The Best Chanel Perfumes

The best Chanel perfumes are iconic for fragrance, and have set the bar for industry excellence. The brand has maintained this position for nearly 100 years.

The rise to fame came when Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel debuted her No. 5 on May 5, 1921. The perfume was named accordingly because it was the fifth proposal from a portfolio of samples she was presented.

Chanel No. 5 is still the most recognized name in perfumery, worldwide. Similar to Chanel’s iconic foothold in clothing, handbags, and jewelry, the best Chanel perfumes are revolutionary. No other brand would have inspired goddess Marilyn Monroe to quip, “What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.”

Chanel fragrances are timeless. With a wide assortment in their collection, it is certain you will find one to fit your palate. The following touch on a variety of price points, as Chanel’s perfumes cover the full spectrum of concentration.

The Best Chanel Perfumes Reviews

Brand
Our Top Recommendation
Chanel No. 5
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
Chance Eau Tendre
Product
C h a n e l no.5 EDP Spray for women 3.4 OZ/100 ml
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Intense...
Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel for Women Eau De...
Size
3.4 fl oz
6.8 fl oz
3.4 fl oz
Perfume Notes
aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, neroli, and ylang-ylang
rose, jasmine, patchouli, lychee, orange, grapefruit, and vetiver
quince and grapefruit
Rating
Our Top Recommendation
Brand
Chanel No. 5
Product
C h a n e l no.5 EDP Spray for women 3.4 OZ/100 ml
Size
3.4 fl oz
Perfume Notes
aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, neroli, and ylang-ylang
Rating
Brand
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
Product
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Intense...
Size
6.8 fl oz
Perfume Notes
rose, jasmine, patchouli, lychee, orange, grapefruit, and vetiver
Rating
Brand
Chance Eau Tendre
Product
Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel for Women Eau De...
Size
3.4 fl oz
Perfume Notes
quince and grapefruit
Rating

Chanel No. 5

Our Top Recommendation

​If you want to save yourself a bunch of reading and see our final vote, Chanel No. 5 wins as the top choice for the best Chanel perfume.

This legendary fragrance by Coco Chanel was originally launched in three concentrations: parfum, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne. In 1986, an Eau de Parfum was added to the collection. It is the first perfume in the floral-aldehyde group. Legend has it that the aldehydes in No. 5 were overdosed accidentally, resulting in the effervescence that made Coco Chanel fall in love with it.

Chanel No. 5 parfum is perfection in a bottle, with its notes are a marriage of aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, neroli, and ylang-ylang. The heart notes consists of rose and jasmine, lily of the valley, and iris. The base is created of vetiver, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, and patchouli.     

The perfume contains the same sophisticated, flowery notes as its purist predecessor, but it has a modern spin with the addition of bourbon vanilla. It creates a sexy edge to the fragrance, making it suitable for any time of day.

Coco

This classy and classic Coco smells of sophistication and elegance, just like Coco Chanel. It is a mysterious, provocative Oriental fragrance that reveals depth over time.

Coco opens with citrus notes of Sicilian mandarin. A voluptuous heart of jasmine is heightened by touches of ylang-ylang and peach. It finishes with an expertly crafted blend of leatherwood, sandalwood, tonka bean, and clove. This perfume is ideal for colder weather months and more formal occasions.

Gabrielle Chanel Essence

Gabrielle Essence by Chanel Eau De Parfum Spray...
  • Product Type:Personal Fragrance
  • Item Package Dimension:3.8 cm L X9.6 cm W X12.2 cm H
  • Item Package Weight:0.300 kg
  • Country Of Origin: United States

Inspired by the free spirit of Coco Chanel, the Gabrielle Chanel Essence offers a fresh sprinkle of citrus notes and white floral fragrance. After the top notes of citrus and red fruits, scent from white flowers, tuberose, jasmine, and coconut linger on the skin.

Together with the base notes of musk, sandalwood, and vanilla, this perfume creates a dazzling aroma with the right amount of sweetness. While the smell may feel a bit creamy due to the coconut, the ingredients blend well to provide a gradient transition from the top to base notes. 

