12 Fragrances that Smell Similar to Bleu de Chanel

Bleu de Chanel is a very popular name in the world of men’s fragrances. The three releases are all very popular and highly sought after. As such, there are going to be guys who want to smell close to Bleu, a near dupe, but don’t want to have to pay the same price. Not to worry, as there are alternatives, which can give you a similar experience for cheaper.

In this post, I want to present some colognes that can serve as alternatives, have a similar style, or just come close enough to what BdC EDT, EDP, or Parfum smells like…while being inexpensive.


What Fragrances Smell Similar to Bleu de Chanel EDT?

A First Alternative

Bleu de Dua by Dua Brand– This is the more expensive of the similar smelling options, but they also currently have a smaller travel spray size available for $20 (as of posting). Bleu de Dua is their inspired version of the original Bleu formulation from over a decade ago.

This has a smokier vibe than the Dossier scent listed below. Not massive smoke, but that nice incense infusion playing off of the citrus and mint note.

The citrus is somewhat toned down, but the rest of the note compensate with great performance, a woodier dry down, and a sweet touch.

Dua is usually really good with their inspired versions of designer scents and this one hits the mark.


Another Blue 2

Citrus Ginger by Dossier– Citrus Ginger is a lighter and cleaner sort of interpretation of Bleu de Chanel. It’s also a less expensive option at $29 (as of writing) for their full bottle. But, you can also try it out to see if you like it, with how Dossier has things set up.

This one can be a good option. It doesn’t have as much depth and complexity. It also goes with more citrus than the original BdC, not the same incense level as Bleu de Dua, but gives you most of what you get with the current Chanel for a fraction of the price. 


Bleu EDP Similarities

Bleu Memoire by Alexandria– Other ‘inspired by’ takes on Bleu, tend to be of the original EDT version, which is great. My personal favorite Bleu de Chanel variant is the Eau de Parfum and Bleu Memoire sets out to be Alexandria’s version of that.

The EDP has the same great citrus opening, but a greater use of amber in the base. Not as woody as the other Parfum version, but more substantial than the original Bleu de Chanel.

I haven’t tried Bleu Memoire from Alexandria as of yet. I have tried other scents from this brand and they do a really good job at replicating a close experience to the designer fragrance that they’re basing the formula on.

I’m adding it to the list for those who want a Bleu Eau de Parfum alternative.


Bleu Dusk

Dusk by Oakcha– Here’s the latest inspired by Bleu de Chanel option that I’ve found. This time it one from Oakcha called Dusk. 

Now, I don’t have any experience with this brand at all, so I cannot speak to its quality personally. Though, I’ve read a lot of reviews and they generally are very positive.

This is another affordable option for those who want something that smells close to Bleu de Chanel EDT…just with a heavier Extrait de Parfum concentration than the Chanel itself.


Divine Bleu

Divino by Fragrenza– Fragrenza’s version of the BdC formula, is the latest one that I’ve run across. This one is inspired by Bleu EDT, so, yet another option for those who like the original.

I’ve bought samples from Fragrenza about a year ago, testing out a lot of their designer inspired perfumes, and they were all quite good. Very close to what you’d want from a cheaper alternative.

One great thing about them, is the fact that you can buy samples or smaller sizes, without committing to a fully bottle purchase. Even if those are also fairly inexpensive. Just another one to consider.

 


Pretty Linear but Somewhat Similar

Armaf Tag Him 3.4 Eau De Toilette Spray for Men To continue on the list, we will highlight this inexpensive option, as an alternative to Bleu. Tag Him has a very heavy overlap with the ingredients of the Chanel, and thus, shares quite a close aroma with it.

The closer resemblance to me, is more in the dry down period. The opening here, isn’t my favorite and the weighting of the notes is noticeable different versus what you get with the Chanel scent.

The citrus, ginger, mint, cedar, pink pepper, vetiver, and sandalwood are all here. Is this Armaf, an exactly the same aroma of BdC? No, but it does occupy a similar space, and can be a solid choice for guys who want a cheapie.

You don’t get the same quality or nuance, this is a nice citrus with spice, and without that incense smokiness of Bleu. Not as much depth or layered spice effect, but still a good overall wear. Tag-Him Review


Journey to Blue

Voyage Bleu by Armaf– Yes, another of the many options from Armaf. This one is better than Tag-Him, more mellow, less spicy, and without the soapiness than can come through in Tag’s opening act.

Voyage gives you an array of citrus. It’s clean and bright, with a juicier aroma when compared to Tag-Him. Ginger still plays a role here, as does pink pepper, with the latter thankfully neutered in strength.

