Tendre Poison

Robin, Now Smell This

In May 2006, Robin describes an opening where galbanum bursts over very sweet floral and citrus notes; for a moment, one expects a heavy-handed tribute to Poison. Once settled, the fragrance strikes her as simply pretty, without its elder’s arrogance.

Lighter, greener, and fresher than Poison, it is nonetheless nothing ethereal or delicate and speaks plainly; she does not find it particularly youthful. Of the two, she prefers the first Poison.

Elena Vosnaki, Perfume Shrine

In December 2008, Elena Vosnaki dismisses the idea of a lighter Poison: for her, the comparison does not hold. She finds it well-behaved, pretty, and a little prim on the surface, but unsmiling and almost cruel up close.

Replying to a reader, she likens it to a very proper lady who plants a stiletto between the ribs while smiling, and sees in it an intriguing, somewhat screechy composition that begs to be unraveled.