Midnight Poison

Midnight Poison, my missed opportunity, my FOMO kryptonite, my obsession, lost and found. This is a love letter through time and space. It’s 2007, I’m in my senior year at university. I watch TV to switch off my overloaded brain and catch my breath amid the non-stop anxiety of essays and exams. During the ad break, I’m about to leave my easy chair to make a cup of tea, when amid the clips showing off gleeful families with fluorescent teeth, deliriously happy about their new laundry detergent, magic begins. I’m caught off guard, I stop midstep. The hauntingly beautiful, hysterical music holds me in its thrall as I watch a dark fairy tale of naughty Cinderella gate-crushing the party and making everyone gasp as she jumps from the banister and flies over the crowd like a wrecking ball, clutching the rope with her black nails, her electric blue gown billowing behind like bat wings. By the setting and the dress, I can immediately tell it’s a perfume commercial, nevertheless it’s nothing like I’ve seen before. I’m intrigued. That’s how two of my obsessions started. MUSE and Midnight Poison. I immediately run to our family desktop and search for the title of the song that played in this video. That’s an instant crush and Mattew Bellamy’s ecstatic vocals would become the soundtrack to my life for years to come. It’s not that simple with the perfume, though. I wanted to try it so badly, I was absolutely certain I’d love it. Yet no way my broke college self could afford something from a luxury brand. Three years later I’m at Sephora with a friend. I am an exchange grad student with a generous stipend, so I am determined to walk out of here with my dream perfume. I dash to Dior’s stand, I grasp the dark-blue bottle of Midnight Poison, spray it on my wrist, and immediately put my nose to my skin. Oh no! No-no-no-no-no-no. It’s some masculine cologne! Where’s the dark velvety softness? Where’s sweetness and richness? Where’s everything I expected? I’m so disappointed I could cry. My kind friend suggests I give it several minutes to settle and develop, but when citruses give way to dark and bitter patchouli, I am finally convinced to pass on this one. I end up settling for agreeable Nina by Nina Ricci and leave the store a bit heartbroken. Ten more years elapsed. I have behind me a lot of hard decisions, changes, and losses. I am in a new city and MUSE once again heals my soul. When “Space Dementia” starts on shuffle, it reminds me about this mysterious perfume that I didn’t get. I am curious, so I go online to see how much it is nowadays. And I find out it’s discontinued. It’s gone. It’s lost. It’s no more. Instead of online stores, I find links to pages and pages of people lamenting this untimely demise and declaring their undying love for this unparalleled fragrance, that nothing, NOTHING can ever replace. For the few remaining bottles, the prices are exorbitant, so I strike out the option of ever owning the original from my plans and fall into the rabbit hole of forums, reviews, catalogs, comparisons, and replacement suggestions. I find a few candidates. Along the way, I also find out that people can be passionately devoted, even religious about perfumes, and Midnight Poison definitely enjoys a cult-like following. For every suggestion of something similar, there is an equal number of upvotes and downvotes. People cannot agree on anything. I am as intrigued as I was when I first saw that TV ad — ten times as much now. Dark, mystical, sweet, oriental — that’s exactly what I expected it to be. Can it be that my nose was wrong all those years ago? I order a generic copy from a local manufacturer just to assess it anew. And it’s gorgeous, even if a bit old-fashioned. What? I don’t remember it smelling so beautifully. Why? I MUST HAVE IT! I track one of the more or less affordable dupes recommended by the community and give it a try. It’s a bit more spicy than the generic I tried, but still lovely. Can it be that I’ve made a horrible mistake all those years ago? I kick myself for not giving it more time to develop or just grabbing the biggest bottle available just to have it. I must have it! My husband listens to me going on obsessively about Midnight Poison and one evening produces a small vial with a dark blue cap — a precious decant of the original. Even before I unveil the many layers of bubble wrap it’s lovingly swaddled into, I begin to perceive something painfully familiar, something that makes me nostalgic and wistful, something that brings me back. Far back, farther than that first sniff at Sephora, farther than the Goth Cinderella TV ad. Way-way back to my childhood. It’s the sweet smell of rose and vanilla that emanated from a coral-colored clamshell box my mother gave me to play with when I was maybe four or five. It looked like a powder case, but inside it, there were grooves in white plastic — beds that used to host tiny vials of oil perfumes — or so my mother told me, I only remember the empty box and the smell. The smell... Soft and caressing as sunlight, sweet as summer fruit, warm as beach sand. It’s the smell of dreams lost in the mists of time, safe childcare rooms, happy storybooks, my first summer by the sea. Why does this perfume smell so different to what I remember trying it in the store? Why does it speak to my soul now? When I wear