Chanel N°5 Chanel for women

Just about every 5 years over the past 40, I've tried wearing this legendary fragrance. It's never been a good match. My mother enjoyed quite a few bottles from my failed attempts.

Extremely elegant, classy and feminine. A timeless perfume.

Beautiful, stunning, delicious, sophisticated and thoroughly divine Chanel No5.
How I love you Chanel, I was far too young to apreciate you when I was young, but now, oh you are the most wonderful and timeless of ladies and I simply adore you.
The first spray is strong and powerful but slowly softenes into a sweetness which is lovely but never cloying. The drydown is soft, patchouli and woody, mmmm... how delicious is this?
Rate:5/5
Longevity: lasts all day, one spray is all that is needed.
Sillage: just enough to make a statement without offending.
Wonderfulness: The first snowdrop on a crisp,sunny midwinters day.

I have to admit, I didn't appreciate this very much the first time I tried it. When I was young I simply assumed that the classic Chanel No 5 would be my fragrance and when I tried it and wasn't enthralled I was deeply disappointed. Now that my nose it better trained, I can really understand and appreciate this fragrance, and I realised that aldehydes just aren't really my thing. However, of all the aldehydes I've stubbornly tried to learn the note better, I have to say, this is in my top three.
Aldehydes, I think, have that unique ability to invoke class, I don't know why, but this is how it feels to me. And No 5 certainly does just that. It does make me think of the twentieth century as Sherapop said, of pearls and furs and extravagance.
The aldehydes in this are soft, like a shimmer on a gentle floral fragrance, mostly rose, iris and ylang ylang to me but with the depth of oakmoss behind them (another note I dislike, another reason why this isn't for me personally). There is something slightly animalic hiding in there, I think it must be the civet, but it is so quiet it's more like feeling the presence of it's shadow. This is powdery and slightly soapy and despite being quite tame the staying power is amazing.
So, while this isn't for me, I think that this is still definitely worth a try, even if it's just to see what all the hype is about.

"Women have no business smelling like aldehydes," might be the twenty-first-century equivalent of Gabrielle's famous dismissal of floral floral perfumes--at least as far as anyone born after 1980 is concerned.

"Women have no business smelling like oakmoss," would be the IFRA's version, I suppose.

I donned Chanel No 5 this afternoon having happened upon a bottle of the eau de parfum while looking for something else, and I have to say that I thought immediately of Zsa Zsa Gabor. Not Marilyn Monroe, with the wind playfully blowing her skirt up. Not Nicole Kidman or any of the other recent models for this perfume, but Zsa Zsa Gabor. It smells like an old rich lady upon initial application. Apologies to those whom this observation offends.

After a few minutes, however, No 5 begins to work her magic and reveal why she is adored by millions of women around the world nearly a century after her birth. In search of the "ecstatic moment" reported by so many, I decided to pull out all the stops later on in the day and dot on some of the pure parfum, of which I have a demi, having acquired the Christmastime Chanel coffret last year.

Well, I'm afraid that the extrait had very much the same effect upon me. I do recall a floral-aldehyde ecstasy moment induced by WHITE LINEN extrait some time ago, but No 5 has not really done it for me. I do like it, after it has settled a bit, but I must confess that I harbor latent fears of being regarded as Zsa Zsa Gabor, should I dare to wear this perfume outside my humble abode.

Chanel No 5 smells very twentieth century to me, which makes sense, because it is.

This is the best floral aldehydic perfume ever composed by human hands and will remain so forever. That said, its greatness lies not in its composition, but for its massive appeal to the masses. This is everyone's grandmother's favorite perfume.

It's not so hot these days, however. The fact is that extraits just aren't as popular anymore. The Eau de Toilette, however, is another story. It is still one of the finest pieces of perfumery money can buy.

At first smell, quite frankly it totally smells like a fresh public washroom that has been cleaned. I'm not kidding at all! But I like it though. For some reason I just can't stop smelling it!

I have this perfume and like it a lot. Not love it though. But I must admit if this scent would be some kind of different brand than Chanel - let's say Avon for example, and would not have all the glamour around it, this would not has the same success. When I wear it, I feel more glamorous just to feel that it is the remarkable No 5.

Adoro questo profumo ma sulla mia pelle dura al massimo un'ora. Non amo spruzzare i profumi sui vestiti ma con questo sono costretta a farlo se voglio sentirne almeno la scia. Peccato perchè l'odore è incantevole.

Having tried all formulations: Parfum, Eau De Parfum and the Eau de Toilette, I really wanted No 5 to work for me in the edt. Apart from the edp which lasts well in comparison to the other two, the initial phase of skank is too painful to endure but after a couple of hours the scent is gorgeous.

My favourite is the body lotion which is soft, rose powdery and strong - the scent sticks to clothes and lingers beautifully. I also like the bath oil (before the 2012 version as havent tried the recent one)which i dab on as a perfume oil. This reminds me of a sweeter version of the No 5 Eau Premiere. The Sensuelle Elixir is a luxury but very close to the skin and i like some sillage!

some always complain that it doesn't last, others it's too strong, some don't know what is it....but to me is like a total cosmical sensation, I just wear it and my senses become so sharp and my mood so calm... funny :) I keep thinking that most be some kind of hormonal response to Chanel No 5 :D

Chanel n° Extrait de parfum :

Oh my gO_odness !!!!
My nose is in heaven !!!!
Even if this "objet d'art" has been reformulated, this scent is still a revolution for your senses....

Thank God, i'm alive !!!!

I don't have any experience with the pure parfum, but individual body chemistry can make a difference. Try putting on an unscented lotion/ body oil first; the extra oils can help.

I know with me, I stop smelling the top notes (ie: the smell you smell when first sprayed) in about an hour and then I smell amber, sandalwood and florals lightly the rest of the day. I sprayed myself at 10am and its almos 12 hours later and I still get whiffs of it.

I have the same eperience cause I'm using pure parfume too. Not lasting.

@betweenshades: thanks for replying :), i use the EDP frequently and i can say that it lasts for 2-3 hours max! what shocked me is that i got the 15ml parfum which suppose to be strong and all pure materials and boom it lasts for 15-30 min tops! i checked a website for the beauty products age and it turned out that the 15ml parfum was made in aug 2011, any thoughts dear?

I can honestly say the only Chanels I like are No.19 and Cuir de Russie. No.5 is not on my list. I cannot stand the aldehydic dominance.

Nestalgia: occasionally spraying it on when passing the purfume counter or keeping a vial of it that was given to you because it reminds you of stuff and people, even though the scent isn't for you.

Liking it: actually plunking down the cash for it and wearing all the time because because you've gotten so obsessed with the heart and base notes (really, people- this scent is more than aldyhydes) that you never want the smell to leave your nostrils.

I'm sure there are people that like this for nostalgic reasons. I assure you that this early-30's woman (ie, not old) likes it for itself and didn't spend THAT kind of money for memories.

There's not a thing wrong with not liking this or any purfume; I just hope that opinion is formed after actually trying it, not by a casual sniff of the sprayer or a testing sheet. I take serious issue with someone stating that no one really likes a thing simply because *they* don't. Presumptive much?

If you'll excuse me, I'll be in my room smelling my arm.

Beautiful and classic.

I tend towards the lighter fragrances, but there are times when smelling like an extrapolated English garden doesn't feel right. Not to mention, as I get older, my patience for the lighter floral stuff is waning.

I remember No5 being on all the "elegant" ladies. I loved how they smelled as they walked past. Imagine my shock when I sprayed it on myself for the first time when I was in my early 20's and I got that hardcore Aldehyde blast. It was too much and made my head hurt and my eyes water (still does, but more on that later). I washed it off instantly and didn't look back until late last year.

I wanted something... different. After talking to the counter lady at the dept store near me, she convinced me to try again. I told her I didn't want to have another headache-inducing experience, so we sprayed it lighter on the wrist so I could still smell the dry down and then heavier the back of one of my knees. THERE! That was the No5 I remembered! There was the sandalwood and jasmine and rose and amber that I knew! There were the elegant ladies walking by me! I obviously still smelled the aldehydes, but it was far enough away from my nose to keep it from giving me that headache and allowed me to enjoy the rest of the purfume.

So, for me, the beauty is in the sillage. How it wafts in elegant layers around you and entices the senses of everyone that's near. It's almost 100 years old for a reason- it's classic. If you're comparing it to the newer-style purfumes then it might seem old-fashioned to you. Try it anyway. You might be surprised.

no paso @ once again, the best comment abaut Chanel 5!

The only thing i like about this perfume ....is just the commercials ...nothin' else
i didn't like it at all it's toooooooo heavy ...it brings me headache ...it's an annoying smell 4 my nose ...it's like all the perfumes in the world in one bottle ...wich is called Chanel N°

Most overrated perfume of all time? Chanel N*5! I don't know what it smelled like when Marilyn wore it, but it's undoubtedly been destroyed since then by synthetic ingredients and meddling perfumers. Leave this one where it belongs: in the past!

Hi Daniela,

You are 100% right. I luckily have a vintage 100 ml edp bottle of C5. Of course I don't know about reformulations. Who can keep track of all reformulations these days... Of course they will undoubtedly have replaced the once natural civet with an artificial 'civet note'. And the 'natural' oak moss will -due to new regulations- also be replaced by an artificial note. So you are absolutely right. That can make the most recent versions of C5 different from the glorious vintage EDP I describe. I'll edit my review. And to those who read this: please keep this in mind.
Thank you for your helpful comment.

Nopasho.

To Nopasho:

Nice review, full of temperament and as usual long and opinionative (for me this is a quality) enough! My question is: have you in mind and possibly either/or on your table or- better - on your wrists some drops of C.5? If so, are you referring to any particular edition, to the old formula or else? Because I think that your interesting script is describing the original version: I've got a full bottle of the actually C.5 E.d.P where, I believe, all these "womanite" is only predicted, beside I do own a tiny, small amount (a sort of relic) of the old glorius C.5 and in this case the game is different! The latest reflects both M.lle Chanel point of view and yours. In any case I'm not against C.5 (as also expressed some times ago )but I regret to say that la Grand Dame (malheureusement ) n'est plus la grande dame qui était dans les années '20! ; )

Now this is a challenge! A review of the most known, most popular, most loved and most sold perfume ever. Even in 2012! The most iconic fragrance ever. 'The One' fragrance that is synonymous with 'Perfume'. The one and only 'Madame' Chanel nr 5 EDP!

I'm reviewing the vintage EDP with 'real' civet and 'natural' oakmoss that in the most current versions will certainly be replaced due to new regulations by 'artificial' civet and oakmoss. Please keep this in mind while reading. Thank you.

What is there left to say about this stuff of legend? The only thing (a few drops of it) that Marilyn Monroe religiously wore in bed during her affairs with her many lovers? Only that all the praise is justified. 'Too Powdery' or not, 'Cat pee' or not, 'not understood' or 'deliberately misunderstood' and vilified... yeah yeay yeah... Like you would say about a Rolls Royce: it feels like a Tata Nano or Mini Cooper, or about a bottle of Chateau Petrus: it tastes like gut rot and bum wine. The Grande Dame simply sniffs and says rightfully: 'F... you'. 'The Five' keeps on selling and selling. It even makes a comeback because people get tired of overpriced generic weak run of the mill celeb scents, despite what showbizz mags want us to believe. People want value for their money in these economic tough times. And you certainly get this with Chanel 5 EDP. Killer sillage, merciless longevity, balanced and mixed to perfection as only 'old school Chanel' could.
Anyway crass commercial shenannigans have as result that classics like Chanel 5 simply keep enthralling every new generation of women to apply and men to enjoy this masterpiece of perfumes. You don't get it? 'No problem' says the Grande Dame: 'Move on to another fragrance'. This Grande Dame will not shed a tear and will not sell one drop less. You find it 'Too perfume-y'? Well that's the whole intention of 'a perfume'! It makes you 'sick to your stomach'? Well the Grande Dame says: 'Stay sick and go vomit on somebody else’s lap'.

As somebody else here said: this is simply 'The Scent of The Woman'. This is the scent of 'Forever Young, Forever Classy, Forever Fantastic, Forever and Ever Feminine Magic'. Sure it is not for a girl, not for a fickle teenager, not for a fashion follower without an own taste, or the perfume hipster police patroller who follows trends religiously and because Anna Wintour or some paid perfume blogger (or poor old dear me hahaha!) says this hard to find and obscenely priced nicche is top, just buys it blindly. Chanel 5 is for ageless women -with the emphasis on 'Women'- who know what they want and who have their own taste. A woman who maybe reads the reviews descibing the grande Dame as 'musty' 'old lady' 'over fifty', then shrug and just say: 'Et alors?' ('So what') and she moves on from the pimply pre menstrual reviews to test it herself to for her own opinion. There is no cure for difference in tastes. You don't like Chanel 5? Too bad for you! Others will savour the magic for you. And this fragrance doesn't depend on favorable or unfavorable reviews, or big media campaigns, or on girlies whining: 'It smells like my grandma' or 'My boyfriend hates it'. Et alors? Let's move on. This Grande Dame has earned every accolade and praise that has been granted to her. Because she is a one of a kind member of the highest class of classics, together with 'Opium', 'Joy', 'Shalimar', 'Poison', 'Angel', 'Classique Gaultier', 'Obsession', 'Alien'...

La Grande Dame has an ego allright. But she is allowed to. Because she is 'It'. She has 'It'. She's not a on hit wonder fickle 'it girl' that's there for a year and then gone. She is 'The Eternal Woman' who was there since 1921, is still here and will be here as long as people use fragrances. Because she is one of the Best. Comparing this Grande Dame with 'soap', 'old lady', 'granny' is so silly frankly, it doesn't need any further comment. Nr 5 haters, please leave the Grande dame alone. Just don't buy the 'old lady catpee'. That leaves more for us, lovers of this eternal timeless fragrance. Please buy the latest one week wonder, advertised by paid bloggers, hipsters and 'beauty editors' with goodie bags. Please buy up all the celeb scents, please indulge yourself in the niches written up by beauty scribblers who always needs a 'next week’s thing' to fill their blank pages. But leave the Grande Dame for us, millions all over the world, who fell in love with her, who will always treat her with the respect she deserves and who say to the 'granny-haters': 'Et alors?'

The formidable Chanel nr 5 about which there have been written entire books, is a true phenomenon, whether you like it or not. It is the Classic of the Classics. 90 years young and still so much alive, still capable as a nonagenarian to stir controversy. Some fruity floral girl: 'Ooh: cat pee, ooohhh, dirty underwear, ooh, BO, aargh'... Well sweetie, stick your litchis, kiwis, white chocolate, sugar, vanilla and berries where the sun don't shine. You'll then know what true BO is! Chanel 5 is for women who have at least menstruated once and are older than Justin Biever. It is for the real women and also those girls-of-all-ages that are proud of their womanity. If sniffing a Jessica’s ‘Fancy’ or Katy's 'Pussy Purr' is high school, Chanel nr 5 is a doctorate in proud femininity. If you like Prada's 'Candy' as a sugar lolly for boys to lick you off or a peachy celeb frag that gives you the fantasy that you are 'sexy', while in reality you reek like an opened can of inlaid peaches in heavy syrup and have trouble swatting the bees and the boys away, thenby all means Chanel 5 is definetely NOT for you.

'The Five' doesn’t have time for such trivialities. This is serious business by a serious perfumer who made s seriousy classy and innovative perfume in 1921 for women in all kinds moods, ages, colors and cultures. You can be 21 years young and wear Chanel 5 like Marilyn, you can be 25 or 50 or 90 and create magic in the air around you with Chanel 5. It is not a fragrance, it is a feeling, the feeling of being a vibrant alive woman, not a plasticky doll who blindly follows trends set out by marketing Mad Men. Chanel 5 is about being a woman and liking it a lot. It is about the sensual power of a woman. Beyond the pimples, the puberal tantrums and toilet level insults. Et alors? You're with the real women know. Let the Jessica’s be and let them enjoy their lollipops and their milkshakes and their boy-troubles. Chanel 5 is a very old vivacious lady that still irritates the hell out of the cotton panty brigade with printed figures of Minnie Mouse on their knickers. Chanel 5 is a glass of Veuve Cliquot or Cristal Roederer champagne compared to the cookies and milk of most fruity florals. Chanel 5 is going to a restaurant, not hanging out at the local Dairy Queen with acned Axe boys looking full or repressed desire. This is for women who threw the ‘the Silver Ring Thing’ away, no offense intended, and discovered love, passion and pleasure. Chanel 5 is not a virgin anymore, she is a woman. 'Daddy’s little girl’ from the ‘Little House on the Prairie’ grew up to be a smashing and classy 'femme fatale'. With Chanel nr 5 you have moved from that 'Little house on the Prairie with cow's pee' to the NYC of ‘Sex in the City’. Youngsters, you who sometimes insult this Grande Dame as' old lady', you'll be very happy that this 'old lady frag' will still be around, when you have become an 'old lady' yourself!

You know the story of Chanel nr 5. Nose Ernest Beaux had ten numbers perfume samples to present to Madame Coco Chanel. Madame chose the vial with the number five as her favorite and Chanel nr 5 was born. A brave choice of Madame Chanel. We're in 1921 after all, and the serious 'Nr 5' was then not the most commercial choice to make in the roaring twenties after WWI. But on the other hand it was still a time when the artistry and originality of a fragrance played a bigger role than filling market gaps, and when marketing studies hadn't overtaken perfume artistry. So 'Nr 5' it was! And perfume history was written that fifth day of the fifth month of 1921 when the superstitiousGabrielle 'Coco' Chanel presented her new fragrance. The superstition paid off and the rest is perfume history.
What makes 'The Five' so special, timeless, ageless, leaps the boundaries of cultures and is the first 'global' fragrance?

Top: Aldehydes, neroli, ylang ylang, bergamot, lemon
Middle: Iris, orris root, lily or the valley, jasmine, rose
Base: Amber, sandalwood, musk, patchouli, civet, vanilla, oak moss, vetiver.

Almost everybody concentrates on the aldehydes in the top. 'Nr 5 equals aldehydes'. But the secret to the Nr 5 success IMHO lies not in the aldehydes in the top but in the unsurpassed base! And the notes of that Chanel Nr 5 base have been raised on steroids. OMG! Look at that. AND amber AND sandalwood AND musk AND patchouli AND civet AND vanilla AND oak moss AND vetiver. Eight heavy hitters in the base! With that alone nowadays they fabricate 4 different fragrances. At least. The craftsmanship of nose Beaux was to fuse every of those eight Schwarzenegger juggernaut notes together to a shiny, strong, uncompromising, non sweet machine. Never done before, never done since. It is animalistic (civet, musk), woody-green (sandalwood, oak moss, patchouli, vetiver), creamy-smooth (amber) combined the indescribable smoky smell of non sweetened vanilla. This is like the script of Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction': whatever happens next, you can't seriously go wrong anymore with that rock solid base. Unless you are an accountant or an ad man or a stockholder instead of a perfumer.

Second general observation: no sugar! Nothing artificially sweet. The sweet whiffs are the natural 'sweet' flowers like ylang ylang. But if you want a sugar rush or smell like a lollipop with or without bling bling you have to look up the recent fragrances of chubby but photo shopped-to-death 41 year old Mariah Carey. Not Coco Chanel.

Third general observation: the legendary and rich use of aldehydes in the top, that came to define this fragrance. Aldehydes are organic (so originally natural carbon) compounds that are very fragrant. Think about formaldehyde that belongs to the same family. Yes, I’ll pause here to give you the opportunity for some ‘formaldehyde-old lady wisecracks…' OK, let’s continue. Aldehydes produce an orangey, creamy, full and yet sparking fresh smell and ‘feel’ to a fragrance. And you have neroli in the top, made out of sweet orange blossoms.

So everything starts with that monolithic base that gives Number 5 its weight. It is not a fresh aquatic for sure. Thankfully! But a full bodied fragrance. Killer longevity, lethal sillage, mixed and balanced like fine tuned dish of a five star chef.
Opposite of the killer eight-notes-on-steroids-base, we have the quite fresh and orangey top with the orangey aldehydes, the orangey neroli, the lemon, the bergamot and to break all this too much freshness the sweet, slightly spicy ylang ylang. So we have the two opposites: super solid base versus fresh top. Clever move of nose Beaux: the solid base reinforces the aldehydes, so that the first blast of Number 5 is solid orangey, creamy aldehydes. But the rest of the fresh top chips away at this full bodied base-aldehydes combo.

At this point we the accent is still on the dense side. Then the middle comes to the rescue of wearability and is the key to the unsurpassed mass appeal: flowers to brighten the heavy top-base up. Rose, lily, peppery jasmine, the flowery and woody orris root (the root of the iris flower and also used as taste-maker in the alcoholic drink gin), and the delicate lily. These flowers are like the sun that breaks through a dense cloud layer. So that the sun rays are visible but combine with the clouds a stirring combination of light and deep, contrasting colors. Neither light or dense, but in between. Like the sun that breaks through the heavy colored clouds after a rain pour or a lightning and thunder attack.
And then: let the games begin! The heavy base tries to tone down the freshness of the top. The orangey aldehydes and neroli in alliance the 'fresh brigade' of bergamot and lemon put up a fierce resistance. The ylang ylang in the top collaborates with his flowery friends in the middle to make a bridge between the two opposites. The jasmine, rose, orris root, iris and lily in collaboration with the ylang ylang are strong enough to hold the base back from overthrowing and swallowing the top whole like Linda Hamilton did with Arnie Schwarzy in the 'Terminator 2' and at the same time manages to put itself between the warring base and top so that the flowery middle is clearly noticed. Killer heavy base, frisky fruity aldehydic top and steadying flowery middle: the key to Chanel 5.
All this is careful orchestrated by nose Ernest Beaux. He weights the notes so that all these inner workings come alive to the fullest, but don't degenerate into an all out fight. The result is a full bodied 'weighty' and intricate fragrance that like all great classic evolves on the living skin.

It is indeed a man magnet, as MM already knew too well. But because of its peculiar composition, I can imagine that people who are used to flowers-vanilla-sugar-fruit combo's are intimidated by this Grande Dame. It sure weighs in more than your average celeb five-in-a-dime frag. This is no pushover or wallflower. Nr 5 wears you, you don't wear Nr 5. But if it suits you, the result is spectacular and unforgettable.

For me, Chanel Number 5 is as alive at 90 as are much younger modern classics like 'Hypnotic Poison', 'Angel' or 'Organza'. Of course it is not a fragrance that is gone after one hour, of course you don't have to reapply after one hour, of course it has balls and an own face and a stubborn personality. That's why it is a perfume benchmark. It is not generic run of the mill, it can't be interchanged with some other fragrance, it isn't cheap. But I bet you do longer with one 50 ml Nr 5 EDP than with several big bottles of fruity floral celeb juice. And that's about the same price.

It is also a fragrance that young people who want to stand out from the vanilla-fruit crowd, can wear perfectly. And even more so. The combination of youth with this Grande Dame of 90 is sexy as hell, IMHO. Under 17, I wouldn't wear it, but from 18 on (which is still young in my book) it is perfect. Why don't you try a sample, then you can judge and speak with authority about the most famous and successful fragrance of all times. Dear 20 year old girl: you'll probably even like it. A lot. So live dangerously and try Chanel Nr 5. Those celeb fruity florals are so common, safe and boring! If you are used to contemporary fruit florals, if you want know what blows your socks off, try No 5. And I bet, for a bottle of Chanel nr 5 100 ml EDP, that you'll come back for more...

I do not like this perfume because it is smelling like baby powder...

