Dior Addict Extravaganza : Perfume Reviews (Part Two)

Welcome back for the second part of “Dior Addict Extravaganza”. Today, reviews of Addict Shine and Addict 2:


Dior Addict Shine:

Dior Addict Shine starts out with an intense and rather generic, rather synthetic smelling hit of tangerine and grapefruit. Upon first try, I completely dismiss this as a disappointing failure. I forget about it and start going about my day, when about half an hour to an hour later, I suddenly find myself surrounded by a wonderful smell. Sure enough, the source is my wrist. I am astonished to find that the fruity-floral mess that was, has magically transformed to the most gorgeous, floral musk. The result is ultra-sheer and sensual, combining girly innocence with come-hither sultriness. This is most definitely a spring scent, shimmering, joyous and feminine. Although I do perceive hints of white florals, this undeniably synthetic mélange, does not allow me to pick out any individual notes aside from musk. I shouldn’t like this, but I really, really do. While it is extremely far removed from the type of scent I normally go for, there is something about it that has me hooked, like (uh-huh) an addict. I feel slightly sheepish liking this so much, because it is so unabashedly youthful: wearing it feels like I am going through a reversion to adolescence. I can see this becoming a favorite of younger girls and it will make a perfect gift that’s sure to please. Its musky eroticism however, makes it appropriate for any woman - young or old. I am not sure I would spend my own money on a full bottle of the stuff, but I would be absolutely delighted to receive this as gift. It’d become a spring favorite. Lastly, if you are to try this for the first time, spray once, and use a light hand. You’ll want to get to the gorgeous drydown quickly. Trust me.



Dior Addict 2:

Light, airy and intensely fruity, the opening of Dior Addict 2 does not do much to impress me. The predominant note is pink grapefruit, while freesias add subtle, watery hints. Giving Dior Addict 2 time to develop does not seem to do much to increase its appeal. Even though this is most certainly not a heavy scent, it somehow manages to be completely overpowering. There is absolutely no way to ignore it: like a shrill voice that never tires, it keeps demanding attention: it will enter your conscience and lodge itself there, refusing to leave until you finally succumb and scrub it off. No such luck for me: I had to give this one a fair chance, so I patiently waited through hours of its incessant whine to see its development to the end. What starts out bittersweet and, in comparison to what is to follow, almost pleasant, turns out sour and bracing, with an undercurrent of acerbic sweat. This is the smell of a house-cleaning product, not a perfume. Stay well away.


So, what are your feelings about these four, rather ubiquitous fragrances? Something I really appreciate about them, is that they are actually connected by an invisible thread, just as flankers should be in my opinion. Addict has produced some real flankers, not just connected by name but also by the juice itself. It is very gratifying when you realize that pink grapefruit is recurring in each and every one of these fragrances, as was realizing that lavender makes its return in Eau Fraîche. The vanilla is stronger (to my nose at least) in Eau Fraîche than in the original and the cinnamic spices more easily perceptible too: it feels that in Eau Fraîche they are allowed to occupy their own space somehow. The white florals remain a constant theme in every one of the four fragrances. While I feel reserved and doubtful about the quality of the juice (I can’t get the synthetic, chemical scent of Addict 2 out of my head), I now understand why the Addict line is so very popular. Does it deserve it? With the exception of Addict 2, I’d have to say yes.

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!