it, I feel safe and loved. I feel invincible. I feel beautiful, strong, worthy. I don’t know why other people love Midnight Poison — they must have their unique personal reasons. But for me, it’s the smell of my mother’s love, before she became anxious and depressed. When she was young and happy, still used perfumes and eyeshadows, danced at parties — and didn’t cry. It’s the smell of safety and happiness, before distress, before the world became bleak and hostile. It’s the smell of a fairy tale before it became real. Midnight Poison smells of roses reminding me of my lost home — a land that was famous for the rose oil industry, among other things. It smells of vanilla — sweet, warm, and delectable. Yet it has this dark and melancholic side to it, making it strong and beguiling instead of saccharine and soppy. Those citruses and patchouli that scared me off when I wasn’t ready empower me now. They are there to ward off evil, to shield against all nastiness in the world. I eventually saved up and I got myself a full bottle of it. Not because it’s discontinued and rare, a true gem to have in any collection (and my collection that started with attempts to find a dupe for Midnight Poison is now spiraling out of control). No. It’s because of how it makes me feel and what it conjures up from the depth of my memory. It gives me the peace that I lost and the confidence that I always lacked. It completes me and makes me an enchantress who has the power to shape the world as she pleases. An irresistible beautiful witch who can do anything — if she wishes to. Perfumes are real magic potions — now I know it. The only trick is to find the one that fits you just so. I am one of those unfortunate souls whose potion was discontinued — or fortunate enough to find something so perfectly fitting. That’s a matter of perspective. Look for yours before it’s lost forever. I promise it exists — your elixir of power, your breath of life, your secret weapon, your consolation, your window to the past — or future, perfumes can do that, you know. Look, try, sniff, perceive, be insatiable — close your eyes and let your heart decide what it desires. This journey, however long, is worth every twist and turn.

THE MUSIC OF THE SILENCED ROSE Dior's "Midnight Poison" is a diabolically poisonous potion like few others. It has an ambiguous and mysterious scent. It impresses with its pungent Centifoglia rose aroma blended with patchouli. It is slightly resinous and minty, and also quite earthy. For me, a great admirer of the feminine genre, this perfume portrays the most beautiful Balzacian lady, certainly a mature woman, eternally young and sure of her timeless beauty. The association that the fragrance evokes for me is that of a tropical night storm, with thunder and lightning. It hits us suddenly and indiscreetly. Its intense accords allow for a citrusy opening, sweetened by tangerine and slightly caramelised by the influence of the other notes, which are still evolving. Suddenly, the rose arrives, a dark, almost dirty rose that opens up, surrounded by nuances of earthy patchouli. The atmosphere is dark and enigmatic. The initial storm gives way to a quieter, darker night, very enveloping and marked by a bright, pink full moon that guides our senses. But it is the woody, earthy patchouli note that becomes dominant and enveloping, like the cloak of night. But the rose note maintains the lunar influence that guides us through the evolution of the fragrance. We then notice that an amber note begins to soften the atmosphere, which remains intimidating, but without being austere. I discover that the beauty of Balzacian knows how to smile and somehow warm our souls as it extends its hand to us. At the base, things are moving slowly. The clouds dissipate, revealing the glow of the moon in the deep blue but increasingly clear night sky. The bewitching, dark scent of the rose becomes a warm, velvety heart, surrounded by lighter woods and a new sweetness conveyed by a creamy, seductive vanilla. Unfortunately, night does not last forever, and just as night fades into day, this night poison fades after 8 hours. However, it lasts long enough to spread its seductive mantle and conquer us, creating inner feelings of admiration for whoever uses it... I wonder who that will be? . The perfume industry has already removed two precious "midnights" from our daily lives. Along with Dior's Midnight Poison, Van Cleef & Arpels' Midnight In Paris has also left the shop windows. Although it is still possible to find both perfumes in the maze of the Internet, both have a continuity in the olfactory world that, whether they were inspired by them or not, have somewhat similar accords and sensations. Midnight Poison has always been the best offering in the Poison line for women. But that, of course, is just my opinion. I still have an almost full 100ml bottle which I keep religiously and which both my wife and I use sparingly. One of its perfumers - Jacques Cavallier, the wizard behind YSL's Opium Pour Homme and Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather, among other things - has done a spectacular imitation with Louis Vuitton's magnificent Matière Noire, which I also own. It is not exactly a similar scent, but the flood of emotions is the same. Now I know what to do when my Dior poison runs out. MY OPINION: This is an eternal perfume that was criminalally discontinued. Its fans were condemned to console themselves with weak inspirations such as Elle by Yves Saint Laurent or Perles de Lalique by Lalique. Those who did not give up on the original found refuge in some Internet reseller, but at exorbitant prices. So I would advise against buying blind. Rarely have rose and patchouli been so well combined. If you find this lost gem in a small perfumery near you, don't miss it. I bought my 100ml bottle (still in its box and in mint condition) lost in the middle of a neighbour's garage sale paraphernalia. MUSIC: Seal - "Kiss From A Rose" (published in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/733041855168347)