I love this perfume,this is simply the most brilliant odour that i have ever smelled.When I first smelled it it seemed like my nose and the fragrance were already aqquanted and long time old friends that were forgotten.It seemed like it waws so familier and its just what ive been looking for.
I was puzzled by the previous comments and in particular the ones who mentioned feeling nauseiated or dizzy when smeeling the No.5 because its freshness and lack of sweet sugary stench is what makes it the perfect remedy for being dizzy.It totally clears away all the dizziness if not the headaches that i feel from time to time.Simply magical and magnificient and is a timeless beauty that will last forever while other perfumes or air freshners dry up and evaporite to thin air.Just one more thing,give it time to settle in,the stages of this perfume are magical to explore and trust me you will never dislike any.

I've been wearing this to bed lately, we'll since I first got a hold of the bottle. It feels like angels showering rose petals in my bed, ready to escort me into dreamland. Urging me surrender to the unknown.

There's no getting away from it, if you want the most universal lovely feminine perfumey perfume of all time, this is it. Look no further. Forget all the flankers. Forget Arpege and all the other imitations. They are what my mother used to call "Quite nice". Go for the Real Thing, if possible get the pure No 5 perfume. Worth every cent.

No 5 can be worn with any outfit and on any occasion. It does what a classic rose-aldehyde should do, it gives the impression of impeccable taste.

I adore its cool confident liveliness. But I get the sense that there's just a touch of mysterious elegiac vulnerability that keeps the perfume from being too aloof. I can see why Monroe loved it.

It reminds me of sweet harp music, plangent and stirring. To me it is a very Northern perfume, even though it has delicious musky and ambery overtones.

The jasmine blended into No 5 is very beautifully done and adds that old white magic.

Don't be afraid that it won't be personal to you. That's just the genius of Chanel No 5. Trust me you will feel at home in it right out of the box. The only danger is that you will afterwards feel let down by other perfumes.

Nothing says Grand Perfume like a classic aldehydic floral, and nothing says classic aldehydic floral like Chanel No. 5. As is true of many perfumes, No. 5 contains more than one type of aldehyde. Aldehydes provide sparkle and can boost the dispersion of some notes. When you get a strong hit of aldehydes right away from a fragrance, chances are that you’re smelling an “aliphatic” aldehyde. Although some people think of a dose of aliphatic aldehydes as “perfume-y” and old fashioned, when Beaux made it the signature of No. 5 (and No. 22), it was revolutionary.

The Eau de Parfum created by Jacques Polges in 1986 is the modern twist on the iconic classic. If the parfum juxtaposes elegance with sensuality, and the Eau de Toilette underscores the luminosity and vivacious spirit, the Eau de Parfum exudes confidence and bold beauty. The creamy notes of peach lacing the rose, lily of the valley and jasmine heart are more prominent, while the smooth richness of the amplified sandalwood note replaces the musky darkness of the original. Instead, the Eau de Parfum is subtly colored by the darkness of leather and incense. Also, the Eau de Parfum. No. 5 in Eau de Parfum form is a lush but restrained skin scent. Once the aldehydes subside, a summery blend of fresh flowers emerges with a pinch of something slightly spicy, like a sprig of dianthus. Its sillage is gentle. Chanel is famous for growing its own fields of jasmine in Grasse, but I can’t distinctly smell one flower over another. My favorite part of No. 5’s rollout is when the flowers start to warm and blend with amber and sandalwood. The vetiver grounds the drydown but registers as a little weedy on my skin.

Chanel No. 5 is ladylike but personal and could go just about anywhere, any time of the day or night. It’s not an astonishingly beautiful fragrance on me, but it’s easy and lovely.

Chanel No. 5 is not a fragrance, this is an invitation. An invitation to celebrate our ultimate human beauty, our precious senses - amazing way to experience yourself. To celebrate our uniqueness, duality and a whole spectrum of point of views in it.

The one who has created this work of art truly catched the spark...and sealed it into a bottle to share it over the times. Anyone who opens a bottle has oppotunity to experience the magic in her unique way, to light his own fire.

It is like a bridge over the space-time continuum where we can meet. Welcome to the Party!

Kind of let down by the pure parfum but I love the eau de toilette. Very "perfumy" and not as cloying as the eau de parfum. While I do happen to like cloying perfumes, I just prefer the edt in No.5. Love this scent but it's not my signature.

MMMmmm chanel no5. I remember when I first smelled no5, at the time I was really not into perfumes. It was a few years ago when I first started college. My great aunt that lived next door to my family (for my whole life!) had just recently passed away and I was with my mom in her house going through her things, when I noticed in her bathroom cabinet this little tiny white box outlined in black with "chanel" on the lid.

I gasp and was so excited, "could it be?!" I opened up this tiny box and low and behold there was a full teeny bottle of chanel no5. extrait inside. I noticed that it was an old vintage jar because the perfume was VERY strong and the color VERY dark..but inspite of this I dabbed some on my wrists for the heck of it and continued about my day with my mom. All the while sniffing my wrists through out the day and liking it more and more. So warm, so riche, so comforting. I cant even describe it! Even though this bottle was lord knows how old the perfume still had an amazing smell.. and I was HOOKED!

This perfume mixes incredibly with my chemistry, and my husband really does indeed love my chanel no5.I will spritz a small amount into his letters and care packages I send him, for he is in the military and deployed to afghanistan right now. Id like to think when he is all alone in an old military tent in the middle of nowhere in the desert, he opens his letters and closes his eyes and remembers my smell and that he also thinks "ahhh..chanel no5"

What remains to be said about Chanel No. 5? Not a lot, except to add my voice to the lobby who believe that there should be 3 different review headings for the 3 different concentrations. I own the edp and the pure parfum and am seriously considering buying the edt as well. The parfum is the most exquisite (but I'm not going to waste my precious little bottle on the workaday world) and sometimes I prefer the airier, brighter, more sparkling spritz of the edt, or the weightier, more serious edp for when my mood is studious.

Yesterday I finally tested the pure perfume... and I`m feeling like being deceived for many years. Purchased EdP... got rid of it. Purchased EdT (love it but was curious about the pure perfume) and yes... I do feel deceived.

I can see now why the Chanel campaign says: femininity is timeless... My only source of "knowledge" of Coco C. life is the not so recent movie... I do not know how much Coco Chanel craved her early departed mother but she must have missed her terribly as a child... and perhaps she wished she was still there with her girls, only stronger and able to withstand affairs of her husband. I am only imagining all this... and when she grew into the woman she was... I can not imagine she would forget all about her childhood, which was perhaps in many ways the source of her life stands. If she chose from many scents the 5th one... there must have been a motivation... the whole journey of discovering femininity with it`s strengths and wounds.

For me is the pure perfume the scent of a woman - mother (not necessarily in the physical sense but definitely of a woman capable of the depth of motherhood). It is like a shield that protects her, like a sword that defends her, like a shawl that wraps warmly around her when she is cold, like pure water and soap she washes her body with, like earth she plants seeds into, like air around her when she sleeps... I smell not luxury, no exclusivity... No NO ENTRANCE sign I see. I smell you are welcome, you are cared for, you are loved.

Femininity is timeless indeed.

The Jury is Out...I Think...

I honestly cannot decide whether or not I like Chanel No 5. I've tried wearing it at different times in my life - - years apart, and still no definitive answer. I can say that I'm leaning toward clicking the 'dislike' button, but I'm not quite ready to do that. I've smelled it on other people, and it just seems a little, dare I say, clunky.

I appreciate No 5's perceived elegance and cannot deny its enveloping sexiness or sensuality, but I am having trouble dealing with the ylang ylang. It seems to stick around throughout the entire wearing on my skin. Not a big fan of the ylang.

I feel like I can almost see the cloud of Chanel No 5 hanging in the air around me or whoever is wearing it at the time - - like some tagalong acquaintance you didn't anticipate running into on the street. And, it just so happens, that friend-of-a-friend happens to be quite popular, so you don't want to be seen telling him or her to go fan their ankles...

Oh well, the metaphors are dry today.

I will hold off on clicking any buttons for now and give No 5 another try. Maybe in 10 years I'll be able to make a final decision.

Very classic, very well-known...
Sorry, this is the perfume I really really really
don´t like. :-(
Lily of the valley, oakmoss and Aldehydes make me feel sick! Sorry, for me its a emetic.
Love from Louve!

Strangely, I had never tried this before today, and when I tested it, I knew I HAD to have it! It is spicy and sweet, flowers and spices in perfect harmony. Now I know why it is a classic! My husband said Chanel No. 5 is the Dom Perignon of perfumes - if someone wants to get something and know it is good, they will go with this perfume, and I know why. It also lasts a long time - 9 hours so far, and still as easily smelled on my arm as when I first put it on. Lovely lovely lovely!!

Chanel No 5 is without question the greatest womens perfume ever created. This is the scent of a woman.

@Paumag; You are not too Young. Do not believe them. If You love it..... just GO FOR IT. And besides, some Ladies are classical Ladies dispite their earthly age.. so, enjoy this scent with fullest heart.

Well I'm going to change my review on Chanel N 5.
When I was in my early 20's I really didnt like this one because it smelled too mature for my tastes but last week I was in the department store and retested it and Surprise surprise....I LIKE IT NOW!!! :):)
I would still only wear this one at night and probably only for special occassions like before but at least I could wear it and like it this time.
Wish I didn't give my bottle away. :/

I have it (50ml bottle) as a birthday present from my auntie-in-law. No.5 smells so feminie and classic that to me I can't wear it on daily basis, but have to save it for special occasions and evenings.

I cannot afford this fragrance. That said, if I could I would wear it endlessly. I think that when I die, if there is a heaven, it just might smell like No. 5. Some people may not agree with that, but I believe angels must wear chanel No. 5 because it is DIVINE!

A timeless parfum which will never seem to go out of style. Well suited for 25 and up; like the icing on your "wardrobe cake". I liken it to Tiffany by Tiffany or Arpege by Lanvin. Effortless refinement in a bottle and a hard act to follow. It is a shame that someone tries to copy this jewel and tries to pass it off as the real thing. It is very insulting and does this beauty no justice. Shame, shame, shame.

I love how this perfume smells on my mom! When she wears this, it makes her more beautiful somehow – even though this perfume has such a distinct and recognizable scent, it goes to the background and highlights my mom's beauty without screaming for attention. It’s like makeup that’s done just right – not overbearing, but bringing out the natural beauty of the face.

I like to wear this too, but am still adjusting for the perfect fit. I think the trick for younger women like me is to resist applying more than one spritz – just one on your wrists will do. Trust me, you’ll still smell it. It will then have a faint, yet distinct and alluring scent – like an orchid placed in a vase across the room – very delicate and feminine, both sensual and ladylike. If you apply more than one spritz (like I did today), you might still enjoy it, but you will probably feel older than you are.

15 years ago in highschool I tried my grandmom's No.5 because I love how classy it smells on her...it didn't work. Smelt too heady and too old. Like a silly girl tried too hard to be adult.

4 years ago I tried to wear it again for my cousin wedding, still didn't work. This time it smelt too powdery.

A month ago I tried it again...and it worked this time. Still lack of the classical ellegance sense that always there whenever my grandmom wears it, but it still smell as wonderful.

A week ago I finally bought it, my first own Chanel No. 5.

Oh what a funny inconvenience! DEAR JANINA, I was just expressing an "extra" to MIDNIGHT50's review NOT to yours; ) Midnight50's comment is FUNNY, quite DIRECT and very true in certain points (go to Versailles...) indeed; both Midnight50 and I did not mention precisely wether we were refearing to C5 E.d.T.or to the E.d.P, whereas you have been very precise (for E.d.T, aren't you?) so I can't see the problem. I'm sorry BUT I must confess that I hadn't read your comment before answering to M.50. If you had time and were so kind to re-read mine you'd see (apart from my terrible English!) what I was trying to say indeed and to whom. I wanted to express my opinion about some glorious "oldies" and their nowadays misfortune while "being restored" (this is the old tunes that all we know) according to the new rules. I didn't want to express ALSO any bad opinion about the couple Turin-Sanchez (beside I've got some books by Mr Turin and though I do not always agree with him I recognize and RESPECT his clever job) on the contrary it was funny Midnight50 to quote him before! Mine was just the simple (maybe unrequested) advise to "leave them alone" because: is it you that buy and wear the perfume or is it L.T.+T.S? So all skins speak a different language therefore I believe that people should start choosing a fragrance according to their nose feelings and also let their skin "speak" principally. I hope to be clear enough. FRAGRANTICA should be the charming place for those - like me and you I hope - that enjoy fragrances and like sharing experiences....and not to be impolite, aggressive or else ; ) It wasn't my intention to be so and in case I make my apologize. I'm not a native speaker, being English my third language, I take this opportunity for practicing therefore misunderstandings can be (SORRY SORRY SORRY) ever possible! Sincerely Daniela3

Chanel 5 like many other fragrances has had the same destiny: many ingredients no more available, many restrictions a lot of human greediness money, money, money... Unlike many other masterpieces from the past, Chanel 5 - according to me - has not been destroyed completely. Yes, Midnight50 you are right "go to the Osmoteque" and open your nostrils (this is mine!) but when talking about fragrances especially the oldest one (Bois, de l'Ile; Femme; the more recent Diorissimo or Habanita) it is a scott we have to pay. I used to use Loulou by Cacharel in '87 but, the one I have had the silly idea to smell recently was.... what?
A ... but NOT my Loulou and I'm not talking about Shalimar or l'Heure Bleu being them so old it is impossible to have them as they used to (for me, despite all the reformulations are still beautiful!) unless you take your risk and go looking for any "vintage". After some years - especially - more "commercial" fragrances are all reformulated: do you remember Giorgio Beverly Hills? Same sad destiny, but Giorgio is very cheap now (I recognize honesty after all!) whereas it was really expensive in Europe many years ago when it was my signature frag! C.5, after all, has been reformulated while using great ingredients, it's a "subject" in its "camaleontic" aspect which can still communicate with the market, and despite old aunts, Marilyn, or "Sex in the city" I consider it a good quality fragrance. Yes, there is also a lot of persuasion but...when your fragrance is done with first rate materials there is a chance also to educate even the most careless nose only asking for food, in disguise, as gourmand, yummy yummy, fatty-fatty would-be-so-called perfume! And please leave Mr Turin (and his wife) alone: he/them is/are not God! ;)

IF THIS FRAGRANCE WERE AN ANIMAL IT WOULD BE A CAMALEON: THE SO "FASHIONABLE", "CLASSY" CHANEL 5 HAS NOTHING TO SHARE WITH THE ORIGINAL. NOWADAYS GOOD ONLY FOR "SEX AND THE CITY" AESTHETIC CREDO! DON'T YOU BELIEVE ME? WELL, TAKE A TRIP TO THE OSMOTEQUE IN VERSAILLES AND YOU'LL DISCOVER THE MISTERY. THE "NEW" C.5 IS JUST A GOOD FRAGRANCE SOLD WITH THE NAME OF THE ORIGINAL BUT THIS IS ANOTHER SCENT. I DISAGREE WITH THE FAMOUS L. TURIN. I THINK EXTRAGENEROUS WHILE GIVING ALL THOSE 5 STARS BUT WHEN YOU BUY A FERRARI YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ASK, HERE IT IS LIKE PAYING FOR A FERRARI AND GETTING A TRABANT IN EXCHANGE!!!!

Now, ask me what the notes are in any particular perfume and i will go blank though i think i will generalise it to, powdery, floral and oriental spices!. But i know when i like a certain fragrance it's for sure it!. This is one i dare not miss to have in my hard to pile up collection because i rarely fall for fragrances just cos they are flooded on the market or cos they are new and i sure never mind sticking to what i know. So i CARE enough test new fragrances hoping to be blown off my feet. Chanel No.5 is mystique perfume...it is sexy and sophisticated. It makes me feel a woman of class, understated yet making up a statement too....seductive and sensual, that is it. Please i hope CHANEL will forever have this for keeps.

Add my name to the list of guys who have enjoyed Chanel No.5 on their collective skin.. This has been an icon for a very good reason. Love it or hate it, it's the quintessential epitome of perfume.

Just about everything that can be said about Chanel No 5 has been said already.
Everything that has been said about her is absolutely true (postitive and negative)
That being said...whether you love her or hate her...she does not care.
She is who she is and she's fine with that. If you love her...great. If you hate her...great. She knows it does not change anything. That is the gift Coco Chanel gave us with No. 5, wouldn't we all be more authentic and happy people if we all possessed that attitude?
I adore her and want to be like her when I grow up.

EHH.. hmm, I kinda growed to No5 Edp when I came over my 30`s. Between 20-27 no way I would liked this. Hmm, well, scent taste grown same way then persons grow - or other possibility is that parfum addict over 30 have sniffed almost all floral fruities, florals,oriental florals and what so ever, main streams and so on, and after this starting to looking foward those classic scents (what used to dislike or just did not notice), or other way weird or special at their kind. I have got compliments with No5 edp, but something about their 40 aged men (girls if You wish to have compliments from young men, maby no5 edp will not give those *smiles*) Here raises up also a question to my mind how come different aged people might take different things to be "sexy"/what is sexy after all(at his 40 male might take this to be very sexy with charming Lady at his age, and his 20`s being young man might not perhaps consider this to be sexy with his aged young women... but someting Britney Spears scents perhaps), so maby its only with time and space to find out all the glory of different scents. Give it Time Girls ***<3<3<3***

i used to hate this perfume because of this craziness of women who are rushing to buy it and they think that if they wear no.5 it will make them sexy and classy, NO IT DOESN'T STOOOOOP! to me this is a clean scent and that's why i love it it has soap and powder smell what else not to like! imagine a pretty lady who lives in a vintage style house she just took a bath and then she sprayed no.5 and wore her beautiful silk night gown and the jazz music is playing... she is waiting for the perfect man but ops he doesn't exist! she imagine him and after that she falls asleep in her lovely bed alone, no wait she wasn't alone no.5 was there.... such a beautiful, sad fragrance.

So the first time I tried this, I hated it . In fact I returned a bottle of it to the store. But I somehow ended up with 2 sample vials and since I am randomly choosing samples these days, this one was it for today.
And this time, I kind of like it. I dont remember why I disliked it so much the first time.

Chanel no5 is made of sugar spice and everything nice, it's what dreams are made of... a show stopper!

This is ultra feminine sexy mysterious happy and sad ,beautiful but troubled, glowing and effervescent. I absolutely adore every version with the exception of vintage cologne and newer eau de toilette.

They both , but especially the modern EDT are missing the lovely orris/irris root... that brings that smoothing balances... the sleek sexiness to it all

Another one that requires patience, but good things come to those that wait, spray yourself a good half hour before leaving the house and you'll smell like near perfection. But keep in mind, that number 5 is not meant to be perfect ...and I like her that way. That's saved for number 22, lol. No 5 is a very misunderstood girl sometimes loved and sometimes hated but rarely anything in between

Wears Very classy, I pull this off wearing anything from blue jeans to formal attire. It's the absoute most fabulous perfume in the world! And if you havn't yet discovered it's real beauty.... all in time.. just as the fragrance makes you wait to be rewarded.. .... so does your nose! Keep sniffing...girls...and you may not like her at first but get to know her, really get to know her and you might just fall in love. So if you have an old bottle laying around and you are thinking of getting rid of it.. dont you dare!! I promise you with every ounce of my being, one day ...you will regret it!

p.s. number 5 is an interesting number ;)

What is it about Chanel no.5? I absolutely love it, but I'm not a bottle-buyer. I've been tempted, but no. I have a miniature no.5 EDP to sniff at. It's just that I hate it when the first thing the taxidriver (or anyone) says to me is "hé, you're wearing no.5". No, I am not.

Imagine a woman with a cigarette in her hand, smoking, poised, independent, stylish, yet feminine. A woman who likes to wear dresses and pants. Who can seduce a man and even a woman. Who is artist and at same time down to earth.
She looks good even wearing a smoking rather then a dress at a party. She is the one, the one who is different and that's why noticeable. She has a class.
Chanel N5 is created for her... for that one... be that one;)

I adore this perfume. I started wearing it when I first started work and it has been my signature perfume ever since. Even though I have grown up and my life has changed a million times ~ this perfume has been there all the way. It is simply adorable and I truly cant ever see a day when it doesnt adorn my dressing table, my handbag, my life. Fabulous perfume.

Number 5 smells very vintage and very dry. The aldehydes are too strong for me and gave a massive headache during the day. There is no specific note I can find, only a very strong impression of aldehydes and that french perfumy vibe. I can see some people wearing this but not someone younger than 50 years old, as Number 5 is a very mature perfume.
Not for me but certainly for many women around.

@ Divine: YES!!! Inspired review :o) ... what a way to put it in a nutshell!! I wish I could push that 'thumbs up' thingy a HUNDRED times!!!

Chanel no5 has travelled a long way with me. She's been there in laughter and in tears, in good times when she's complimented the moment and in bad times when she's lifted me from the floor and given me the strength to continue! I wear her as does my drag alter ego ... she's as familiar as a comfortable pair of suede stiletto's and many times more elegant. She can be fun and tomboyish ... and equally easily play the cold hearted bitch. Please ladies, don't harbour the disillusion that she belongs to you ... take it from a guy ... there are many of us (and some a lot more masculine than I ... LOL) who wear this with great success! I personally prefer the EDP but have recently afforded myself the opportunity of stepping up to the plate and purchasing the vintage extrait formulation. I can't wait for it to arrive. I've been working up to this for 25 years :o) ... it's gonna be MAGNIFI-SCENT!!!

I wish I could like #5 because SO many people love it. However, I can also see why others detest it. I feel like the opening is somewhat fizzy, but on my skin #5 turns into a musty, powdery incense. Maybe I just don't have good taste...

Ok, this stuff is seriously addicting. I was never a no. 5 wearer until now, when I purchased the Eau Premiere a few weeks ago and loved the buttery richness of the scent and how it enveloped me the first few hours I wore it. I got so frustrated though on how close it sat on my skin that I started becoming curious about the richer concentrations- EDP, Parfum, etc. I invested in a bottle of the EDP today and as soon as I sprayed the tester and got a whiff, thought to myself...why didn't I purchase the EDP to begin with? This perfume is not as strong as the media has made it out to seem. It is so soothing and romantic and transports me to Europe. I imagine the Audrey Tatou commercial and wonder what it must feel like to love a french man and be in France again. This is gorgeous!

This is simply a beautiful perfume. The most grown up fragrance a woman can adorn herself with.

There she stood - No.5, a little black dress and a flute of Dom Perignon - ah, the memories.

All you need to wear to bed.

my all time favourite, started my new year 2012 with this cult no 5 perfume. iam wearing it again and i feel everytime new though i hav finished with around 7 bottles in past. no 5 is an everlasting fragrance. b coz its no 5 by the great chanel

I have an obsession with chanel anything. Ever since I was a little girl, five years old to be exact, I had always loved this scent. I went to open a bottle at a perfume boutique the other day and it smelled a bit off. Has this been reformulated? If so, it's a bit of a shame. Oh well, I still love this fragrance.

i got this for my mother for Christmas hoping that to me it would hold up to the reviews i have read on it.let me start by saying that they MUST have changed the formula as my mother swears it smells different.i dislike this Very much.it gave me a very bad headache as i was overwhelmed with an artificial musk scent followed by an aldehyde slap.i am so saddened by this.i had an image of Marilyn Monroe wrapped in musky green goodness.Sorry to say i was greeted by a cheap artificial imposter.

