Growing up, my mom had the most enchanting collection of beauty products that took residence in her bathroom. (My dad's electric shaver, bare bar soap, and lone bottle of two-in-one shampoo and conditioner didn't stand a chance and were banished to a different bathroom downstairs.) Atop my mom's porcelain vanity sat her jars of creams and powders, and along the wall, deep drawers were lined with rows of sophisticated lipstick bullets. Atop gleaming glass shelves sat her collection of Chanel perfumes.
Even at a super-young age, I had an inherent understanding that there was something extraordinary about the gilded bottle stoppers and black lacquer details. The name "Chanel" was effortlessly etched into my subconscious as the epitome of glamour and covetousness. Nearly 20 years later, that etching hasn't faded. Of course, Chanel makes loads of holy-grail beauty products that anyone with an affinity for nail polish, lipstick, or glowing skin would want to hoard, but it's the brand's collection of iconic fragrances that will always represent the upper echelon of anything and everything about beauty.
So because everyone should own at least one Chanel perfume in their life, we're paying homage to the brand by featuring their best fragrances ever, followed by additional (similar) perfumes from other brands you need on your shopping radar as well. Keep scrolling to see the best-ever Chanel perfumes and their similarly intoxicating counterparts.
Best Overall Perfume: Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Aldehydes, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood
You knew this was coming. Chanel N°5 will always be perhaps one of the most iconic perfumes of all time, and that extends beyond the scope of just Chanel, folks. Though this is a true classic floral fragrance, it's powdery and full-bodied thanks to trademark notes of aldehydes along with earthy anchors like neroli, bourbon vanilla, and sandalwood.
Customer Review: "I love the bottle, love how Chanel No 5 smells, love how I feel when I wear it! It is the only perfume I ever wear. And ever will. The very best. Period."
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Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Bergamot, fresh dew, floral, cassis, vanilla, amber
Customer Review: "I love this fragrance! It smells like lemon cake with a hint of like a blonde wood. It smells luxurious and definitely lingers throughout the day. I also love that the brand uses organic extracts instead of water."
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange blossom, vanilla, luscious marshmallow, honeysuckle, amber, neroli
Customer review: "I purchased this travel spray a few weeks ago to test it out as I had been looking for a nice gourmand scent. All I can say is this smells so yummy! The longevity lasted about eight hours on me. To my nose what I can pick up the most is the caramel, vanilla, and orange blossom! For me, this scent is light enough to wear during spring and summer, but warm enough to wear during the fall and winter! I'll definitely commit to a full size!"
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Aldehyde, geranium, musk, rose, violet
Customer Review: "Love roses? It's a must-try for you then! Krigler's rose is green, fresh, washed by a spring rain. It is not sweet like Bulgarian rose. There are some powdery notes in the base, I guess due to violet notes. Truly, it is one of the most romantic and feminine scents ever!"
#2: Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Peony accord, passion fruit, vanillaSlightly warmer than your typical floral (thanks to the mellow additions of cozy vanilla and shimmery mandarin), this Chanel masterpiece was created by Jacques Polge in 1996. I'm partial to it since it's been my mom's signature for as long as I can remember.
Customer Review: "I've been wearing Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum as my only cologne since its original debut in 1996. Both men and women have stopped me and asked what fragrance I'm wearing. I think that's testament to what a great fragrance it is."
You should also try…
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Pear, pink pepper, grapefruit, pineapple, rose, jasmine, vanilla, cedar
Customer Review: "Perfect scent for someone looking for a floral scent but doesn't want to smell to over powering! It mellows into a fresh smell without being to sweet! Love it and have received a lot of compliments."
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Red apple, peony, suede
Customer Review: "This is my new signature scent, I'm obsessed!! I've gotten many compliments and people always ask what I'm wearing. A very lovely, not overpowering floral scent."
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Frangipani, orange blossom, golden amber
Customer Review: "Lovely spring/summer fragrance! Fruity and floral, makes me feel like I'm at a cabana drinking a margarita! I normally only go for vanilla fragrances, but this is absolutely beautiful. Lasts on the skin, as well!"
#3: Chanel Gabrielle Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, Grasse tuberose, ylang-ylangConsider Gabrielle (which, ahem, Margot Robbie is the face of) your classic floral fragrance with kind of a fairytale twist. Famed perfumer Olivier Polge crafted this scent to represent an imaginary flower. It's equal parts rich, green, and elegant.
Customer Review: "This starts out as sexy flirty then dries down to a warm embrace. Mademoiselle has been by favorite for years but this is a close second! I'm not a huge fan of outrageous florals. No sharp edges or cloying sweetness. Gabrielle is a beautiful memory of a flower-filled meadow with warm ocean breeze. I'm a woman of a certain age and would experience this every day. Love it!"
You should also try…
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Lemon, mandarin, jasminum sambac, neroli, musk, cotton candy
Customer Review: "This is hands down my favorite summer scent and I have a fairly large and ever-growing collection of fragrances. This is citrus, floral, musky and sweet. It captures summer in a way that no other scent has for me. Cannot recommend enough especially since, for a citrus-forward fragrance, this has great performance!"
