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The 10 Best Chanel Perfumes, According to Experts
There's more to Chanel scents than just N°5. These are the iconic brand's fragrances worth adding to your collection.
Chanel's collection of fine fragrances is equally as beloved as its lineup of luxury handbags and clothing. The classic Chanel No. 5 parfum, developed in 1921 with perfumer Ernest Beaux, was the brand's first and undoubtedly most legendary fragrance. The perfume has not only crossed generations but has opened the door for some of the best Chanel perfumes created after it.
Shop the Best Chanel Perfumes
Each scent is uncompromised in its individuality and scent mastery. Chanel No. 5, for example, is timeless in every way and evokes Gabrielle Chanel’s initial request for a supremely feminine perfume. Whereas, the also popular Blue de Chanel embodies more grounded and earthy notes that increasingly hover in the genderless space.
With the help of Linda G. Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, we've assembled a list of the best Chanel perfumes, each as iconic as they are versatile.
Pros
- Timeless note composition
Cons
It wouldn't be right to dive into a list of the best-selling Chanel perfumes without paying homage to the one that started it all, Chanel No. 5 parfum.
Created in 1921, the next interpretation of the legendary scent wouldn't come to life until 1986 when Chanel perfumer Jacques Polge created a fuller rendition which would become the eau de parfum. Now, there are a total of five interpretations of this iconic perfume. The original gained icon status thanks to notes of aldehydes, jasmine, neroli, and sandalwood.
Customer review: "A forever young scent: sensual, aloof and allusive, dry, and mysterious, with haunting, clean, jasmine." — Kat
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Scent lingers for a long time.
Cons
Sensual and bold, it's no surprise that Levy refers to this ambery fragrance as a popular signature scent. She explains, "This eau de parfum is sophisticated and has a loyalty that is well deserved." Key notes include orange, patchouli, and Turkish rose.
Customer review: "Love this smell. Always get compliments when I wear it. Not sure about other people's bodies, but the scent definitely stays on me for hours!" —AABY1
Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Universally flattering and genderless.
Cons
Blue de Chanel's woody, aromatic scent isn't reserved just for men: "Since its launch, Bleu de Chanel eau de parfum has been a best-seller in the US, and I am actually aware that some women buy it for themselves," Levy adds. Notes of citrus accord, labdanum, and sandalwood cedar give this scent its universal draw.
Customer review: "This smells amazing. It opens with a very fresh, clean scent that smells like grapefruits but evolves into a warm, masculine, sensual scent. I can’t stop smelling this cologne on me, and it easily lasts all day." —sephorauserrrr
Chanel Bleu de Chanel Parfum
Pros
- One spritz goes a long way.
Cons
"This Parfum is very special because Olivier Polge (the perfumer) was actually able to reinvent his father's iconic fragrance and build on its success," Levy says of the full perfume version of Bleu de Chanel that boasts more intense but similar notes of citrus, aromatic, and sandalwood cedar.
Customer Review: "I got this as a sample and loved it...then I got on to see about ordering a full-sized and realized it's a MAN's Parfum. I don't care I am ordering it for me anyways." —vernb2
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette
Pros
- Notes are not overpowering.
Cons
With grapefruit-quince, jasmine, and white musk notes, the brand's eau de toilette version of its coveted Chance Eau Tendre is another hit scent among fragrance fans. "I love it as a light, spring scent perfect for daytime," says Levy. "I have fond memories of its iconic campaign for all of Chance."
Customer Review: "I love this fragrance, a clean scent without being overbearing. I have been wearing this fragrance for 7yrs and plan to continue. I have never been told how good I smell with any other. Thank you Chanel?" —Rose
Chanel Coco Noir Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Not too flowery.
Cons
The most seductive of the bunch, Coco Noir is an intense blend of bergamot, May rose, and geranium rose leaf. The deep floral trio is accented with sweet Venezuelan tonka bean and a more earthy Indonesian patchouli.
Customer review: "Coco Noir is sensual and deliciously ambery and is my favorite for every afternoon and night time." — Borba
Chanel Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Doesn't feel dated for a full floral perfume.
Cons
- Customers say scent fades quickly.
Olivier Polge created Gabrielle as an ode to Coco before she created the House of Chanel. Coco's birth namesake scent is meant to embody her rebellious, passionate, and free spirit which is brought to life through notes of jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, and Grasse tuberose.
Customer review: "My favorite scent for every day! Not too overbearing but everyone notices it!" — Sartin
Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Notes evolve as you wear it.
Cons
- Some say the formula has changed over the years.
Coco Eau de Parfum is intentionally mysterious. Notes of Sicilian mandarin, jasmine absolute, and ylang-ylang in this ambery scent are meant to reveal themselves gradually as it's worn.
Customer review: "The jasmine mellows the citrus top notes for a voluptuous beginning. And when the rose, orange blossom, vanilla, patchouli, and tonka of the middle and base notes reveal themselves, the overall combination creates a perfume that is smooth, rich, and deliciously wearable with a sultry sillage sure to turn heads." — Michael
Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Works year round
Cons
As the name suggests, Allure has an intense draw that taps into the individuality of each person wearing it — almost like a skin scent. Mandarin, May rose, and vanilla, make for a perfectly balanced fruity floral trifecta.
Customer review: "Allure has become my signature fragrance. Its nothing like any other Chanel fragrance. Its soft and warm, but somehow clean and fresh at the same time without being musky. I will wear nothing else from now on." — Hoffmann
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Well balanced on the floral notes.
Cons
- Customers say the packaging is inconsistent
Consider Eau Fraîche the most vibrant of the Chance offerings. With notes of citron accord, it's zesty at its start but becomes more grounded with the help of a jasmine heart and teak wood at its base.
Customer review: "I love this! It's like Coco Mad with a huge citrus note.. the lasting power is great." — Mary
Meet the Experts
- Linda G. Levy is the president of The Fragrance Foundation, and based in New York City.
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