Chanel N°5 (for women)
Designer: Chanel Olfactive Group: Floral Aldehyde
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Famous Chanel N°5 is a symbol of good taste and is currently one of the best selling perfumes in the world. Coco Chanel asked the perfume designer Ernest Beaux to create a perfume ' which smells like a woman'. Chanel N°5 is a very complex fragrance which does not allow any of the fragrant components to be isolated out of the composition, what was exactly a request of the great Chanel – the perfume should not smell like a rose, or a lily of the valley, but as a composition.
The perfume became famous thanks to many celebrities who wore it, among which Marilyn Monroe. Chanel N°5 is often connected to her name because during an interview in 1954 she said that in bed she wore only ‘some drops of Chanel N°5'. That statement became a superb advertising slogan and a reason for millions of women around the world to choose this perfume. The current Chanel N°5 face is Nicole Kidman.
Ernest Beaux created two series of perfume samples numbered 1-5 and 20-24 and asked Coco Chanel to choose one of them. Madame Chanel chose the sample no. 5 and thus the perfume got its name. Superstitious, Chanel presented her new perfume on the fifth day of the fifth month of 1921.
Working on creation of this perfume, Ernest Beaux created and for the first time used the synthetic component – aldehydes. In his formula the aldehydes are accompanied by fragrances of rose and jasmine. The fragrance of aldehydes is pure and fresh, reminds of the odor of clean linen just brought in the house form the fresh frosty air. It is said that the famous creator drew his inspiration for creation of this fragrance from one of his visits to the Arctic Circle and the smell of water in midnight. The unique smell of frozen lakes and rivers fascinated him so much that he decided to replicate it in his creation.
Chanel N°5 is the first perfume in the floral-aldehyde group and the first by the quantity of aldehydes in its composition (another legend says that the Ernest Beaux's assistant overdosed the aldehydes in the composition by mistake). The top notes are composed of aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, neroli and ylang-ylang, the heart of jasmine, rose, lily of the valley and iris, while the base is created of vetiver, sandalwood, vanilla, amber and patchouli.
The first Chanel N°5 was captured in a simple rectangular bottle with the top which resembled Place Vendome in Paris. The first bottle was designed by Chanel herself and represents her classical principle – the less is more.
Chanel N°5 was launched in 1921.
Fragrance Notes
top notes
Fragrance Reviews:
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i have this 5 i very love this perfume fells like marilyn monroe
01/04/09 08:14:26
My mother has the EdP, EdT and a tiny bottle of pure parfum. It is the most incredible thing ever produced. It's a classic but not old or dated. When I wear it I feel like walking at the Champs Elysees in the roaring twenties. I'm in love. Truth is, you can be young to wear it and it's even possible in warm summerdays. But you will need to have a certain class. Else you just indeed might smell like "old lady".
12/25/08 00:09:36
I prefer the EDP over the EDT. The EDT is sharp to my nose where the edp is softer. No. 5 becomes a part of me and blends well with my chemistry. I don't wear it often, but when I do I feel ultra feminine. It reminds me of soft ivory skin with pink undertones.
Old Lady? Yes, and no. If you over spray and wear it with orange lipstick, blue eye shadow and a tacky fur coat, then yes, No.5 is very old lady.
No, if you are sexy, trendy and/or confident. Don't look for a fragrance to fix your character flaws because sister, it ain't gonna happen!
Old Lady? Yes, and no. If you over spray and wear it with orange lipstick, blue eye shadow and a tacky fur coat, then yes, No.5 is very old lady.
No, if you are sexy, trendy and/or confident. Don't look for a fragrance to fix your character flaws because sister, it ain't gonna happen!
12/18/08 14:57:33
this is the perfume that wins them all but its not for little girls ,its for more moture women
12/18/08 11:47:11
I use to hate this scent but today I fell in love.
12/09/08 05:17:06
Finally after 30 years of sniffing and samples; I have bought a bottle of Chanel #5 in the eau de perfume 100 ml size. I've always shyed away from it because of the aldehydes. Today, I was pleasantly surprised, it smells so much better and softer and more womanly than the testers. I do not understand it; I can only attribute this change of heart to my growing appreciation of scent; maybe my nose has matured. So Leesee go ahead and buy one, I don't think you will be dissappointed.