I HAVE OWNED THIS BEAUTY SINCE THE AGE OF 15 (PARFUM) WHICH MY AUNT GIFTED ME. IT IS PURE ELEGANCE AND COMFORT PRESENTED AS A GOLDEN ELEXIR THAT MY SKIN SEEMS TO DRINK UP EAGERLY. IT STARTS OFF SPICY THEN SETTLES INTO A WARM FLORIENTAL WHICH POWDERS UP DURING DRYDOWN AND SETTLES SENSUOUSLY, BECOMING A SKIN- SCENT THOUGH THE PROJECTION AND SILLAGE ARE AWESOME. AS COCO HERSELF SAID: LESS IS BETTER! , SO USE SPARINGLY: THIS IS MAGIC IN A BOTTLE TO ME . I ALMOST EXPECT IT TO COME WITH MY VERY OWN PERSONAL GENIE!I NOTICED THAT I AM DRAWN TOWARDS ALDEHYDES AND FLORAL -MUSKY FRAGRANCES THESE DAYS. WEARING THIS DELICIOUS , CLASSY, SOPHISTICATED AND COMPLEX SCENT TODAY MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS!PLUS PEOPLE KEEP ON COMPLIMENTING MY FRANGRANCE EVERY TIME I WEAR IT. SINCE IT DOES NOT SMELL THE SAME DEPENDING ON SKIN CHEMISTRY, IT RENDERS A UNIQUE TRAIL: MOSTLY I AM TOLD I SMELL CLEAN AND ' YUMMY'. STRANGELY ENOUGH, NO ONE TELLS ME I SMELL OF CHANEL NO 5! SO WHEN THEY ASK ME WHAT I AM WEARING I LET THEM GUESS! GOOD DAY! :D

I dislike it, and it's not because it's powdery, as I really love powdery perfumes. This just smells like soap to me, old plain soap. If I smelled this on someone I would probably go "oh, the soap you use smells nice".

It was probably complex, seductive and elegant at the time it came out, but now that we have so many perfumes to choose from, I would never pick this one.

I'll get this in pure parfum, the true essence in in there. A few drops will transform me from a ordinary city OL to a wealthy lady who appreciated fine things in life like clothes, shoes, dining, household items, and of course perfumes.

If it's true that No. 5 smells old like those people who don't understand fine perfume, it won't be a worldwide best seller even after 90 years.

This was a tough decision for me. Lately, I've been wondering about Chanel No. 5 and Shalimar in the mall department stores, and I decided I prefer Chanel No. 5 anytime. Chanel does not smell like "Old Lady." Once it relaxes, it smells very floral, powdery and classy. I tried on Shalimar, and in the end, I decided I didn't like it. It also brings back too many memories of my late aunt, who wore Shalimar all the time, and my sister, who can no longer wear that perfume. If anything, Shalimar never did anything for me, and I call Shalimar the "Old Lady" perfume. Nor did Tabu, which smells dirty. Only Chanel No. 5 was the best of the "Classic Perfumes."

What I like best about Chanel No. 5 was the ad campaigns. As a child of the 1970s, I would watch Catherine Deneuve pitch the product. Her sultry voice and mannerisms were so convincing, and I declare her the best Chanel pitchwoman of all time. It's too bad I cannot afford Chanel; however, I go to Bath and Body Works and get Moonlight Path, which is so close to the real thing for one-tenth the price, so I can get a feel of Chanel. Chanel may start strong, but the drydown gets more subtle and it wears well on me as I try it on.

What can I say about this perfume that hasn't already been said a million times before? The only thing I have to add is that this perfume is the subject of what I consider to be the best perfume commercial of all time. If you want to see it, search Youtube for the following title:

Catherine Deneuve - Chanel No. 5

Trust me, you are going to be impressed!

I had the pleasure of attending a chanel evening and they let us smell no 5 'through the ages' on cards. The parfum, which I had never smelled before, smelled very different to the edp and edt that had never worked on me. It seemed there was more of a complex flowery bouquet that I really couldn't smell properly in the edp and edt. I bought a mini perfume set of 5 parfums among which chanel no 5 is one. I would say it is softly fragrant- not offensive or old. It certainly doesn't have the lasting power of coco on me and its not so bold. On me it smells like a complex powdery sarsaparilla and its like nothing else. I'm sorry that is the only description I have for this. It is soft and beautiful enough to wear everyday if you wanted, certainly won't make you gag. I'm still trying to work out if it suits me. It's a pity the parfum doesn't always have a tester at the counter. Take advantage of the chanel special sets at christmas which have mini parfums for a great price; I was told only Australia and US have them though :( .

The way the power of smell works never fails to amaze me. I can understand why they say the sense of smell is the most primal of all senses, because one has to experience it first-hand to have even the most rudimentary knowledge of what is being talked about. No introduction needs to be made for Chanel no. 5. The undisputed Queen of Perfumes, she sits removed from all other fragrances behind the counter, liquid gold in a bottle who’s very simplicity reflects an understated but powerful elegance.

I will admit from the start I had no understanding or sympathy for no. 5. I smelled her scent about a year ago, and foolishly it was from a sample card, not human skin. Unsurprisingly I was not at all impressed. The initial blast was searing, shooting straight up into the nostrils. After a while it just smelled like butter that had gone a bit mouldy. I couldn’t understand all the hullaballoo. This the lifeblood of Chanel itself? Surely I must be smelling the wrong perfume!

How naïve and crude the nose can be! I attended a wedding just a few weeks ago and I happened to notice my cousin’s very lovely fragrance. This was something quite far removed from the other sickly-sweet, garish fragrances I could smell at the wedding party. It was pure class, sheer elegance, effortless beauty. I just had to know what she was wearing and I was struck dumb with astonishment to learn it was Chanel no. 5! Bear in mind that my cousin was wearing this scent in a climate much warmer than would be advisable (in my humble perfumista opinion) for a floral aldehyde, and with no light hand! And yet, it was nothing like I had encountered the first time on that bland piece of sample card. How true it is that you must test perfumes directly onto the skin – otherwise you might well be getting a skewed representation of the fragrance.

Her character is undeniably graceful and invariably feminine. But despite her sophistication and regal power, no. 5 has a cold streak in her nature. Others have rightly suggested that she can be likened to a marble statue. Beautiful and poised, but alabaster white and ice-cold to the touch. I have heard that not all skins are suited to no. 5, or rather she does not flatter all women who wish to wear her. If one has the privilege of having compatible body chemistry with no. 5, she is indeed glorious – like an empress among perfumes. If not, one can unfortunately smell like cat pee over stale popcorn.

Noses that need growing up will write no. 5 off as sour and stale-smelling, but those who can appreciate her unusual blend of aldehydes and floral notes will immediately “get” it. For myself I think I understand now why women throughout the generations have consistently returned to no. 5. To say she is a masterpiece is by no means an understatement. Give her a try and see if you feel ready for this grand dame. If she is generous, perhaps you might be able to grace your skin with her aroma.

This is the goddess of perfumes. I don't need to tell you, how it smells, because everybody knows this. It is perfume perfection and Ernest Beaux was the best of his art and always will be - his creativity is outstanding. I wished he would have invented more, the world would be brighter and richer.

If you don't get No.5, you really should try harder. Because - and I go out on a limb saying this, I know - if not, you are not to be called "perfumista". KA-tching! There, I said it.

But it's true. You see, you wouldn't hang a poster from Andy Warhol's work in your flat and feel like a admirerer and connoisseur of art, if you wouldn't be able to see artistery in Rembrandt and before him in Michelangelo and before him in the Greeks sculpturers. You don't have to have an armless Greek sculptur in your flat only because you wanted to hang that Andy Warhol poster and show the world, how much you understand art. But you really shouldn't bash Greek artistery in public, 'cause everybody would identify your lack in understanding art in the very same moment.

My point: You don't have to wear No.5 for recognizing it's importance for the art of perfumery in general and it's mastery in particular. You don't have to own No.5, if you want to wear Lolita Lempicka. But if you call yourself "perfumista", a person, who understands the art behind perfumery, a true connoisseur of perfumes, you shouldn't bash No.5 in public, because that only shows your lack of understanding.

It is a masterpiece and all of you should at least be able to see that. I don't care, if your grandma wore it (she obviously had a better understanding and taste in perfumes than you), that doesn't change the perfume, only your private memory towards it: The place where a Picasso hangs (museum or safe in New York or private room in Japan) doesn't change the way this Picasso is a piece of art. Your boyfriend might have dumbed you in front of the Mona Lisa, that doesn't change the Mona Lisa, only your private memory.

I bend down humbly before this creation. Thank you Ernest Beaux, you are immortal.

I like this perfume a lot, actually. But I don't wear it anymore because it's a scent that everybody knows. Nowadays I prefer scents which are not widely available and/or instantly recognisable.
P.S. I wasn't aware that so many people dislike it. It might be partially the effect of the overdose, and of high expectations triggered by huge publicity.
P.P.S. They haven't dared reformulating this one, have they?

Damn, cant really say how N5 smells
My best direct description of smell itself may be old, heavy and oil. Doesnt sound attractive? What if i add that its so strong u can smell it for hours. And hours. And has this strange ingredience everyone calls aldehydes but your not quite sure how that smells. Most people say that stinks. Cant answer do i agree or not.

Cause im overly subjective. Number five is far from smell in a way we expect it to be. Its a carrier of pictures, sounds, fears, laughter and time. Turbulence of beauty and sadness. Think it smells like woman. So far from perfect yet so perfect in its skin.

This is inarguably the most famous perfume in the world, but to be honest, I am not feeling it. Maybe it's because of my age, but I find it outdated. Considering this was made in the early 1900s, it's very strong and very feminine. Obviously, Coco Chanel was a feminist and she believed in women wearing freeing clothes, not bound by the common standards of society in her day. That's why she is famous, and Chanel's signature scent shows it.
I wouldn't say Chanel No.5 is revolutionary, but it certainly started a craze. It's not my personal favorite, but I respect the fact that it's a classic. It's not bad smelling. It's more like a collector's item type of fragrance.

chanel no 5: this perfume never gets old when i go into boots sometimes i still see it there its one of the most famous perfumes in history and everyone knows it!
Other perfume makers have tried to get this scent and have failed i think the close one so far is lace but there is still a difference!!!
all us women agree that this perfume just does it for all of us!

I do not know what most people see about this perfume. I think that if it were as good as it is claimed, it would not need so much advertising, almost 100 years after its launch. I think it is by far the perfume I see most advertised, in cinema rooms, on the streets, in magazines, etc. It never stops. Too me it is not only a very flat perfume, but it is even very unpleasant. And it has no projection, thank God, and no longevity. All I get is aldehyds at its worst. I do love aldehydic perfumes. There are wonderfull classic aldheydic perfumes: Madame Rochas, Rive Gauche, Calandre, White Linen, First, the original Nina, and lots of other ones. I know It has its place in history for being the first one, although maybe the first designer's aldheydic perfume, I do not know. But my opinion is that if it were not for Marylin Monroe, all the continuous advertising which keeps coming, plus the brand name and the price, no one would care about this perfume, or maybe no one would want to wear this perfume even if they could get it for free. Sorry. It is only my humble opinion, which is very subjective.

lots of roses, other florals and some powder. however too strong for me; I have smelled it on two different people (that I'm aware) and one of them smells okayish. it's a mature perfume, but it can turn wrong on a different chemistry. longevity 6 hours.

i am young - i dont smell old with N°5
i am of mixed race - and i smell exotic with N°5
i like 'statement' fashion - N°5 suits my going out apparel, as well as old hoodie i wear at home.
i dont find Marilyn Monroe attractive - but i guess N°5 will add a distinctive charm to any girl or woman without covering them in sugared nonsense or deep pseudo oriental concoctions...
Its a skin-scent and on me it catches something 'sanitary-medicinal-herb like' but after a while it warms up and sweetens just a bit.
I love it! And it smells quite different on everyone, thats a part of its beauty!
Depends from person, maybe some are able to make N°5 smell beautiful and some not.

There are already so many reviews of Chanel N°5 that I am not adding another one. Instead I would like to share one or two thoughts prompted by what Esscentially 299 wrote in her (or his, don't know if a lady or a gentleman) lines which I enjoyed a lot. Yes, how old is old? I more or less said the same in another review of mine when I wrote that I find funny that one lables L'Heure Bleue as a perfume for old ladies when it's so similar to so many new fragrances that we do not find "old smelling". What I think labels Chanel N°5 as a perfume for "old ladies" is simply the fact that we have all had a granny, a mother, an aunt, a teacher who wore Chanel N°5.
I would find extremely fascinating and à la page a teenager with her casual outfit and a drop of Chanel N°5. Would she be smelling old? No. Certainly she would not smell like all the other teenagers who smell like a creme caramel, a candy box or a fruit salad, but the teenager with a drop of Chanel n°5 on her skin would be much more innovative and trasgressive than her mates wearing sweet food smelling scents.

oh how much has been said frm years about no 5 , but i stick to the fact that this is a modern classic which is still the best selling fragrance in the world, a true classic and modern too, jus love the edp and daily wear it when i go to bed in the night , hats off to chanel and yes the price is very high and should be , b cause it has not to be common like armanis and isseymiyaks and boss, so chanel pls dont bring down the price keep it in niche section.

i salute chanel.

I'm always amused by reviews that say a fragrance smells like "an old lady".In the first place, such a statement is perfectly meaningless. How old is old? Over thirty? And then there is the mental picture of someone going about sniffing old women...LOL.

So, maybe it has been around for a long time. Many people say it reminds them of their mother, aunt, etc.

But sometimes the longevity of a scent may relate to the fact that alot of people genuinely appreciate it and it continues to win new admirers.

I haven't always liked No.5, but I have grown to love it: soft, unique, subtle, does not shout it's presence but has staying power, feminine, classy, chic, can be worn day or night, in casual settings as well as formal. It's lovely. I prefer the EDT to the EDP: it has a little more sparkle.

Read lots of reviews about this before going to buy. I sprayed the edt on one arm and the edp on the other and left the store entirely to walk around and let them settle. On the first spray i couldnt hardly tell a difference between the two. As i walked around the mall i noticed the edt was lighter, as one would typically expect from an edt. The edp packed a harder punch and was more rounded and continues to round and smooth more towards the dry down. To be honest i think it smells more complex than the edt :-/ to make a long story short i bought the edp and im damn glad. Edt is great but it smells more like chanel on her day off whereas the edp is chanel in the office, suited up and prepared to cut a bitch. Sweet and soft but no messing around. Plus the bottle is the classic one and way snazzier. Thats my two cents, to each their own but i would recommend everyone to try both and see what works better on them.

I know most peole say the original verison- edt- is the best, but this version -edp- is my favorite.
It is soft and special.
It might not be as "complex" as the eau de toilett, but it is easier. I like that.
A sensual and expensive "any day, any where"-fragrance.
That you Chanel for this version of Chanel no. 5

I must begin my review by saying that I don't like this perfume. Not at all. Still, because of all the hipe around it, I somehow couldn;t resist buying it.
"The smell of a woman". That must be the best line ever, for a perfume commercial.
I secretly wish that by wearing the same perfume as Marilyb Monroe, I will find the man of my dreams (Richard Armitage :)

My aunt passed on to me, and I passed on to my Grandmother, Its to strong for me, its smell shocks you at first buth then it subdues to a nice smell.

Chanel no. 5 is a classic, but not for the faint of heart. I can appreciate it's composition and cult status, but I prefer more natural scents where the notes are clearly distinguishable as coming from nature. That is the beauty of fragrance- it is completely personal, molding to our personalities and scent preferences.

Incredible difference between the start and drydown (talking about EDP!)
From the popular "granny" to almost baby bath oil. Those, who talk about yucky granny stench either tried bad tester, or didn't wait for couple minutes or simply did not grow up to No.5 YET:) I was a mix of all. Now it came its time though. I am 34, I'm sick of all the artificial boring waters with zero longevity and no balls. Now I finally appreciate this kind of perfumes, or let's say just perfumes, cause all the rest is just air freshener (if any) from now on.
Lightly sweet (ylang, neroli, vanilla) a little bit powdery (orris and rose), smooooooth and totally delightful. Feminine, soft, elegant, versatile and nonconfligting.
The original No.5 created by Ernest Beaux in 1921 is the smell of EDT and pure perfume (and Marilyn Monroe), while EDP was created by Jacques Polge in 1986.
I own all 3 concentrations. I prefer EDT, it is more natural, warm, cuddly, woodsy-vanillic, simply more intimate. And it doesn't take 4 hours to get to heaven as it takes to the pure perfume or to the EDP.

my granny gave this on my birthday and i actually like it. it smells very elegant. but not for me. i'm too young for this. if you're the kind of girl who is very classy like audrey hepburn maybe, you should wear it

This smells so familiar... like some memory from childhood.

Never thought, i could like it, reading the reviews and looking at the notes. but yesterday, tried it on at a chanel counter and there it was: magic!
i suddenly felt thrown twenty years back, to the time when i was very little, admiring my grown up cousins with there pretty make up, attitudes and elegance, wearing this magical scent. i remember every "real" woman in my childhood wore chanel no5 and i remember my aunt showing me her little glass flakon and i felt: this is something invaluable, something expensive and luxurious. never knowing the name of it.
as a teenager, i remember a friend of mine saying, that she sprayed on chanel no5 from her mother, and she told us, it smelled awful! so i didn't expect much, when yesterday i sprayed it on. and what a surprise!
this scent is somehow magical, it evokes so beautiful memories.
it is the scent of "me being four years old, wishing: when i grow up, i want to be classy and beautiful. like all the ladies wearing... chanel no5."

I love this perfume for me it’s so simple to get! You just have to give yourself up to it and enjoy it for what it is. It's dated but timeless, it's obvious but very wearable, it's nearly always somewhere in a room and most people who wear it just, get it! Night or Day, dressed up dressed down, summer or winter it’s all about the woman wearing it and that's the secret, as Marilyn Monroe demonstrated to the world, wear it however the hell you want! No half measures with this one it is what it is an amazing full on, no apologies fur coat style type of perfume (without knickers)lol!

I bought the perfum after i tested no 5. Maybe the tester was de edt version, wich was really lovely. I did not ask the lady if it was the edt or the edp wich she sprayed on me. I bought myself the edp. So when i got home a sprayed twice but i hardly smelled the perfume. I thought i was crazy, so the next day i tryed it again and the same happened, i hardly smell anything. So i am stuck with a perfume bottle that doesn't smell at all. I gues it was the edt version i had on me. So dissapointed and wasted money.

PS; maybe i should spray no 19 and no 5 together [have them both now] on my skin so i get the no 19 poudre effect, lol.

Edit; I just tryed them together of course i don't get the poudre effect but it is a good mixture together, they lift each other up, i like it. It smells better than that i spray them on single, at least then i smell something.

This confession is going to hurt those who are already in love and those who are in the about-to-love category with this renowned legendary fragrance.

I'm so much happy with this fragrance particularly the EDT. It's fresher and more sparkling. The EDP is somewhat overwhelming to me but is still beautiful and unique especially a few hours after application. But I can't wait so long in order to get to the best part of it. The EDT simply gives me the perfect qualities I'm expecting for - instantly.

I have no real problems with the rest of the No.5 versions, including the newest member, Eau Premier. The real problem is with the parfum or the extract. This version supposedly has a much more power, intensity and richness. Anyone who's familiar with fragrance concentrations will understand this. Unfortunately, i have had a very bad experience with the parfum version. I wish I need not to write this because I myself couldn't believe my own nose in the first place. The expensive, nicely and specially packaged 15 ml parfum turned out to be no more than a dilution of the EDT version! It lasts no more than an hour too. Unbelievable, but this is the NAKED TRUTH. Yes, this is all i can say. I have lost interest in explaining how weak the fragrance is.

I don't want to feel regret spending my hard-earn money for this.... little-gorgeous-bottle-that-give-me-nothing fragrance. Sometimes i feel like i want to throw it away because i'm so mad at it. I should have bought the EDT. Maybe i should still keep it - as a lesson for me. A bitter lesson.

For all of you out there who are about to buy Chanel No.5, I strongly recommend that you go for either the EDT or the EDP (they both last for very long hours, even the EDT!), but THINK TWICE or more before buying the parfum. Usually there is no tester for the parfum version. If you are still not confident with my advice and the parfum is still the one you're craving for, just buy the 7.5 ml bottle and try it out to see how you get along with it. But I warn you, I've learnt my lesson.

i tested this perfume recently. This is my cup of tea.
I love the powdernes of the perfume, i sprayed once and i loved it immediately. This is a scent that makes you confident and makes you happy. Just simply perfect.

I remember smelling it in the "second-hand" store when I was a little girl. There was this store I would go to on a way back from my music school (as a treat to myself). I had no money and even if I did, I would not buy anything, but I liked to touch or look at the clothing, perfumes, other little things (key chains, china, tea pots...) Chanel No. 5 was "when I grow up, I will get it" fragrance. I thought that ALL women must wear it, otherwise they cannot be called women. By the time I finished my music school (double major: piano and singing) I forgot about this store, I forgot about my promise to grow up a "real woman" and more likely the store had closed.

I never had a desire to purchase it when I "grew up", but I could not resist a bargain on e-bay and got it. Aldehydes are really strong on this one, however, they are not offensive to me. Both of my daughters (without talking to each other or me soliciting their opinions) said, that I smell like "baby powder". I think they are correct. This is the most "powdery smell" in my collection. It is a nice and clean smell, please don't be affraid to offend anyone by wearing it. I usually wear it when I want to smell "expensive" but not "offensive": it stays close to my skin with mild sillage, but great longevity. To me it will go great with "business causal" clothes or even jeans (but not distressed with holes in them). I don't regret buying it, but 1 oz that I have will probably last me forever, because I really have to me "in the mood" to wear it.

I would love to love this perfume as this fragrance is the symbol for classic elegance, but unfortunately it is too heavy for my taste so I can wear it only now and then. I find the smell lush, thick and rich. The aldehyde is very dominant on me and I think that makes this too intence for my nose. Since I can not wear this very often, I was very happy when Eau Premiere was launched, a much lighter edition that suits me better.

Waiting to turn 30 yrs old to wear this classic.

I love it, sooo many notes yet clean to the nose. No note overpowers the other it is is a perfect blend.

I will probably wear it only during a special occasion once I turn 30 however I can see myself wearing it everyday when I am 50. God willing

I know this is the most famous perfume of all time, but I don't get its allure and popularity whatsoever! I see nothing special about this perfume. To me it smells like baby powder and old-school Covergirl foundation. I know its popularity is tied to its history and relevance at the time it became a famous perfume along with Chanel herself, but I can't imagine anyone buying for any other reason than that.

Today I wanted to get a new bottle of no 5 edp since mine ran out a long time ago. I went to Saks and tested the modern edt and edp. The edp smelled a little strange kind of vanilla and nutty smelling but the edt was glorious. I was torn between the edt and the edp but I figured the tester was off and ended up buying another bottle of the edp.

When I got it home and sprayed it the scent could hardly be detected on my skin 30 min later so I went out to do some grocery shopping dead set on exchanging it for the edt. Before I knew it I was punched in the face with a strong citrusy vanilla that smelled exactly like Eau Premiere which I already have. I was completely heart broken WHAT HAPPENED!! lol my bottle from last year had a gorgeous soapy aldehyde opening with a creamy floral slightly vanillic drydown. Don't even bother wasting your money the current no 5 edp is an imposter how can a formula change in a year? hgpefully there's a bad batch going around i'll be sad if that's what the edp has become. So glad I exchanged for a 3.4 edt for 5 more dollars than a 1.7 edp lol

I admit the beginning of this classic fragrance is very special and even stunning. But soon after comes the rather soapy heavy drydown... I know this sounds like a desecration, but the drydown of the current edition of No. 5 (perhaps destroyed by the new manufacturer) is not wearable at all, at least by women with more modern tastes. I can't imagine this frag being so adored by soooo many women, unless some changes in the quality of the components have been operated.

