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.

Two pump skin test. Linear. Moderate projection. Waxy and softly herbal with ylang ylang's green floral smell and something else quite natural that I suppose is the poppy. Just a hint of tobacco and vanilla to give it a base. I can see why they called it Transfixed. It's sort of a "good witch" smell; Tara from Buffy would wear this. TBH it's a little addictive. I'm sniffing my wrist far more than with the samey-same perfumes that are everywhere these days.

OK, this might be my favorite scent profile of all time. It smells like you're in a magic grove and a magician seduces you by flying you through the stars. It's absolutely the scent of magic. However, it does have one fatal flaw. It only lasts on me for an hour or two. It breaks my heart that I can't have this be my signature scent because it simply doesn't last. I still have some that I wear before bed. I hope it lasts longer on others.

I'm absolutely obsessed with this scent. It's dark and sexy but still a little bit sweet. When wet, it's a little bit powdery for me, but the dry down really pulls the tobacco note forward and makes it more masculine. It layers great with floral notes. Smells like the way The Sound Of Believer by And One makes me feel.

Groegeous vintage scent, reminded my great aunt of a perfume she used to love when she was young. Works best worn in winter, it’s hypnotising indeed, if you are a woman of strong character, I think this will suit you well. It’s unisex, but I think you have to be a mannered man to wear it, it’s quite elegant.

I genuinely love this, and can’t wait to buy a full bottle. Stayed on my skin for ages and ages. The smell is addicting, my mother and siblings loved it too. The vanilla isn’t too overpowering or overwhelming, and I like that. The notes work well together.

Love love love!! Very much embodies the gothic vibe of the set. This is 80’s-90’s dark new wave with high reverb guitars and beautiful androgynous men. A lot of tobacco notes lean into a smokier territory, but this tobacco is more spice.

Cold, dry tobacco, cedar, and crushed cocoa leaves. Sticky, vegetal, almost black currant-like vanilla bean pods and sweet poppy flowers. A romantic, beautiful fragrance, especially for autumn and winter evenings.

This one is probably the best of the dark flowers collection!

This is soooo good. Unusual, dramatic, and alluring! The spray is a little oily, so you can actually see its potency on your skin; this isn't a weak, ephemeral cologne! It's mainly a sweet, green, narcotic floral with tobacco and subtle hints of licorice and ice. Normally I'm not even much of a fan of green scents or of licorice, but everything in this just works beautifully together with the tobacco. Longevity is over 12 hours and counting, in proud defiance of Demeter's reputation for short-lived scents. It's very rich and deep, and might be best in cool weather, but I can see myself wearing it year round. It's a perfect scent for wandering through a cemetery, sitting pensively in a quaint cafe with your journal, or dancing until dawn. Try it once and you may never free yourself from its spell. UPDATE: 8/30/23: I'm not sure if my bottle of Transfixed has changed or I have, but I think it's a "Like" rather than a "Love" for me now. I used to be able to smell the vanilla in it, but I haven't been getting vanilla- or some of the other nuances I liked about it in the beginning-from my bottle in a long time. Now I just get the ylang-ylang and the tobacco, which seems harsher now (a little more like a cigar) and is definitely the note that lasts the longest on clothing- I can't get it off completely even after running clothes through the washer and dryer. I do still like the scent, but not enough for it to cling that tenaciously to every garment it touches! Overall I don't think I'm quite as "transfixed" by this fragrance as I initially thought I was. Too many of the notes seem to have a limited shelf life.

To me, it smells like and old house, summer and autumn evenings, very vintage, mysterious. Very mature, feminine yet dominant, I believe a vampire would wear this. Truly original. But although I get a strongly feminine vibe from the fragrance, something about it bugs me with masculinity... maybe the tobacco? I can't figure it out. Overall it's very strong considering the fact, that demeter fragrances (or at least those that I own) are usually on the subtle side. I would reccomend if you're into strange gothic fragrances

Night scent. Smells exactly like what I imagine "Elvira's Zoombie" would smell like, she is death but still takes care of herself. It's sorta unisex, but leans more to the feminine side. Strong stuff. Floral tobacco vanilla. I cannot find a situation to wear it, but I kinda like it for what it is - I knew more or less what I was going into before blind purchasing this outa curiosity.

Fun, approachable, sexy. Vanilla, floral, bit of leather, few other notes, I don't need to dissect it to know it's enjoyable. Not challenging, no anchoring strong note like oakmoss or sandalwood, but really, is that always necessary? Keep it away from you teenage daughter. Make her go around you to get it on her own.

7.5/10 very sweet! the tobbaco balances it out well, as other reviews said, its quite sexy. men could def pull it off especially women will probably only use it for special occasions, but be mindful with the sprays cause i find it a bit strong

smells a bit like some kind of men's shampoo or shaving cream to me. almost like the irish springs body wash maybe?? it's much more green on me than in the bottle, where i get a bit more vanilla-tobacco. imo this leans pretty masculine

This is beautiful in its simplicity. A sweet, powdery tobacco fragrance with a narcotic twinge. The vibe, to me, is an androgynous and hedonistic Rococo-era courtier. It made me feel mischievous.

I just got it in today, ordered from FragranceNet.com. My mum likes it but definitely not my cup of tea. Very strong, very sickly sweet and a bit nauseating. Every once and again I do get the tobacco, which is what made me want to buy this in the first place, but other than that it smells like huffing one of those vanilla syrup pump bottles at a cafe and then chasing it with a spoon of cinnamon. If you're more into "dark" or sexy smells, I would probably not do this one. That is unless its just the way my skin reacts to it, then ignore this. Probably a try first before buying kind of perfume

This reminds me a lot of Bath and Body Works Leaves, albeit a little lighter on the apple (which is good because it’s not listed as a note). It’s okay.

I’m so disappointed by this fragrance. I was late to the party for Elvira’s Zombie.. after doing a big of research, I found that Demeter supposedly renamed EZ to transfixed so I bought it immediately expecting notes of cocaine, cannabis and tobacco with a few other notes.. and then I got this. It smells nothing like any of those things. Not even tobacco. I reached out to Demeter via their chat and waited for a response and the confirmed this was the same as Elvira’s zombie but this just smells like florals to me. It doesn’t stink but when you’re expecting a work of art in a fragrance and get a bouquet of flowers instead of cocaine and pot with some tobacco, it’s just an absolute bummer. So do I like it? No. Was it what I was expecting? Definitely not. But is it terrible? Also no but I won’t wear it either. It doesn’t last and it’s not even serving its purpose as the work of art I was hoping for.

Bought the Demeter Elvira Collection a while back as a collector’s item and never really paid it any more thought... was going through to purge some items and found it again and became hooked on Zombie, which is this fragrance renamed. After buying a full-sized bottle, I found myself reaching for it almost everyday once the weather became chillier. It’s the coziest tobacco scent without being too overwhelming... I can still get away with wearing it to both the office and during a night out.

if you're a man pls get this you will smell sexy