Since the 1985 launch of the first Dior Poison perfume, there have been over 20 incarnations of this now-iconic feminine fragrance. The best Dior Poison perfumes offer a provocative combination of oriental floral notes with the same DNA as the original.
Created by French master perfumer Edouard Flechier for Christian Dior, Poison was not without its critics. Such a heady mix of powerful floral notes coupled with spices and woods caused quite a stir in the media and amongst fragrance lovers alike.
Fast-forward to the present-day, and we find the original Dior Poison has stood the test of time. Plus there are several well-received flankers to enjoy also.
Best Dior Poison Perfumes
The best Dior Poison perfumes offer an incredibly extravagant blend of oriental florals that demand attention. Every girl should have a little Dior Poison in her life, and here are 8 to consider.
1. Dior Poison Eau de Toilette
Review
Dior Poison Eau de Toilette remains to this day an incredibly complex and alluring fruity floral scent that captivates like no other. Created by Edouard Flechier in 1985.
The opening is surprisingly fruity, with notes of plum and berries coated in exotic spices of anise and coriander. A heart of white floral tuberose and a hint of carnation blooms to mingle with the light sweetness of honey and smoky incense.
The base is a comforting combination of woods and warm resinous notes. Vanilla slowly creeps in after a few hours of wear. Stunning!
As for when to wear, Dior Poison Eau de Toilette is a fragrance to get dressed up for! Perfect for the colder seasons of autumn/winter and even spring. More of an evening scent, so think fancy dinner, a night on the town, or even a romantic evening stroll.
Performance is impressive considering this is an EDT. You can expect 6+ hours with excellent sillage and projection. We tested the 2020 formulation.
The signature apple-shaped glass bottle is blood red with a clear stopper and black medallion seal with the CD initials proudly displayed.
Top Notes:
Orange Blossom, Plum, Coriander, Black Pepper, Star Anise, Pimento, Mace, Rosewood
Mid Notes:
Tuberose, Rose, Carnation, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lily-Of-The-Valley, Labdanum, Berries, Cinnamon, Orange, Honey
Base Notes:
Amber, Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver, Vanilla, Heliotrope, Opoponax, Musk
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Dior:
2. Dior Poison Extrait de Parfum
Review
Dior Poison Extrait de Parfum is a captivating oriental floral fragrance that was launched in 2014. Legendary French perfumer François Demachy blended white florals with spice and vanilla to produce an exquisite feminine scent.
The opening is an explosion of white floral tuberose and citrusy/minty coriander. A heart of soft, delicate rose soon blooms to add a touch of glamour to the floral experience that unfolds. A base of spiced, warm vanilla is simply the icing on an already classy cake. Feels subtle, elegant and graceful.
This is an any-season fragrance that leans more towards afternoon and evening. Extremely versatile, so equally wearable when casually dressed or ready for a fancy night out.
Performance is excellent, and you can expect 8+ hours before this scent fades. Sillage and projection are, in my opinion, just right, not a nuclear-blast but clearly ever-present.
Presented in the classic Dior Poison shaped bottle in deep purple with a clear stopper and delightful medallion. Looks very classy and almost retro.
Overall, François Demachy has created a real gem with the Extrait de Parfum version of Poison. It is a sensual, sophisticated white floral experience with excellent staying power.
Top Notes:
Coriander, Tuberose Absolute
Mid Notes:
Rose de Mai Absolute
Base Notes:
Vanilla
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Dior:
3. Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette
Review
It was way back in 1998 that Annick Menardo introduced us to the oriental vanilla Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette. This, now iconic Dior fragrance is timeless, elegant and energising.
Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette opens with bitter almond and the light star anise/liquorice scent of caraway. A heart of jasmine blooms beautifully, revealing a sweet and slightly powdery floral personality. Vanilla in the base is more spicy than sweet, with woods and delicate musk creating abyss-like depth.
Although the EDP version of Hypnotic Poison is more autumn/winter, this EDT version is a versatile any-season fragrance. Just what’s needed when you crave a little added mystery.
