New Perfume Review: Dita Von Teese Erotique + The Scent of Sex and Seduction Draw

Dita Von Teese Erotique header CaFleureBon

Perfumistas often show a certain disdain for celebrity scents, and, sometimes, rightly so. They seem to be churned out with nary a thought to the perfume itself, and lots of thought for marketing. Occasionally one will rise to the surface and shine, but it’s a rarity. One celebrity has broken that stereotype with a vengeance: Dita Von Teese. With her first eponymous scent that is a softly seductive perfume, then with Rouge, which is a lovely vintage-smelling fragrance, she has shown a willingness to step beyond fruity-floral freshness and into sexier territory (I have not experienced her third scent, Fleurteese, but hope to get my nose on what she does with spring flowers). Her latest perfume, Erotique, has gone into that sexy territory with a vengeance.

VON TEESE Dita 03-2006

Erotique opens with a big huff of peppery, spicy woods, with an aura of rose. The scent reminds me of some of the real hippie sandalwood oils I used to get long ago that are pretty much gone from the scent landscape. One thing I really love about Erotique is that it straddles that very fine line between sexy and sweaty; I get just enough sweat to make it really alluring, while the leather just makes it all smell like someone earthy and amazing wearing great perfume and a good leather jacket (or corset, as the case may be). As the fragrance dries down, it holds ever-closer to the skin in a beguiling way. I keep sniffing and sighing. The longevity is quite good, and it has sneaky, sweet sillage: just when you think it’s gone you find yourself in a bit of your own scent trail.

Erotique Dita Von Teese 2 CaFleureBon

I have worn this fragrance several times since receiving it, and have enjoyed it tremendously. I wore it during the day, in the evening, and for bedtime. For daytime wear, it is fantastic in cooler weather, and will be part of my regular rotation. For evening wear, a bit of heat is just the ticket. This is the perfume for the proverbial “third date”, when the night will culminate in intimate fun. Your partner will know where you are leading from the first whiff. At bedtime, it is a good aroma to bundle up under the blankets with even if you’re on your own.

Erotique Dita Von Teese 3 CaFleureBon

If someone blind-smelled this without knowing what it was, I doubt they would think it is a scent in the mass-market genre selling for reasonable prices. The same holds true for all of the Dita Von Teese scents that I have tried. It is apparent that she has considerable input into the conception and fruition of her line. My only annoyance is that it takes so long for her to launch in the US, and even then, it is not widely available. But of course, being a tease is her occupation.

Notes: rose, pepper, coriander, leather, musk, sandalwood, cedar and Gaiac wood.

I received my bottle of Erotique from the kind people at Ms. Von Teese’s licensing firm, Luxess, and am ever grateful.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor

Dita Von Teese Erotique 4 CaFleureBon

Because I am happy to share, I am offering a 5-ml decant to any reader in the US. Tell us your thoughts about Dita Von Teese, and if you have tried any of her perfumes. Remember to let us know you are in the US. Draw ends October 19, 2013

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

Note: Erotique was a hit at this year’s Elements showcase and received one of Managing Editor Mark Behnke’s Best of Show awards.

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60 comments

  • helical gnome says:

    Dita is so sexy. I wish I had her milky skin. mine is sallow to the point I look green sometimes. I have not sniffed any of her scents but you have made a point with this one. It sounds incredible. I’d love to try it as you suggest cozying up in bed, wrapped around in thick wool.
    Thanks. I am in the US

  • I haven’t tried any of the Von Teese fragrances but your review makes me want to! I like how she is unashamedly sexy and glamorous. Makes me want a corset. 🙂

    I am in the US..

  • I really want to smell this – thanks for the great review and the draw! And Dita is pretty hot, especially in that last photo. Eye candy. She does what she does so well….

  • I think Dita is so glamorous and feminine. I have not yet tried any of her perfumes but I’ve been looking forward to hearing about her latest one. Thanks for the review, and for the draw! I am in the US.

  • Farawayspices says:

    I like the fact that Dita has made her own distinctive look, it it refreshing and retro at the same time. I have not smelled any of her scents yet, but I do so want to after reading this review!

  • julesinrose says:

    This scent sounds fantastic to me. I want to try it!! Dita? She’s drop dead gorgeous and intriguing. I like that she’s sexy and smart and defies expectations.

