Chanel N°19 by Chanel

Kterhark

(vintage 70s Review)
I recently sniffed the modern version of this at the mall and was not impressed.

Now that I've worn the vintage version I can say 'Chanel, you out to be ashamed of yourselves!'

This vintage classic is still biting on the opening, but develops into an interesting, crisp fresh floral after the 30 min mark. I really loved the woody/greenish turn this scent takes. By the end of the evening I was surrounded in a halo of hte most subtle, refreshing aroma. Very pleasurable!

That said, my favorite green chypre is still Ma Griff (n PdT strength). Also, as a green rose it doesn't threaten Chamade IMO. But up there for sure, so how unfortunate that it has been reformulated.

7Hills

This is my choice for "if you could only have one fragrance- what would it be?" category. My friend in high school accidently spilled a sample vial on me in the 1970s. Ive been in love with it since! Its sophisticated, urbane, crisp and light. It reminds me of a walk in the forest with Catherine Deneuve. The main problem is that it doesnt last very long on me. I spray it on my clothes and Im in heaven for hours! No one has ever objected to it at work ( like so many other cloying oriental or heavy florals I've worn). My first spray bottle of #19 was a gift from my dad. I felt so "classy" and I think thats the memory I keep to this day.

Cyndyava

OMG! I just love this one...But ONLY the vintage juice. I know they reformulated it, and it is just not the same, never will be. How can I ever forget reaching for that solid, heavy, cool metal bottle on my best-friend's night stand. To me, it symbolized sexuality, elegance, and maturity. I would still love a bottle of the older stuff. I long for those "coming of age" memories and the scent that goes along with them.

lisaanz

Almost bitey at first, sharp fresh and so greeeeeeen smelling, but give her a few minutes and she becomes lovely and powdery, so classic and she lingers on me and my clothes.
I really love that old world kind of thing Chanel has going on- so different and delicious after the seemingly endless parade of fruity floral/sweetie gourmand/celeb scent you find these days.

Lady Venomtongue

Realistic , not really aggresive, rounded but edgy , down to earth , Green , soft , elegant & feminine scent. for green floral lovers , the most delicate moss-vetiver & leather summer scent i have smelled .
Certainly one of my favourites with unbeatable earthy floral Chanel-y powdery drydown ,,, No19 is a Cold green summer Luxury.

HOPE007

I do not at all like this fragrance, was given as a gift. My favorite is really no. 22... beautiful. No.19 smells very very woody and earthy. Too green in my opinion. Almost more manly IMO. Even my husband could not stand this. Sadly I wanted to like it, everyone writes such raving reviews and I am pretty openminded (with the exception of Taboo, and Angel - ugh)but this is just no

kastehelmi

Green, sharp, synthetic. I deplore overly synthetic smells-
I would say I'm surprised this is a Chanel, since it doesn't smell expensive to me, but most Chanel scents I've tried have not suited me at all-Of course it's part preference, and probably not chemistry. I'm not saying this smells cheap, but it's definitely aggressive.

jellybeantree

Oh no, this is the chanel frgrance I like the least, its very green and strong in the beginning then it tames itself and it smells dated on my skin. I prefer cristalle and every other chanel fragrance , even though I can't wear chance I still appreciate it. This is just too green and powdery on me. I will pass.

l'essence

beautiful. The other reviewers have described no 19 so well - green, dewy, classy, elegant and yet with many different dimensions, but this is the antithesis of cheap smelling to me - crisp sometimes but never sharp or sickly. During the day and it makes me feel fresh but interesting. I keep coming back to it, although I don't think the parfum lasts as well as it used to.

allegro_barbaro

It has taken me a long time to write a review for No.19 even though I have been wearing it for years. To me, it has been a vary hard perfume to pin down. Just when I think I know it, another facet reveals itself. It seems to change depending on the weather, time of day, my own skin etc. This changeability is something that seems to be lost in modern perfumery, as linear formulae give it all to you straight up for fear that you would buy something else (metaphorical or what!). Well a little complexity and reticence suits both perfume and women and No.19 suits me.

guest_luce115

I just love no19. Every time I wear people say it smells great and ask what perfume it is. My only disappointment is I am unable to get the deoderant spray which I used as a body spray .I hope this is not the beginning of the range being recduced or even discontinued.

Halvah

Generally I don't really love Chanel fragrances, No5 is an exception, but No19 is a love or hate for me. I think it's one of the most unique and classiest fragrances, but wearing it is a different story for me..... It's green all right, but the leathery notes make it very dry and way too far from a "natural" scent on my skin. Unfortunatelly it never smallows on my skin it just stands out even at the end of the day, I'm aware all the tme what I'm wearing and I mean this in a bad way. I would say it's for dominant, self-consious, but very feminine and elegant women.

