Hypnotic Poison Diable Rouge

Le Diable Rouge is one of the most beautiful and intense versions ever made of Hypnotic Poison; having the same strength as Poison esprit de parfum (Dior’s way of saying edp up until the release of this gem, when it became edp) here you can actually see the continuation of the original from 1985 into late 90’s territory. The original edt was a beauty on its own; deadly almond over a bed of sensual vanilla and an eye wink in the form of root beer. In the edp, Menardo ups the stakes by making an elixir of huge proportions. The bitter almond glows in full intensity, the vanilla is made ever more carnal with its animalic side heightened. The fruits, plum and apricot, have been stewed just a tad longer and provide the link with Poison, showcasing their perverse/preserve compote qualities. Tuberose, but mostly Jasmine, are very much present and far more noticeable than the edt, and there’s a silver metallic ray that cuts and runs through the fragrance. Lilly of The Valley? It has poisonous roots as well, so it fits perfectly. But the bitter almond is the star; it feels somehow 3D, in the same way the original commercial in a futuristic Ridley Scott city feels 3D. Black and red, sticky and oily, with musk and heliotrope galore to further enhance the almond, with vanilla that smells like the real thing and not some cheap ethylvanillin. This is as carnal and sexy as a quasi gourmand can get. Quasi because Hypnotic isn’t a gourmand, although it walks a fine line. It’s sweet without being sugary. It’s an oriental floral with more sweetness. And just when you think it might be too much, because it is, it shows you it’s an adult perfume. Mysterious, seductive, mesmerizing. This is the essence of the late 90’s! The current one doesn’t really compare. Yes, it maintains some of the beauty, but like most reformulations, where cost cutting is a key factor, and IFRA a second, the changes are most evident in the basenotes, or better yet lack of. The scent doesn’t hold up, it falls flat without a strong backbone to hold it. The top and middle feels fleeting and the white musk/vanilla washed ending doesn’t take long to arrive. Get vintage if possible to experience what Hypnotic really was(is). It doesn’t get better than this, and the tiny amount one needs will make it last for ages, whether edt or edp. Fun fact: it’s said that one of the rubies adorning the neck of the bottle is real, but only one bottle has it. Mine don’t look real but what do I know? The real gem is the liquid inside so consider me a very happy camper!

Well, after being obsessed with finding this (I collect the Poison line, and Hypnotic and Midnight are my two favs) but resigning myself to the very real possibility that I never would, or if I did, it would be far too astronomically expensive for me to afford, I was pleasantly surprised to find this via my French connection for a not unreasonable price. It has the box and the original cellophane, so I'm very pleased and was willing to pay a bit more for it. I haven't yet received it, but I'll be sure to update this review when I have it in my hot little hands. As a fan of the current EDP (despite it's various deficiencies), I fully expect to adore the vintage 1998 version. I'll keep ya'll apprised. Additionally, Fragrantica has the incorrect photo for this perfume. The primary picture is of the Hypnotic Poison Rubis (an EDT), not the HP Diablo Rouge (an EDP, which you can see in the secondary photo). They were two separate limited edition releases.

i absolutely love this, i think the added woody notes really give it a lot of depth compared to the original. i actually like scents that are earthier than sweet and this is the perfect middle. i can’t wait to wear this for a date night or something, it’s so sexy! on my skin the kind of licorice/anise comes out really strong and i love it. i honestly wish there were more fragrances like that because i think it’s a pretty unique profile, even if a lot of people hate it. i actually got insanely lucky and found a mostly full bottle at a thrift store for 35e. i actually had no clue it was the limited edition version until i got home and did some googling. i think whoever was selling this did not know what they had haha, but lucky for me! even though mine is missing it’s cap i will absolutely be keeping her :)

The most scrumptious perfume I have ever smelled. I paid $430 (Australian) for this... and it’s worth every penny 🥰

Ahhhhh! Bring.this.one.back.!!