a history of winning me over; the tobacco here is no exception. I barely smell any vanilla, though (honestly I prefer it that way). And like other reviewers, a "frosty chill" from coca hits me as soon as this splash touches my skin. Seductive. Mystical. Even a hint of jealousy. Transfixed is perfect for all those cold autumn/winter nights, whether you're out strolling through forgotten graveyards or snuggling with a loved one by a crackling fire. I'll def be reaching for this for many moons to come.

I had my first experience with Demeter Fragrances by buying "Funeral Home". It was surprisingly loyal to its description, so I wanted to try and have in my collection as much as I can collect from their exceptional creativity and concepts. I am absolutely in love with this fragrance; I can imagine myself wearing it during every season of the year. It reminded me about "Cinema" by Yves Saint Laurent when I firstly sprayed it on my wrist. Melting with my PH it started to smell like Tom Ford's "Black Orchid", releasing those peppery Ylang-ylang notes. Definitely worth the blind buy.