JB78

Chanel 19 edt is a very classy fragrance. When first applied, I get sweet herbs and flowers, with a slight woody note. As it wears down, I perceive the leather note with the green florals still in the background. It is like walking in the woods on a cool, crisp evening right before sunset. 19 was launched in 1971, and will forever remain a classic.

milena

I have the edt and it simply smells fresh, green,clean, and believe it or not, quite sexy and elegant.Another classic.

zvoncica

Although I love most of Chanel fragrances, this one is not among them.

It is roughly green, has heavy impact, rather loud and easily noticeable. Above that the leather sensation bothers me the most. I`m not a leather fan.

Old-fashioned is the word that describes it the best.
I think that men can easily wear this one.

amelie

Green, soft and sharp at the same time, fragrance that is truly worthy of respect. So harmonious, No.19 - long awaited, although never high on my wish list, such a distinct fragrance that is impossible not to recognize. EdT is far easier to wear than demanding EdP, wonderful, yet so calming perfume.
But I must admit when it comes to green-Cristalle is my favorite.

Lyndy Hop

This Chanel classic is one of my all-time favorites and if I could choose only one perfume, this would be it. It doesn’t last long on my skin, but lives a life well over a couple of days on my clothing and hair. One does have to be a fan of bright floral greens to fully appreciate its beauty. It has an intensely sharp, fresh, crisp beginning, but after several minutes it develops into a rich, elegant blend of the softest mosses and flowers and, on me, just the slightest hint of leather. But, what I find most comforting about Chanel No. 19 is the subtle, yet exquisitely floral, soapy, powdery dry-down that lingers for days (again, mostly on my clothing).

A word of warning: No. 19 is the complete antithesis of sweet, fruity, or gourmand scents, so beware, faithful fans of the latter; you may recoil from this one! I have (and love) the EDT version, but have heard that the EDP and Parfum versions are nowhere near as sharp. Evidently, the EDP and Parfum are either unavailable in the U.S. or just ridiculously hard to find, as I have yet to sample either.

falovalo

Way green and way sharp. This smells cheap and strong, what I'd imagine a lady of easy virtue to smell like. I know Chanel is THE house of choice for many, but I just can't see (smell) anything in this that I like or enjoy.

EvilWhiteSnake

beautiful, refined, delicate, strong, expensive.

azuriiita

"it is one of the most delicate interpretations of leather you'll encounter"... Im agree with you debbborra; the leather note inside this fragrance its pretty delicate... and beautiful. Leather unmistakably for delicate and confident women

woodlandwalk

Haha, the you tube ad above is rather cringeing. I like no 19. I used to wear it, weirdly, in my student days - deep down yearning for stability perhaps, because I think this has an old fashioned lady edge to it.

I particularly like oak moss and iris. It must be all the outdoor adventures I've had which I associate with happy times. For me, flower perfumes never truly smell of flowers. If they did I'd wear them.

If you look into perfumery more closely you discover that they actually can't get a true match for flowers - a distillation obviously changes the original quality, so what they do is take a chemical 'photo' of the fragrance and reproduce that - sometimes to clever effect, as in Prada's Infusion d'iris.

I see this as a comfort scent because it's calming and green. It isn't harsh to my nose but it does have a dry down that's very lady-like - a little too lady-like for me -in terms of classic handbags and smartness.

Can anyone recommend me a perfume that's green, mossy and woodsy, yet soft, contemporary, feminine and not sharp? Maybe a tiny touch of vanilla and rose?

MoietToi

I like this one alot. It smells like a field filled of loads of green grass and flowers blooming in spring. While it is a sweet fragrance it does not turn out overly sweet on me. Which is what I truly like about this scent.

The_Entity

hhmm not a fan of Chanel perfumes...expensive, and doesnt last 5 secs on my skin.

I loved the green scent in this perfume...I think Estee Lauders Private Collection has simalarities, and is stronger than this one

missk

I've never had any luck with Chanel fragrances and I definitely didn't fall in love with Chanel No.19 when I tested it today in the fragrance department.

Green is an excellent word to describe this scent. It's a mixture of wet sand, freshly cut grass and alfalfa sprouts to my nose. Something that I adore in nature but not on my skin.

This fragrance is fresh yet sharp and quite soapy. Although the floral notes are present in this fragrance, they aren't soft and feminine like other Chanel perfumes, instead they are sour and overpowering.

In the drydown I sensed the familiar soapy/powdery notes that are present in every single Chanel fragrance I've tried. I could easily pick a Chanel fragrance out of 100 other scents with my eyes closed.

I don't entirely dislike this scent; I do admire its individuality and freshness, however I'm more attracted to florals and sweeter scents. The lasting power is excellent, but that is to be expected from Chanel. On the right person this scent could be very distinctive, sophisticated and unique.

debbborra

The bottle sat on a shelf for 12 years. Before I even mention the juice I want to say that the silver packaging is smart.

Everyone knows that it is classic and green. I'm not sure that everyone knows it gets better on your skin. Or that it is one of the most delicate interpretations of leather you'll encounter.