Still, compared to the Chanel fragrance, this is much simpler. Less spicy than either BdC or Tag-Him and none of the smokiness. But, as a fresh citrus with a close composition to Bleu, Voyage is very likeable. Not much depth, however.


A Bit of Parfum

Club de Nuit Blue Iconic by Armaf– Armaf strikes again with this newer addition to the Club de Nuit lineup. This one actually favors Bleu Parfum versus the original EDT. It doesn’t hit either exactly, but leans toward the former.

Whereas, the others from Armaf lack the same incense smokiness, Blue Iconic makes up for it with a well-balanced incense note that pairs well with the dry sandalwood.

The strength versus Tag-Him is enhanced, with Blue Iconic giving you at least a couple hours more of wear. I like that this one has mint and ginger heightened, losing the pink pepper. It feels smoother, warmer, in its spice. Not as rough as the other Armaf editions.

Like BdC Parfum, this doesn’t end with the citrus still being massive. It’s woodier, with a good amber base to boot. Note that this one is pricier versus the other Armaf scents and the savings won’t be as extreme.


Fresh Citrus without the Smoke

United Colors of Benetton United Dreams Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, Aim High, 3.4 Ounce Aim High from Benetton is another affordable choice, for those looking for a scent of the same type as Bleu. This one really does seem like a thinner and less quality version of Bleu EDT, at times.

The citrus is just about right, less spice but close, and no smokiness. Lots of lemon and grapefruit, some sage and mint, with vetiver coming through later on. The longevity isn’t all that amazing, but it’s definitely serviceable, and a pretty good alternative of Bleu for cheaper.

 

A Similar Style 

Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue FOR MEN by Versace – 3.4 oz EDT Spray This isn’t an inspired fragrance, by any means. However, it does some of the same things as Bleu (I’d actually put it closer to Bleu Parfum, though). Dylan Blue is a citrus aquatic, with strong ambroxan notes.

As such, it is in the same fragrance family as, Dior Sauvage and  Acqua di Gio Profumo also.

It opens with a grapefruit and bergamot mix, sitting on top of a watery base. Then, there is the addition of a lovely fig. The dry down is more about the ambroxan and light spiciness.

This one has lots to like, but overall, it just never stays at those heights in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very nice cologne and a best seller, but doesn’t make the cut among the Versace elite. Dylan Blue Review


Lighter but Somewhat Similar Cheapie

Perry Ellis Pour Homme, 3.4 fl oz EDT– This is another inexpensive option that gets close to what Bleu smells like. The citrus and spice, is different here, along with most of the other notes.

However, Perry Ellis Pour Homme does still manage to replicate the same sort of spirit as Bleu. Citrusy clean, with spice, and then some musk in the dry down.

Plenty of cardamom and lavender in this one, none of the incense, and feels lighter than BdC. Light woodiness at the base, mostly from sandalwood, and some cedar. The performance is okay, but nothing amazing. For the price, it fits the bill, and gives you a nice mimic of our Chanel.


Perfume Oil Option

2145 for Men from The Fragrance Shop– I recently bought a sample of this to see how it compared to Bleu EDT. Actually, they did pretty darn well at recreating Bleu de Chanel’s aroma. However, the weighting of the notes is off.

I compared it directly with the real thing and the citrus notes in the Chanel are much more prevalent than in this one. 2145 doesn’t have that same pop that the original does, but the mint and woods are pretty spot on.

I don’t like this as much as the Chanel, but it does come awfully close, I just wish the grapefruit and bergamot were amped up to similar levels. Then, it would be a great alternative choice…as of now, it’s just good. 

Bleu de Chanel Parfum vs. EDT Comparison

Chanel keeps chugging along with its Bleu de Chanel line of perfumes for men. The original EDT, has been immensely popular for many years now, and show no signs of slowing down. The most recent release has been, BdC Parfum, which gives the formula a newer take.

The question is, which smells better? EDT vs. Parfum? Which lasts longer? Which is the best one to buy?


Tale of the Tape: BdC EDT vs. Parfum

Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Notes include: sandalwood, cedar, lemon, lavender, mint, bergamot, tonka bean, amber, geranium

Click here to try: BLEU DE C H A N E L PARFUM, 3.4 oz./ 100 mL

Read my Review: Bleu de Chanel Parfum


Bleu de Chanel EDT

Notes include: lemon, grapefruit, ginger, mint, pink pepper, incense, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, jasmine, and more

Click here to try: Bleu De_Chanel for Men Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4oz NEW in BOX 


Opening

BdC Parfum kicks things off with a duo of citrus notes: lemon zest and bergamot. It does take a somewhat different direction from the other Bleu fragrances, by those citrus notes being tempered by mint and the woods.