The longevity of the EDT version is 4+ with good sillage and projection. You can squeeze out a little extra performance if you apply a quality body lotion first.
Presented in classic Dior style. The red bottle is refined and elegant and is further enhanced with gold lettering and a gold neck with deep red stopper. Feels good in your hands, and the spray mechanism works well.
Overall, Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette is an addictive combination of creamy, warm vanilla and bitter almond blended with woods and spices that borders on the divine.
Top Notes:
Bitter Almond, Caraway
Mid Notes:
Jasmine sSambac
Base Notes:
Vanilla, Musk, Wood
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Dior:
4. Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum
Review
Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum is an incredibly glamorous oriental vanilla fragrance that knows no boundaries. Bolder and sexier than its EDT incarnation, this is a fragrance that dives deep into the unknown without a moment’s hesitation.
The opening is unmistakably Hypnotic Poison. This EDP version begins with bitter almond blended with a punchy note of star anise/liquorice. A bouquet of jasmine and orange blossom reveals a delicate, feminine side.
Upon dry-down, creamy tonka bean and spiced vanilla lure you into an intoxicating sweetness before additional spiciness surfaces.
As for when to wear, the EDP version is perfect for autumn/winter and during any occasion; dressed up, dressed down, feeling down? Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum will give you that boost.
Performance is excellent. Longevity is at least 6+ hours with excellent sillage and projection. Receives lots of compliments.
Presented in my favourite Dior Poison bottle is deep, deep red with an almost black stopper. A medallion with the Dior initials completes the incredible look.
Overall, Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum should be in every girl’s collection, it’s ageless, timeless and unashamedly sexy.
Top Notes:
Licorice, Almond
Mid Notes:
Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Vanilla
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Selfridges:
5. Dior Pure Poison Eau de Parfum
Review
Dior Pure Poison Eau de Parfum is an intoxicatingly bold white floral feminine perfume that delights the senses. Released in 2004, the fragrance was the joint effort for three titans of perfumery; Carlos Benaim, Dominique Ropion and Olivier Polge.
The opening is bright, with notes of zesty bergamot and orange that are softened by the floral delight of sweet jasmine. A heart of orange blossom and gardenia continue the white floral theme to magnificent effect.
Upon dry-down, a sumptuously deep base of woods and warming amber reveals an alluring side that catches the imagination.
As for when to wear, Pure Poison Eau de Parfum is a versatile any-season fragrance that commands attention. Equally well-suited for any occasion and any time of day, this is a fragrance to fall in love with.
Performance is excellent, lasting 6+ hours on the skin with sillage and projection that will get you noticed. The white florals and woody/amber combo last particularly well.
Comes presented in the classic-shaped Dior Poison in soft pearl with deep purple stopper and gold neck. Looks elegant and refined, plus if you can find them, the mini bottles are adorable!
Overall, Pure Poison gets straight to the point with its alluring, exotic aroma. Elegant, chic and shrouded in mystery.
Top Notes:
Orange, Sicilian Mandarin, Bergamot, Jasmine
Mid Notes:
Orange Blossom, Gardenia
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Cedar, White Amber, White Musk
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Harvey Nichols:
6. Dior Poison Girl Eau de Toilette
Review
Dior Poison Girl Eau de Toilette introduces the iconic Poison perfume to a whole new generation of fragrance lovers. Francois Demachy crafted the EDT version to be lighter, brighter, yet undeniably Poison.
The opening of Poison Girl EDT is clean and bright with notes of orange and a hint of lemon. A soft floral heart is soon to follow, with delicate rose and sparkling neroli are most notable. Once settled, the magic begins to happen.
Smooth, rich caramel and creamy tonka bean in the base add welcome depth that is classic Dior. Ever-so sexy and alluring.
As for when to wear, Poison Girl EDT is a versatile any-season and any-time-of-day fragrance. Wear when you want to smell utterly glamorous, or simply need an added boost of confidence.
Longevity is 5+ hours before the main notes begin to fade with moderate sillage and projection—overall pretty good performance for the money.