The top notes are not quite startling, but they verge on it. You get a big whiff of flowers right out of the gate. then it settles in to something that is just blended elegance.

There is a reason this is a classic. Unlike many of the classics however, this is easy to wear. It blends the best of classic perfumery with the clean lines of modernity.

Spring25

I love this fresh green woody fragrance! I agree there is a coolness about it, but it's not a closed-off indoor scent. To me it is more like enjoying a walk outside on a crisp early Spring morning. My husband is quite an outdoorsman and enjoys it too. There's nothing cheap about it. It's mature, classy and refined - definitely one of my favorites.

Mals86

I adore 19! I like the sharpness of the green opening; I really like the rose-jasmine-muguet of the heart; I love the leather-wood-vetiver* of the base, which lingers on me for hours. Like all Chanels, this is elegance in a bottle (that iris!), but this is one of the few Chanels that I really enjoy wearing. It feels very professional and empowering, and although I am usually a floral devotee, No. 19 feels like "me."

*Note: I prefer the older formulation. The new stuff (the new EDT is bright green) lacks the leather hint.

Wildeparker

Tessture said something interesting - that people who can't wear any other Chanel perfume like No19. This comment struck a chord with me. I can't stand No5 or Coco - but I love No19. Quite simply, it smells like a vibrant, green forest.
I preferred the very lightest version of the scent. Even the EDT was too strong for me so I bought the deodorant spray which was perfect. To be fair I was 17 at the time so maybe an older person would prefer a heavier version. I found the spray very convenient to keep in my bag while traveling.

nikornplay

very effective in cold air.
It give a sense of green fresh floral with gentle spice oil. wearing this no.19 I feel really good and confidence.

guiwings

I tried this one yesterday and it was so disapointing :(

It´s to green, almost acid to my nose. Yes it's true that after some time this perfume starts to smell lighter, but it's not what I had in mind at all.

nikornplay

yes I am a man who fall in love with this bottle.
I had test it last year.in my memory "nice clear clean PAPER" that what I love .so so clean

Now I win one of this no19 from e bay.

tessture

Aldehydic greens fade to pure, unadulterated bugspray on me. This one does not work at all with my chemistry, but if you cannot wear any other Chanel, I'm betting this is your baby.

SedNonSatiata

Mitsouko's question has me thinking about perfume, men, and Chanel No. 19.

The men I dated never wore cologne, and never went crazy for perfume, and my now-husband is no exception. We have similar tastes in fragrance (neither of us likes overly floral, fruity, or sweet scents, we both like chypres and orientals), but he is not the perfume maniac I am. So when my husband actually loves a scent it is a big day....and he LOVES Chanel No. 19.

What I like about it is the iris root, which dominates from the very first spray and never backs off. At the same time, there are layers and layers of notes shimmering over the iris, making the fragrance very active, never flat.
There is nothing subtle about Chanel No. 19 except after a few hours when it softens. I actually prefer the gentler l'Heure Exquise by Goutal when I'm in the mood for iris. However, while my husband thinks L'Heure Exquise is nice, he says Chanel No. 19 is sexy, and an instant aphrodisiac. I won't argue with that!

I think of Chanel No. 19 as a mature, classic, and elegant scent: I wouldn't have liked it in my 20's. Like soirdelune, I thought of it as a cool, professional scent. I tended to wear it in the daytime. But now I'm not so sure! If you have a sample, try it out in the evening and see what happens!

Taliera

This is the only Chanel scent that I like. And it is the only green scent I would buy. Why? Because it is so beautiful, and the most complex green fragrance I have ever found. It is also cool and refined - for someone mature - whether that be in age or demeanor.

Misirlou

Gorgeous, sophisticated, fresh. I've been wearing this on and off since I was about 17 - now the EDP although I'm thinking of going back to the EDT as it suits me better. The body lotion is lovely too for a lighter effect!

azuriiita

green, clear, diaphanous... delicacy and forceful at same time... nice for fresh days and to stay in a sensation of calm and certain way. It's a particular fragrance to peaceful and nice woman :D (i guess) ...

Nuppu

I find it harsh, sharp and annoying, like something rotting plants in a autumn forest. After couple of hours of tooth grinding I did have to srcub it off. But this was EDT, so EDP might be something else.

soirdelune

One of my all-time favourites; a really beautiful perfume for those who like green scents. I note that the text above speaks of an 'aggressive' green note: I would say that this applies more to the EDT than the EDP. For me, the EDP cannot be beat: fresh but powdery, settling into layer after layer of flower, leaf and wood. A good everyday perfume for a cool and independent professional woman.

Mitsouko

Timelles and exeptional. Seemingly Chanel 19 is cool, keeps oneself at a distance...but why, in that case, this perfum so very please men? All!

jeca

Green and sharp, but not so sharp as Crystal.