Midnight Poison by Dior is a diabolically poisonous potion like just a few others, with an ambiguous and mysterious scent. It impresses with its pungent centifoglia rose aroma blended with patchouli. It is slightly resinous and minty, besides being quite earthy. For me, who deeply admires the feminine genre, this perfume portrays the most beautiful Balzacian, surely a mature woman, eternally young and sure of her timeless beauty. The association that the fragrance suggests to me, is reminiscent of a tropical night dry storm with thunders and lightnings. It strikes us suddenly and indiscreetly. Its intense accords allow for a efemere citrus opening, sweetened by mandarin a bit caramelised by the influence of the other notes that are still developing. Suddenly the rose arrives, first a dark and almost dirty rose, which opens up surrounded by nuances of earthy patchouli. The atmosphere seems sombre and enigmatic. The initial storm gives way to a quieter dark night, very enveloping, and marked by a bright and pinkish full moon guiding our senses. However, it is the woody and earthy patchouli note that becomes dominant and embracing like the cloak of night. But the rose note maintains the lunar influence that guides us through the evolution of the fragrance. We may notice then that an amber nuance begins to soften the ambiance, which remains intimidating but without any austerity. I discover that, after all, the Balzacian beauty knows how to smile and some how warms our soul while holding out her hand towards us. At the base the development is slow. The clouds, as they dissipate, now allow us to see the moon brightness in the deep blue but increasingly clear night sky. The magical dark scent of the rose becomes now a warm and velvety heart, surrounded by lighter woods and with a new sweetness transmitted by a creamy and seductive vanilla. Unfortunately the night is not eternal and just as night fades into day, this Night Poison fades after 8 hours. However, it lasts long enough to spread its seductive mantle and to conquer us, creating inner feelings of admiration for whomever may be using it... I wonder who will it be? This industry already let disappear two precious "Midnights" from our daily life. Besides Midnight Poison by Dior also Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels has abandoned the shop windows. Although it is still possible to find both perfumes in the labyrinth of the internet, both had a continuity in the fragrance world that, whether or not they were inspired by them, have somewhat similar accords and sensations. Midnight Poison has always been the best Dior women's perfume in my opinion. I still have an almost full 100ml bottle which I keep religiously and which both my wife and I use only sparsely. One of its perfumers - Jacques Cavallier, the wizard of Opium pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent, and Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford among others - created a spectacular emulation with the magnificent Matière Noire by Louis Vuitton. It is not exactly a similar scent, but the torrent of emotions generated are the same. Now I know what to do when this Dior poison of mine runs out. My opinion: This is an eternal perfume and it has been criminally discontinued. Its fans were condemned to console themselves with tenuous inspirations like Elle by Yves Saint Laurent or Perles by Lalique. Those who did not dismiss the original, just found refuge in some internet reseller but at exorbitant prices. So I advise against a blind purchase in any case. Very few times have rose and patchouli been so well combined as in this fragrance. If you find this lost gem in any neighbourhood small perfumery, don't miss it. I bought my 100ml bottle (boxed and in mint condition) lost in the middle of a garage sale paraphernalia. Music: Seal - "Kiss From A Rose"

