Everyone Deserves at Least One Chanel Perfume—These Are the 5 Best
byKBN-
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Growing up, my mom had the most enchanting collection of beauty products that took residence in her bathroom. (My dad's electric shaver, bare bar soap, and a lone bottle of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner didn't stand a chance and were banished to a different bathroom downstairs.) Atop my mom's porcelain vanity sat her jars of creams and powders, and along the wall, deep drawers were lined with rows of sophisticated lipstick bullets. Atop gleaming glass shelves sat her collection of Chanel perfumes. Even at a super-young age (and knowing nothing of Chanel's iconic name), I understood with an inherent knowledge there was something supremely special about the gilded bottle stoppers and black lacquer detail. The name "Chanel" was effortlessly etched into my subconscious as the epitome of glamour and covetousness. Nearly 20 years later (and now me being a beauty director), that etching hasn't faded. Of course, Chanel makes loads of holy grail beauty products that anyone with an affinity for nail polish, lipstick, or glowing skin would want to hoard, but it's the brand's collection of iconic fragrances that will always represent the upper echelon of anything and everything pertaining to beauty. So because everyone should own at least one Chanel perfume in their life, we're paying homage to the brand by featuring its five best fragrances ever, followed by additional (similar) perfumes from other brands you definitely need on your shopping radar as well. Keep scrolling to see the five best-ever Chanel perfumes and their similar addicting counterparts.Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Peony accord, passion fruit, vanilla. Slightly warmer than your typical floral (thanks to the mellow additions of cozy vanilla and shimmery mandarin), this Chanel masterpiece was created by Jacques Polge in 1996. I'm partial to it since it's been my mom's signature for as long as I can remember. Customer Review: "I’ve been wearing Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum as my only cologne since it’s original debut in 1996. Both men and women have stopped me and asked what fragrance I’m wearing. I think that’s testament to what a great fragrance it is."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Pear, pink pepper, grapefruit, pineapple, rose, jasmine, vanilla, cedar. Customer Review: "Perfect scent for someone looking for a floral scent but doesn't want to smell to over powering! It mellows into a fresh smell without being to sweet! Love it and have received a lot of compliments."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Red apple, peony, suede. Customer Review: "This is my new signature scent, i’m obsessed!! I’ve gotten many compliments and people always ask what I’m wearing. A very lovely, not overpowering floral scent."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Frangipani, orange blossom, golden amber. Customer Review: "Lovely spring/summer fragrance! Fruity and floral, makes me feel like I’m at a cabana drinking a margarita! I normally only go for vanilla fragrances, but this is absolutely beautiful. Lasts on the skin, as well!"Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, Grasse tuberose, ylang-ylang. Consider Gabrielle (which, ahem, Margot Robbie is the face of) your classic floral fragrance with kind of a fairytale twist. Famed perfumer Olivier Polge crafted this scent to represent an imaginary flower. It's equal parts rich, green, and elegant. Customer Review: "This starts out as sexy flirty then dries down to a warm embrace. Mademoiselle has been by favorite for years but this is a close second! I'm not a huge fan of outrageous florals. No sharp edges or cloying sweetness. Gabrielle is a beautiful memory of a flower filled meadow with warm ocean breeze. I'm a woman of a certain age and would experience this everyday. Love it!"Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Lemon, mandarin, Jasminum sambac, neroli, musk, cotton candy. Customer Review: "This is hands down my favorite summer scent and I have a fairly large and ever growing collection of fragrances. This is citrus, floral, musky and sweet. It captures summer in a way that no other scent has for me. Cannot recommend enough especially since, for a citrus forward fragrance, this has great performance!"Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, amber wood. Customer Review: "This is definitely one of my absolute favorite scents in the Diptyque range. I love tuberose but it’s also much more interesting than other tuberose scents, and also a bit lighter so suited to all times of year in my opinion. It’s light and floral and fresh and very versatile."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Ylang jasmine, tropical tuberose, white lily. Customer Review: "This scent feels so layered, but the Jasmine is so noticeable which I really appreciate. In South Asian culture, Jasmine is a prized and elegant scent, especially Jasmine oil. This is such a modern take on such a classic Jasmine scent, and is perfect for the warmer weather."