12/08/08 18:40:12
If you've never tried Chanel #5, you must! They often offer trial-sized bottles. It's expensive, but worth the cost. I've tried many others (that are less expensive), but ALWAYS return to Chanel #5 (for ALL occasions). I wear it for ALL occasions, because it just makes me feel wonderful....and we ALWAYS want to feel wonderful! Men just LOVE the smell, too!
12/04/08 10:40:57
I bought this perfume because it was the kind Marilyn Monroe use to wear, But i do not like this smell taht much. I will wear it hear and there, but i tend to stay away from it. Its a very classic perfume, and maybe a romantic night out.
12/01/08 00:39:19
This is the only perfume my husband likes, and he buys it for me for Christmas, but to me, it is an "old lady" scent. I tried to like it, but it smells rather bland on me.
11/30/08 01:58:59
Even (wo)men who don't know or don't care anythig about perfumes can drop this label when asked. It is a classic of all classics in the world of luxurious perfumes, yes, but I find it too difficult to relate to. Maybe I'm not the right generation or something; the famous "fivey" just isn't the one for me whatever the reason.
11/28/08 15:34:32
Legend has it that only the parfum version of Chanel No. 5 is the "real thing," having been approved by Madame Chanel herself all those decades ago, and that all other versions of the scent are deliberate reinterpretations of the original. I have never tested the edp, and could never afford anything but the edt, but I finally had a chance to sniff "the real thing" itself and was absolutely floored. Chanel No. 5 parfum is a gorgeous, marble-smooth wonder, a tactile reminder of an era when women were just beginning to emerge from their cocoons, both literally and figuratively, in all their feminine glory.
11/27/08 23:14:41
This is such a great abstract fragrance for women that I really like a lot. this is such a well sophisticated, feminine, classic scent that Ernest Beaux did a fantastic job coming up with.
I can remember 5 years ago when I was in my teens that I utterly hated this fragrance, but it turns now it is in my top 5 favorite womens fragrances. I really love this fragrance for women.
I would rather go with this over a lot of those fruity fragrance thier coming up with these days, not just but this fragrance a has a great history behind it.
After letting it dry on the card for the first 2 minutes i can really pick up on the grasse jasmin along with the aldehyde.
I can remember 5 years ago when I was in my teens that I utterly hated this fragrance, but it turns now it is in my top 5 favorite womens fragrances. I really love this fragrance for women.
I would rather go with this over a lot of those fruity fragrance thier coming up with these days, not just but this fragrance a has a great history behind it.
After letting it dry on the card for the first 2 minutes i can really pick up on the grasse jasmin along with the aldehyde.
11/27/08 22:32:08
Now I kinda like it on others, but in doubt that I will wear it myself. Too classic it is.
And there's a note I can't stand. It's sharp and annoyingly too fresh.
Anyway this fragrance is something very unique.
And there's a note I can't stand. It's sharp and annoyingly too fresh.
Anyway this fragrance is something very unique.
11/24/08 17:33:29
I completely love No. 5; I've only been able to afford the EDT, but I wear it constantly. The aldehyde blast at the beginning is brilliant; it smells so clean to me, and so completely unlike anything else. The drydown is amazing, too; it smells so warm and soft. It's a very subtle scent on me, definitely something that another person would have to get extremely close to smell, and that makes it absolutely perfect.
11/16/08 21:16:12
It's an absolute classic. Aldehyde+floral note goes excellent on me, a touch of #5 really changes the way of thinking, talking, moving.
Stays on me almost all day.
Stays on me almost all day.
11/16/08 00:26:57
I used to wear this years and years ago! Very strong, lasts all day so only a little needed. Smells like a billion flowers laying in the sun on a far away island. A bit powdery but nice, gives it great warmth.
11/12/08 19:36:01
A fragrance from the past that is highly overrated and which equates to an "old" smelling scent. It's not for me now or ever has been. I have always preferred Chanel's Cuir de Russie which I picked up in Paris years ago as Chanel's best of the yesteryear formulations followed by the au courant #19.