All in all, it still is pretty similar in the beginning. Later, Bleu de Chanel Parfum will become a woodier and warmer scent, with plenty of sandalwood and cedar coming into the fold.

Bleu EDT is also a citrus affair up top. The grapefruit and lemon, get blended with softer spice notes, and a smoky incense. This BdC entry, also has the mint note, but ginger is the more prominent of the two.

Which fragrance has the better start? They’re both pretty close at the start, and I do really like either of them. But, I’d say Parfum gets the slightest edge, with its added woodiness. I do, really enjoy the ginger in EDT, though.

Edge: Parfum


Projection

Sillage wise, again, they’re actually very close to one another. Neither is an absolute beast in terms of strength or projection ability.

Parfum starts off pretty strong, but goes into its moderate phase pretty shortly thereafter. EDT does the same. The opening of Parfum, I’d say, hits a higher high. But it’s so short-lived, to not be a major factor.

You’d think that Parfum, would have better sillage, as the higher concentrated fragrance. However, that’s not actually the case, in my experience with each.

Edge: Push


Longevity

Bleu de Chanel EDT will go anywhere from 5-7 hours, on my skin. It doesn’t really have that insane performance. Decent? Yes. Not elite, though.

Parfum, while not having a super powerful sillage, actually does have really good longevity. For me, it lasts over 10 hours. It just seems to continually hang around. It’s easily the winner, in this category.

Bleu de Chanel Parfum is really low key with its performance. You don’t always notice it, but you will catch whiffs of it during the day, and those around you will be able to pick it up.

Edge: Parfum


Versatility

Alright, both of them are highly versatile scents. Bleu de Chanel can work in a wide variety of situations, meaning, all of these releases under this name.

Parfum, might be more refined and formal, in some ways. But, it’s not really something that’s going to move the needle here.

The only real distinction here is that, the EDT version, is better in the heat. Parfum cannot stand up to the high heat, while the EDT can. As such, its getting the edge.

Edge: EDT


Overall Scent

For me, I don’t think you can actually go wrong with any of the choices from the Bleu de Chanel line. They are all high quality and smell wonderful. Naturally, each shares a common DNA with one another, but each stands alone as a distinct wear.

What I enjoy about the EDT version, is the fresh and clean aroma. The citrus is very nice, but I absolutely love the ginger note. It does get a smoky aroma in there as well, but the ginger led spice accord is the highlight.

This is the best of them, at handling the heat. I’d go with the EDT, if I lived in a tropical climate…possibly the EDP. Even then, the amber in that one can be wonky, in the hotter temperatures and humidity, especially.

However, when it comes down to which of these two is better, I’m going to say Bleu de Chanel Parfum. The performance is better, it has enough of an overlap with the EDT, but brings in more of a woody freshness.

The lemon zest, isn’t as intensely citrusy as the EDT version’s plain lemon, but it brings enough of that character. I like the lavender, amberwood, and sandalwood.

Actually, especially the sandalwood. To me, it is the highlight of Parfum, and what takes it to another level.

I have gone back and forth between liking the EDP or Parfum better. As of today, I usually lean EDP. In this contest? Parfum beats EDT. There are also a ton of alternatives to Bleu de Chanel that have been released, but that’s not the case yet for Parfum.

Winner: BdC Parfum

10 Best Smelling Chanel Colognes for Men

Chanel is a French luxury brand that has a long and rich history in women’s fashion dating back to the 1920s. However, their men’s fragrance line is also a force to be reckoned with as just about all of their releases are utterly fantastic and enjoy a broad appeal among cologne enthusiasts.

For this post, I want to put forth 10 of these Chanel fragrances, which I consider to be the best bets of the line. I will update this page, as needed, when new fragrances show up or older ones get discontinued. If you want to see the best Chanel ladies fragrances, click there.


What Are the Best Smelling Chanel Fragrances for Men?

Best Bleu de Chanel

Bleu De Chanel Eau De Parfum Pour Homme Spray 3.4 OZ.– I could have also placed, the Parfum version here, as well. However, the two have plenty of similarities and overlaps, and I go back and forth on the better one.

Bleu de Chanel EDP is warm, rich, and a bit smoky. It is led, though, by the citrus top notes of lemon and grapefruit. It opens up with the citrus and some fresh spicy notes like: pink pepper, mint, and ginger.

I really love the opening act, when the both the citrus notes and spices, are on full blast. Ginger, is the main one, giving Bleu EDP a gentle fresh spiciness. Lemon and grapefruit together, has sort of an orange/lime-like aroma, to it.