This is strong, classic and elegant. I don't find it sexy but I do think it makes a statement. There is a reason it continues to be one of the best selling fragrances in the world. Part of it is due to legend I'm sure, but part of it is that it's a true original. I can't think of another aldehyde as strong as this. I can see why some people would dislike it, but I think it deserves it's coveted place in perfume royalty. My review is for the eau de parfum.

I have a distinct memory of what this frangrance was. Powdery and fabulous. Now in it's reformulated version, it's an atrocity. What a shame to ruin such a mainstay classic. Shame on the corporate lords ruling Chanel. A disgrace, I tell you.

I bought the parfum thinking this would be the best, but prefer the eau de toilette. I can wear this anytime of the day or night, dressed for work or slouching in a tracksuit it still makes me feel special, its like coming home, so warm, so familiar, love it! Wished it wasn't so well known though!

If over applied the EDP starting smelling like a cheap candle on me. So I use it sparingly. It smells cleans but definitely NOT sexy...not sure why its reputation as a sexy scent and its relationship to MM. Not sexy because it's just smells like a strong floral soap.

I got my first bottle of No 5 when I was just 15. It was a Christmas gift from my grandmother. I was so thrilled to receive this luxurious gift and I loved the scent. However, when I returned to school one of the boys said “ is that you? – smelling like a granny? Very disappointed and a little ashamed I decided never to wear this fragrance in public again. However, now – 18 years later I love wearing this classy elegant scent at all times. I like to wear it my own way- discrete but lasting; using the generously scented soap while showering (using a luxury scented, old-fashioned soap bar – there is nothing quite like it). Afterwards I spray the eau de parfum to my hands and apply it to neck and shoulders (still damp). This is my all time favorite beauty routine and I will recommend all Chanel No 5 fans to try this; the scent will last discreetly all day.

I concur with the powdery/intense/aldehyde comments. It's too strong and heady for me. I get a feeling similar to car sickness, even with a tiny amount.

In the name of experimentation, I sprayed my wrist with this perfume. It's so classic, so it had to be a gorgeous scent, right? Well, it smelled distinctly like blue-haired old ladies and too much talc. No other notes came through until a few hours later, when it was just soft and warm and ladylike. I don't think I would endure this for hours just to have to put my nose to my wrist to smell a scent that was bearable.

There is something quite austere about Chanel No. 5. It's not an indulgent perfume. It's neither sweet nor bitter, fruity nor flowery, dirty nor clean, dusty nor aquatic. I think that it reflects the sensibilities of it's original champion, Gabrielle Chanel: refinement without fussiness, practicality, not too feminine or sexy, just simple chic.

I think it is perhaps impossible to truly judge this perfume from Chanel's perspective back in the 1920s. No. 5 has inspired thousands of commercial scents since it was introduced, and it's difficult to separate the daily experience of these many scents with the unique experience that No. 5 once was. So I am hopelessly put off by the "soapy" smell.

I would not wear this perfume, and I do not particularly enjoy it on others. I believe it's time has past. It is "old fashioned" by today's standards. Perfumes created today are so much more indulgent, evocative, and sensual. I think that perhaps those who enjoy wearing it are most likely being influenced by it's classic reputation and the timelessness of it's domination. But they could also be appreciating aspects of it's scent that I cannot discern given my own prejudices.

I don't know if I smelled an off bottle of this fragrance, but I don't see what all the hype is about.. I think it reeks, its one of the worst scents I have ever smelt. Maybe I was too young at the time when I smelt it... I might give it another chance...

It is with some trepidation that I'm writing the review of what must be the most legendary perfume of them all - loved by so many women.
I tested it for the first time about a month ago. It took me so long because I had heard that it was sooo loud and intrusive that I avoided even to test it.

No. 5 (both EDT and EDP) is not at all loud, in fact it is rather volatile and stays close to the skin (I had to reapply several times during the day).
It's a very powdery and soft rose scent. I don't really recognize any other of the floral notes.
I can easily understand why Marilyn Monroe would choose this scent as her "nightgown". The delicate baby powder note, the pretty rose and the close-to-the-skin impression makes this fragrance very sensual, it almost smells like newly washed skin.

There's nothing really distinctive about this perfume, it is just feminine and soft - but of course I can imagine how different and innovative it must have been at the time it was created, when aldehydes was something new.

Yes, it is a nice scent. It is feminine, sensual and classic but compared with the perfumes of today I don't find it very unique. I liked it but I didn't love it. I was surprised but not impressed.

In 3 words: FEMININE - POWDERY - SENSUAL

Thank you, Fragranticans, again. Your amazing and demanding reviews helped me to choose once again. And you did not disappoint me this time either.
Firstly, this is not so popular in my hometown, you can't even reach for a tester bottle anywhere. So I could try No.5 for the first time when I went to Budapest - one year ago. That was my number one try on aldehydes and it was such a strange scent for my nose that I couldn't even take the testing strip with myself. It was not that I disliked it, it was just obscure that time. A year after this I went to the capital again, and this time I took the paper home but I still didn't have the brave to try on my skin. But I adored the scent on paper - even after weeks.
My mother goes crazy for No.5 since I showed her. She said it's even better than Coco Mademoiselle (and I swear she is addicted to CocoM). It's interesting how she have never read any of your reviews and says the same: sophisticated, classic. She doesn't find it oldish at all.
Neither do I. I understand that it's hard to like for some, even agree it can smell oldish. But please, how can anyone hate this innocent child?!
Deep inside my soul I always wanted to be born in the 1920’s and become a famous black-and-white movie star in the 40’s. This outlook, bottle and scent bring me closer to this dream.

I have only 3 words to describe this legendary perfume: Elegant, sophisticated, and French. Coco chanel was way ahead of her time, as she always was. This perfume will ALWAYS be relevant no matter what.

To appreciate it is to know it. And this is the very ESSENCE of CHANEL!

J'adore numero 5!

Oh Chanel 5 how I love thee. The aldehyde in this scent is like lightly lemon champagne. Lemon not sharp or citrusy but not sweet and cloying as sugared lemon. Just clean. As if I am standing in the bright sun with a cool breeze in the middle of a lemon tree orchard. I adore the opening notes and they are the only reason I wear this fragrance.

Then the dry down happens and I miss any middle notes and it settles into very faint sandlewood. No other notes detected on my skin but sandlewood. Unfortunately for me this fragrance is undetectable on my skin within a few hours. Sigh---if only the opening would stay much longer. I will still purchase this and keep it for my own enjoyment.

I'm sad to say I hated it. Where Coco Mademoiselle turned into magic on my skin, this turned into an industrial strength vat of hospital soap on my skin. My mother used to wear this when I was young and I remember wondering at that time why my father loved it so much on her. Skin chemistry is a funny thing.

There are only three words to describe Chanel N°5:

1) - Classic

2) - Gorgeous

3) - All of the above.

After using pure parfum, I finally got EDP.....unless my sense of smell got totally distorted from all the classics, but it feels too light for me. EDT must be a real waste of money in terms of sillage.

Chanel N5 is my refuge when I feel invaded by negatives thoughts. Simply divine

I would never agree that n.5's time is over. It is still The Queen, whatever they say. And like a real queen she doesn't need to strain herself to attract you with lovely, seductive, easy opening, full of flirty notes, on the contrary - it has all the right to smack you on the face with its hyper-aldehyde beginning. If you can't bear it, well... off with your head!
No, but seriously, it has the most beautiful drydown, and the combination of rose and jasmine absolutes in the heart is stunning and obligatory for a perfume lover. Even if I've heard about crappy reformulations and that the most decent blend is made for France market only, and I think I could agree (I smell some chemistry and some sale-busters, too) it is still unique. Its real name, hidden under the "5" cryptonym, is SOPHISTICATION.

Well, Ladies, Chanel N 5 is all about presentation. How it is going to be perceived by others and you largely depends on how you present yourself as a package wearing it. The key is to be very very meticulous with your wardrobe... from head to toes.
Funny, but it was even approved by my 6 year old daughter...she keeps asking for a dab on her hand.

Masterpiece.

Rich, pure, classic, refined, timeless, sensual, floral, sweet, musty, beautiful, glamourous, dry, moist, explosive, powerful, joyful, exciting, misty, exhilarating, relaxing, vexing, spicy, warm, picturesque and perfect are just a few of the millions of pleasant words (oh yes, pleasant, add that to the list) one could use to describe this completely wonderful fragrance.
My great-grandmother wore this, my grandmother owned this, my mother owns this, my stepmother owns this and soon i will own this (i have a sampler, but have smelled it on these women since i was born).

My first experience with attempting to understand what this scent was happened a few years ago. My step-mother was getting ready like she normally does every Saturday. Except this time, there was a very pungent aroma creeping from the washroom. As i walked toward it i heard the hairdryer, the floor creaking beneath me and my heartbeat. I finally turned the corner and asked if she was ready to go (we always rushed her). To which she replied yes, shut off her hair drier and exited the washroom. I was there to embrace her in my arms, i smelled it in her hair, and on her skin. I asked her what it was, and to that she answered with a very serious face, as if she was teaching me a life lesson,

"Chanel number 5".

Worst perfume ever. Might of been good back in its day, But outdated now.
Move on ladies, so many more modern classics around than this chemical bomb of yesteryear.

I sooo wanted to like this perfume but unfortunately it's way too plastic and synthetic smelling for me. It reminds me of the smell of old plastic lawn chairs left out in the sun too long. The flowery notes are too brief and I can not detect any woodiness at all.

Dear Chanel No. 5,

Thank you for being you. Don't ever change.

Love,

- C

I've just decanted a couple of mls into an atomiser as the spray nozzle was blocked and liquid was running down the side (which probably lost it some notes) and I want to take back what I said before - this is a rich, classic floraldehyde. Perhaps not for everyone, but definitely worth trying.

This one really disappoints me. I used to think that it smells incredible and every women should get a bottle of this... BUT when I smell it, it smells old (or you might say "classic"). And it was kind of like the smell of a shower gel. sorry. It may smell great 50 years ago but probably not present.

As so many have said, the best form of this absolute classic is the perfume extract. There is considerable variation with this fragrance and I have found it to be one of the most enigmatic in character as I have never had two bottles alike. When it has been sub-standard in character, it really is ordinary, but when the bottle yields its truest balance, it is perfection itself in this Coco Chanel's most enduring and classic essence of woman's spirit.

Again, I only wish I could be certain of the consistency of this fragrance, for there is where the house has much work to do.

I bought this for my mother on Christmas and I must say this is an overrated fragrance it smells nice but not that great and it doesnt last long at all and its so weak too thats just my opinion if anyone disagrees hey im just being truthful

I love the EDP a lot better then the EDT, to me its a lot softer and nicer to my nose the the EDT. I really think that this one is a classic , I think that every woman should own a small bottle of this special fragrance, to me this perfume says" I'm a woman" " I'm beautiful" love it.

Though I don't like this perfume, to respect for all the we have, it needs to join to French heritage list reserved in museums for the future generations to note that your priors used to wear some strong and absolute perfumes like this one.

Chanel No. 5 EDP is an such an elegant, comforting scent. I'm drawn to that these days. Coco Chanel asked for a parfum that smelled like a woman. She accomplished that with No. 5. There is a "wow factor" in the opening with the blast of aldehydes, but how it moves through to the drydown is just beautiful. On me, it sits very close to the skin and just smells like me. Yes, it does have a soft, powdery drydown and I love it. I like this for day and evening. I layer No. 5 EDP with the Velvet Body Cream and Body Powder.

I can not understand how this perfume has been kept as valid. I think is an old scent for women over 50 years and do not consider it elegantat all
In my opinion chanel has not innovated in its scents, but I can say that chance eau fraiche and mademoiselle scents does not smell so old.
definitely I won't never consider this for a present.

When I wore this to test it out, it was like being preceded into every room by a blaring, off-key trumpet player. People smelled me coming. Intensity can be sexy, but I like to smell flowers, not be beaten over the head with them. The burst of aldehydes made my eyes water, and it dried down to a soapy mess on my arm. The idea of the civet freaks me out, too. I realize its a classic, and I would love to be able to savour its genius along with everyone else, but it just makes me feel ill.

Very disappointed that I just splurged and bought a 1 ounce flacon of the parfum and, while very beautiful at the start, it hardly lasts an hour on my skin! This was from a well-known department store and was bought at full price ($260!) - so you can imagine my sadness.

My mother's old bottle of No. 5 EDC has more impact and lasts longer than this.

Chanel - your fans are noticing now that your quality is slipping fast. Why are you sinking your flagship scent?

I was shocked when I smelled this famous perfume. It smells terrible. My best friend got it as a gift and didn't like it either, she offered it to me and I was really excited until I smelled the darn thing. The note "civet" in here really freaks me out too. What part of this animal do they put in the fragrance 0_0? I've heard it has something to do with glands around their testicles. That's pretty nasty.

I went to a perfume store in New York City yesterday with a list of six perfumes I wanted to test. Chanel 5 was not on the list, but after trying the three that the store carried - and not liking any of them - I put on Chanel 5. I used to wear it several years ago and yesterday I tried it again: Sophisticated, yet not pretentious. I just love it!

I was given this as a present when I was 16..16! No 16 year old should be in possession of Chanel No.5, it was of course totally wrong for me & I didn't like it. I passed it on to my mum who loved it.
That was 20 years ago and I haven't smelled it since, so I'll have to check it out sometime and see if I've matured enough for it yet!

Update...I sprayed some on a card (not myself, I'm not that brave yet) and carried it around all day. I was very pleasantly surprised. Very strong at first but softened into a nice powdery smell. It's not as overpowering as I remember, and found out that my mum actually didn't like it but didn't want to waste it at the time! There's hope for me yet!

I don't like it.it's a fab creamy talcum perfume in the bottle,but on me I don't feel any sexy motion.don't make me feel comfy at all.but I do understand the great job....and marylin....just make me feel like I put on too much talcum and sweat at the same time.and guys....it's made with a tiny sweetie animal.love

Hi.

To speak of the gorgeousness of No.5 is redundant,It is a goddess.Everyone who knows me well knows that i am not a big fan of CHANEL fragrances but as my reviews are truly then let me say this is supremely sophisticated.one of those fragrances that is absolutely unforgettable just like ANGEL,SHALIMAR and...one rooty perfume that is natural,queenly,fresh and just Fabulous.Sensual yet Laylike at the same time.

Striking and subtle notes of aldehyde and fresh air with weird undertones of precious woods and musk mixed into the perfect blend but the natural floral scent in the heart is more spectacular as it is very feminine and makes you think of a field of white flowers in the morning.it is not at all overpowering yet it stays with you really unique and beautiful and something you can totally imagine the creator smelling like.

The base notes are quite warm and musky on my skin. This timeless classic is excellent for anytime wear.one application to either neck is enough to cosume your entire body when you walk by another person for that person to notice you smelling great.A perfect fragrance for a perfect lady who so attend to class and tradition.


Sillage?Fantastic.

Longevity?Lasts and Lasts.

7.5/10

Why people would ever put this on themselves is beyond me! I got a sample in my bag from Ulta, and I thought for kicks I would try a tiny spritz. Oh how disgusting it was! I washed off (well at least tried) like less then 1 min after putting on. I refuse to wear any perfumes that shows some sort of animal with beady little eyes in one of the Notes! Thats just down right disgusting to me! This goes on my list as one of the worst!

It's a mythe, it's a must, it's an evergreen, it was.... the Marilyn's pijama ! ;)I want it, but obviously the price is very high :( Is there anyone interested to an exchange with one or more perfumes i have in my "wardrobe"? Thanks.(J. from Italy)

This is the most beautiful fragrance ever. This probably sounds cliche, but i must say it is timeless and classic. To put it simply, it smells like a STRONG, SOPHISTICATED WOMAN, hence the reason why many other women fail to understand it :) I may use other fragrances from time to time, but Chanel No 5 will always be in my collection.

My boyfriend bought me this last xmas and even though Chanel 19 is my ultimate fav, i do love no 5. Its so strong that i only need a tiny amount and it lasts and lasts.....however if i spray too much it can start to feel very overpowering and a little sickly. Less is definately more with this one.

I don't like No. 5 - there, I've said it! I know it's THE classic and it's said to be sexy and sophisticated, but to me it smells like cheap body spray - too much of a chemical floral feel to it. Also, it dries down to a powdery finish on me, which I really don't like.

I tried, I really did - but just not for me.

This is so beautiful. A true masterpiece, no wonder why it became a classic.
I have been always avoiding testing it, because by mother had too many knock offs of it when I was little, and I used to think it was the real deal and hated them with passion.
Just as I sprayed a bit of eau de parfum on a strip of paper, I thought 'Oh my god!' I haven't been pleasanly surprised by any perfume like that in a long time. Then I sprayed it on my wrist and loved it even more, so I had to ask for a decant sample.
Now it's No1 on my wishlist.
On me it's is a bit sharp in the begining, but in a beautiful kind of way sharp, then after a few minutes it turns into something heavenly creamy and luscious and stays very close to my skin, nothing loud or in your face as I have expected. I associate this perfume with how I want to be seen by others, wearing it I feel confident strong woman with a hint of fragility.
To me Chanel no5 represents inner strength with a balance of true femininity.

This is one of my three all-time favorites and one of my staples even though I generally go for much lighter, flowery scents. I think I love it because it is such a departure for me -- no flowers or any particular notes are recognizable, and it just has an overall polished and sophisticated smell. It doesn't smell like anything else. Every perfume smells a little different on each person, but in my experience, this Chanel No. 5 has a particularly vast range between people. It really changes by the person wearing it! Although I love it on myself, I don't like it on my sister and mother. At any rate, I really recommend trying this, and perhaps you will LOVE it!

First, I have to say I love Chanel No. 5. I find it a classy, sophisticated scent and I've been wearing it for years.

I love to read the reviews on all the scents that are posted on this site.

What I don't like are reviewers who say what people should or should not wear. Everyone's tastes are different and I would never belittle anyone's personal taste. Just my .02.

and now ladies and gentlemen... about the perfume:))) I tried so much in the past few hours to like this (as far as I can see others tried too). And I also tried to like it without counting this is famous scent, this is THE PERFUME!
Well, for me it is not. One of my classmates received this as a present a few years ago, and she was so thrilled. I was thinking "the famous chanel 5, marylin's scent, if she has this perfume, this is a good opportunity for me to meet this so high rated scent". And I was like "what's so special about this?" and then I felt sorry for my dear friend because a ended up ruining her mood :))
Today this was given to me and I said to myself it's time to try again. Maybe I'll find it more appropriate nowadays. It's an unique fragrance, but for me in a bad way; powdered and ...hm... what else? nothing, I don't detect nothing else. I sprayed a little bit and waited, and waited...and nothing. I feel this is very one-sided, it has a great sillage on me but has no mistery, no middle tones. and I really think some people ended up hating this just because others love it so much :)))my mistake was that I expected too much.

Down with Hitlertypes in here! Every persons rewiew is as much worth as the others!
Alfarom,go on rewiewing and dont care about narrowminded people!

I read rewiews tobe inspired and to find out what others think about scents,not to judge their grammatic skills!

@ sat! I found this on alfarom profile: "Sorry If my reviews sometimes lack in grammar but I'm not english mother tongue."
This site is about perfumes and not about spelling. I'm not an english native either and I assume you realise your grandmother's education is not a statement about Chanel no.5's quality.

I'll re-post my original review for Chanel No.5. And I'll keep on doing it forever. Once again, this is possibly one of the best perfumes ever created but the point within my review is slightly different. I'm trying to focus on the fact that if we all endorse the "best ever" attitude we leave no room for invention, for curiosity, for self expression and we react to other people's opinion just like the world of perfumery reacted when No.5 was originally released. At the time, brands by the likes of Guerlain used to keep the point that using natural ingredients in perfumes, was the only way to guarantee excellance. Then Chanel introduced on the market the first clearly chemical fragrance, declaring they used over 80 aldehydes to create this marvellous composition.

At the time it was absolutely blasphemous from Chanel and the world of perfumery splitted in two parts. On the one side we had those who felt almost offended by No.5, on the other we had people endorsing Chanel's choice realizing that No.5 was a revolutionary landmark in perfumery.

Said that, I'm trying to encourage people to be open minded, and most of all to respect other people's opinion...

Here we go....

Chanel No.5

OK, I know it may sound blasphemous from me (again) but we can't stand this perfume enymore! OK OK OK, it was revolutionary, it was the first floral- aldehydes scent ever created but please, let's go a little bit further now. I've nothing against N.5 that's an ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE but I'm sick and tired of mid aged ladies wearing this fragrance and thinking this is the only scent available in the whole world.There are no more reasons to exists for Chanel No.5 besides being part of your own collection, but please don't tell me there's anyone still wearing this. Wearing Chanel No.5 in 2011 it's not anymore being elegant and classy...fantasy, please!

Rating: 10/10 for the relevance

WUUUFFFF!
It is what I call PERFUME! Now I understand why it's too famous!
It opens too classic, nostalgic, attractive, charismatic, chic and chic again!
No5 reminds me old days, the days I was a kid, the sky was bluer and ice creams were more delicious!
The smell of amber, musk and jasmine present a retro texture, and the smell of musk is too vivid.
This was a phenomenon once a time but it's time is over and it became limited to an age group of more than 40. Also it's strong enough to be worn on men. It doesn't evoke feminine moods, it just presents a classical powerful and absolute odor which is out of dated.
longevity 10/10
sillage 10/10
scent 5/10 not on my taste anymore, goodbye blue sky!

Chanel No 5 is actually one of the perfumes which open up the door to the world of perfumes to me. Glad that I started with this perfume, and I’ve got the Parfum version (because I find the edt or edp quite different), and it’s an instant “wow, it’s intriguing, and not bad or old-lady smell at all”, despite the fact that floral aldehyde isn’t my usual taste. The bergamot blended so well with sensual ylang ylang and many other notes, with a touch of ylang infused, relaxed-in-luxuary feel of aldehyde.

Later on, it gets rounder; the citrusy begarmont combo gradually wears off, and left a more relaxed, and self-assured concoction on me, it feel like been wrapped around by white chiffon clothes, not exactly cuddly or cozy (like some of the vanilla perfumes evoke), but comfy enough to make me feel like a carefree teenager princess in the 17th or 18th; yet still with a touch of elegance and a low-key beauty, like some little piece of gorgeous renaissance arty accessories/deco in a modern day study.

Then the warm, cosy, slightly velvet feel of musk and other ingredients combo kicks in, and it feels like a pair of nice soft vintage gloves. While I generally hate the presence of leather in my perfumes, the leather here, along with other “animal” notes which I don’t normally like, just blended in a lovely fashion and I simply adore it out of half craving for nostalgic comfy scent, and half just the enjoyment of the scent itself. Every now and then, from the cozy animal nots combo, there’s a certain kind of ivory soap smell becomes relatively more dominant, but it’s quite shy and hides for a bit, then comes back. Somehow, despite the conventional ‘heavy’ and glamorous associations I have with Chanel No 5, I find somehow from another point of view, it’s just like a nice blanket perfume, or a supportive friend there for you. No wonder I read it somewhere, something like this: “in the turning point of a woman’s life, when she doesn’t know what to wear, she can always turn to Chanel No 5…”.

Since I’ve tried a bit of those big scents with similar feel to Chanel No.5, I once thought No.5 is just a “yes that’s nice”, but somewhat when I come back and rediscover it, I find that there’s a certain character inside No.5, which is so gracefully there, while absent in some other big guns like Fracas, Tobacco Blond, Trouble…(not saying these are not nice scents). Maybe it’s the inner strength of No.5 makes it a legendary perfume which is still popular today.