10/27/08 16:30:18
I got it as a present about 6-7 years ago, when I was fond of Angel, which was my only perfume during many years. I was not able to perceive any other perfume at that time. So, I didn't like Chanel No 5, I couldn't wear it. Recently I discovered its beauty and also huge difference of scents in different concentrations. One of perfumes, which is welcome to my "nostalgic" collection. I would prefer to have Chanel No 5 only in perfume extract.
P.S. I agree with Chaosnmotion: "A true lover of fragrance doesn't associate their like or dislike of the scent with their personal opinion of the person's name (face) who is on it..."
P.S. I agree with Chaosnmotion: "A true lover of fragrance doesn't associate their like or dislike of the scent with their personal opinion of the person's name (face) who is on it..."
10/24/08 21:04:10
I love this. When I wear this my friend val can never guess. we both love trying new romantic, light scents with vanila and try guesing what the other has on. i enjoy something diff everyday. Debi
10/24/08 13:00:00
i know that this perfume is a symbol of feminity..but i do not think that is for every woman out there..i find it very strong on my skin..it`s like choking me..i hope you all enjoy it
10/24/08 01:29:46
well,I do wear it sometimes,well,some friends of mine told me that I smell very good but personally I don't really like it ,it smells very superficial on me, a scent without depth,but I don't want to complain it that much if you don't like it you don't need to buy it and wear it but I think I will not buy it again but I think the body powder and lotion do smells great.Not the edp,it smells very weird on me I just don't hate it but not in love with it
10/21/08 09:35:20
it belongs to another century, and decade, couldn't use it, different upbringing, different personality. If I had to choose the scent for myself from the first half of the 20th century it would be Robert Piquet 'Fracas', which match me much better, but perhaps it mesmerizes me more than match, don't know.However I like complex composition of Chanel N5, especialy if I had to smell it and not to wear
10/20/08 23:36:54
It is a classic! But It is not for me. It is hard for me to believe that Marilyn Monroe, the most beautiful starlet in the world smelled like like this perfume. Maybe 50 years ago, but not now. The only thing I love about it is the name.
10/17/08 03:03:51
I smelled it... and I didn't like it at all!!! Neither of my girl-friends didn't.
Sorry... I really didn't like it
Sorry... I really didn't like it
10/16/08 00:08:31
This scent is sophisticated and warm. I find the staying power to be excellent. The top notes,I regret to say, are off-putting to me. But when the perfume settles onto the skin, it is so spicy and warm that it is intoxicating. Body chemistry is such an amazing thing because on my skin I don't get the powdery scent for which I am thankful as I do not particularly care for that. Maybe it is partly because of its acclaimed reputation, but I do think of this perfume as smelling "expensive".
10/14/08 16:51:26
I love how Chanel No. 5 changes on me throughout the day. I love it most after I have worn it for a few hours. I love its complexity...elegant, feminine and sexy.
10/14/08 14:21:15
Luscious and elegant, this scent embodies the comforting aura of my mother's presence. I smell it every time I borrow scarves and other clothes : really my own Proust's madeleine !
Faded away on the spot every time it touched my skin though, too bad !
Faded away on the spot every time it touched my skin though, too bad !
10/12/08 18:50:51
I was given the parfum of this for Christmas a couple of years ago, before I had really started to appreciate perfume. The aldehydes in the beginning put me off completely, too sharp and harsh. But I dabbed it on again today, determined to see if my 2 years of perfume education had changed my mind. the aldehydes still make me wrinkle my nose at first, but now I can smell past them, after 5 minutes I can smell the florals, not the individual rose or jasmine, but a nice general floral. But what I discovered is that I completely love the drydown. After an hour it becomes a dark mysterious, sweet amber, with a hint of floral and wood. I have been lusting after a warm amber, and considering splurging on Serge Lutens Amber Sultan, but now I think I will just wear more of Chanel No 5 this fall. It's more subtle and closer to the skin than Amber Sultan, and without the herbs and spices, but it's a beautiful alternative for now.
