Chanel N°5 isn’t a perfume, it is an institution.
It is probably not an institution waiting for little old me to amble along and review it.
Try to stop me!
I first wore the Eau de Parfum version of N°5 in my early twenties. It was an unabashed attempt to emulate an image of sophistication, that I, woefully lacking, sought from a bottle.
The Eau de Parfum I selected just because I liked the bottle more that the one the Eau de Toilette came in, and I couldn’t see why I should pay even more for a tiny mini-sized flacon labelled Parfum.This gem of shopping savvy was heartily encouraged by the sales assistant, as I clearly remember.
Ah, such were the days…
I wore it. I hated it.
For a long time I did not like its smell at all. If that was the price of sophistication, clearly that was not the way for me to go. I’ll try a Hermes scarf…
Now, years later, sophistication having come with age (Hey, I can hear the laughter from here!), and a lot wiser on the perfume front, I started to circle the Grande Dame again. This time I was not going to fool around. This time I went straight for the Extrait de Parfum. Because I am in the know, you see?
I wore it. I loved it.
For a long time I was unable to separate my nose from my wrist. So different to my memory, so much smoother than the Eau de Parfum, so rich, dense, layered and unapologetically super-flowery, so powdery-soft in the drydown.
Ah, these are the days…
Today I am wearing it proudly. Countless women having blazed a trail to sophistication for me, that I can follow, smelling divine.
Finally, I am in on the secret.
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LOL, your snappy attitude made me giggle 🙂
I’m a total heathen, and prefer the EDT!
OMG! The EdT!!!! Get out of here, Unworthy! 😉
Hahahah 😉 To me, it has a horsey-smell, and I love horses!
A Horsey smell?
…and I prefer Eau Premiere *ashamed*
That’s quite allright, Marina 😉
Ah, Eau Premiere is a lady unto herself—I love her too!
I had an almost identical experience with No5! I first tried the EDT, which back then struck me as so aldehydic, so sharp that I have not been able to even wear it properly. When I tried the parfum, I suddenly had an epiphany. Now, I enjoy the EDT as well (and I have learned to love aldehydes too.) Have you tried Lanvin Arpege? It is another fantastic take on this idea–floral aldehydic.
I haven’t tried Arpege yet, there is much talk of it being a shadow of its former self through reformulation, if I remember rightly. Is the current version one I should try, or should I go for a vintage formula?
About the Chanel – one more sign that great minds think alike 😉
When my daughter walks into the room wearing extrait it is so very beautiful. I was biased against No 5 for years as the World and his wife wore it. Then Holly fell in love with it and so did I . I prefer No 22 and made the mistake of ordering the E.D.T from the Les Exclusifs range , next time I will ordrer the extrait .
I like Nr 22 very much too! How old is Holly?
Holly was 21 on the 3rd December , at this moment she is knitting .She loves crafts , vintage clothes and trying to squeeze time from studying to do altered art.
It must be lovely to have such a close Mother-Daughter relationship, and to be able to share your hobbies. Have a wonderful Sunday, Angie! 🙂
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I don’t get No 5 and the why it has fascinated women for nearly a century since it was introduced in 1921. To me I get strong aldehydes and it just doesnt smell pleasant at all. Could it be the concentration I’m trying? i don’t know. To be honest, I can’t even recall which one I tried at the store. I am assuming it was the edt but it could have easily been the edp. i hear the pure parfum is less aldehydic and more of a skin scent. Hopefully, I will get to try it soon via the Chanel counter or perfumedcourt/ surrender to chance.
It is not a smell and fall in love perfume for most, it takes time. But it is worth it!
My fave is the extrait.
i will have to put the extrait on my list to try as well. Have you tried the grand extrait parfum? it must be pretty special, because I saw it on sale on Chanel.com for $2100. i think it was 100ml. thats a lot of money for perfume
opps I have to correct myself, it was 222 ml, not 100 ml of the parfum grand extrait of Chanel No. 5 on sale for $2100 USD.
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Is the extrait de parfum the same as the pure parfum?
Yes, that is the same.
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Well I adore Chanel needless to say 🙂 ..but can you tell me if you see this comment, because i cannot see my replies and wonder why..:(
I had to moderate your first comment, from now on they go through right away, like this one did. 🙂
Oh. I see it now. Pardon! it just took some time. I will check in often. I am very glad I have found many wonderful fragrance lovers.