From my heart, I would recommend everyone Chanel No.5 Parfum; but my logic tells me, well, I hate to say this, but…maybe, in public, not those under 25 (yes it includes me, I feel the strange looks when once I was wearing No.5 to uni, I guess nowadays people expect certain group of people to smell like certain things), and this is purely because the certain social association with Chanel No.5 is mainly made up of imagines of those more mature woman and mostly quite successful in some way.

Highly recommend to try the Parfum :-)

I used to hate it but now I love it.
It's a powdery fragrance and yes... that's me (most of the time). I have the eau de parfum, but to me it can't be strong enough. i would love to have the parfum.

My skin makes this smell like pee, talcum powder and hairspray. Really foisty. I really want to love this, I want to feel a part of the legend, I want to feel amazing as I whisper 'Chanel No 5' as I dab it behind my ears and knees, but I can't. Seriously, every time I pass a perfume shop I think 'maybe today I will love it, please, please', I stop and try it, open minded I hope I can welcome it into my bedroom...and I never do, infact I despise it, and it breaks my heart. It's a handsome man that doesn't want me.

Chanel No. 5, what can I say? The perfume of perfumes, a legend in the perfume world. But it is not for everyone. It is probably the first perfume I was ever familiar with, and I was entranced by its numerous seductive advertisements.
I love the bottle - classic and simple with an elegant lid and full of the magical gold liquid. A less showy version of the bottle housing the "Coco" scent, one might say.
My mom bought a bottle, and the fragrance is wonderful on her; tasteful, elegant and a little mysterious. However, when I sprayed it onto my wrist, it smelt foul! Maybe it's my skin chemistry, maybe my young age, but it was disappointing. However, I continue to enjoy it on Mom. One needs to be of a certain age to wear it, it seems.

Oh, I wish I like it, but I don´t.

It was my first french parfum, I was 10 when my mother (who can´t stand it)won and gave it to me. I tried to use this until I was 20 (my father give me one other, 100 ml), then, I give up!

A hard one to put my finger on. First of all - You just dont DISLIKE Chanel No5. It's the perfume of all perfumes. Still - I think it's a bit too old school. It's lovely in it's own retro way but definitely too grandma-ish for me to ever wear. I'm quite bold in perfumes but this one feels like putting a clown suit on before going to work. It just doesn't melt together with ME. But still - it's impossible to completely dislike.

I love this stuff.....while it's in the bottle! I sprayed it on and got an overdose of spices and maybe incense, my 9 year old son LOVED it, I kept asking him if he was serious! He was....It's now mellowed out a bit but now I smell a distinct poopie note, the civit perhaps? I don't hate it but it will probably never make it to my collection.

Chanel #5 is not a perfume,
Chanel #5 is THE PERFUME...

Hard to say if I like or dislike it. I had it for 2 days before I accidentally dropped it and the bottle smashed all over the floor and into my suitcase. At least my luggage smelled nice. What I do remember is that it reminded me of something a powerful and assertive older woman would wear. It's very bold which I like in a perfume but this was just piercing.

Civets have musk like some other mammals. They hunt the animal and after slaughter they extract musk for perfumes and leather for luxury goods.

The classic New York fragrance of the well dressed business woman.

That's why I like it.

I love this scent. It works beautifuly with my body chemistry, it is clasic, sensual, it lasts. To me there is nothing not to love about this perfume, but it isn't for everyone.

I got this perfume about two years ago for Christmas i was told by many people that perfume was for old ladies and that wasn't for young people i love this perfume this perfume isn't for old people sure its from the 1920s but that doesn't mean its for old people its for every teenager young adult or older woman its because so many young girls these days go with those sickly sweet perfumes like fantasy NO.5 is for anyone thats wants to stand out be a true classic beautiful woman THIS PERFUME IS A TRUE CLASSIC AND IT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE BEST PERFUME OF ALL TIME SO PLEASE RESPECT A CLASSIC AND GIVE IT A GO EVEN IF YOU ARE A TEENAGE GIRL ITS NOT JUST FOR THE OLDER GENERATION the only bad thing is that it is expensive.

In all these reviews I saw so many who say the EDT is much softer and manageable than the EDP. Only one person mentioned the EDC which is even softer than the EDT, and the only one I really can enjoy upon drydown. Why on earth Chanel stopped with the EDC concentration, I will never know. It would seem to fit this market quite well. It is still available on Ebay, and I just purchased about 4oz for under $40. But it is always a risk. I never know if the juice has been stored properly. If there is one thing worse than thick No.5, it is turned No. 5. Ugghhhh! Sounds like some of you might really enjoy the EDC. I suggest trying to procure some.

The crazy thing about No. 5 is, it has Neroli and Ylang Ylang in it, 2 of the notes I hate most in fragrances, and yet it seems that this miracle fragrance manages to put them together in a way that magnifies their characteristics and pulls out only the positive vibe in them. Mysterious and excellent, that's one of my HG all year long.

I bought no 5 as a blind buy,it was one of my early experiences in perfumes and I just wanted to smell the best and feel the best and so I went ahead and bought the best!no 5..at first I was a little dissapointed with the top note and the intense aldehyde but half an hour later I was enchanted and in love.. everyone arround me felt curious about this" magical baby soft and calming scent"!I was really pleased with it but the problem is that as soon as it develops into this beautiful smell the soon it starts to fade away and refreshing at work or anywere out woudn't be such a good idea with all this aldehyde in the begining..overall no 5 for me is a big like and if I wished for a thing this would be for it to be a more projecting and of more staying power..

Perfectly well balanced....a skin scent on me. I use the voile parfume which is a body spray. It's unfortunately discontinued. If you can get you hands on a bottle it will turn you into a convert. The scent lasts all day!

I love #5 as I’ve found on my skin about an hour into the composition I smell divine. Chanel No. 5 is a true romantic aphrodisiac in all its classic glory, complexity, and beauty. It’s odd how men seem to love it as well. I love every concentration too. I currently have the edp, to my nose No.5 is just beautiful and what perfume should smell like. I just never grow bored with this scent, and it smells like no other perfume in the world.

My son says ''soap mom, it smells just like soapy clean skin''...That's the beauty about Chanel No. 5, it doesn't reek of flowers, fruits, spice or anything except clean skin..''

I smelled it again the other day in a perfume department store and I got completely lost in it's magic: big, promising, immaculate and most of all ageless. I smelled it once on my 14years old niece and I was shocked by the fact that it didn't smell like it used to on my mother.
It doesn't really matters who wears it, where or when. We love it deeply for just one reason: it's amazing ability never to disappoint us. And actually, this is magic, isn't it?

Well, what Can I say about this great fragrance? Yes, it's great and not because of it's name. I think smells delicious, so creamy and powdery. I don't consider it an older women perfume rather I think it's classic yet modern, besides elegant. If you have enough personality to feel confortable wearing this then use it an enjoy it.

Though I toy with other scents, and try maybe five or six bottles of something 'new' I always come back to Chanel No5, it's a talcy dream, I remember smelling it on my grandmother as a small child, and it still takes me back to a golden era.

It took me a while to fully get the beauty of Chanel n.5. I have known it since a long time, mainly in EdT form. Then I wanted to test all forms I could. The pure Parfum is still to be tested. However EdP is the one that I find more round, thick, luscious, incredibly well blended and powerful, but also closer to skin. It share more similarities with new Eau Premiere than harsher EdT, because of the intrinsecal softness. Less skankiness, more softness. I cannot understand how Chanel n.5 smelt to noses back in the '20s. Something very new for sure. Now it has become kind of an acquainted smell. Still it smells different of different people and always n.5 at the same time.
Wile the Eau Premiere is dominated by a gorgeous lemony smell and give me a baby vibe, the Eau de Parfum smells grown up, still holding the yellow Baby shampoo Johnson's note. With less skankiness, that note lingers and give a less contraddictory feeling of cleanliness. The previous reviewer made a great description of notes. I smell all of them but not separately. What my nose especially smells and loves is the divinely luscious jasmine. Terrific.
It doesn't even smells like the true plant and doesn't smell artificial either. It smells Chanel n.5 if it makes sense. Once the famous aldehydes (stronger in EdT than EdP) fade a little with their tickling and brain-brashing effect, here comes this wonderful jasmine with faint rosy whifs.
I feel it like a totally feminine and conforting smell.
Here memory could play a major role in my perception. Chanel n.5 has been often presented as the epithome of seduction and sophisticated sexiness. Marylin Monroe talked about being sexy in it.
Well, I don't know if being exposed to Chanel n.5 mainly as a daughter or niece or babygirl among grown up ladies conjured a feeling of maternal love for me.
This beautiful fragrance is motherly for me, the epithome of Motherhood, beauty, sweetness and conforting embrace. I'm not saying that it doesn't hold a sensual feeling. It's not a not-sexual scent. In that case it would be a safe scent to wear and this is not. I have a similar emotion towards Sublime de Patou, another beautiful motherly scent.
Interestingly my mother never wore any of them. She had a bottle of Chanel n.5 EdT when I was very young and she almost never used it.
I smelt this one on so many middle-aged women when I was younger, the kind that sports herself around with squared constructed silky jackets, inflated short hair and red lipstick, claiming to be oh-so-chic. Not my kind.
Now that many ladies of that type over 50 wear D&G Light Blue I feel more free to experiment with Chanel n.5 in all its forms, all equally interesting.

EdP = round complex motherhood scent
EdT = wilder and brashing skanky sexyness
Eau Premiere = mother and baby soft embrace

I don't usually wear n.5 as personal scent, but I love to fill my nose with it when I'm alone.
Simply beautiful.

(This review is for Eau de Perfume).

CHANEL No. 5… The legend… The masterpiece… Of course I heard about No. 5 but I haven’t tried it till last year. Well… I have to admit that No. 5 was different from what I have expected but nevertheless I have found it remarkable and quite beautiful.

At first I was greeted with very classy and beautiful opening of ylang-ylang, neroli, bergamot and aldehydes. What surprised me is how smooth and beautiful aldehydes are in this fragrance. I had tried many fragrances with aldehydes before and they are usually strong and sharp but this one… This is probably the most gorgeous aldehydes opening I have ever experienced. The heart notes are tender and a bit powdery but this cannot be compared to stinky baby powder smell. The powdery heart notes are very elegant, soft and creamy with a beautiful floral accent. I smell mostly jasmine and it is divine in this fragrance. The amber and woods are accompanied by the vetiver and a bit of musk in the dry down. I do not detect any vanilla in this one. The sillage and longevity is perfect in this perfume. It is strong but never overpowering and loud.

CHANEL No. 5 is an elegant and classy lady from top to bottom. She is a bit of perfectionist with everything in place and in order. She has beautiful soft voice, patience, elegance and a gorgeous smile. She is classy no matter where she is: at the business meeting, wedding, picnic, or walk on the beach.

My advice is please do not assume that you will like this fragrance just because it is a famous Chanel. I would recommend it if you prefer classy aldehydes based perfumes with a soft floral powdery base. No. 5 is a true masterpiece in this category and it will remain in the perfume world for many generations. Is it modern enough to wear in 21st century? Absolutely! This scent is gorgeous on my skin. And to be honest it is a nice break from gourmand, floral fruity and strong floral perfumes I usually love. I also find No. 5 to be quite versatile and suitable to be worn on many different occasions.

like the UGG boot- every woman wears this because of the celebrities and actually think it's atrocious. no really...

i don't care how many celebrities wear this to bed. i noticed a lot of people wear it cause it's famous and "you can't do anything wrong with it'. wow how daring.

gives me a headache and is not at all sensuous.

yuck

this smells like soap. Aparentley Marilyn Monroe loved this. Maybe they didnt have nice perfumes back then, but this does not smell good at all.

No.5 is THE classic perfume, no doubt about that...but I cannot wear it.
On my skin it smells like cheap restroom soap, the worst kind.
I always wondered why this sacred classic did not smell good on me and I never got any compliments when wearing it. One day I realized why. My skin chemistry does not like aldehydes.

Sorry, Coco - this one will never be mine.

Well, I was waiting to be really acquainted with No5 before writing a review... and I am glad I did.
To start with, it was hate at first sniff: like many people, I couldn't stand this blast of aldehydes, this old lady's powder smell. For that reason, I never bought it, but also wondered why this was so iconic. I know that Gabrielle Chanel created a fragrance which was very different from what was commonly worn back then (I guess cologne type flowery fragrances). But still, I didn't get it and it annoyed me.
I got a bottle of EDP for my birthday... from a friend who had been given it and didn't like it. She had mistaken it for Coco which is the fragrance I wanted at the time.
For a while, the bottle remained a decorative feature of my bathroom cabinet. I had tried it on once, and while out, I was paranoid that I was leaving a trail of grandma powder scent. However, after a while, I got to smell the drydown: I got a lot of very clean amber with a hint of citrus. I was surprised, for me No5 was nothing but a powder smell.
Then recently, I gave it another try: a very light spritz before bed. This time, it went straight into the core, skipping the stuffy aldehyde part: I smell creamy jasmin, amber and vanilla with a hint of citrus.
At last No5 has revealed itself to me! I am glad I did not give up on it. I have become addicted to wearing it in bed, and it is a great pleasure as well as a luxury to be able to. Now I totally get Marylin Monroe!

i like it, not love it. it is a classic, but smells very sweet, kind of vanillary on me. i did have it in the past, but sadly didin't go back. for me, it smells better in the bottle than on my skin.

So difficult to say something new about this classic. One of my favourites I must say. Not because the smell is particularly seductive but because it is timeless, attractive and weird at the same time. I love the new advert with Audrey Tautou meeting a stranger on a train,much better than Nicole Kidman´s.

MOTHER MARY, this is the most beautiful fragrance I've ever had the honor and pleasure of wearing!! What is it that makes this perfume so magnificent, so captivating?! From the first crisp spritz to the honey-jasmine-powder finish, this is the golden nectar of the gods. I can absolutely see why this perfume has stood the test of time, winning the hearts of countless women, spanning many generations. It's the first fragrance that has ever brought tears to my eyes because of it's superb, unequivocal beauty. It's like a Beethoven symphony to my nose. I never knew true love until Chanel No.5, and I'm afraid I'll never love again. Ok, now I'm being melodramatic....

The key is patience, and you will be rewarded. If you are not immediately enamored by the opening, don't wash it off for goodness sake! It needs at least 30 minutes to evolve into the beautiful creature that it is.

I can see why so many people detest this fragrance--not because of the scent itself, but because it seems like human nature that something that is so deeply loved by so many will inevitably be vehemently hated by others. My advice is to see for yourself!

UPDATE: Just received a bottle of Parfum as a gift. The sillage isn't as good as the EDP (how's that possible?). The projection isn't as good either--the Parfum stays very close to the skin, which I don't like. With the EDP, the scent develops over time, opening with aldehydes and drying down over time to a sweet honey-jasmine-powder finish. With the Parfum, the scent is extremely sweet straight from the bottle, and it pretty much stays that way. So if you don't like the opening notes in the EDP and only like the drydown, I'd suggest the Parfum. I appreciate the pricey gift, which looks gorgeous on my dressing table, but I honestly prefer to wear the EDP.

I appreciate some aldehydic perfumes but no 5 is too soapy on me, it overrides everything else. So wanted to love it because it's iconic; it's simply too old-fashioned on me. Recently I smelled it on a 2 year old who got into her grandma's perfume and it was absolutely heavenly! Powdery yet elegant, just beautiful. I'm gathering that if you have the proper chemistry (sniff, sob)no 5 is gorgeous..try it on your skin first though! Definitely great lasting power and sillage as well.

I am a (gay) man and I love #5 even on my own skin.

It is the purest jasmine scent I know, and it is so well constructed with all ingredients in perfect harmony that it is like listening to the London Symphonic orchestra or probably more accurately some French opera.

Though preferably used as an evening scent (perfume) this is the olfactory equivalent to a floral burst you get after prolonged rain, when the sun bursts all flower buds open and they all ooze their fragrance into the open air on a perfect summer's day.

If >>Shalimar<< is the slightly louder more "slutty" one (the 'Samantha' of perfumes), then #5 is deffo the more distinguished, romantic, big dreaming 'Carrie Bradshaw'.

I love this fragrance for it oozes class and luxury with the familiarity of "baby powder". Sheer amazing!

I was one of the fortunate winners of the give away of the book The secrets of Chanel No. 5. I read it in two days. I strongly recommend this book. One word, we are lucky to have this fragrance around since at one point in time it was on the brink of extinction. I did not appreciate this fragrance before and I guess I'm not the only one. I had never smelled this on someone but when I did I was blown away by how good it smells. Now my daughter who is only 12 wants to get a bottle for herself. She had a school dance to go to and she sprayed No. 5 and let me tell you it smelled fantastic on her too. Now that I have more experience with perfume I can see how it has a special place in my collection. To me Chanel No. 5 is an acquired taste, the more you try it the more addicted you become to it. From the book I read this perfume was created by the nose of the Russian royal family. This does smell like royalty, sophisticated stoic a cut above the rest. I find myself wanting to smell it more and more. It is simply exquisite and sophisticated. Incense is not one of the notes listed but I can smell something like it in No5. For those of you who don't know the life of Chanel, she grew up in a convent all her life. I can see why incense or church smell would be part of this perfume as well. The choice of flower, the soap smell everything that went into this perfume was influenced by life experiences. In my eyes Chanel No. 5 was the baby she was never able to have. If you are young I would recommend you try the EDT as it smells lighter and sweeter. I'm still trying to get to know this fragrance, to me it smells like the sun warm and cozy like a blanket on a cold day. I detect many complex layers when I smell it something like menthol which may give some the impression of it being cold. My only complaint is that it doesn't seem to last long on my skin. I also like the EDT better for everyday is brighter less spicy than the EDP. With the EDP you just need to get past the initial blast of aldehydes to appreciate it's beauty! a diamond in the rough for sure.

It's amazing. I don't dare to wear it often because it might feel overwhelming. To wear it you must feel you're perfect and you must also have a perfect occasion. I can't imagine a woman which can use it on daily basis. She must be either a queen or just an arrogant teenager who doesn't know anything about perfumes.

Normally, I hate to say a perfume smells "old". I think that kind of age classification is complete BS, especially since most of the stuff marketed towards my age bracket is nasty kool-aid cupcake trash. Ahem. Anyway. But I have to say that No. 5 smells ancient and sad to me, and not in a venerable way.

The opening blast of aldehydes is harsh and unabashedly chemical. No. 5 on me quickly acquires a dense powdery scent, heavy on the ylang, but not sweet. Later, I get all the worst aspects of jasmine and civet. I would not call this a floral perfume at all... no petals, all indole. It has a somewhat, and I hate to say this... fecal scent. It smells like dusty attics, feces, and wasted flesh, uneasily veiled with soapy lather and coated in sneezy old fashioned after-bath powder. It makes me think of funeral homes, which dredges up all sorts of sad memories. The scent makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious. :(

No. 5 is a terrible match for my skin chemistry and taste. Classic though this may be, I cannot imagine I will ever love to learn something that inspires such a viscerally negative reaction.

One of the worst perfumes I've ever tried. So heavy and so nauseatingly sweet. Yak!

I'm 28 and so happy that I've finally come to appreciate and enjoy No.5! I have my the pafum extrait - the highest concentration and I like that very much. I don't find the staying power to be that amazing. I barely smell it on my pulse points after 5-6 hours or so. I find that Coco has much better lasting ability.

I like to wear No.5 to work - it's subtle enough for casual wear (at least I think so) and I don't apply too much so it remains understated.

Oh my God what an amazing smell!
I tried it last summer on me and I wasn't pleased. It seamed very old-fashioned for my taste and somehow...dirty.
Today I tested it again on paper and it smells like heaven. I hope that my body chemistry isn't responsible for my first reaction because it's such a shame. Maybe it was just the heat because now I can't imagine that delicate smell in the heat of summer...I'll try it again on my skin definately!

After reading all the good reviews everywhere I have to try Chanel No.5, and I did last week at the mall. I spray Chanel No.5 on my skin. unfortunately she turn in to a very strong powder scent that make me sneez all the time. I also felt that she's more of an old-fashioned than a classic. I'm so sad that we ended up this way. Maybe when I'm older I'll give her another chance.

PS. Later that day my friends seem to like Chanel No.5 on me, they told me I smell wonderful. While I was thinking about taking a shower all the time:-(

Hi girls, I know I am a guy, but for some reason, I had to do this review, this was a scent which my mom use it until today. I did a review on Opium by YSL, so do check it out =)

On my skin (yes I spray it on me for the test):
Top : Baby-powder scent, with the ylang-ylang (you will have to know it via...I dunno, but back here in my country, it is known as pokok kenanga @ kenanga tree) scent creeping out, and a touch of some flower emerging, but not over-powering. 3-4 hours marks.

Middle: You can detect the jasmine started to rise, but the ylang-ylang still holds on 4-5 hours mark.

Base: Something grassy, and a little woody at the same time. 1-2 hours mark.

As you can see, there is nothing spectacular from this scent which I revea.

But bare in mind, this scent leaves a...tsunami trail, it is....very....very... strong!!!

This scent is classy. I have seen many ladies pulling this off in the office, it is nice, but it gets a little boring at times. But for sure an attention grabber.

I would say this is quite versatile. But there's a drawback (this has been mentioned earlier in my Opium review)

I can only imagine 28+ ladies wearing it, this is not for teeny-high school, please, don't steal your mom's and use it in school, people will hate you for this XD. You may give it a whiff from the bottle cap, and that's it!!!

Anyways, for the 28 up ladies...
DATES? YES
FUNCTION? 100% YES
WORK? YES (but a little to common)
CLUBS? NO (this scent is very, very upper class, you can cut through smoke with this for sure, but people might hate you with this scent).

Ladies, you do not want to go over board with this, its one spray to your 'in-between-your-breast' when you are wearing a low v-neck, and one shot on each of your wrist--> and a quick touch from your wrist to your neck's pulse points.

Or two on each neck pulse points (or 1 on the center of your neck), and one shot on each of your wrist--> and a quick touch from your wrist to knees if you are wearing skirt.

From the top till the dry down, it is beautiful and sophisticated. This is a classy fragrance, but I bet every grandma now has scent this XD

It can be someone's signature scent.

The country I am in has no 4 seasons, so it is either hot or cold weather. This works very well on both (surprisingly, but for sure it will get cloying when yr sweating).

My rating (base on 5 stars)

Scent: 5 (Commonly used, every fragrance lover should scent this, although everyone has used this before, this is for sure a unique scent).

Sillage: 5 (Incredible, it leaves a trail for sure, walking up the stairs, and the scent will still linger around the stairs, being in an elevator and guys will feel like making love to you).

Time length: 4 (I don't know about the ladies skin chemisty, but this one lasted for almost 12 hours).

Occasion: 3 (This is where it falls, its hard to use it in work, this is like...a seducing scent, but for evening occasions, functions, this is great).

Overall base on mathematics: 4.25/5

A classy fragrance that stood against time. It has survived world war 2, it was still there when JKF was shoot, when Vietnam War occurs, where the cold war was almost gone, where Russia's communism collapse.

It is classic, yet timeless at the same time.

A keeper, but bare in mind, its common =)

I love Chanel No.5. I get compliments every time that I wear it. It is a unique fragrance that is timeless.

It is delicate, feminine and everything that a woman could ask for in a perfume. At the time of the dry down comes through in a beautiful manner.

A totally unusual scent for women who love to wear perfume and very sensitive about their personality.

It last all day and into the evening. I love all Chanel fragrances but this is the best.