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Grapefruit, quince, rose accord, white musk. I may be biased, but Chanel's lush, fruity take on florals is my all-time favorite fragrance from the brand. Classic bouquet notes like rose and jasmine are modernized with fresh hints of quince and grapefruit while the warming comfort of musk keeps the finish smooth and enveloping. Customer Review: "I love this fragrance. I have worn Chanel most of my adult life and have never been disappointed. Chance is no exception. It's scent only gets more beautiful the longer it is on and it lasts all day."Fragrance Family: Floral . Key Notes: Pear accord, Lily of the Valley Accord, green black currant, musk. Customer Review: "I am in love with this sent! It's the perfect amount of floral without the overpowering chemical smell. It smells so fresh and clean and I have gotten tons of compliments. A little goes a long way which means it will last me a long time. Absolutely in love and its definitely my new signature scent!"Fragrance Family: Floral . Key Notes: Grasse rose absolute, Italian mandarin, bergamot, white musk accord. Customer Review: "Like holding a bouquet of roses in my arms! Beautiful natural rose scent, that does not overwhelm, but enhances the senses. With rose, mandarin, and bergamot as its main notes, this perfume feels wonderfully lush and velvety. The mix of florals and citrus is truly a perfect blend!"Fragrance Family: Floral . Key Notes: Grapefruit, violet rose, ambrette, iris, raspberry, heliotrope, white musk. Customer Review: "This awesome perfume is so feminine and unique. I absolutely love it. It smells like lipstick, make up, a touch of flower, and so unique. This is the second perfume of Frederic Malle that I will always buy."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Orange, patchouli, Turkish rose. If you're a fan of warm, earthy notes like patchouli but want something that still feels light and floral, then famed Chanel perfume Coco Mademoiselle will probably be your poison of choice. The mix of delicate rose and jasmine is brought to life with vibrant hits of orange and patchouli to create a robust and memorable scent. It's lively while still chic and sophisticated. Customer Review: "Mademoiselle is decadent! Def recommend.. it's a fresh floral delicate feminine scent. I find myself spraying it again in the evening at night just because I really enjoy the scent so much."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Violet leaf, neroli, freesia, jasminum sambac, vanilla, cocomusk, sandalwood. Customer review: "I absolutely Love, love, love this fragrance. Since purchasing, I wear it everyday. It just makes you feel warm, sultry & cozy all at the same time. Yet its not overpowering. It 'hugs' you."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Green tuberose, melon, orris butter, orange blossom, tuberose absolute, Jasminum sambac. Customer Review: "An interesting and unique green floral Durga is a very melon centered perfume. The perfume opens with notes of the prominent melon (that stays throughout the perfume stay) along with tuberose and chrysanthemum. The heart is mostly floral with ylang-ylang, orris and orange blossom. The perfume settles into a musky white floral base with more tuberose, jasmine sambac and musk. Unisex (feminine leaning) with moderate to strong sillage, projection and good longevity. Important not to overspray. A lovely modern floral dream. Enjoy!"Fragrance Family: Woody. Key Notes: Pepper Tree, pimento berries, cloves, Bulgarian rose, patchouli, praline, vanilla, benzoin, opoponax. Customer Review: "Just absolutely amazing! I have quite a bit of niche fragrances and this one just stands out! I highly recommend everyone to at least smell it. I’ve had it for a little less than a month, I have already had seven people I know buy it after they smelled it on me."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Aldehydes, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood. You knew this was coming. Chanel N°5 will always be perhaps one of the most iconic perfumes of all-time (and that extends beyond the scope of just Chanel, folks). Though this is a true, classic floral fragrance, it's powdery and full-bodied thanks to trademark notes of aldehydes, along with earthy anchors like neroli, bourbon vanilla, and sandalwood. Customer Review: "I love the bottle, love how Chanel No 5 smells, love how I feel when I wear it! It is the only perfume I ever wear. And ever will. The very best. Period."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Bergamot, fresh dew, floral, cassis, vanilla, amber. Customer Review: "I love this fragrance! It smells like lemon cake with a hint of like a blonde wood. It smells luxurious and definitely lingers throughout the day. I also love that the brand uses organic extracts instead of water."Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Orange blossom, vanilla, luscious marshmallow, honeysuckle, amber, neroli. Customer review: "I purchased this travel spray a few weeks ago to test it out as I had been looking for a nice gourmand scent. All I can say is this smells so yummy! The longevity lasted about eight hours on me. To my nose what I can pick up the most is the caramel, vanilla, and orange blossom! For me, this scent is light enough to wear during spring and summer, but warm enough to wear during the fall and winter! I'll definitely commit to a full size!"Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Aldehyde, geranium, musk, rose, violet. Customer Review: "Love roses? It's a must try for you then! Krigler's rose is green, fresh, washed by a spring rain. It is not sweet like Bulgarian rose. There's some powdery notes in the base, I guess due to violet notes. Truly, it is one of the most romantic and feminine scents ever!"