  • wefadetogray says:

    I love Dita’s personality. I am shy. I wish I could wear the shoes she wear and walk as she does but I am shy and insecure. I have tried her lipsticks and eye shadows but not her perfume line. I would like to have a third date with my husband while smelling like Erotique!
    Thanks for this draw. I am in the US.

  • Judy Woodfill says:

    I have her original scent and just love it. I love rose perfumes so look forward to sniffing her new one.

  • Dita is so ridiculously sexy! Love these pics. I think she is singlehandedly bringing back a lot of glamour, and I adore her confidence and her panache in pulling it all off. I just wish I could have gotten to see her last week in Philly for her strip show! have full bottles of her original scent and Rouge, and only a sample of FleurTeese. Love them all! I would love to get a decant of Erotique. 🙂 I’m in the US.

  • I have heard only good things about her scents but haven’t tried them. Dita is so elegant and glamorous; I have genuine admiration for her commitment to her look and persona. And her skin…! Flawless. Thanks for your generosity, Tama. I’m in the US.

  • Oh my but yes! What a great review. I got to smell one of them last Saturday (can’t remember which you brought with you) and it was very sexy and sensuous. Later that night when I saw Dita on twitter I tweeted to her I had tried it and it got “5 Dropped Shoulder Straps” from me. Can’t wait to try them all.

  • Irene gorelik says:

    I own a bottle of Rouge and consider it one of my go to date night/feeling sexy perfumes. I think that wearing a DVT is the perfect way to “fake it til you make it” when it comes to oozing sex appeal. I’ll let the perfume do the work til I can take over. I’d love to try Erotique, as an avid fan. I’m in the u.s.

  • I think Dita’s pretty great, and I absolutely adore her Rouge perfume. Can’t wait to try this at some point–thanks as ever for the draw!

  • Sex-ay! I’ve heard good things about Erotique and would love to try it. Thanks for the draw!

  • I love Dita, and she is a lover of perfumes so I am not surprised she would put her name on a good one.

  • Perfumes sounds too hot! Dita Von Teese is so talented and I lover her retro style. I was just reading that her mother was a fan of the old Hollywood movies and influenced her daughter through these. I remember in our house have a large coffee table style book full of photos of 20’s, 30’s 40’s celebrities. I poured over it, the glamour of it! I have a US address.

  • I have heard many good things about her scents. Are they only sold on HSN? I like Dita and love her look. I live in the U.S. and would enjoy smelling this. Thank you.

  • I have tried the original Dita von Teese perfume and found that one pretty sexy, so I can’t imagine how amped up Erotique is! But I certainly want to try it. 🙂

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    she is def. beautiful even without makeup but i have yet to try a perfume from her, i am in the US

  • Wowee kazowee! What a gal! I’ve not smelled any of the Von Teese perfumes, but I’d be happy to try Erotique ( as I sit here in my socks, fuzzy slippers, mom-jeans, and fleece sweater). Dita Von Teese is everything I am not, but I love that she has reinvigorated burlesque. And, anybody even remotely connected to Marilyn Manson has to be interesting. I’m in the U.S. Thanks a for the draw.

  • have never tried any of her scents would love to! I’m in the US.for me she treads a fine line between intrigue and schtick but I’m always up for trying new fragrances! thank you.

  • susie frankel says:

    I wish I had something from her scent line…Dita is a 21st century Betty Page…a huge WOW. Her skin coloring lends itself to black and red, lace. Her personality lends itself to pure tease…Dita Von Tease.
    Thanks for the pics, draw…USA

  • Good gravy…she is stunning! I would love to be entered in the draw…I am in the U.S.

    Thank you.

  • I absolutely LOVE Dita Von Teese. She’s so elegant, sensual, sultry and erotic. Her work is so tasteful and just olain beautiful. I haven’t gotten the privilege to try any of her perfumes, but I’d love for erotique to be my first. Thanks for the draw, I’m in the U.S.

  • Been a fan of hers for a while; I can’t imagine anyone else who would know how to craft a fragrance like Dita. I went to her show last week in Philly and tried her signature scent, which is divine. I would love to be entered in the draw, and I do live in the US. Thanks!