This a dream come true...an amazing perfume! not due to the house s name, but due to its perpetuale sense of feminity, romance, taste of style. This is a fragrance i always turn to, when i do not know what i want ( but it seems that i always want nr5!).I admit it, not a sexual scent, but a definition of eternal beauty. Yes, it does smell old , but on an old lady... an old woman wore this the other day, it diddnt smell so nice, unfortunately... but on me..everybody asks me what i wear...they cannot immagine its no 5. PS. the body lotion is divine!! i like to wear both. Unfortunately, i have aproblem, the exact opposite than the common . I do not think that no 5 is powerful, i find it rather subtle and light...i do not smell it in a couple of hours...but all powdery perfumes (which i adore) are like this, unless my skin cant hold it. But i love it i love it i love it..

I tried Chanel No.5 a year ago for the first time. I stayed away from sampling it all this time because my mother had told me once that when she was very young, my father spent a whole lot of money he didn't have on a bottle for her birthday, and it turned out she couldn't stand the stuff. So with that in mind, I never bothered. Shameful of me... I know! Anyway, I actually like it. It's classic and sophisticated and goes great with my skin as most other vintages do (Shalimar, Emeraude, Chantilly). I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a bottle myself, but if someone gifted it to me I'd definitely wear it with appreciation. It's freakin' Chanel!

I have grown to love this perfume , it was defiantly not love at first smell though. When I first smelled it (in the bottle) all I could pick up was the aldehydes I couldn't stand it.

However after I sprayed it on and as it dried down it became remarkably pleasant on my skin . It's hard to explain the scent as it smells so different on different people .(on me mostly floral / vanillin / patchouli scent.) Maybe not for everyone that's looking for a "classic" scent but I have really grown to appreciate it(especially the dry down.

I could smell it for 8 hours and it wasn't overbearing or cloying . A very beautiful classic scent . Great for anyone who wants to wear it although I must admit the bergamot note gives it an older vibe since it is found in a few classic perfumes from long ago . I am 21 and never get that I smell like old lady or anything I would wear this in the evening time or to formal events. No other like it .

To the guest asking about the label ,I think it is very possible it has recently been changed . I purchased a bottle that had the word "Paris" on the label as it usually does but I wanted to exchange it since the bottle was leaking (perhaps damaged in transit to the store) . So I E-mailed the costumer service directly from the Chanel website and sent my perfume to Chanel Consumer Service in new York. Within about a week I had my new eau de perfume and it did not have the word Paris on it anymore and did seem to smell a bit different than the one I sent back . Since it was directly from Chanel I have no doubts about it authenticity . It probably has been changed .

It was definately love "not from the first sight"...In my 20s I tried this one because I was truly curious to know how it felt, this famous No 5. I was dissapointed. It smelled to strong, to owerpowering and odd. But I guess in our 20s we still dont have enough patience to wait till the scent settles down and blend with our own. We are mostly in a hurry. We want to smell it RIGHT NOW and it better be good from the first second.

Well, Chanel No 5 requers patience. It starts strong and flowery and incredibly fresh in a first moments. It almost feels like strong wind came by from the garden FULL with blossoming jasmin. Than after 15-20 min it warms up, getting in this powdery cloud of sandalwood and vanilla.

It is timeless, elegant and truly genious. Sorry Chanel No.5 for running by you too fast in the first time.

Channel no 5 perfume was always worn by my Grandmother's sister. She was a very beautiful and glamorous lady, and was adored by all the family. I always remember greeting her as a child in the hallway of my Grandmother's house and hugging her, the most beautiful smell of channel no 5 would arise, it captured my heart. Sometimes she would dab some on the back of my ears and I felt like a fairy tale princess.

Channel no 5 is a classic and a very sophisticated perfume. It is not a casual perfume. Only to be worn when you want that special feeling of looking good and smelling devine.
I wear this perfume sometimes and I am always transported back to my childhood and the smell of my beautiful Aunt. A beautiful classic that gives you a feeling of glamour and makes you feel rather special.

i think this perfume is too old for me..
smell like my grandma, -_-
this scent too flowery, soft, vanili..
i live in summer country, soo its too strong..
i use this every night, maake me feel asleep faster ..
smell sexy, but i'm teenager 15th years old, soo its bad for my ages..
but i didn't say its bad perfume..
anddd, very long lasting...
very expensive..

It took about 15 years for me to like No5.
I use eau Premiere, which is bright and juicy. However I am longing for No5 edp because it is much warmer and creamyer. Also it smells great on my skin from the beginning to the very end of it.
For me, EdT only turned out to be like cat-pee and strange to say, very masculine.
Anyway, No5 is truly a great classic and everyone should try it, even just one time.

No5 is like a specific movie designed for a specific audience.
Definitely, it is a fragrance for a mature, classy woman. Not the one for the faint hearted - it is not a type of a romantic date one to me. It isn't a walk on the beach at sunset one either.
It is a big gala fragrance, wedding day or evening at opera.
No5 is silk and diamonds. It is caviar and champagne. It is Maybach and red carpet.
Elixir of luxury that, thank God, every one of us can afford.

Does anyone know why the logo (sticker) on this fragrance changed? I purchased a 3.4 oz eau de parfum spray ($115) today at Macy's and when i took it out of the box to spray some, the fragrance was not lasting like it usually is on me. Then i noticed that the word "paris" was missing on the bottle! No "paris" underneath the name Chanel!!!! WTF
Anyway- I was so upset- i had to return it but before i did i questioned the sales lady and she acted like nothing and had no information regards to that other than taking it back if i was not happy. I even asked to speak to the regional manaager who is always busy and never called me back. I just sent a message on their website and see if i can find out why the change and why it is not powerful like it used to be. I felt like i purchased a eau de toilette instead for the price of the eau de parfum. So disappointed!

Ah Mme NO5., la grande doyenne du monde de parfum! I appreciate her greatly, respect her deeply but I can't say I haveany affection towards her.
My grandma always had three bottles of perfume on her dressing table. One was the latest Avon offering,(she LOVED Avon), one was 4711, and one was an unopened bottle of NO5, which probably was a gift to her. I finally asked if I could try No 5- and was I surprised when she told me I could have the bottle. Being 14-15, I was so excited to get such a "rich lady's" perfume. BUT, when I used it- I felt let down. It wasn't exquisite to my nose-I didn't like it all that much- so I just wore it once in a while.
Flash forward to the 21st century. I decided to pay a visit to Mme again. Big mistake. Mme elle s'etait tres fachee-The aldehydes jumped out and hit me square in the nose- revenge of No5. I nearly fell over and I vowed that Mme and I will part ways forevermore. J'ai essayee, vraiment!

No5 is not a perfume but a lady's best friend

For some reason I kept avoiding to try this on. I've enjoyed the Eau Premiere the house released a few years ago, but I've never touched the original, out of an irrational prejudice that it was way too popular for my taste and anyways it couldn't have possibly risen up to its reputation.

But boy was I wrong! I'm falling for the EDP pretty hard, I sprayed it on today and I keep smelling my wrist and I think it smells FANTASTIC. It completely made my day more beautiful. It’s incredibly soft and powdery and feminine, way better than the Eau Premiere, which in my opinion, although classy and pleasant, pales to the original.

I'm not so happy with the fact that it's so well known and has become rather mainstream - everyone loves it and everyone has it and everyone wears it - but there's a reason why so many people appreciate it. It’s truly gorgeous and I'm unexpectedly beginning to fall in love with it.

Many do not realize that No. 5 smells different in its (three main)incarnations. The parfum is the most sensual of them all, very musky, or rather, redolent with the scent of styrax. The EdP runs close, but not as indolent and has a woody or resinous tone to it. The EdP is my favorite. Finally the EdT is spicy and effervescent and unmistakably sensual. All three I can appreciate and it's easily recognizable when you smell it in the air, where it smells best. The other day at the airport, I smelled it on a woman as she passed by (wearing the EdP) and I was mesmerized by it. That,...is the power of No. 5! She didn't look anything all too special, but smelling No. 5 on anyone instantly I think of something precious, sophisticated, redolent of a perfectly conceived formulation, and its power to seduce without restraint. It makes most modern scents created lately smell like something from their chemistry set.

I like the EDT version much more than the updated EDP. The EDT is fresh, clean, soapy, just-out-of-shower type of scent. I love spraying my silk scarves and enjoying the lovely fragrance gently lingering all day long. Lovely is the word that characterizes the scent. I feel pretty, put together and clean when I wear it.

Yes, it is as people call it: "old fashioned", "little old lady-ish"...

HOWEVER, I would prefer to put it in a milder and favourable way and so, I will call it the absolute of the interwar period. It captures the "atmosphere" of that beautiful period, it brings back the smell of old clothes kept like little nostalgic treasures in your grandmother's wooden, Art Deco closet, it evokes the smell of an old Paris apartment furniture, of large, cozy and elegant rooms, with sophisticated carpets and curio cabinets, it smells like an old jewelry case, like coquette, round, old, powder boxes and perfume bottles displayed on a mid 20's girl's vanity table...

It has a pleasant, retro classy drydown, with a moderately sweet, powdery, gently aldehydic feel. (If you smell old linen freshly taken out of your grandmother drawers you'll get the idea - but beware, leave aside the naphthalene notes that may come along with them).

I LOVE this perfume. It's a symbol of its age, a doorway to the interwar period. And yes, it deserves its world wide recognition! It just needs time to be fully understood in all its complexity and relevance. It calls for intuition and patience. So, my advice would be: don't let yourself be carried away by stereotypes and trendy prejudices because you may miss out on something special.

For those of us who would like to begin to unlock and de-mystify the strange and wonderful beauty of this fragrance, but have been put off by the edp and even the edt concentrations, a word of advice: try the hair veil (voile de cheveux or something like that) It is much gentler, and goes on lighter, and is less lingering, thus much easier to wear and to start to appreciate. In addition to hair, it's perfectly fine to spray it on skin. And it's less pricey too. I'm loving my No 5 right now, and even though I'm using the 'training wheels' version of it, so be it, whatever it takes!

Ah, Chanel No. 5... I have a love-hate relationship with this perfume. The "hate" part is the numerous unpleasant memories I've associated with it. Mostly from my aunt, who literally doused herself with No. 5, thus giving everyone within a 3-mile radius a massive headache. Even her Pomeranians reeked of it, since she sprayed the little dogs with her bottle every morning. Fast forward about ten years or so. I received a bottle of No. 5 for my eighteenth birthday and was immediately horrified. However, I realized that one spritz on each wrist doesn't smell all that bad...it's lovely, in fact. Potent, heady, a little powdery, but certainly not brutal--unless you spray it more than twice, which many of its wearers seem to do. I imagine fur coats when I wear this, Virginia slims, and champagne. Definitely not an everyday type of perfume, but something I save for special occasions when I need some extra sophistication, glamour. I urge you to try Chanel No. 5--you will either love it or hate it, but it will definitely leave an impression either way :)

I got it today and i'm a little bit dissapointed, i was expecting something else. It smells like talcum powder, sweet vanilla and a mix of flowers, very strong and oldish. My husband says this smells like incense. Not too bad, when i smell it i feel i travel back in time, somewhere in '20.

To me this fragrance is a musky floral, that is very fresh and clean smelling. Fresh and musky almost sounds like a contradiction but somehow it works.
Sometimes my destination dictates what I wear that day. I may wear this or Coco Chanel when dining in a very nice restaurant or attending a play.
Normally I like fruity floral, but I do like to mix things up depending on my mood.
I like Littlerayray77's reviews. I find them refreshing and honest. Even a little funny at times. I was curious and went back and read her reviews. I couldn't find anything objectionable.

I despise civet and aldehydes - so I truly despise No. 5 - on myself and on others.

I don't care how ignorant of the classics I may seem. Skin chemistry and personal taste is everything, and I simply can't stand this stuff.

Yes, I do appreciate that it's beautifully blended and it's complex. I appreciate it's complexity, and I can see why it's a classic - but that still doesn't make me like it.

To me it has an eye-wateringly strong vibe of cat pee and mothballs. Again, it's personally chemistry, I guess.

@ lilme.

Lady... YOU. Are out of your mind!

Here's how I came to that conclusion. Mainly because you implied that anyone who doesn't like the same smell you do is "uneducated".

And secondly because you're getting so bent out of shape because others' olfactory nerves don't work quite the same as yours!

No one here is insulting you, your religion, or political views or even your family. So take a deeeeeeeeeeep breath and just accept the fact that not everyone is the same. :)

I can see by some of the reviews that we have in our educated community a few sceptics, those of you who smell Channel no.5 for the first time and think, 'what's all the fuss about?' I urge you to suspend the cynicism for a moment and to ponder, Jean Patou, who once said that “Just like men, perfume is never perfect right away; you have to let it seduce you.”

It is a cruel trick when the most famous of all perfumes cannot often live up to a benchmark it set itself years ago. Post war, Chanel No.5 stood up straighter than any other perfume bottle on the shelf because it was new, a breakthrough chemical discovery, a genius of a creation.

People flock to buy it now based on its fame but they really don't 'get it'. It's magic lies not in the bottle itself but in the marriage between created by its wearer and the formula for when the two meet, there is the kindling of a love, the sparks begin to flavor the moment it hits your skin. Sure we can call ruin the romance and this process oxidation, Oxidation,at its worst can rot a half empty bottle of perfume just as well as sour a wrist but Channel grows better with the wearing, the sillage screams sophistication and sensuality. But don't misunderstand me as most modern perfumes do this too. But we owe it to the research of the pioneers such as Channel. Even after all these years it is still made exactly the same way using the same exacting formula as the first bottle ever produced. It was born as one of many and known for a long time only by its number No5 yet No5 has never really been able to be improved upon.

Chanel was created for women and is a fragrance that will sit differently on each wearer. This is its raison d'etre, the entire point of its beauty. It is not a stagnant perfume as it continues to develops and blends with the natural scent of a woman. It is an ntoxicating, lush medley of powders, oils and scents but in itself it only works as an initial sweetener - when the initial pouf of its sophisticated cloud meets the skin, a delicate infusion occurs and it reveals a uniqueness for each woman, each time. I have worn it over the years and it has smelt differently each time, the only commonality is that every time I wear it, someone usually comments, it has a way of drawing the best out of the woman you are and it enhances your natural scent, your pheromones? perhaps. I find that once that powdery rich cloud fades, its sillage draws blissful faces in my direction each and every time. Not many perfumes can do that not even my very favourites.

My former review of N°5 was less than favorable. I won't delete it because, in some ways, I stand by what I wrote. For many years, I did attempt to appreciate N°5. During that time, it failed to "click" with my chemistry and I did not enjoy it's scent on anyone else. Then, I tried Eau Premiere and I was blown away by it's beauty, charm and light. Within Eau Premiere, I sensed something familiar. Since I am never one to be close minded, I obtained a generous sample of the original N°5 EDP for test...and here I am, eating my words! It had been a few years since I tested N°5. Without a doubt, my tastes have changed. Now, from start to finish, I really like N°5. Where they once turned me off, Aldehydes now tickle my nose in a delightful way! I enjoy the natural sweetness of the roses and the powdery softness of the iris. The base is well-balanced and rich. I no longer find this fragrance to be overwhelming or "dusty." In fact, after about half an hour, N°5 settles and becomes a very feminine skin scent that lingers for many hours, leaving a delicate trail around me. Even though my nose favors Eau Premiere, I am happy that I can finally enjoy this enduring gem.

i love Chanel no.5. i bought it a few years ago as the smell reminded me of my mother. everytime someone walked passed me, i would do a double take! as my mother died when i was 9 years old, the smell of this perfume just sends me back, and i remember her so vividly. so i had to buy it, and when i got it i just sat smelling it, it was so comforting. i notice from other reviews that a lot of people associate it with their relatives from the past. which goes to show the popularity and length of time this fragrance has been loved. i adore it. you don't need a lot of it and it lasts a long time. some people will say it's old fashioned, but it is as popular today as when it was first put on the market. it is a scent of elegance and no other perfume comes near it.

On my skin, this is aldehydic, warm ALMONDS and soapy,heady gardenia.

You all using it- be very careful not to overapply, 2 squirts are enough for anyone, and lasting power+sillage are very good.

It's very heavy, really, and requires certain autfits- very elegant ones. I don't wear it too often, but it's always in the back of my drawer, waiting for me to reach to it once in a while.

N5 and I have had relationship that could be compared to soap opera. This is only perfume whom I reviewed 3 times. With this being final word.

N5 has to be one of most popular perfumes in the world. I grew up with perfume = Chanel N5 in my head and always was interested in it. This perfume has legend, story ... famous characters involved. It wasn't Marylin Monroe who made me like it.. it was from well known Soviet comedy.

My grandma had and loved N5, but I, myself being a kid, didn't get it at all. Years later and few years ago, respectively, I tried it again. On wrist. It ended up being just soap, so old fashioned and weird. Maybe elegant but .. uh scent for grandma ! Dx

... But let's roll few years ahead. Few days before I would hit 20. Before of that I tasted and accepted Eau Premiere. And recently I laid my hands on modern version of Chanel N5 in eau de parfum concentration...
Just purely divine D: Aldehydes are light and bright, top is soapy with ylang ylang and neroli. Heart is smooth, creamy and very sophisticated. Something like smokiness lurks there. A bit like incense, but also sweetened, like a micro-dose of vanilla there. Base is just perfect as well - smokiness of something like incense, it's very warm. I don't think civet is used here in this formulation, but there's a bit of something animalistic and drop of bourbon vanilla. Overall, it's very balanced and extremely feminine, sophisticated, elegant.

Although the oldest bottle (owned the longest, not created earliest) in my sizable collection is DIOR's Fahrenheit, this (No.5) is the first perfume I remember smelling and registering the scent as parfum. My mother wore the eau de cologne version (similar yet much softer and closer to the skin with less aldehydes and the musk was more refined, less animalic and most likely not true civet)in the rechargable black square sleeve.Back then she was younger and vibrant with hair to the waist and she did not wear it often but when she did she smelled like I thought a goddess would. (My first literary passion was Greek mythology) This scent is the archetype of femininity with strength, poise and a loving joy. Today she finds the EDP too strong (as do I) but this scent anytime I smell it on anyone reminds me of youth, security and unconditional love. My mother has from the time I can remember been one of my best friends, yet remained an authority figure who was never too harsh and always fair. She never tried to shield me from harsh reality but gave me the strength and support to deal with it. Wow! All that from one scent...that's true power!

Sillage: massive
Longevity: super
Overall: 3.5/5(the scent)6/5 The memory

Created in 1921 It is call #5 because this is the 5th in a series of testers brought to Coco Chanel for her approval, and the one she granted her blessing. Perfection takes time and no matter how many times we attempt something, each misstep brings us closer to the ideal. This is the High Empress of feminine fragrances, she needs no ones approval and has everyones. She rules the others yet is adored by those around her. She is ancient & eternal, despite changes in outward appearance, coloring and concentration, ever unique and sweet. Go ahead...call your Mother, SHE MISSES YOU!

NB: Chanel has re-released Nos. 5, 19 & 22 in Eau Premiere concentrations. While these are fabulous, they are a pale reflection to me of the soft majesty of the EDC. There is something lacking yet there is a new modern twist to an old favorite.

Oh how I wanted to love Grand Madame No 5! She is epic, the Holy Grail of all perfumes.

I do LIKE No 5, truly, but I cannot say I love her. The smell is rich & oily & sophisticated. Trouble is that I am a dork & she just laughs at me.

I am loathe to say also that she is a grandmotherly matron. I don't remember anyone I know wearing No 5 but the smell is so hauntingly familiar that it seems to have been implanted in my consciousness via collective osmosis from the past 80years of No 5 lovers.

I find it quite old-fashioned but I think it can still work for modern ladies who are dignified enough to pull it off.

I think the best advice I can give is for new adventurers trying Chanel No 5 for the first time.

Firstly, a paper test is a waste of time. Paper just seems to absorb & amplify the aldehydes. And the initial burst of aldehydes is so shocking and frightening that you might be put off giving it a chance on your skin which is its best format.

Secondly, be patient, the aldehydes do settle & the smells changes & then you might just discover the magic. I hope you have better luck than me!

This is the signature fragance of my grandmother, so to me smells very comforting, i could love to get a bottle for indulge on my childhood memories in nostalgic days, and maybe i could start to use it in 10 years more or so, why not.

Partly out of instinct, and partly out of desire to appreciate the scent, I recently swapped for a bottle of Chanel No.5 EDP, and I think I have finally discovered what hadn't been working for me with this fragrance. I had been testing the EDT! BIG difference.

The EDT seems to have fewer aldehydes, less citrus, and a more pronounced orris root note on my skin. Bottom line, the EDT is terrible on me. It smelled dirty and flat.

The Eau Premiere is pretty and simple, yet still refined. There seems to be only a moderate amount of aldehydes in the Eau Premiere, and the delicate florals have a citrusy yet balanced attitude. It's much more mutable than the EDP, though. It seems to change constantly while I wear it. Sometimes the citruses will stand out, sometimes the neroli, sometimes one of the other florals, etc. It does not seem to follow a steady progression from top notes to base notes. I'll give it credit for being nice.

The EDP is heaven! I literally think I could bathe in this stuff. I love the abundance of aldehydes combined with the lemon and iris. The orris root is very timid, and the base of the fragrance is a powdery, clean suede. It's such a complex scent, and I am so happy I finally figured out which rendition I could wear. Now I can't seem to stop spraying it on!

Very, very strong and agresive at the begining, after half hour, very creamy.
I think that is not my type and not my vision of beauty. Very old-fashionable, but not classy.

What a relief to read some of the other reviews. It has been a trivial but real tragedy of my life that Chanel No. 5 smells vile on me - I'm not sure what that says about me or No. 5. Imagine a sewage farm on a hot day mixed with floral air freshener and you've got it. The fecal note is really unpleasant. The tragic part is that I've been bought gallons of the stuff by people whose generosity outweighed their scent savvyness. Give me No. 19 any time. Please.

MoietToi described how this EDP unveils on my skin perfectly....sharp, ambery/ozoney floral at first, mellows very quickly to a powdery elegance, then later, a meltingly soft/fresh floral with touches of citrus and vanilla that smells like nothing else I've ever tried. I wore the EDT years ago but I find now that I'm gravitating towards the EDP. This is the most versatile fragrance I've found; not too heavy or sweet for summer, not too light or floral/fruity for winter. It's sophisticated and classic.

I was first aware of Chanel #5 in high school, as a good friend wore this. I remember the beautiful, elegant bottle sitting on her armoire in her big bedroom of her mother's Victoria-era home. I have always known that the name Chanel is synonymous with elegance, class and style. Yet, Chanel #5 smelled putrid, pungent, dusty and very chemical-like to my young nose. It did not smell nice on my friend, but I did respect the fragrance. I just assumed that it was better suited for a more mature women or perhaps, even, just did not mix well with my friend's chemistry. I so wish that this was the case. It has been over fifteen years since those first experiences with #5 and nothing has changed. I have smelled this on at least 100 or more women of all different types and this fragrance stays the same. I have tried to wear this many times and now that I am 31, I think that it is safe to say that I have given #5 every opportunity to impress me. No matter who wears this...even if I catch a whiff straight out of the bottle, all that I ever smell is a cold, dusty, sharp, chemical-infused old crypt. I would never be disrepectful or say that I "hate" Chanel #5. Yet, I strongly dislike this and I have yet to enjoy this perfume on anyone...ever.

I've tried it but this one is alsoo verry overwhelming for me and some how it smells verry odd when I spray it on my skin. Too bad, if I sneff the bottle I do like it. I'm sorry to say this one is not for me.

