Perfume Review: Dior Addict

The rule of thumb in colombina-world is, the sweeter a Dior scent, the less likely I am to be able to tolerate it. The rule does not necessarily apply to all brands. Some of the sweetest Chanels, Coromandel, Coco and Coco Mademoiselle, are on my Top 25-30 list. I don't have a very sweet tooth in perfume (and in food, I don't have it at all), but I have been known to enjoy such sweet monsters as Flowerbomb (especially Extreme), Trouble and Angel Rose. But there is something about Dior's most sugared creations, Addict and Midnight Poison, that, whenever I attempt to wear them, makes me want to crawl out of my skin and run away shrieking in horror. Maybe it is the root-beer-like accord that the two seem to share (although in Midnight Poison it is much more pronounced), and I loathe root beer with passion.

At this point you can pretty much guess that this is not going to be a glowing review. Having said that, I don't think there is anything wrong with the scent as such. It is just like the copy promises, "Sensual. Soft. Feminine". It is sweet, but not teenybopper-sweet. In fact, with its pronounced floral accord and the rich base of sandalwood and tonka bean, Addict is fairly sophisticated. It is also fairly boring. The suggestive ad is as far removed from my vision of this unexciting fragrance as can be. Addict, to me, is not Liberty Ross with a nipple almost showing. It is Andy McDowell in a navy column dress. No disrespect to the beautiful Andy McDowell, but man does she bore me to tears. As do navy column dresses.

Dior Addict is available at Sephora, $65.00-$85.00.