My first review on a new account. I used to have another account with alot of reviews from back when I was in school, which just got lost over the years and never really wanted to start from over on a new account. But oh how I missed this! So, midnight poison has been quite the experience. Or lack thereof? For a very long time, it has been something that I have wanted to own a bottle of for years and years. I would not recommend blind buying this at all. And not because it's a bad scent, I do quite love this, and not because it's overly polarising either. In fact, the fact that its not as ground breaking and eccentric as I imagined it to be is why I would not recommend the blind buy. Whenever I have read it's reviews and experiences with midnight poison, one acclaimed perfume writer even stated in his book that this is a fragrance for women who have donated their brain to science, or something to that effect, not to mention the notes going patchouli>rose>amber according to votes, I had expected a large dreary wooden rose, something damp and dark and dense, and perhaps even cold and medicinal or GOTHIC. But nope. Don't get me wrong, while I have grown to love this for the scent that it is, it is not really as "midnight" as I'd have liked it to be. In fact, I would much rather wear this in warmer months than in winter. Midnight poison opens with a burst of fresh oranges and a touch of bergamot, and a lot of patchouli slicing through it. This however is not the warm dirty smelling patchouli as we know it to be, nor is it the cold and medicinal patchouli that I personally love. It is the fresh and clean patchouli present in most fragrances on the shelves today. This clean patchouli with the fresh citrus is just very apt for the summer months. While some cold fragrances really ARE winter fragrances, a nod to Dior Poison and Clinique Aromatics, a cold fragrance that is also FRESH is just a warmer weather fragrance to me. While the citrus does fade on skin, making way for a cold smelling rose and a slightly smoky amber, which I personally love, the fragrance becomes considerably lighter and never warms up too much despite losing the burst of citrus in the top notes. The fragrance stays like this for most of the wear, just getting lighter with the vanilla become more pronounced as most of the smoke and wood accords fade, which was already just a touch to start with. On fabric, the citrus stays a good while longer and the patchouli and amber is more pronounced. Longevity and sillage leaves much to be desired, either that or I must have gotten some sort of anosmia from this fragrance. Lasts better on clothes. So yes while it is not a generic fragrance at all, it is also not in the league of other love hate/fragrances, I imagine quite a lot more people would find this pleasant than say, something like Tom Ford's Black Orchid, but it is still well done nevertheless. I personally cannot stand fragrances with citrus in them but I still quite like this. My initial disappointment faded relatively fast as I came to love the fragrance for what it is instead of what my expectations were of it. tldr; not really as midnight as everyone says, and not a heavy fragrance either, still pleasant nevertheless. A cold rose with a solid base of clean patchouli and a creamy/balmy touch of smoke-y amber and vanilla in the background. PS: this is not as masculine as everyone says either, perhaps only in the opening. I personally find fragrances that dry down with a prominent vanilla to lean more feminine than masculine. People should wear whatever floats their boats though.

(You can skip the backstory and jump to the review directly). A little bit of background before I start: I just knew midnight poison from the advertisement video and all the fuss in the fragrance community, but I had never smelled the juice up until today. I've tried all Poison versions (besides Tendre) and hate them all, so I never really paid attention to this one until last week, when I just happened to see an ad on the website where I normally buy perfume for a full 50 ml 2007 bottle for 50€, so I jumped to contact the seller because I could always resell it for double the price I paid in case I didn't like it. I also decided to do my homework well and tried Elle by YSL to see if I'd like this, and though Elle was OK, it didn't particularly appeal to me, as it was too fruitchouli for my taste. Fast forward 3 days later and I meet this lovely old lady at a park, who told me how her husband bought the perfume for her but she didn't like it, so she kept it in a box and forgot about it for 12 years. After checking the bottle was authentic I get on the train and spray it on my wrist to smell why someone would pay 200€ for a discontinued perfume. Long story short: though I wouldn't pay as much, I understand the appeal. So now, to the review: MP took a couple of minutes to project, even if it's 24oC now. It opens on my skin as bergamot candy, very sweet and citrusy, but quickly develops into a very deep rose-patchouli, similar to Chanel Coco Noir, but more straightforward without all the other notes. The base notes pop up about 20 minutes in. The beauty of this perfume, though, is that all the notes have been popping in and out of my nose for the last 3 h: sometimes it's rose-patchouli, others it's mandarine-amber, then it's vanilla-patchouli, then all at the same time... on and on. It shows the quality and the possibility to do a really good frag with very few ingredients if you mix it well. I'd have to try it in the long run, but so far the projection is crazy (a quarter spray on my wrist and is overpowering 2 sprays of Alien on my neck) and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere after 3 h. I'd say it's a strong fragrance, not excessively dark or sexy, but beautiful, mysterious and interesting (like Eva Green herself in Casino Royale), most suitable for autumn-spring nights but wearable all-year-round, maybe with the exception of hot humid places. I'm so glad that I jumped to buy this because, after years of waiting, I finally found my Poison. 10/10