  • Dita is *awesome*!!! She’s a self made woman who has done it *her* way- and oh, what a way it is. Very inspiring on so many levels. I have her signature fragrance, and adore it- as does my husband (it may be his favorite). I would simply love to get my hands on Erotique! I am in the U.S. and waiting rather impatiently for my chance…

  • Captain Bringdown says:

    Dita is my patron saint of fashion. I love how she straddles the line of lady-like glamour and sex, as well as the fact that her image is all her (not the product of stylists

    I hunted down her three previous scents, and “Dita Von Teese” is my favorite of the lot. While her scents are all completely different, they all carry the same theme: incredibly womanly with a hint of something mysterious.

    Thanks for running this contest! I am in the USA, and i agree with your statement about it being a hassle to get her scents here.

  • Everything Dita does is authentic. She puts out perfume that is top notch quality and truly art in a bottle. I own all three of her fragrances, but her namesake scent is my favorite. It is the perfect blend of Parissane sophisticate mixed with modern seductress. I cannot wait to see her promo shoot and smell this third fragrance, which is guaranteed to be extra Erotique! Also, I recently went to her Strip Strip Hooray show and Ms. Von Teese is perfection on stage. It amazes me that she single handedly created and designed every aspect of her shows. The woman is a genius and a treasure of our time.

  • I have tried Dita’s original perfume and liked it very much, have considered buying a bottle of it. I think she herself is quite fabulous as well! I”m in the US and thank you for the draw.

  • Sorry, I forgot to say that I am in the US.

    Everything Dita does is authentic. She puts out perfume that is top notch quality and truly art in a bottle. I own all three of her fragrances, but her namesake scent is my favorite. It is the perfect blend of Parissane sophisticate mixed with modern seductress. I cannot wait to see her promo shoot and smell this third fragrance, which is guaranteed to be extra Erotique! Also, I recently went to her Strip Strip Hooray show and Ms. Von Teese is perfection on stage. It amazes me that she single handedly created and designed every aspect of her shows. The woman is a genius and a treasure of our time.

  • I’d love an introduction to her scents! If they are half as good as she looks and capture the vintage spirit she radiates, I’m sure they are divine! I’m in the US.

  • Ooooh, I would love love love to win this perfume in the draw! I am in the US and I’ve been eagerly awaiting her new scent. I cannot go a day without my Dita perfume- I have collected them all but the original is still my favorite. It is hard to find her product line in the US, my last bottle was bought AT her show in SF a few months back. It’s starting to run low because several of my friends use it every time they come to my house! This new one sounds fantastic 🙂

  • Oh I want to try this sooo badly! I think Dita is an amazing combination of old- Hollywood glamour and pure sex. If she can bottle that then I’m in!!

  • One thing that always comes to mind whenever i see Dita is the word driven. For someone who stays in the business for 20 years, dedicating herself to a particular art form even living it. Eventhough she always looks sweet and coy, she has to be shrewd also in the inside. She’s a good example of a succesful business woman
    I could afford her line through Hsn. I like it. It has an adelhydic quality to it. And yes, i’m in the US. Thank you

  • MalteseBrunette says:

    I`m a Dita fan love the way she talks she`s very intelligent and with good manners,love the way she dress and her burlesque shows, What i don`t like is when she pose in a fetish way but that`s just me.I have her first fragrance and i really like the smell and the bottle now i need Rouge and Erotique for Christmas from my husband 🙂

  • I have admired Dita as the epitome of elegance, glamour and sexiness for years. My wife and I picked up her first perfume when we were over in London. I bought her second perfume online last year. Both are wonderful scents that we enjoy. We have yet to try her third. And yes, we are in the US.

  • I have read very good reviews of Dita’s fragrances but have never tried any. Would like the opportunity to try this. I am in the US.

  • Sarah Lathrop says:

    I have really been wanting to try this one! I live in the U.S. and I think Dita is relatively classy for someone who has built a career on her own sex appeal. The burlesque revival is kind of fun and I like that she favors vintage dresses, hats and accessories (when she is wearing clothing!). I am a big classic film buff, so I like the old Hollywood glamour.
    Thank you for offering a chance to win this decant!