WOW . . . this no.5 has more reviews than any other scent ill start by saying that i think this has became an icon 'a legend'sooo many on here writing poetryabout it even. that is beautiful by the way . . but it does seem that some are in love with the ''idea' of channel no.5'' then the scent it's self because it is a classic it was introduced by gabrielle ''coco'' channel who i think was a real woman with real life experience's go read her biography she had more heart ache and hard times then most but over came gracefully& achieved greatly also i admire her clothes but not every single ''stitch'' just because she designed it .. sorry 2 say i feel this way about the channel perfumes :( no.5 & mademoisel i seen others saying i feal like i should like this or im going to keep trying . . .wear what YOU like i think coco would say be an individual and wear what YOU like not what is most popular if u want 2 be respected...ps i do not think i lack an adult or real womens nose nor am i convinced something must be wrong with me or my taste i love perfume with a passion many many different types besides if no.5 was ALL that we would all smell the same & there would be no use for the art of making & puting out &trying new perfume's

I personally am not a huge fan of no.5 but i've been raised off this perfume but have never had the acutal bottle (I've had fakes of the no.5) but I've tired on a REAL bit of it form a magazine smaple and it reacts wiht your body's chemisty. On me it's very soft and deleciate but on my grnandmother it's loud and ech! this perfum is very unique but I love madmosielle the most of them all.

This perfume makes me instantly think of Bette Davis as Mrs. Skeffington. You must know the movie and the part where she seeks the advice of a doctor and he tells her she smokes too much and is too made up and highly perfumed as he opens a window. If you had to imagine the perfume she wore at that moment, it would have to be this perfume! Mrs. Skeffington, an elderly lady in denial of age, thick make up to fill in the deep lines on her face, terribly thick dark eyelashes, rediculous wig,smoking and wearing chanel #5.

Ah Chanel no 5 the mother of all modern perfumes.
I will always link this beautiful perfume to these things:
First my ninth-grade prom when my dear mother was generous enough for me to lend a few drops of her perfume.
Secondly this pefume will always and forever remind me of the woman from the sentances above. My mother,ah alas even though she only wears number 5 for special occasions I will always remember her as a "no.5 person" intellectual,elegant and fierce.

I shall try to put my sentimental ramblings aside in order to actually examine the perfume. It opens with a blast of rather sharp florals that penetrate into your brain. As soon as they settle (which takes about 4 seconds) the perfume becomes much more softer and it smells like powder used by actresses in the old Hollywood films. That powdery note soon disappears and the perfume turns into something floral once again,this second floral blast is much more subtle and smells like it has been encrusted with pearls.

Very beautiful and exactly the sort of perfume that could be found on a vanity table in an elegant budoir.

I was given chanel no.5 as a gift. edp. as i am a great fan of powdery type fragrances, i thought this would be great for me, as i need a good staying parfume. Sad to say, it just doesn't go with me somehow! I don't feel comfortable wearing it, and i think it's because it doesn't smell on me as it should, for some reason. I am very dissapointed i feel like this, as in the bottle it smells heavenly. I must feel comfortable with my parfums, like i do with Boucheron, my all time favorite! But i will keep it, and keep trying to like it, or perhaps it will grow on me!!

A rich and classy scent that can turn any girl into a fine damme. The smell is clean and classy. It took me a while to appreciate such a scent like Caleche by Hermes, but now I can smell the beauty in Chanel #5.

Today I smelled this on someone else, and now I know how it is SUPPOSED to smell. She smelled so fresh and clean, with a little bit of oakmoss and civet. It was delightful, and uncommon. I had to ask her what she was wearing. Chanel No. 5?! OMG. That is not what it smells like on me.

Update: I have found that the EDP smells amazing on me!! And all these years I had been reaching for the Tester bottle of EDT, which is a slightly different composition. It was enough to make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

Today i recieved a vital of Chanel No 5
The holy grail of all perfumes
the most covented sort after perfumes
in the whole world. it's inspiered by
Artists Film Litature Actresses and Pop culture. the addicting scent of Aldehydes addes the powderly Element
the mixure of neroli citruses Jasmine
and it dries down to refined woods.
I Love the golden Licqur of this perfume
it reminds you walking though a Palace of Rare Gold. and i love the trade mark bottle very Simple not Gaudy Cheap loud Minimalistic Less is more
I Will give this a 5!

a little heavy for me. suitable for mature woman in formal occasion, just like nicole kidman in her red dress in the advertisement.

i am very sad :-( I LOVE Chanel, but I do not like no.5. I feel like I ought to, and i honestly tried to, but I just don't! i even have the edt. I am 28, and to me it just smells too dated. I decided to test it out by wearing it out one night, and by a couple of hours into the night I was bored with it. Actually I could not even smell it anymore, & I had only applied it around 9pm. For the record, I absolutely love Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, and I just won a bottle of Chance parfum extrait so we'll see how that goes....

I had this and gave it away when I was younger- maybe I need a re-smell. Have always smelt old peoples homes when I smell this- and I've worked in them so I know what I'm talking about; Urine, tweed talc and rich tea biscuits; Or maybe they were all just wearing Chanel No 5!

Scent is definitely an individual thing, including Chanel 5. I absolutely cannot wear Eternity without it turning into the smell of cheap aeresol hairspray. On others, it's the elixir of goddesses. That's what Chanel #5 is to me...an elixir of a goddess. It is refined, elegant, beautiful and regal..without shouting to be noticed. Chanel #5 is definitely a lady who knows she's also a woman!!! It is and will probably continue to be my all-time favorite scent.

Ultra feminine and sexy like an aura of waxy candle smoke swirling in the air, in a room full of flowers, and mixing with your own skin scent.

Amazing how many reviews are opposite, bothers me what every good feedback gets immediately reply,as to reduce the beauty of this classic. I don't understand why some people bother enthusiastic feedback about No.5, btw review by weegee is exactly the experience that I have myself wearing this lovely perfume, I read it several times.
Fortunately there are a lot of perfumes for all of us, but we must have tolerance. Chanel No.5 has a loyal audience and let us enjoy it.

Perfumes are like art , appreciated by some , disparaged by others , considered by some , omitted by others , loved by some , & most certainly hated by others .
so absolutely no problem about hating , bashing , even disrespecting a given materialistic object like a parfum like Chanel No5 . its just free points of view . & truely its a matter of nose , tendency & most importantly a matter of comforted choice.
For me , apparently i am an ardent loyal wearer not a mere follower , to the Grand favourite ( in my eyes ) No5 for over than 18 years & Yet i respect & admire the No5 enemies' ( haters' ) reviews or simply the non-appreciators' opinions . it never shook my Love & deep-seated Respect to it , on the contrary i grew more appreciating of the vastly varied tastes & inclinations in all of us as human-beings .

unfortunately i got sort of estranged highly different kind of taste in perfumery which obligates me to choose a perfume which would reflect as possible who i really am from the inside out , hence the severe coldness & distance i aspire to in my carefully selected choices , deeply contradicting most respected ladies in my life in their tastes & choices of their perfumes, who most often will dictate their preferences of being warm , inviting , comfortable-to-wear & certainly "lovable" types of perfumes ,
for example , No5 is deeply loved by me & mother severly rejected by all of my sisters & female relatives & friends , even my 85 years old English grand-mother says that No5 is a mere joke of a scent & never liked it or even respected it actually , only loving & wearing L'heure bleue & Mitsouko & none else .
so i wouldn't necessarily say that No5 is the absolute epitome of sheer femininty and class in a bottle , rather its a reputable feminine elegant & Melancholic choice of a classic French parfum .

At last but not least , i find myself partly agreeing to some point with the respected Wegee's & Jade Paloma's reviews down there.

Hopefully we are all innermostly beautiful & open-minded women at the last . thank you .

Oh, ye of little experience... You princesses of youth, so certain that what you believe is the only way... May the years ahead bring you the grace to admit the error of your arrogance.

(edt) Neroli, ylang ylang, bergamot & aldehydes open this orchestration and if you're not a fan of any or all you should just avoid this altogether because your opinion will be formed long before you reach either the heart or base notes. There's no shame in not appreciating this opening chorus, but there's definitely no virtue in revealing your ignorance by trashing what you don't understand. Chacun a son gout or chacun a son nez. Keep your Jessicas, Jennifers, Britneys, Harijukus, etc.; that's OK. The priestesses of Chanel No.5 respect your preferences. But please, do not presume to insult that which you do not appreciate or understand.

No. 5's basenotes are distillations of years of experience, knowledge and confidence. No. 5 is estrogen embodied in juice that consists of mink, sable, fox fur, velvet, satin, rubies, emeralds and diamonds; the best tobacco, the best whiskey, the most glamorous and comfortable couture, the finest champagne, the oldest brandy, the most romantic of full moon's moonlight, the most powerful, sweaty & panting orgasm with your heart's desire... No. 5 is the honey, sand, sun and warmth of summer, the most melancholic of burning autumn leaves, the clearest of moonlight on winter's new fallen snow and the most energizing of spring's first blossoms. No. 5 is your lover whispering in your ear as you embrace before sleep... No. 5 is the heart, the soul and the scent of a woman. Girls, you just need to wait.

This is clearly one of the most timeless and elegant fragrances, and has remained one of my favourites throughout the years when others have come and gone. The deep notes are never overpowering, yet make a statement, are never too soft, nor too harsh, and in all aspects truly embody femininity in its beauty and complexity.

I have had the experience, however, of different bottles smelling completely different; some have been downright awful - a repeated occurance over the years and one that has put me off to the scent somewhat, as I am never sure what I am going to get. Chanel sales and customer service has never been helpful about this, and as a result, I have reluctantly migrated to the smaller and lighter eau de toilette which has been more consistent.

also - never liked Nicole Kidman, so her advertising it put me off it for a while - glad Audrey Tautou has done a gorgeous new ad!

I've tried this perfume many different times in my life. First (very covertly)as a little girl, then as a sullen teenager, as a twenty-something trying to mature and most recently as a thirty-something working mother. At all stages it has never smelled right on me. I smell it on others and I instantly think the person is warm, classy and exuding taste. It never smells like an "old lady" perfume to me either unlike some of the older classic perfume house fragrances. When ever I smell it out of the bottle or on my self, I am instantly transported to being a child and counting the change in my aunt's purse, which had been the locus of a bottle of Chanel No. 5 meeting its unfortunate demise. (Interestingly, I like Hermes's Kelly Caleche, which has a floral and leather note in it.)Chanel No. 5 doesn't do it for me, but I have great time for Coco Mademoiselle and Beige.

If you can carry this fragrance off, lucky you!

Chanel No 5 has me in a constant game of tug of war with the winner yet to be decided.

Aldehydes pack a god awful punch and last far too long. Just when you think you'll give up on the fragrance the notes change (about 2 hours, too long to endure).

Only now do I embrace no 5 with all the love and admiration its reputation encourages. This is sensual, intimate and caressing.

But wait!
The bohemian warmth of amber and sandalwood has me reminded of an important milestone from my past and I smile with sweet reminiscent joy when I realise No 5 smells remarkably similar to the first fragrance I ever purchased.

I then laugh with hysterics
- the first perfume I ever wore was a cheap Indian oil named 'NIGHT GODDESS' which I purchased for $4 (Aus dollars) from one of those 'new age' stores.

I loved 'night goddess' then
I love 'Chanel no.5' now.
Some things never change.

a truly classic masterpiece.. so sensual, and sofisticade.. this will be a truly elegant masterpiece forever.... you have to respect this perfume, if you have good taste.....

I can see why this is a classic.It is elegant and timeless.This was the first perfume I was given as a gift by my Grandmother.It will always have a place in my heart as my late mother in law loved No.5.But, every time I tried to use this fragrance it would always give me a headache.It goes powdery on me.Today used the bath oil and afterwards I only used the body powder it was still too strong for me and I started to feel ill.So, I think this is not for me I much perfer Coco Mademoiselle.

When I was a teen I hated this perfume- to my naive nose it was nasty, cheap and above all "old". Pensioner perfumified. My grandmother passed away in 2004 and I inherited more or less a wholesale lot of No 5. EDT, EDP and 30ml of Parfum. All unused gifts. I tried desperately to like it but, whatever formulation, I just couldn't stick it and would try (and fail) to scrub it off not an hour after application.

Then something happened, at the grand old age of 24 I had a No.5 epiphany. What once seemed musty and ancient now represented a beautiful, complicated, comforting femininity. I'd stop short of saying I have become addicted but I can't get enough. Unfortunately I have no idea of the vintage of the products I have in order to meaningfully review each but the EDT is definitely more "powdery" and softer- as you might expect and the parfum is as exquisite as a No. 5 aficionado might anticipate.

In three words- Classy, Feminine, Comforting.

this is like a little black dress it never goes out of fashion

I heard so much good things about this perfume from my Aunt (who is crazy about perfume) she said it was the most feminine and soft perfume she had ever set her nose on lol. So I got curious, so today we went to the mall to try it out. MAN! It was more like a punch in the face to both of us. Personally, I think they changed something in the formula. I wish they would put it back to the way it was.

I wish I liked this stuff. I think it's sacriledge that I don't! Sniff sniff...
yuck.

There was a time when Chanel n.5 was a butterfly in a desert...but then there was a rainstorm and the garden of eden appeared, with more beautiful and glorious butterflies full of joy and life...sometimes I still see that butterfly Chanel n.5. It reminds me of the desert, so I cannot really see just the butterfly.

Well, my first taste of Chanel No. 5 and of aldehydes in general. After reading all the reviews that described No. 5 in general, mystical terms, I really had no idea what to expect. I mean, for a perfume newbie with no experience with aldehydes, what does class, sophistication, style, and elegance smell like?

Well, at first whiff, soap. Really, I couldn't detect any other notes. Completely artificial is right. But Chanel No. 5 is not to be confused with a big bar of Dial. It has this light, sparkling quality to the opening that effuses like bubbles in champagne. It fizzed, tickled, and giggled in its journey up my nose. The cautious spray I took seemed to make the very air in the room brighter. The colors were sharper, as if your staticky TV set was suddenly replaced by HD.

But then . . . the drydown dissappointed me. It felt very cold. If Chanel No. 5 were a woman, she would be powerful and graceful and grand and unique and respected . . . but if you touched her, she would be cold all the time, like a statue. She doesn't seem quite human to me, and this prevents me from ever completely loving her. I think Chanel No. 5, the perfume, has grown to be a symbol, or an icon, more than an actual perfume. It's lovely, in a detached and distant manner. Even the concept, to create a completely unnatural scent, distances it from humanity. So the Chanel No. 5 character is perfect . . . but I can only imagine this woman in black and white photographs and in history books. I can't see her as a mother or a lover or as a young girl.

Arpege, on the other hand . . . completely different story.

Just wanted to add that it is a true privilege to be able to enjoy this fragrance after nearly 90years of being in production and it can unquestionable hold its own, in fact is head and shoulders above its modern counterpart, and I am one happy camper. Unfortunately Santa has had a lot on this year so I have had to buy a bottle for myself but hey always happy to help out old St. Nick :0)

This is an absolutely glorious fragrance. It has depth and mystery. Each spritz holds something different depending on your mood and the occasion. This is my all time favourite but it has not always been the case. I had a bottle of this fragrance in my 20's but did not fully appreciate it and we parted ways. In my 30's I bought another bottle and after a short time it laid alone and unloved in a dark bedside drawer. Then, as if from nowhere, I found this wonderful perfume again, we became reacquainted and I began to appreciate her uniqueness and beauty. I now wear No 5 every day and can't imagine ever tiring of her warmth and sensuality. I have EDP and pure parfum; both I adore. I was initially shocked at the difference of the two but now enjoy both in equal measures. Don't dismiss this phenomenal fragrance on maybe an initial akward encounter. Allow her time to weave her magic and I feel sure that you will eventually be captivated by her beauty. Good things are worth waiting for and Chanel No 5 is no exception. Merry Christmas perfume lovers. Hope you have a wonderful Yuletide and that the New Year brings you every happiness :0)xx

Maybe Im not mature enough to appreciate 'classic' fragrances, but I found Chanel No5 absolutly horrifying. The blast of sharp aldehydes was unappealing and intoxicating, and I had to run around spraying 10 other perfumes just to mask it.

I'll try Chanel No5 again in perhaps another 50 years time. Right now we lack chemistry !

I wanted SO MUCH to like this. I wanted to spritz it on, and lounge about the house feeling like a 20s goddess, in clouds of gorgeous scent. When I finally got down to trying it, I was taken aback by how horrible it smelt on me. Powder and old ladies, heaps of aldehydes, clinging on for hours. I'm intrigued by reviews from people who have come back to it and loved it and I would be overjoyed if I came back to it in a few years and found it smells quite different... until then, I'll be giving this a wide berth.

Im pretty worn out with Chanel, I used it years ago but not anymore. Its pretty enough-I don't hate it. Its probably the top 10 most loved fragrances ever!!! So the crisp powdery scent remains the all time loved scent FOREVER!

Sleek, elegant, exotic, passionate, classic . . . too intense and beautiful to be "powdery" in my opinion. Powder is daily, commonplace, light, ordinary. This is hot. It is Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Bisset, Michelle Pfeiffer, Angelina Jolie, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve. I've worn it hiking in the wilderness, to fashion shows, classical concerts at the Music Center, the opera, and romantic dinner out in classy restaurants atop skyscrapers. It's beachy (great on cruises) as an ocean breeze, but also earthy as a mountain stream and fall leaves and toads. Proper enough (not overwhelming) for church. Seductive and downdirty enough for a neckline down to here and a mad make-out scene in the last row of the movies. Just the very best scent available today.

For me, Chanel No 5 is all about the drydown. After hours and hours, the notes are phenomenally beautiful on my skin, yes, a little flowery and powdery but still indefinably lovely... and it lingers, subtle and feminine on my clothes for days after. It is glamour, it is timeless, it is evocative and haunting and it doesn't have to try too hard. This is a perfume I would wear every day. I would put it on in the morning and not re-dab for the next 24 hours, least of all before bedtime cos the topnotes are headsmacking aldehydes with all the allure of a swimming pool. No, I would apply it before travelling, knowing that for the first hour I would smell boltingly clean, then an hour later I would smell soft and floral...and two hours later I would smell unforgettable and exquisite. And that would stay with me for the rest of the day.

Chanel No.5. One doesn't always fall in love straight away.

ohhh...i just love this scent !!!
Very beautiful...like no other..this is so UNIQUE !!! Chanel n°5 ...perfection in a bottle !
I don't find it an "old " lady scent ...not at all...
I don't use it much...but every time i try it it's like the first time...I always get that wowww factor !!!

I like the floral- aldehyde , clean, soapy, smell...on my skin i feel it flowery,citrucy, powdery...warm dry down,very chic and expensive !

...very long lasting..and the bottle is just perfect ! less is more !;))) A must have !!!

I first closely encountered Chanel №5 a few years ago, when my husband gave me a big bottle of it for my birthday as a surprise present. As soon as I sprayed, I found myself running to the bathroom, soaping and scrubbing away...I could not believe that this was the most famous perfume in the world!(?) And how could Marylin Monroe wear this impossible stink ..to bed and literally bathe in it??

"Ah, well, silly me - I was 21 at the time", I thought to myself recently and decided to give it a try again as I was growing older. I was very lucky to get myself a bottle of an EDT by an accident and here's where the major revelation came... The first bottle which sent me in shock was an EDP! I could remember its aroma of staleness very well, a clumsy artificial monster crawling out of the old closet. Perfumes: The Guide reassured my guess that these two perfumes ARE different. As my tastes and life experience is growing, I do still think that edp is a mishap.

NOW, EDT is a milky-powdery peachy aldehydic heaven, a beautiful abstract bouquet of anonymous luxurious flowers - according to Gabrielle Chanel - a fragrance which is "artificial" and feels like a dress you can actually wear, a separate entity. It's earthy but doesn't smell like anything on earth. Verdict: Even though I feel like something is missing in this particular perfume, overall roundness maybe, depth? - I can still call Chanel №5 EDT the timeless epitome of class and femininity.

UPDATE: Ladies, before dissmissing # 5 altogether, please try to test it in a pure parfum concentration. I am now a proud owner of a few bottles from different ages and the vintage stuff is especially GRAND. I'm almost ready to toss my entire collection for this absolutely perfect piece of ART. I won't write anything about it, as it is impossible to describe - you have to experience it for yourself. If you wish to know what is finest of the finest in the world, this is class in the bottle if you ever wondered how to jump up the social ladder at least in your imagination... I believe N5 was originally meant to be enjoyed as PP. As a matter of fact, it was composed by a Frenchman Beaux born and raised in Moscow, Imperial Russia and is a remake of his first perfume composition "Buket Ekateriny" - "Bouquet de Catherine" 1913 - another true fit for an Empress. It was meant to be worn by the queens, but thanks to Coco we can have it too 97 years later.

I really like this scent: it's classy, feminine and very elegant; and just as old songs or movies carry a certain nostalgia, a remembrance of classy old days, so does Chanel No 5. For me, its smell is just always going to be linked to the style of Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. Also, I love the slightly old-fashioned bottle.
It's not my favourite perfume, it's a little too powdery for my taste, but it doesn't deserve to be marked as outdated, which it has been a lot lately. I think just because now many of the older generation wear it in remembrance of good old times, that doesn't make it out of date. Scents, like wine, are not fashion-bound for me. If they're good, they'll last. And a little Chanel No 5 with a little black dress definitely still does the trick for me.

Today, passing through the Chanel section i decided to sample all the Chanel products available on the counter. My favourite by far are Coco and Coco Mademoiselle. Not so sure about the others. The least favourite is going to be Chanel#5. Jesus! I wanted to run a mile! I have received Chanel#5 as a present and now its on my giving away list. Without doubt!!!

This is an hate or love - scent. Either you hate its aldehydic,rather cool and clean linen-smell,or you just love it and adores it for its class,nothing smells quite like it !
I have finally grown into it , tried it occationally through the years and never liked it, it felt wrong - but as i tried it on now a while ago - a hit ! Its beautiful ,though it demands a lot from the carrier,not everybodys everyday cologne exactly..

The parfum is all I wore, night and day, until I had kids and couldn't afford to travel any more to get it duty free! I understand why people don't like it, it makes a very firm and uncompromising statement. But you can't always demand niceness from the truly great. There is nothing like Chanel No. 5 but it isn't for everyone.
If you do think of splashing out and buying some, take care to test the different forms first (EDP, EDT), as the scents do differ and will also change differently on your skin.

Why N5 is still a great perfume after all these years??? Cuz is feminine and soft like a Sunset heaven Talc Powder..

Firth of all the Neroli, Ylang Ylang and the lemon make a beautiful combination.. And then the Lily of valley, the rose and jasmine.. is just perfect.. some of the most beautiful flowers..
And then the Sandalow, patchulie and vertiver puts a lot of personality to close this fragance, these three elements are strong but combined with all that beautiful flowers make a perfect balance...

Chanel N5 smeel like old lady??? I pray to god that my grandmother could smells as well as N°5!!!

Chanel to me is a lady who does'nt have to try too hard to be noticed, just classy, clean, very feminine,(to me that is very sexy and appealing in its self)
I personaly love aldehydes, they cause this lovely luminous effect on my skin; other aldehydic frags appeal to me personaly so maybe that's why I don't have a problem with this old girl.

It is a powdery scent & maybe for alot of people they equate powder with 'old ', I don't care , it's still a pleasant scent & its going to take alot more than a eighty year old scent like Chanel to make me worry I smell 'old' & decrepit to others..
There is a reason Chanel 5 is a classic for a reason, not just for its name - some of these newer flashier ones out now , yes they can be beautiful for sure, but how long will their fame last?

