Monday, February 25, 2008

Dior Addict Extravaganza : Perfume Reviews (Part One)

After recently being pleasantly surprised by Dior Addict Shine, I decided to explore the whole Dior Addict line, which I must confess, I never paid much attention to. So, today and Wednesday Fragrance Bouquet takes a look at the whole Addict fragrance lineup. Let's start with part 1, exploring Dior Addict and Dior Addict Eau Fraîche.

Dior Addict:

The original Dior Addict is, in my opinion, a well-put together, if linear scent. I don’t know why, but what my nose perceives is completely different from the listed notes, although admittedly, I have never smelled some of the official notes, such as Silk Tree Flower and Queen of the Night. I can however tell you what it smells like to me: a beautiful blend of lavender and deep, warm gardenia. If you like your gardenia creamy and spiced, you’re going to like this. Mellow and sweet, but also demanding, this is a fragrance with excellent longevity and sillage. It is not very involved, and as indicated earlier, it doesn’t really develop much on the skin – rather, it remains quite stable and unchanging. I feel neutral about it as a female scent: it doesn’t bother me, nor does it drive me wild. It’s okay. What I’d really be interested in, would be to smell it on a man at the end of a working day. Mmhmm...

Dior Addict Eau Fraîche:

As sometimes happens, the EdP concentrations can be very different from the EdT, and this is indeed the case with Addict (EdP) and Addict Eau Fraîche (EdT): The two are similar, but they are certainly not just the same scent in different strenght. The opening of Eau Fraîche is very mellow, smelling slightly of lavender and wild flowers but in a matter of seconds, as it warms up on the skin, the scent deepens and becomes sweeter and heavier. Too sweet and certainly too heavy for my tastes, I have to say. Still, I can see why this bears the Addict name: the deep scent beckons you closer to the skin. Even though every part of me resists it, there is a certain fascination there: I keep wanting to sniff this, so I find myself constantly bringing my wrist to my nose for yet another little fix, like a crazed bee that returns to the same, already harvested flower in hopes of finding a little bit more of that sweet smelling dust. No, I don’t like it, I decide, yet the process begins again a few minutes later with my nose stuck against my skin in order to explore the cinnamon-vanilla theme a little further. Flower petals swirl around this heavy, gourmand heart, while citrusy sparks fly off now and again, tingling the nose. Behind it all, there is a dissonant accord of BO, the distinctive smell of a body that hasn’t been washed for a couple of days - a smidge of armpit here, a mane of slightly oily hair there. And yet, through it all, Dior Addict Eau Fraîche remains strangely attractive. I wouldn’t wear it myself, but I would like to smell it on others. And even though there is nothing remotely “Fraîche” about it, I can see how this could be a successful scent for spring and cooler summer evenings. With every part of my conscious in protest, I’ll go ahead and grudgingly admit that Dior Addict Eau Fraîche is Sexy with a capital S. And may the perfume gods forgive me.

Come back on Wednesday to read part 2 of the Dior Addict Extravaganza, with reviews of the remaining two Dior Addict scents, Dior Addict Shine and Dior Addict 2!


11 comments:

rosarita said...

Thanks for the reviews! I've not smelled any of the flankers, but I do really like the original Addict. It smells completely different to me than to you; all I get is very sophisticated vanilla. This is one of my husband's favorites on me as well. I agree completely about the linear development and good lasting power; this one smells best in very cold weather applied with a light hand, imo. Glad you're feeling better! :)

Unknown said...

I agree with the linear comment, but this is one I cannot wear, begins as a very heavy vanilla (nothing else) and then enters the florals, which do something very funky on my skin that I do not like.

Divina said...

Hi Anita! Strangely enough, I get more vanilla at the opening than later on. I do realize there is a lot of vanilla in there and that's the note most people find predominant in Addict, but once I homed in on the gardenia, I couldn't get it out of my head! Maybe because it is a flower I love so very much. I do notice the vanilla a lot more in the eau fraiche version as I wrote :)

Divina said...

Jen, does it smell a bit plasticky to you? It is a complaint I've heard about Addict, although I haven't experienced it myself...

Anonymous said...

I don't like Addict but Im looking forward to reading what you have to say about Addict Shine! I haven't smelled it yet and Im curious

Anonymous said...

Oh,its Christine by the way. Should make a blogger account i guess..

Anonymous said...

Hi, glad you are feeling better Divina as original Addict would not be one I could stomach smelling if I was sick. When I am healthy, however, this one is a winner on me. I don't smell the vanilla on me as some of the others mentioned. This is one of the few perfumes that I ALWAYS got a compliment when I wore it. I think it overpowered my personality though, so when i finished the bottle.. i never bought it again...Addict 2 i enjoy.. but I have never smelled the others so I am looking forward to your other reviews and the found the Fraiche version next on my list to check out--vanilla is not a turn on to me though.

I have to tell everybody I LOVE Chance by Chanel.. hmmmm.. this is my new favorite.. coco madamoiselle is so close to it, but it has an oomph that i adore!!

Unknown said...

That is the perfect description Divina, it turns plasticy on me.

Divina said...

Hey Christine, I really like Shine, but I can imagine that many will find it too synthetic-smelling for their tastes. Its drydown drives me wild though!

Divina said...

Dearest Italian Girl, how are you? :) I'm afraid I hated Addict 2! Chanel's Chance is very distinctive and a wonderful choice. There is no way to go unnoticed when wearing it and it is very memorable too. Again one I can't/won't wear myself, but love on others. I'm more of a Cristalle girl when it comes to Chanel. Alure Sensuelle in edp and Coco also work really well with my chemistry.

Hugs!

Divina said...

Jen, I thought so! I've heard the complaint before. I don't think trying Eau Fraiche would help either: I think it does the same...