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, amber wood
Customer Review: "This is definitely one of my absolute favorite scents in the Diptyque range. I love tuberose but it's also much more interesting than other tuberose scents, and also a bit lighter so suited to all times of year in my opinion. It's light and floral and fresh and very versatile."
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Ylang jasmine, tropical tuberose, white lily
Customer Review: "This scent feels so layered, but the jasmine is so noticeable which I really appreciate. In South Asian culture, jasmine is a prized and elegant scent, especially Jasmine oil. This is such a modern take on such a classic Jasmine scent, and is perfect for the warmer weather."
#4: Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Grapefruit, quince, rose accord, white muskI may be biased, but Chanel's lush, fruity take on florals is my all-time favorite fragrance from the brand. Classic bouquet notes like rose and jasmine are modernized with fresh hints of quince and grapefruit, and the warming comfort of musk keeps the finish smooth and enveloping.
Customer Review: "I love this fragrance. I have worn Chanel most of my adult life and have never been disappointed. Chance is no exception. It's scent only gets more beautiful the longer it is on and it lasts all day."
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Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Pear accord, lily of the valley accord, green black currant, musk
Customer Review: "I am in love with this scent! It's the perfect amount of floral without the overpowering chemical smell. It smells so fresh and clean and I have gotten tons of compliments. A little goes a long way which means it will last me a long time. Absolutely in love and it's definitely my new signature scent!"
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Grasse rose absolute, Italian mandarin, bergamot, white musk accord
Customer Review: "Like holding a bouquet of roses in my arms! Beautiful natural rose scent, that does not overwhelm, but enhances the senses. With rose, mandarin, and bergamot as its main notes, this perfume feels wonderfully lush and velvety. The mix of florals and citrus is truly a perfect blend!"
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Grapefruit, violet rose, ambrette, iris, raspberry, heliotrope, white musk
Customer Review: "This awesome perfume is so feminine and unique. I absolutely love it. It smells like lipstick, makeup, a touch of flower, and so unique. This is the second perfume of Frederic Malle that I will always buy."
#5: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange, patchouli, Turkish rose
If you're a fan of warm, earthy notes like patchouli but want something that still feels light and floral, then famed Chanel perfume Coco Mademoiselle will probably be your poison of choice. The mix of delicate rose and jasmine is brought to life with vibrant hits of orange and patchouli to create a robust and memorable scent. It's lively while still chic and sophisticated.
Customer Review: "Mademoiselle is decadent! Def recommend.. it's a fresh floral delicate feminine scent. I find myself spraying it again in the evening at night just because I really enjoy the scent so much."
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Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Violet leaf, neroli, freesia, jasminum sambac, vanilla, cocomusk, sandalwood
Customer review: "I absolutely love, love, love this fragrance. Since purchasing, I wear it every day. It just makes you feel warm, sultry cozy all at the same time. Yet its not overpowering. It 'hugs' you."
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Green tuberose, melon, orris butter, orange blossom, tuberose absolute, jasminum sambac
Customer Review: "An interesting and unique green floral Durga is a very melon-centered perfume. The perfume opens with notes of the prominent melon (that stays throughout the perfume stay) along with tuberose and chrysanthemum. The heart is mostly floral with ylang-ylang, orris and orange blossom. The perfume settles into a musky white floral base with more tuberose, jasmine sambac and musk. Unisex (feminine leaning) with moderate to strong sillage, projection and good longevity. Important not to overspray. A lovely modern floral dream. Enjoy!"
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Pepper tree, pimento berries, cloves, Bulgarian rose, patchouli, praline, vanilla, benzoin, opoponax
Customer Review: "Just absolutely amazing! I have quite a bit of niche fragrances and this one just stands out! I highly recommend everyone to at least smell it. I've had it for a little less than a month. I have already had seven people I know buy it after they smelled it on me."
Finding Your Chanel Fragrance
Without a doubt, the most recognizable perfume by the brand is Chanel N°5. First launched in May 5, 1921 at Chanel's Rue Cambon boutique, the powdery and full-bodied fragrance features a blooming jasmine bouquet underscored by a sensual blend of neroli, bourbon vanilla, and sandalwood. Now, the fragrance has become arguably synonymous with the brand's identity—from its elegant bottle design to the iconic scent it houses.
To select the best Chanel scent for your, consider which scent family you would like to lean into. If you love fresh, powdery floral fragrances; consider giving Chanel's N°5 L’Eau a try since it features a blend of citrus, mandarin, and ylang-ylang. For anyone in the moof for something more bright and lively, the Chance Eau Fraîche makes a great option with energizing notes of citrus, teakwood, and jasmine. Lastly, if you're partial to fragrances that exude elegance and warmth, consider trying Gabrielle Eau de Parfum.
When selecting an eau de parfum or eau de toilette as your scent, it's also helpful to consider the intensity level you'd like to achieve. Eau de parfums are crafted with a much stronger concentration of perfume oils than their counterparts, which allows these fragrances to be more powerful and noticeable to the untrained nose. Chanel's extensive eau de parfum offerings have the reputation and long-lasting. However, if it's a lighter and more versatile fragrance you're after, the brand also has a great offering of eau de toilette options.
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