Chance Eau Tendre

Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel for Women Eau De...
  • Top notes include quince and grapefruit for a zesty blast of intensity
  • Middle notes of purple hyacinth and white jasmine incorporate a softer tone that’s chic and...
  • Base notes of Virginia cedar, amber, iris and sensual musk finish the perfume for an altogether...
  • Perfect for day wear leading into nighttime

Chance Eau Tendre is a well-loved favorite. Sweet in so many ways, the Chance Eau Tendre smells like a fresh spring day. It is light and airy enough to be worn during the day, while romantic enough to be worn at night. It is also known to spark pheromone production.

There is a combination of fresh florals and green, fruity, floral grapefruit that intertwines with the softness of jasmine and the smoothness of white musk. Key notes of citron and teakwood shine through. 

Chanel Egoiste

CHANEL Egoiste Eau De Toilettes Spray, 1.7 Ounce
  • This product is made of high quality material
  • It is recommended for romantic wear. Lively, fresh top notes of Mandarin and Coriander, subtly...
  • This Product Is Manufactured In France

The top notes consist of intensive yet fresh coriander and rosewood. Each spray leaves a woody-oriental trail of warm Bulgarian rose, cinnamon, and carnation. It also has neutral scents of ambrette seeds and tobacco.  

Chanel Egoiste is suitable for women who favor a whiff of strong and conservative perfume. Even if you smell the perfume of tobacco and wood, the blend of vanilla and cinnamon tones down the intense initial scent and projects a honey-like touch. 

Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum

CHANEL Allure Perfume, 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray
  • Allure Perfume, 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray
  • For Women

Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum is intoxicating and uplifting, yet feminine and calming. Chanel Allure is mainly composed of rose, jasmine, and bourbon vanilla, but also has notes of bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, water lily, and magnolia.

This perfume created by Jacques Polge finishes with a trail of sensual Haitian vetiver, making it bolder and more modern than you would think originally. Perfect for any occasion, it is often hailed as the top Chanel fragrance for its price point. 

Chanel Cristalle Concentree

Chanel - Cristalle Eau De Parfum Spray 35ml/1.2oz
  • Cristalle
  • 35ml/1.1oz
  • Category : Ladies Fragrance
  • Aroma of elegance

The Chanel Cristalle Concentree serves as the successor of the classic Cristalle from 1974. This perfume draws inspiration from Coco Chanel’s love of the great outdoors, so even if you have to stay indoors due to work, you can still get a whiff of nature’s floral and green blossoms. 

The top notes of Amalfi lemon and bergamot make the initial spray an epitome of sparkling freshness. Magnolia and neroli continue the bittersweet aroma. The infusion of musk, iris, and jasmine make women smell like warm yet refreshing summer. 

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Intense...
  • Long lasting fragrance
  • Coco Mademoiselle by CHANEL Eau De Parfum Spray
  • For Women

The Chanel Coco Mademoiselle spray emits a classy, sophisticated scent with a hint of sexiness that best resembles the carefree spirit of Coco Chanel. Light, sweet, and warm, the Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is perfect for any occasion. It is a lovely fragrance for a woman in her 20s and 30s.

The Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is more complex than the average perfume. It starts off with a slightly sweet smell but then fades to something lighter and warmer. The Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum includes notes of rose, jasmine, patchouli, lychee, orange, grapefruit, and vetiver. This scent is non-polarizing and has a long staying power.

Chanel Coco Noir

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The No products found. lets women experience a contemporary expression of the best baroque affair and oriental aroma. The grapefruit enhances the scent of the spicy rose geranium leaf for a seductive twist. The floral facet of orange, patchouli, and bergamot adds a striking yet warming feel. 

When you see the term ‘noir’ next with Coco Chanel, you can expect a darker and richer aroma. As the perfume blends with body heat, it leaves a sweet and earthy trail that’s perfect for eccentric women.  

Chanel No. 19

Chanel No. 19 is acclaimed for its iris-based fragrance. Intended to be a sister perfume to Chanel No. 5 eau de parfum, the popularity of the scent is for the complexity of its green and white floral notes. The green color of the perfume is also striking.

Named to commemorate Coco Chanel’s birthday of August 19, the fragrance was created in 1970. It was designed for Coco Chanel to use herself and give as a gift to special friends and clients. It is one of the brand’s more expensive offerings. 

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche

The Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche has an earthy floral fragrance that stays on the skin for hours. Chanel Chance combines invigorating top notes of spicy pink pepper with middle notes of jasmine and iris. The Chanel Chance Eau de Toilette spray also makes use of patchouli and white musk for the base notes. 

