Hypnotic Poison Extrait de Parfum

This review is for the original 7.5 ml splash bottle. First off, don't let the notes fool you, this is not a more floral version of HP as the notes on here might make you believe. Hypnotic Poison Extrait sure is the most spellbinding version of the entire HP branch, truly intoxicating stuff! This sits right next to the original EDT from 1998. These two versions are always going to be the greatest HP's as far as I'm concerned. I'm sorry to say this, but Eau Sensuelle, Eau Secrete, HP Elixir and HP EDP's got nothing on the extrait/original EDT. You can't fix what's already perfect, simple as that! At first sniff, Hypnotic Poison Extrait smells like perfectly ripe bananas soaked in Jägermeister. (alcohol, spices and sweet fruit). This is how "the red poison" is supposed to smell like, it is the genuine soul of Hypnotic Poison... a more amped up version of the already very singular EDT! The notes pyramid does not do this powerful extrait any justice though. What I smell in Hypnotic Poison extrait is bittersweet, black liquorice (anise), ripe bananas, plums, apricots, almonds, coconut and a salty, almost buttery vanilla,(Caramel). In the background I pick up a kind of musky, almost smoky wood accord and whispers of narcotic jasmine, rose and tuberose petals. I bought a bottle of the original EDT several years ago, before any major reformulation which smelled very similar to this, only a bit softer. The current EDT while similar, does unfortunately seem to be a bit watered down. (To me at least). It smells pretty much the same as the old one the first five minutes. However, it quikly dries down to nothing more than a powdery, soft, vanilla shadow of it's former voluptuous and complex self. Every time I put it on I end up feeling disappointed and like something is missing somehow. Now, this extrait version on the other hand.. This is where it's at! It's opulent, magnetic, luscious and extremely deep and sensual. Hypnotic Poison's black magic lives on in this extrait! Finally an interpretation of Hypnotic Poison that truly manages to live up to it's name! It last's for more than 24 hours on me, and I can still smell it on my clothes for several days. The sillage is just right. Definitely noticeable, but nowhere near suffocating. It's warming effect is just perfect for cold weather, but as long as you don't over apply it can be a stunner in the summer months too.

My review is on a 30ml tester version I bought off of ebay (it is authentic, has the correct sticker and the notes on the back of bottle.) Very interesting take on the original. Much deeper and darker than the edt and even the current edp. Smells super feminine but also at the same time more masculine than the original. In that aspect, it reminds me a little of Midnight Poison.. how weird is that? I don't mean that it smells similar really, but that it has the same sort of mysterious, velvety opulent "aura". Anyway, it is sweet, but not sticky or cloying, very intense and retains the spirit of the vintage HP edt but is much stronger and more complex. It is much more floral than all the other versions of HP (although I haven't tried secrete). I can really smell the jasmine and the rose shining through. Not as sweet as the edt or elixir. There is also a slightly soapy dry down, probably from the white flowers. GORGEOUS. Also, I figured out that this was only distributed for a short time and NOT in the US (or the UK?) but only in a few places (Poland is one). Better longevity and strength than the original edt (even the vintage one) but sillage sits closer to the skin. Perfect for winter. The most beautiful of all the hypnotic poisons. Scent: 9.5/10 Packaging: 7/10 (the 30ml bottle is kind of boring looking, looks like a regular edt)

My precious arrived today. I believe I have never spent *that* much money for 7.5mls of perfume, but I decided to splurge as I am a Hypnotic Poison lover and wanted to have it in all its forms (talk about obsessed!) How does it smell? Imagine a Hypnotic Poison that is not for the masses. That is not sought after by thousands of women and you will not smell it on your co-worker, on a random woman on the train or read thousands reviews about it. Le Parfum is less sweet, but still keeps the Hypnotic Poison character. In the opening I can detect a slightly green note (rose?) that fades and gives way to a citrusy accord, always blended with the well known HP mystery. The drydown is soft, feminine and maybe not as spectacular as I would wanted it to be. I will treasure my small (and very elegant looking I must add) bottle of HP Pure Parfum. I will layer it with the other versions, or wear alone whenever I want to both smell like wearing HP and stand out from the crowd:) Edit: longevity is very dissappointing, a mere 2 hours on my skin

I am breaking it out of winter and night confines wearing it on a sunny 15°C day. And it does deliver. Properly seductive and mysterious cloud with personal sillage, possibly leaving a trail on a walk. The floral notes are on the front today. Clearly the delectable orange blossom and jasmine and I feel heliotrope. A lot of tonka beans, vanilla with some woody notes of maybe sandalwood. But the floral notes shine and seduce in this version. I love it. It is also very elegant and gently projects for many hours delighting me. I feel it clearly on heated skin the next day. It is still gorgeous. One of the world's best.

#Alayna1011 ~ 30 ml tester bottles were not produced, no testers were produced. It came it 7.5 ml teeny tiny "apple" bottle. To test, a SA pulled out the stopper and waved in front of you. Please do not buy a tester bottle off eBay, unless you can verify the bottle. Dior won't authenticate scents anymore, but it will authenticate bottles. Good luck finding one!