Chanel N°22 (for women)

iMaverick

I own the EdT, before it was made part of the Exclusifs line.

No. 22 has notes reminiscent of No. 5, but No. 22 is more dry and definitely more woody and with incense notes.

A little goes a long way with this one. Too much gives you a sharp powdery rose with incense notes. Less gives you woody and airy incense notes that are very seductive.

This Chanel is not for everyone, but for someone with just as much character and independence as this perfume.

Kultakutri

I got hold of extrait - wonderful fresh floral with some aldehydes and EdC - totally different, weird at the beginning and very sweet later. Now, I wonder which of them is rotten or whether it's possible that the different concentrations may differ totally. I like both, though.

guest_hathor

bought a bottle of this at the chanel boutique in bond street, london, on a hot summer day. it made me think of winter, the opening notes make me think of sitting by an open fire. i cant find any white flowers. and can't understand it being made for a white clothes collection. for me it's a black smell. the warm orangey fire smell soon changes on me to something grey, heavy and almost depressing, the only thing i can describe it as is naples traffic fumes in rush hour. then it seems to turn to incense. my boyfriend says it's like a church that you want to run away from. i like the incense very much. i don't wear it that often. it suits a misty quiet grey day at the beginning of november. very halloween too. wish i really liked it, still trying!!

Mals86

I recently obtained a collection of four classic Chanel samples: No. 19, No. 22, Bois des Iles, and Cristalle. With my deep love for Big White Florals, I saved No. 22 for last in the belief that I'd love it most.

I don't. And I'm so sorry to say that, because 22 has her ardent admirers, and I thought I'd be one of them. Like many people, I find No. 5 both powdery and cold (although my mother wears it beautifully), and the white florals along with the incense in 22 should warm and freshen the composition, which is otherwise fairly similar to 5. And I always, always find Chanels to be purely elegant, due to the large amounts of lovely iris butter tincture in them.

I never mind aldehydes, and the part of the scent story where the top notes melt into those sweet white florals was wonderful... except that it kept getting sweeter, and sweeter, and sweeter, until I honestly wondered whether I'd poured honey on my wrists. Generally, I find the sweetness of jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom, muguet and ylang luxurious and heady, so I'm still surprised at how teeth-decaying No. 22 became on my skin. The drydown was truly gorgeous: iris, vanilla, and cool woody vetiver, laced with wisps of incense and white flowers, which finally (FINALLY!) lost their sweetness.

I was disappointed, but it may just be my particular skin chemistry causing this undue sugary reaction. It's Chanel; it's beautifully done and very elegant -- give it a try.

mirror

I think today there are ways to make more interesting, more sparkling fragrances...
Of course all the chanel N°'s are traditional, they have a story to it which makes them special and exquisite. Especially when it is discontinued like 22.
I remember someone writing it smells like that good smell you get from a well dessed, old lady walking past you in paris. I couldn't agree more with this statment!
If you try to ignore its history and all the hush around this fragrance it just smells like expensive white soap... and that's about all.
Again, I am sure for the time it was made something like this was no doubt a masterpiece, today I would have to consider it outdated.

Shikai

The best of all the Chanels. A superior fragrance on all levels of the pyramid. One must know how to apply with discretion; applying on the cleanest and moisturized skin. To appreciate this gem is to appreciate the finest art.

Leesee

An exquisite aldehydic floral with a delicious soapy-powdery drydown, and luxurious sillage. When I initially reviewed this scent a few months back I commented that it was gorgeous, but a bit shallow. I have since decided that No. 22 is gorgeous and anything but shallow -- as long as it is applied with a light touch.

DawnLady3

Absolutely beautiful - this really is class in a bottle. Expensive, but you only need a tiny amount (apply with restraint) and it lasts and lasts. It surrounds you with a soft, refined, feminine aura that is always present, yet never overwhelming. It makes you feel elegant and special. Sheer luxury.

tessture

Goes on very French; a lovely soapy, tarry floral muddied with aldehydes in such a nice old-fashioned way. Smells like expensive French soap in the same way vintage Arpege does.The Edp lasts forever. I can see the 'similarity' to Chanel #5 in that the onset blast of aldehydes are similar, but they do not smell alike otherwise. Chanel #5 has powdery tendencies which this one lacks. Love this one.

guest_Belinda, Sydney, Australia

Wonderful. The tuberose lasts all day & night, I was quite surprised seeing it is a Toilette that I tested. It is very different to Chanel No.5, though you can see the inspiration.

hopflower

I do not find it like #5 at all. It is quite distinct to my nose and although I love it, I usually wear #5 which is sweeter to my nose. I love Chanel scents in general; but #5, Gardenia and #22 are my top three favourites. It is white flowers and softly dries down to woodsy and iris notes, with the orange blossom and neroli being the first to hit you when you apply it. Like Gardenia, it is hard to find and very expensive although very much worth it should you be able to get it. I am now wearing a sample I got at the Chanel counter some time ago and had refound just recently in my dresser drawer.

xnyorkr

I've only experienced the silliage, and it is amazing. Agree - like #5 but better.