Then, BdC EDP, moves into its more smoky amber phase. It’s warm and sweet, with an emerging base consisting of cedar and sandalwood. It’s a very versatile and lovely fragrance to wear.

It’s not super powerful, but it will last for a long time, and get complements from those around you. This is my favorite of the Bleu lineup and won’t be easily topped. Bleu de Chanel EDP Review


Top Unisex Option

Coromandel by Chanel– Coromandel is a scent that I’ve been getting into more lately. There are different variations of this scent: Parfum, EDP, and les Exclusifs. Each is going to give you a slightly different formulation and intensity.

Though, I’m pretty sure les Exclusifs and the older bottles of EDP are the same, at least they smell that way.

Each of them, features an awesome patchouli note, with a warm mix of amber/balsamic/oriental notes (benzoin, frankincense), and a gourmand finish…usually the white chocolate will come through the most. Spicy and warm, especially early on.

The Exclusifs or EDP (whichever is available) tend to be a sweeter formulation with more of an emphasis on the vanilla and white chocolate touches. Meanwhile, the Parfum version feels woodier and denser than the others. Coromandel Review


Ego Boost

Chanel Egoiste– Egoiste got its start in 1987, under a different name. In 1990, it was rebranded under its current title, and has been a classic ever since.

I’ve always gone back and forth as to whether this or Platinum (below) was my favorite Egoiste. However, in the past few years, the original has firmly taken the lead.

It starts off with a bold cinnamon punch. Coriander adds its own additional kick and these two are paired with a light and bright mandarin orange note. Yet, this one is super dry and warm.

Then, you get to the floral middle with a Damask rose and a touch of carnation. The dry down is almost entirely about the sandalwood, cinnamon, and tobacco. Other woods and some vanilla also make an appearance. Absolutely lovely.

For some people, they seem to need to get past that opening before enjoying it. Sure, it’s intense, but it’s one that I’ve grown to love. Egoiste Review


Old School Clean

PLATINUM EGOISTE POUR HOMME BY Chanel  – Classy and masculine. I actually remember hearing about this fragrance for the first time in a Biggie song. Egoiste Platinum is fresh with greenish and floral notes. Very luxurious and versatile for almost any event.

It’s a modern take on a classic men’s fragrance, has an old school barbershop quality to it. In that category, this is one of my favorites. Lavender, sage, geranium, sandalwood, cedar, and amber notes highlight this one.

This is a great example of a floral based fragrance, for men. Sage and rosemary, give it a masculine dose of spice, to counterbalance the soft cleanliness.

Platinum, is at times: green, dry, woody, floral, herbal, and overall fresh. This probably won’t have the mass appeal, of others, but can absolutely be a signature scent for the right guy. Egoiste Platinum Review

egoiste


Best Woodsy Green

Paris – Édimbourg– This is probably my third favorite Les Eaux des Chanel fragrance, but probably the one that will appeal most to men. However, that doesn’t mean that Paris – Édimbourg isn’t a great scent,.

Cypress and juniper are massive here. You are going to get a gin sort of smell from this one. But, it’s so fresh and green, being inspired by the Scottish highlands. The dry down will have more of the vetiver peaking through. It’s all like bright sunlight shining through the trees in a dense forest.

There is also a vanilla note in the base, which adds just a touch of something sweeter. The performance here is decent, but it’s not a projection monster. Edimbourg is a unique one and something that plenty of guys should enjoy.


Citrus, Vanilla, Woods

Allure Homme Edition Blanche by Chanel– Sure, it’s mostly limited to a fragrance for the spring and summer months, and the performance isn’t great. However, Edition Blanche is still one of the best smelling fragrances from Chanel.

It opens up with a sharp lemon note, which will dominate the early stages. You’ve got to be a fan of the citrus, to really enjoy Blanche. Then, you get the vanilla creaminess, to give this one a light dessert feel.

Finally, vetiver and sandalwood give it a dry and fresh scent coming up from the base. Not too complicated of a fragrance, but I really enjoy Allure Edition Blanche, for the summer months.


Most Popular Chanel

Bleu De Chanel for Men Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4oz – Clean blend of citrus notes, such as grapefruit and lemon, along with a woodsy base. Extremely pleasing scent that gets showered with complements from all walks of life.

It’s not as good as the EDP, in my opinion, but does offer a different experience. I do enjoy that minty aroma in the early stages.

The citrus and fresh spicy notes in the EDP are here and have more presence. It’s not as warm or dark, this EDT, is a lighter and less intense wear. That can be a good thing, depending on either your tastes, or the situation you find yourself in. Very fresh, refined, and upbeat. Well worth a try, if you find the EDP to be too ‘thick’.