Presented in the classic Dior Poison shaped bottle in light pink/purple with a deep purple stopper. Incredibly classy looking bottle for the new-age of Poison. The 30ml bottle fits into most small bags to allow a quick top-up.
Overall, Dior Poison Girl Eau de Toilette is the lighter of the Poison fragrances and an excellent way to dive into the world of Dior poison. If you found the original versions too heavy or intense, this is a great place to start. It’s pretty, feminine, elegant and oh-so Dior.
Top Notes:
Orange, Bitter Orange, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Rose, Neroli, Orange Blossom
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Cashmeran, Heliotrope, Caramel
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Selfridges:
7. Dior Poison Girl Eau de Parfum
Review
Dior Poison Girl Eau de Parfum can be considered the gateway scent that will whisk you towards embracing the headier fragrances in the Poison collection. This alluring oriental vanilla fragrance was lovingly crafted by perfumer extraordinaire, Francois Demachy.
The opening of bitter orange, lemon and a touch of burnt sugar is less sweet than the EDT version. Sure, Poison Girl EDP has some sweetness, but it is more refined and muted.
Mid notes are floral and delicate, with Grasse rose and orange blossom adding true beauty. As things settle, vanilla soon becomes the star of the show, closely followed by spiced tonka bean and roasted almond.
Whereas Poison Girl EDT is an any-season fragrance, this EDP version has a deeper, more bitter-sweet personality that seems tailor-made for autumn/winter. It feels more grown-up and rich.
Longevity is excellent at 6+ hours with heavy sillage and projection. This beauty will get you noticed for all the right reasons.
The Dior Poison bottle never gets boring. This incarnation emits more of a pink glow and is completed with a black stopper. The outer packaging is classy as always.
Overall, Dior Poison Girl Eau de Parfum shares much of the same DNA as Poison Girl EDT but cranked up a notch. It’s undoubtedly less sweet, so the bitter orange and roasted almond really shine through. Still youthful and girly, but reveals a darker side.
Top Notes:
Bitter Orange, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Rose, Orange Blossom
Base Notes:
Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Almond, Tolu Balsam, Cashmeran, Heliotrope
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Selfridges:
8. Poison Girl Unexpected Eau de Toilette
Review
There’s a reason Dior Poison has remained a classic (and a staple perfume on many people’s skin for years) – it’s iconic, sexy and compelling. In 2018, Dior released Poison Girl Unexpected, a fresh and sparkling interpretation of the original by Francois Demachy.
The composition is fresh, floral and spicy. It mixes top notes of ginger, blood orange and lemon for a bitter freshness. The middle notes are very floral, with damask rose at the heart of the fragrance. Vanilla, tonka bean, cashmeran and hazelnut base notes add underlying sweetness.
Poison Girl Unexpected is exceptionally wearable and perfect for any season and any time of day or night. Equally suitable as a casual scent or one to wear when fully dressed up.
Longevity is 4+ hours with enormous initial sillage and projection that settle nicely after 30 minutes or so of wearing.
The bottle is feminine and fun whilst still maintaining the luxury of the Dior brands. A heavy glass bottle with glossy purple and pink accents, coupled with the original logo, makes it really attractive.
Overall, Dior Poison Girl Unexpected is a leap in a new direction for the Poison collection. The addition of ginger and blood orange create something truly unique and attention-grabbing.
Top Notes:
Ginger, Blood Orange, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Damask Rose
Base Notes:
Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Cashmeran, Hazelnut
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online at Dior:
Conclusion
There are not many fragrances that stand the test of time as well as the Dior Poison collection. It’s been well over 30 years since the launch that caused such a stir. The best Dior Poison perfumes we have reviewed continue to share the DNA of the original, and can effortlessly whisk you back in time with a single spray of the wrist.
Before you go, I have put together a review of the 6 best Miss Dior Perfumes that you may enjoy, plus also consider my ultimate guide of the 12 best Dior perfumes of all time.
Also read: 3 Dior Addict Perfumes: Tried & Tested
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, designer handbags, luxury accessories and more.