This is definitely THE or at least ONE of the most horrbile, atrocious concoctions ever to be unfortunately called perfume.Oh my God,it is awful. And it's hilarious to see how many people coo and croon over how "classic" and "independent" it smells. Ugh.

I bet if this same garbage were not Chanel and came from a drugstore, the reviews would be a lot different. I find that so strange.

Anyways, I like sweet perfume, but I have an open mind. My perfume wardrobe consists of a little of everything.

I have been hearing about Chanel No. 5
since I can remember. How it is (or was for many decades ago before the internet and an enormous perfume variety worldwide) pretty much the quintessential classy ladies' perfume.

Well I decided to buy a sample from E-bay. I had a suspicion that something created in 1921 might just have that nasty, chemical, old lady who wears orange lipstick funk about it, but I figured "what the heck" and bought the sample. It's got to be good right?! With all the hype,and the association with so many powerful,sexy ladies maybe it's different.

Boy, was I wrong.I got my sample, and wow was I surprised -- unpleasantly. Upon the first spray, I got a torrent of stale, dried white flowers with a hint of piss.
I let it dry down a bit and it morphed into a waxy, mothballs/damp garage smell with a hint of "guest bathroom soap". You know the kind of fancy soap you put in the guest bathroom for looks, it's not really supposed to be used, and actually it stinks, but now it has dust on it because you haven't had overnight guests in like 5 years.
And finally, in the last stages it just smells like that scented Raid roach spray with a touch of Avon body powder. I'm glad I only bought the sample. Phew.

In 1921 when this was created, in a time with no air conditioning, deodorant, or running water, this might have smelled great in contrast to body odor. But with all the fresh scents available now, this just smells very stale and funky.

I could not imagine anyone under the age of 65 wearing this. If you wear creased pastel pants, and ivory knee-high stockings with open toe orthopedic sandals, then go for it. Ugly bottle, ugly scent, if it weren't for the name Chanel, this would have not sold a single drop.

I was always afraid of that.
Then decided to try it on my skin today.
You know when you have a fine dress, and don't know which jewel to wear, to combine with?
Chanel No. 5 is the perfect gem.

It smells great on a lot of people I know (one of my sisters has this in her top two)...unfortunately it doesn't work well on me...WAY too powdery for my taste :(

Gorgeous - simply a beautiful scent. I love aldehydes and am in my 20's. I love the classic-ness of this smell. It isn't because this is simply from "Chanel" either (not a perfume snob) for instance I also love Windsong & it has aldehydes.. Seriously you cannot go wrong with No 5. My most favorite from Chanel that is a little different from No 5 is No 22. No 5 is my second favorite & I can see how it has became the classic it has become.

Hi everyone¡¡¡ Please sorry about my english... :D

According to my experience: I think the women that not estimate Chanel nº5 are (more and less) the same type of women that dont like pearls... could be really bored in a museum but think its very "chic" to go to an 'art gallery'... that almost never can be un-maked-up... and always go to beauty saloon to cut their hairs exactly like suggestions of fashion and beauty magazines... Because many things like pearls, things of museums, dont use make.up or dont have a fashion hair-style are very OLD FASHIONED :)

I think Chanel nº5 (like any other fragrance) its good for any people that like it, independently of her age. Its a taste thing.

Personally, I really like it a lot since the first smell :D at my fifteen years. Its really beautiful, elegant and vibrant... and have something particular: many perfumery houses have fragrances similars to nº5... that could be considerate "soapy" "with aldehydes" "floral" "classic"...etc etc... but always we can know which one is nº5...because its very distinctive.

Thanks for read my defective english ;) jeje

Like most floral aldehydes I love, this one is special. Simply divine elegant and timeless.CLASS. Some how the staying power is not long but I don't mind reapplying.

I was given a bottle of Chanel No.5 when I was a teenager by a boyfriend. I was so excited because I'd heard all the hype about it so I was expecting it to smell gorgeous and that I'd love it. Boy, was I wrong! I found it to be heavy, musty and generally just quite unpleasant. I tried to convince myself that it would grow on me but it never did and I never used it again.

You'd think from the perfume notes, which include lemon, that Chanel No.5 would be a fresh, light scent but I think it's the total opposite. It's definitely far better suited to a mature woman than any woman under the age of about 40.

I really dislike Chanel No.5!!

I know it may sound funny but in my country (Iran)ChANEL 5 is used by men !

I truly believe Chanel N5 cannot be worn by anybody younger than 30, even 35. It is old fashioned in my opinion and despite all the advertisements you simply can't deny the time.

The other thing I believe is that nothing would have gained so much popularity if it wasn't worth it. Personally I've learned to appreciate and enjoy Chanel N5. I will definitely own it, as soon as I feel mature enough.

I definitely disagree with Dardona!!!
I think Chanel no.5 is very refined and ladylike, not sexy, just classy…real classic that can be a bit harsh for modern noses.Mme Chanel said she wanted a 'creation'; something almost false, and it was not meant to smell like flowers, but to be a part of woman’s accessory just like a dress…

It has been signature perfume of my mother for years and till now I always admire when she walks in… as the fog of Chanel no.5 is so intriguing.. very alluring and sensual…I always ask her what perfume she has on..and answer is always the same..Chanel no.5…
She layers it with Chanel no.5 body cream… simply beautiful!
I think it is classy old-fashioned perfume… very classy, and not for everyone, just like some Guerlain’s perfumes.. but still I think they are one of the best classy perfumes…

I would bet the ranch that if you took this exact perfume and put in in a plain bottle with no label as if it were in a blind comparison test, people would never speak so highly of it.
To my senses this stuff is piercing and gauche, and anything that needs hours to show itself, truly isn't worth the wait. It's time has passed.

Edit: to Kama... I have a modern nose??? Not exactly . I'm just not superficial. I won't buy a perfume that offends just about everyone I know just because of the status symbol attached to it. Being a snob does not reflect class. Everyone's body chemistry is different, And Chanel #5 CAN be horrendous on many people.

I used to refuse to wear such an obvious perfume. Today I fell head over heels in love with the pure perfume. I really got that mix that it's hard to pick each ingredient out except the ambergris ( a dreadful smell) but luckily it didn't come through too long and if it adds to the longevity then that's a good thing. I later layered it with "Une Rose" and it was perfection.

Apparently the jasmine extraction process used to make Chanel No.5 is what makes this perfume so expensive and world reknowned. But in my opinion - this stuff just stinks.

Heavily floral and cloying, I was ready to shower under the rain just to get the horrid scent off of me.

I dont care how much this fragrance is worth or how famous it is, I wouldnt even want it even if it were cheap.

Amazing how we change, for years I refused to wear Chanel No.5 and then suddenly became one of my greatest! The Queen among perfumes, standing in the "Top 5 ever", perfectly balanced and superultrafeminine, yet belongs to my favorite group, a perfect blend of aldehydes and flowers. If it's old fashioned it does not bother me at all because this is a masterpiece.
I love the most beautiful EdT.

This is the perfume my mother reserved for very special occasions. It immediatly brings me back to childhood Christmases and other once a year treats. I think I put it on simply out of sentiment. When I think about it objectively I find it overpowering and almost oppressively sweet. I made the mistake of telling my husband about mum and Chanel No.5 and to him it was a no-brainer--a classy present for EVERY gift-giving occasion. After a few years of watching so many bottles turn darker and even more gagging I had to tell him enough and tossed them. Now I can appreciate it again and do wear it sometimes--always on Christmas just like mum. The magic is back.

Being around this perfume for ages (because it's my mum's favourite perfume)I've never dare to actually put it on my skin. Why? Because it fits my mum so beautifuly that I've never thought that I was mature enough to wear it.
Guess what? I'm in love!
Yes it's soapy and powdery (wich I love by the way) and grown up, but this perfume has something that lacks in almost every perfume I've smelled until today: aura!
It's pure class in a bottle!
Ok it suits in a very different way that suits my mum, but I really really can´t stop sniffing myself!
Vulgar? Heavy? Old? - No way!
Rich, sultry, sensual... simply unforgettable!

I was so looking forward to trying this. It's a classic EVERYBODY has heard of, so I figured it must be great. The perfume to top all perfumes, more or less. I was so disappointed! All I got was chemicals... overpowering, headache-inducing, sour, stomach-churning chemicals. My mom tried it and got the exact same impression. Maybe it just didn't work well on us.

Today I had the chance to try this parfum out ... and I'm sorry, but I have to say it's the most disgusting fragrance I've ever smelled.It's like a very old soap. :S

Classic, timeless, & mellow. My mom loves Chanel perfumes, and it is no mystery why. Most of their fragrances are poetic and appeal to many women of all ages.

I always admired this perfume and I am at an age where I can wear it and I feel like a woman! It is so wonderful on my skin soft powdery but complex, it pleases me so much when I wear it! It's not for everyone and I can wear it well. I started with eau premier which I liked and decided to try edp and the body lotion! HEAVEN!
Update: I think this one has a permanent place in my perfume wardrobe, it puts many to shame, when I smell a lot of the new perfumes that are too sweet and too cheap smelling. There is a reason chanel n°5 has stayed! It's a masterpiece!

When I decided to start wearing perfume this was one of the first fragrances I tried, and I didn't like it. But now I do. What has changed is that I've spent 6 weeks sniffing my way through some of the finest compositions out there, and now I get Chanel N 5. I like it and it likes me.

I have to agree with Kastehelmi. This just smells like old fashioned soap. I hate the insinuations that those who don't enjoy this perfume are suffering from an unsophisticated nose. Nothing special here, just heavy, heady soap.

I don't care for this one, even if it is a classic, and I have been told that I should love it. I am among those who smell elegant and expensive soap, but nothing fresh, seductive or even particularly feminine when sniffing this one on the wrist.....

To me, No.5 is a very elegant, classy fragrance. For some reason, I think it better suits blondes than brunettes. Might be that I always connect it to Marilyn, or because I only know one woman who wears this, and she is naturally blonde.

I actually find it quite amazing that No.5 has become such a popular scent worn by almost every perfumista at some point in their perfume life. I think it is a very pretty and confident perfume, but it definitely has an original edge to it that I didn't think all women would like - which they don't, if you read women's reviews.

I'm gonna have to return to this review after I've had a good moment of new study with No.5. All I can say for sure is that I would define No.5 as a soft, round and comforting smell that is in no way too safe or dull. In fact, I don't think it suits as many women as it is worn by. It takes confidence to wear No.5, which too many women often lack - unnecessarily. And also vice versa: not all women actually know what a legendary and original perfume they're wearing when they wear No.5 - they only know they love what they're wearing. Maybe that's what it boils down to with No.5. It is perfect for both regular and evening wear; can be worn with a jumper and an evening dress, which is quite rear when it comes to perfumes.

I am just so intrigued with this perfume..why so many like it and for years im trying to like it but I just dont.
it's just too heavy and horrible..but I dont know..i just dont like it on me

when i smell it to other people it makes me sneeze ;(

I used to love the powdery smell i got from this. Not worn it in a hundred years though! I have two tiny bottles of pure parfum which were given to me on my 21st birthday (I'm 48 now) which are sealed with a was seal and have never been opened. Probably spoiled now but I really must try it again.

I love the way how it changed the smells on my skin.I just wearing it with my birthday suit! I like the way how the scent turns to powdery and it can guarantee how luxury and classy it is.I'm just 23 but I can't refuse this classique one by Chanel.

Once upon a time, the concept of perfume was different from today. A woman had one single perfume preference, so somebody could make the association "Mary's perfume", "my teacher's perfume" or "my mom's perfume" and the smell had to announce her presence before she entered the room. In fact, this affirmation can be still heard in a Chanel no. 5 ad videoclip. Typical, my mother had the "famous with mothers" No. 5 and she would spray it on special occasions, such as going to the theatre. It was not appropriate to wear perfume on casual occasions. Chanel no. 5 was almost THE perfume. For me it is the symbol of a generation of too many rigid principles and poverty of elegance.

For every time I said, "Chanel No. 5 is too powdery on me," I apologize. I was wrong, I was very wrong.

My mother always wore the eau de cologne formulation, and it smelled wonderful on her, but I never enjoyed the powderiness. Turns out I was trying the wrong strength.

I just bought a bottle of extrait de parfum - it was old, it had been opened and used, but the price was very cheap - and tried it, and I am stunned. I thought I knew what No. 5 smelled like, but I really had no idea.

The parfum does open with those scintillating, bright aldehydes, along with some citrus I had never smelled before. After an hour or so, the heart really begins to blossom, with florals blended so skillfully that it's difficult to pick out what one is smelling. I know there is rose and jasmine, but I cannot smell each individually. This stage is warm and delicious and inviting, casting a golden glow all around me. It finally dries down to a beautifully rich base of sandalwood, vetiver, and musk.

I've heard this saying before, with regards to classic perfumes, and I repeat it now: TRY THE PARFUM!

I think No. 5 remains alive through Chanel's great work of marketing itself. It remains a top seller and people are drawn into the belief that No. 5 is the scent of quintessential femininity. It helps as well that a sex goddess has been associated with it too.

All three strengths (EdT, EdP, and Parfum) have a different interpretation. The parfum is the only one that contains Chanel's special type of jasmine from Grasse and is exclusive the them and them only. It is definitely evident when compared to the EdP, which incorporates jasmine from different regions of the world. The parfum is unmistakably feminine and sweet (of jasmine). The EdP is my favorite, created sometime in the 80s, I believe. It contains more woody and leather like nuances. It communicates an assertive strength. The EdT seems to contain a lot of citrus and seems to make you wonder what this perfume is all about.

Bottom line, it is definitely a classic and is deserving of a permanent place in perfumery. IMO, I am not a Nose, but I seem to think that No. 5 needs more work in filling in the "spaces" in the perfume. The transitions can be a bit rough, as if the perfume was rushed, but many of those who enjoy this perfume might not really notice it.

People who seem to not like No. 5 is usually those who do not warm up to aldehydes. Hopefully No. 5 Eau Premiere gives them a chance to wear No. 5's mystique comfortably.

I hate to say this, as it is such a classic, but it reminds me of the smell in a public bathroom. Some mass industrial company must have copied the scent of No. 5 and added it to their cleaning products and shipped it all over the world, as I've smelled this exact scent in so many bathroom air fresheners. Sounds gross, but I guess it isn't too bad. When this sits on the skin, it seems to meld into the pores and become a part of the wearer. I don't feel like I am wearing perfume when I try this on, it seems like the scent of a light powder on the skin. Nice enough, but I don't know if it warrants the high price tag and the glamourous status.

I've only recently begun to appreciate this perfume, and it's been a long journey. The first time I tried it, I was stunned by its lack of glamour. I really wanted to love it but could not get past the soapiness. Had I given it time to develop on my skin that day, I would have learned that the soapiness transforms itself into a soft, powdery sweetness which is so much more beautiful than I'd expected.

There are a lot of aldehydes in this perfume, though I detect a lot more of them in the EDP, as opposed to the EDT, which seems lighter and more citrusy to my nose.

I don't get a lot of complexity from No. 5; there is a lot of jasmine, rose, powder (probably the iris) and maybe just a slight touch of vanilla, which is hard to detect. I do get a very strong scent of almonds, at least for the first couple of hours, after which, there's the smell of waxiness that a lot of older scents (like Mitsouko) tend to have (that might be civet). I don't care for the waxiness and think the perfume would be better without it, but overall, it's lovely and a classic and the wax is worth putting up with to enjoy such a legendary fragrance.

It's not for me, yet. I'm still a Coco/Coco Mademoiselle girl, but maybe I'll enjoy wearing it someday when I'm older, as I've grown to like it a lot more over the past decade when I've revisited it.

I had the opportunity to smell this perfume this past weekend, and my initial reaction was: "what the heck is that smell?!" It was very strong and acidic...and I couldn't figure out what the perfume was supposed to smell like. I'm going to give it another go...hopefully this next weekend, and see how I feel about it. Right now, it's just too strong and strange smelling for me.

Sometimes it's worth revisiting perfumes that you don't particularly like. Often, I've happily found my tastes have changed & I can begin to understand the fragrance. Occasionally, you just find out why you really can't get along.

Sadly, it's the latter for No5 & me...my Marilyn seductress fantasies will never come to fruition. Those aldehydes & syntheic delights make me feel nauseus & headachey & I can't even try to enjoy other facets of this classic.

It does, however, bring back distant memories of opening ancient powder compacts, then sneaking a dab from the huge bottle belonging to a fabulously tweedy lady who said "THEY say perfume, WE say scent". I thought the powdery, soapy chemically headache haze I sniffed was frightfully grown-up & what all true ladies would wear.

So, maybe I'll never wear No5, but it was nice to take a trip down memory lane.

I also used this in the 90's but i've never finished the bottle. Actually i continue having half full bottle in my bathroom but more for decoration than other thing...
But i recognize that it's a conservative scent, luxury scent, with too much class, lasting, etc...

I finally treated myself to an EdP of this lovely and amazing scent.

Chanel No. 5 is the ultimate statement in class and femininity. It is multi-layered and long-lived, and takes a good six hours or so to fully reveal itself. Soapy, sophisticated aldehydes yield to my favorite phase, the beautiful floral heart notes, in about 20 minutes. The florals linger for a couple hours, and then begins one of the most incredible dry-downs in perfume history. Over the next few hours, there are distinct phases of sweet vanilla, then less sweet vanilla-amber, then a dry woodsy amber and finally the last hints of patchouli and vetiver. What a work of art!

If it's not the right time in your life for you to wear it, it won't smell pleasant to you. But come back and visit No. 5 again in two years, five years or even 10 years. On one of these later visits, when the time is right, you'll catch a whiff and your nose will respond with a deep and satisfying, "Yesssssssssssss!"

This is one of those "of course I have it" perfumes. No point writing a review! that's all been done many times before - I wear it infrequently but I recognise it as a total classic on every level. Love the bottle too!

I have it as a pure parfum.
I got it as a present from a charming gentleman, just like in old movies.
It reminds me of Marilyn Monroe.
Its very intimate and the best time to wear it is when you are with your lover, in bed, dressed up in a white silk night gown, your hair curled, falling gently down your chest, soft red lips, passionate eyes who show the deepest darkest places of your soul..
because this is a 'Parfum', with the big P; so perfect, so sophisticated, so elegant, so gentle, so strong, so cosy.. cosy is the right word, cosy and luxurious, a real diamond, and as a diamond it will last forever, just like Marilyn.

The profuse aldehydic opening of No5 can be extremely soapy and waxy but, not unpleasant. No5's opening reminds me of Ma Griffe without the citrus. Initially, I was unimpressed with this classic. However, after about the third day of wearing it I began to relinquish my preconceived notions of what I thought it could---should---would be. I gave into the fragrant masterpiece that it is-allowing it to develop on my skin with my body heat and with my body chemistry. As it unfolds the waxiness quickly dissipates and the soapiness becomes less so. The floral notes begin to emerge and they relentlessly lure you back to your wrists...time and time again. It is the drydown that hooked me...that faint smell of dove soap infused ever so delicately with neroli, jasmine, sandalwood and...(some sources say) civet? I love...dove soap, I love neroli, I love jasmine, I love sandalwood, and I love civet. I love Chanel...I love............. No5.

Am I the only one to think that Chanel Nº5 is good on men? Honestly, I wear it and it gets me compliments from ladies!

first bought this 20 years ago, at the airport on my way to my first proper grown-up holiday. it was love at first squirt and it made me feel grown-up, free and in control of my life at last. went on to no.19 for several years, but about 6 years ago discovered it again and haven't stopped since. what i like also is that all the different concentrations smell different. the edt is ideal for work, the p in the spray bottle is more for evenings/special occasions. nothing flowery about that one, the base contains a distinctly animal whiff, must be the civet i suppose. my cat loves it. nothing innocent or old ladyish about it either. maybe like a white fluffy cat that suddenly emits a blood-curdling growl. the edt, while maybe having a hint of old lady/times past, makes me feel calm and in-charge, as if i'm protected from negative influences and chaos around me by some golden bubble. when i wear it i feel i can take on the world.

I can't wear it, it gives me a powdery headache. I did try it as a kid, my grandma's bottle. It's the same, every time I go back I get the powdery scent. So many notes mixed that they become a mesh.

I believe that it takes a very brave person to say they don't like Chanel No.5. Unfortunately all I get from this fragrance is powder and soap. The Chanel sales assistant told me that my skin chemistry went well with this perfume and although I agreed that I enjoyed it to a certain extent, I know I won't be adding No. 5 to my wishlist.

Perhaps it is my young age that makes me dislike most Chanel fragrances, but I respect them for being universally recognised and incredibly popular. This fragrance is very dependant on a person with the right skin chemistry, sophistication, class and maturity. On the wrong person it could be a disaster.

Femininity is timeless!
A bouqet of abstract flowers with an indefinable femininity and a legendary elegance.
It's a refined floral soft fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of modern florals and balanced notes.

This was my mum's signature scent, sadly she no longer around but everytime i smell this i think of her fondly. Very classy fragrance.

This one is an old favourite and I wear it (the Eau de Parfum) and have worn it for years. It still says class to me; and can be worn any season, anytime of day, and for any activity. The scent is robust with mai rose and jasmine with of course the famous aldehydes.

It is still around for good reason!

I'll be brutally honest: I never could understand the supposed allure of this fragrance. (I say "supposed" because I have a nagging suspicion that many people don't REALLY like it, only think they "should" ;))

I adore classic perfumes and stay away from anything melony, sugary, or even vanilla and musk; I also happen to adore floral aldehydes.

But this one... It's one of the few perfumes that give me an actual headache, and its scent is just clinging, and HEAVY (not in a good way, more like a sledge hammer ;-)
The one time I was wearing it, I actually left a party so I could go and scrub it off me ASAP! (A quick visit to the bathroom to wash my wrists and back of the neck didn't help.)

Worst of all, I find it doesn't evoke ANYTHING in me: no images, no yearnings... nothing. Perfumes always tend to evoke more or less poetic descriptions in me (as is usual with fragrance lovers - witness the comments on this very website ;).
But this one... I couldn't describe it in a poetic way, if my life depended on it.

I do like Chanel's "Nro 19" and "Mademoiselle", though. And they like me. ;)

yeah i think so too... chanel 5 is definitely like an icon... i mean even rachel from friends wore it... but i think it is for a specific lady, not for me... on me it smells like powder mixed with alcohol, not sophisticated or lovely at all! :(

In the ocean of new cloned perfumes that smell very similar, it stands like a precious icon. The composition is like the music played by the big orchestra. Every component is unique but together they breathe as one. Classy and timeless. Like Beatles, little black dress, first date, first kiss...everybody`s experience and memories with secret wishes...

This one is a total classic,the smell is very strong but nice and femenine,i really liked it.:)

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ｄｏｎｔ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｖｉｄｅｏ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｎｉｃｏｌｅ　ｋｉｄｍａｎ，ｔｏｏ　ｆａｋｅ，　ｔｏｏ　ｌｏｎｇ，　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｒｉｄｉｃｕｌｏｕｓ．．．

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.

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

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

WOW many post`s :D
absolut classic, strong, but (i am sorry guy`s) for me NOT unique, just soo sweet, that kills you, if you like it soft and fresh - WRONG ADRESS...:D
i do not understand why this is so adored... do not understand, this is FOR OLD LADIES... for me ugly, mutch to heavy... and not sexy at all (well, to me)
it smells like my grandma`s dressing-table...

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

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

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.

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.

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 !

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 ;-)

Chanel 5 is the best in the perfume extract, elixir is good too.

Very sensual and seductive, still clearly remember it like some La Perla perfumes... simply can't be forgotten.

The definition of classic. Unfortunately does not work well on my skin, it turns powdery. Great on my friend , though!