The long lasting fragrance of Chanel Chance has become an instant classic for both dressed up occasions and relaxing normal days. The Chanel Chance emits a youthful spirit scent that is wonderful for hot summer days.  

Why Chanel Scents Are So Popular

As specialists in scent, the house of Chanel knows how to deliver quality at varied price points. The best Chanel fragrances are created under the direction of one perfumer, an esteemed position that has been held by few over the past 100 years, lending to the brands continuity in product.   

Following Coco Chanel’s philosophy that “fashion changes but style stays,” the perfumery of the house of Chanel has followed the same approach in creating its perfumes to support the consistency for which it is so loved:

The Chanel perfumes contain varying layers of notes because of the carefully curated combination of ingredients the brand uses. They are:

  • essential oils, extracted from various plants and fruits;
  • animal extract, like ambergris, to add depth and longevity;
  • alcohol and water, to act as stabilizers;
  • and aldehydes, which are organic compounds that produce the fresh, bubbly aroma noted in Chanel fragrances.

The house of Chanel follows strict sustainability practices when creating their perfumes. This is another example of how they are a leader in fragrance.

Chanel perfumes, at any price point, are known and most appreciated for how fresh the fragrances land on the nose, and for how long they last on the skin.

Chanel offers options in all fragrance categories and at all note types. This showcases not only their expertise of the craft, but also their understanding of their consumers’ desires.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Chanel Perfume 

With several options to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to pick one. As long as you know what to look for in a perfume, you can select different scents for various occasions. 

Fragrance Concentration 

The concentration refers to the strength of the fragrance. Those with higher fragrance concentrations contain less alcohol and more perfume oils. Take a look at the various types to see which concentration suits you the most.

Parfum

Has the highest fragrance concentration, making it the most long-lasting. However, this one tends to be oilier than other types, which is why it’s usually dabbed on the skin. Since this fragrance has less alcohol, this concentration is suitable for women with sensitive skin.

Eau de Parfum

Contains the next highest fragrance concentration is long-lasting up to eight hours. While this has a higher alcohol concentration, it is less expensive than the first type, making it ideal for everyday wear. 

Eau de Toilette

Has a lighter and fresher scent, yet it’s long-lasting up to three hours. This concentration is also perfect for day-to-day activities as it normally comes in a spray bottle. 

Eau de Cologne

The lightest fragrance type, which allows the natural body’s scent to blend with the perfume. This is also the least expensive of all concentration types. 

Scent Profile

Fragrances are like families: there are several members with distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall scent of the perfume. 

Fresh

This fragrance is for women who love clean and ocean-like scents. The aromatic mix of aquatic and citrus scents may come from sage, bergamot, grapefruit, lime, and lemon. 

Floral

One of the most common families that emit the smell of fresh-cut flowers with a hint of creamy and powdery feel. Ingredients like jasmine, tuberose, orange, ylang-ylang, carnation, and rose fall under this category.

Woody

Woody scents consist of earthy notes with a mixture of floral and citrus. Typical woody fragrances include sandalwood, oakmoss, cedarwood, patchouli, white musk, and vetiver.  

Oriental

This scent profile features rich exotic scents that will make you think of herbs and spices. Women who prefer seductive and spicy yet warm aroma may choose Chanel perfumes with nutmeg, clove, vanilla, mace, and cinnamon. 

Fragrance Notes 

Besides knowing the concentration levels, it’s vital that you determine the notes or the ingredients that make up the fragrance. See how the notes contribute to the scent of a Chanel perfume.

  • Top Notes: These are scents you detect after applying perfume, which means these set the first impressions and fade away immediately. Common headnotes include floral scents such as rose and lavender, as well as citrus scents like bergamot, lemon, and orange.
  • Middle Notes: As the headnotes fade, the middle notes retain some of the scents from the top notes while introducing a new aroma. These include oils from neroli, ylang-ylang, jasmine, pine, cinnamon, pepper, and lemongrass. 
  • Base Notes: These notes boost lighter notes by adding resonance and depth. Serving as the basis of the perfume, these will sink into your skin to make the scent linger for long. Patchouli, sandalwood, amber, and vanilla are the most popular base notes. 

Conclusion

Selecting the best Chanel perfume for you will be an enjoyable process with so many options from which to choose. Elegance in a bottle, Chanel fragrances offer scents that are special. When you wear Chanel, you feel you are wearing a piece of history.