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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 luxury handbags and couture goods. While it's no easy task to narrow down the best Chanel perfumes, the classic No. 5 parfum is undoubtedly the brand's most legendary scent, and also its first. Developed with perfumer Ernest Beaux, the perfume is an olfactory heirloom across generations, setting the tone for some of the top fragrances from the house that were created after it.
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Each scent is unparalleled in its individuality and overall 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 some of the very best Chanel perfumes, each as iconic and timeless in scent complexity as they are versatile for day and night.
Related: The Best Perfumes of All Time
Pros
- Works for any season
Cons
- May be overpowering for those who prefer more subtle scents
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.
Released 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
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- May not be ideal for those prefer brighter, more floral scents
Sensual and bold, it's no surprise that Levy refers to this ambery fragrance as a popular signature scent. "This eau de parfum is sophisticated and has a loyalty that is well-deserved," she says. Some of its standout notes include bright orange, patchouli, and floral 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
- Unisex
Cons
- May not be ideal for those who don't care for woody or fresh scents
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 help power this scent's universal appeal.
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
Chanel Bleu de Chanel Parfum
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Not ideal for those who prefer more subtle scents
"This Parfum is very special because Olivier Polge (the perfumer behind it) was actually able to reinvent his father's iconic fragrance and build on its success," Levy explains. The full perfume version of Bleu de Chanel, this parfum is slightly more intense but uses 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 was a man's parfum. I don't care I am ordering it for me anyway." —vernb2
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette
Pros
- Great for everyday wear
Cons
With its grapefruit-quince, jasmine, and white musk notes, the brand's eau de toilette version of its coveted Chance Eau Tendre eau de toilette 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 overly floral
Cons
Arguably one of the sexiest fragrances of the bunch, Coco Noir is an seductive blend of bergamot, May rose, and geranium rose leaf. The deep floral trio is accented with sweet Venezuelan tonka bean and Indonesian patchouli that lends to its earthiness.
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
Chanel Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Works for any season
Cons
- Not ideal for woody fragrance lovers
Olivier Polge created this fragrance as an ode to Coco Chanel (which features her birth name) before she founded her namesake fashion house. The designer's special scent aims to embody her rebellious, passionate, and free spirit, which is personified with fresh 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
Chanel Coco Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Great for floral and gourmand scent lovers
Cons
Think of this perfume as the sensorial gift that keeps on giving: Its notes of Sicilian mandarin, jasmine absolute, and ylang-ylang in Coco eau de parfum's ambery scent are meant to gradually reveal themselves 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 its name might suggest, Chanel's Allure eau de parfum uses a signature blend that taps into the individuality of each person wearing it—almost like a skin scent. The combination of mandarin, May rose, and vanilla makes for a nicely balanced fruity floral scent with extra depth.
Customer review: "Allure has become my signature fragrance. It's nothing like any other Chanel fragrance. It's 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
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Great for fresh scent lovers
Cons
Consider Chanel's Eau Fraîche parfum among the most fresh and vibrant of the brand's Chance offerings. With notes of citron accord, the fragrance offers a zesty start upon first spritz, but later becomes more grounded with notes of jasmine heart and teakwood 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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