  • I’ve been a fan of Dita’s since long before I became a burlesque student. This summer I got to achieve a dream and see her perform for my birthday! Her story is inspiring and I pray to own her lingerie and makeup soon. I live in the US and recently returned to graduate school. Winning her perfume would be a welcome injection of glamor into my student life.

  • My thoughts about Dita ? That girl sure knows how to take a snapshot. Have not tried her fragrances. USA.

  • Ms. Von Teese is a model of sexuality for us all to aspire to. I’ve not been lucky enough to smell ANY of her fragrances (although I’ve very much wanted to), but the latest sounds like one for the history books. I’d love to try it! I live in the U.S.

  • What a sexy, independent and clever woman Dita is. I really admire her. And oh – that perfect porcelain skin! I’ve been so curious about her fragrances. I tried Rouge at a friend’s, but have been wanting to explore it and the original more. And now – Erotique. Thanks for the chance, Tama! I live in the US.

  • US
    I’ve never tried any of her scents, though I remember reading about them here! She’s so beautiful. I remember seeing a picture of her with Marilyn Manson and just going whoa, her skin, her eyes, wow! It was like she was someone’s idea of the perfect starlet, made real. Her enduring commitment to her aesthetic is amazing.
    Thanks for the review and draw!

  • I think she is an extremely beautiful woman and I love everything she is about. Wish I had the guts to be as she is. I’d love to try this fragrance…I have not tried any of her others. I live in the USA.

  • Dita Von Teese is like my best friend who I never met. I used to be a chubby and nerdy high school girl who got picked on. I remember going into Macy’s and seeing a giant display of the MAC AIDS foundation which featured Dita in her martini glass. She took my breath away. I thought she was the prettiest person I had ever seen. I went up to the counter and took a little 5×7 flyer which had the same picture. I looked her up that night and read all about her and watched some videos of her performing on YouTube. Being a huge Hollywood glamour fan I couldn’t believe she really existed. I put the picture of her in my binder at school and would look at it all the time. She was my inspiration. Over time I lost weight, ate better and worked out. I bought my first red lipstick (Russian red just like her!), corsets, thigh high stockings with back seams, I have bought all of her books and a few posters. She helped me become a better me, I am confident and I feel pretty. My motto is “WWDD” What would Dita do. I still have that 5×7–almost ten years later–and I look at it from time to time and smile and feel very thankful she entered my life. From all my fandom the only sorrow I find is that I live in Florida and I don’t think she has ever performed here. Also, I have tried finding her perfume and can’t. I was excited to hear of her lingerie line through target but then realized it is only in Australia! Alas, I can love her without those things but it would be nice to do/have at least a couple. I haven’t been able to try her perfumes, I can only imagine what they smell like and I am sure it is beautiful! Dita’s scent in a bottle sounds like a magic spell!

  • I live in the US and this perfume sounds right up my alley. I saw Dita von teese once in Paris and she is just as beautiful and alluring as in her photographs.

  • Lost_Girl75 says:

    She sells her Fragrance on HSN.Com, smells fab, also yes she has preformed in Florida, in Miami actually.

  • I have tried one sent by a friend. I don’t recall the name 🙁
    The one in this review sounds like I’d really enjoy it. I think what Dita does she does very one. Once in a generation type. 🙂
    U.S.A.

  • Dita Von Teese is lovely. My husband’s pretty girl radar went off from the other room when I started reading this review and he was thrilled to find that she has perfumes and insists that I try them all. Men are funny. He honestly shouted “is that Dita Von Teese? She has perfumes? Can you buy them?” I do wish I had half her courage and personality, also her closet. I would love to try this one and live in the U.S.

  • Dita Von Teese is my fashion idol! Especially since she does almost everything by herself! Sadly, I haven’t tried any of her perfumes yet, but that time will come soon.

  • Dita means a great deal to me! I discovered her about a year ago. I am in love with what she represents. I somehow was able to get back in touch with my femininity watching her perform, watching her interviews and soaking in all her experTEESE.

    XO from chilly Colorado U.S

  • I have tried both her first scent and actually own Rouge, which I love. It is such a powdery and elegant tea-sandalwood scent. I think Dita does break the mold of typical celebrity scents but then again she is not a typical celebrity!