10/09/08 18:11:28
Since it's a classic, I'll be short: I dislike it, it goes sour in hot climates and it's probably not for the younger.
09/29/08 09:42:06
I don't understand why it is a symbol of good taste.....
09/24/08 14:35:03
It's my mum signature fragrance for Winter!
It's classy and powerful scent!
Unforgettable!
It's classy and powerful scent!
Unforgettable!
09/17/08 13:35:45
I appreciate it for being a classic, but Chanel no. 5 is definitely not for me. I like the jasmine in it (which is especially predominant in the pure parfum version), but mostly I get strong, warm baby powder from this, which makes me not a fan. Perhaps it is convenient that I don't care for this scent, because my boyfriend finds this to be the worst fragrance out there--which suprises me since so many people love this, including men. When it comes to Chanel fragrances, I'll stick to Coco Mademoiselle, which has more of a fun, sexy edge to it. Love Allure as well.
08/14/08 16:51:34
Tried wearing for a week and it was not me.I have nothing against "classic" which means old because I love Youth Dew.I have the EDP and no staying power, have to spritz lots but the good news is, it is not an offensive smell and most elderly women I take care of recognize the smell and commends me for my good taste ha..ha..ha...and I think that was good.
08/05/08 20:53:33
one of the most famous, treasured, classic and all time fragrance of the world!! Definitely chanel No.5 is feminity i love it pure elegance like only chanel house can bring it to us!
08/02/08 03:50:11
A scent I return to time and time again. I personally prefer to wear the EDP as I like its glamour and tenacity, and I agree that the EDT smells like a totally different perfume, albeit still *very* pretty. I feel chic and confidently feminine when I wear this, though an ex once told me that when I wore it I smelled like 'an old toilet'! The cheek! Still, I remain undiscouraged and have a particular reverence for this classic scent. Its staying power on the market must tell us something -- this is a very fine fragrance indeed. My only gripe is that Chanel recently chose Nicole Kidman to front this scent -- yuk! That's enough to put me off buying it!
08/01/08 12:24:19
I bought it because of it's huge fame. What a mistake! Perfume, itself, smells gorgeous, after my opinion, but the staying power is absolutely weak! Not like it, not buy it again!
07/12/08 15:43:28
beautiful, classic smell
my sister's signature scent and the ONLY person i think of when i smell it...therefore it smells like someone i love and cherish.
my sister's signature scent and the ONLY person i think of when i smell it...therefore it smells like someone i love and cherish.
07/09/08 02:50:19
I definetely agree that Cnanel No5 EDT version works many times better that the EDP. EDP is darker, richer, but EDT is more feminine, softer, milder with all beautiness of the EDP. When I wear Chanel 5 EDT I get many compliments on my beautiful nice smell, EDP has never made me or others feel or say the same.
06/22/08 15:52:55
I simply love it but must say that the eau de toilette works better for me than eau de parfum.
06/22/08 14:00:18
I agree, Marianne. I've always hated Chanel No. 5 because of how it became something nasty-smelling on my skin. But, when I gave my bottle away to someone, she tested it on herself, and it was like a different perfume. So, I chalk it up to skin chemistry. Chanel No. 5 doesn't like me, I don't like her, and we agree to stay out of each other's way.
06/14/08 00:49:15
Chanel No. 5 develops so differently on different people...on both my mother and my teacher it doesn't bother me but on myself and in the bottle, it's one of the worst fragrances ever, I would say. I mean, it does have different notes and it might be well-balanced, but this intense (aldehyde?) note is extremely dislikeable to me. And I'm afraid, I won't change my opinion this time ;-)
06/13/08 22:28:04
Chanel 5 is the best in the perfume extract, elixir is good too.
10/21/07 04:03:54
I left this in the trunk of a car I totaled, and I miss it. It's beautiful.
10/21/07 02:54:15
Very sensual and seductive, still clearly remember it like some La Perla perfumes... simply can't be forgotten.
09/23/07 21:54:05
The definition of classic. Unfortunately does not work well on my skin, it turns powdery. Great on my friend , though!
09/21/07 01:29:45
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