I think that BdC EDT, is one of those ‘do everything’ type of fragrances. It’s classy enough for a more formal setting, yet has enough attractive appeal, for evening wear. Very well balanced, good performance, and an aroma folks just love.

bleu


Sporty Cool Freshness

ChaneI Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.– I’ve gone back and forth for years between the original Allure Sport and Eau Extreme, but I’m going to give the nod to Eau Extreme here.

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme opens up with its fresh herbal and woodsy notes, out in full force. Mint and sage, with the same orange note as the original edition, just toned way down.

Throw in cypress and pepper and you’ve got a fresh kick on top of the already sweet aldehydic Allure Sport body.

The dry down is pretty much the original, with the tonka bean and musk coming up from the base. But, Eau Extreme has the better performance for sure, which Allure Home Sport seems to be lacking in newer bottles. Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Review


Chanel’s Lion

Le Lion de Chanel– The more that I tested this one out, the more that I liked Le Lion de Chanel. It’s not my favorite, nor one that I’d want to wear all of the time. But, I do think that this perfume is worthy of a spot on the list.

This is a unisex scent, that can actually be worn by anyone, so long as you’re into this type of scent. Since it is unique and more niche, that may not be the case.

It opens up with labdanum, amber, and a nice burst of citrus. The first two give this one a warmth and smokiness, that contrasts well with the bergamot and lemon.

It will go from juicy to drier and earthy. It’s got a solid dose of patchouli and almost a leathery quality with how all of the notes come together. Musk, amber, patchouli, smoke. It’s an interesting fragrance to wear.  Le Lion de Chanel Review


Iris Woods

Sycomore by Chanel- This is another one of Chanel’s less mainstream fragrances. However, for the right person, this can absolutely be the best of the bunch.

The iris here is quite powdery, it’s joined early on with an earthiness, spice, and some additional wafts of smokiness. That iris is going to continue to be a factor, along with the vetiver note giving it that smoky finish. Those two are the main event with Sycomore.

There is also a cedar base and some slight sweetness with vanilla peaking in. Drier, leathery, smooth, and a warm woodsy scent.

Keep in mind, this one has different concentrations which become available from time to time, including a parfum. Right now, it’s an EDP, as a part of the Les Exclusifs collection. It’s one that I have a limited experience with, so, I can’t give details on all of the versions.

Also, this is one of their very expensive scents, going for a multiple of what the more mainstream colognes sell for.

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme by Chanel

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme is one that I came across on and off for many years, but really haven’t had any contact with for a long while. In fact, I’ve been rediscovering for myself, a lot of the Chanel men’s and women’s fragrances. I got a hold of a sample of Eau Extreme in order to finally do a proper review of this one for the site, using the latest batch. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it really worth a buy?


What does Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin orange, tonka bean, cypress, musk, sage, mint, sandalwood, pepper, cedar

Click here to try: ChaneI Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.


My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Chanel describes it: Allure to the extreme. A powerful, dynamic and invigorating fragrance for the man who thrives on extreme sensations and pushes himself beyond his limits. An intense Eau de Parfum, like a rush of adrenaline.

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme starts off with a fresh coolness and green quality that the original Allure Sport lacks. Eau Extreme doesn’t have the same mandarin or sea notes, but instead, goes with mint and sage as prominent players.

The citrus is definitely still there, just toned down. It’s a cypress, sage, mint, and peppery start up top. Musk is hanging around as well, but for me that really starts to show up more in the latter stages.

I have been going back and forth for years, whether I prefer the opening act of Sport or Eau Extreme. Having had samples of each in the past few months, Eau Extreme has taken the lead for me.

Some of that initial sage will then wear off and it’s more just about the mint and the cypress note. However, the tonka bean and musk notes also really begin to emerge and give this fresh scent an aromatic sweetness.

Eau Extreme does give you a different take from the original Sport, but during the dry down is when these fragrances really start to smell similar. Though, Eau Extreme strikes me as muskier and less of a sweet aroma with that spicy fresh kick.

The tonka bean really begins to take control of the wear, it feels sweeter and warmer. Together with the musk, it is super smooth and very appealing. Along with those two notes, I get the remnants of pepper and the wood accord, which it’s pretty tough to pick out just the cypress anymore.

The way things come together it does create a sweetish-powdery kind of aroma. Not like baby powder, but some people might not like the tonka bean note in this.

After coming back to this one during this past year, this reminds me of Luna Rossa Sport, in the dry down. Not the same, but that tonka bean is just so prominent.


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Eau Extreme starts out fairly strong on my skin, but not a complete beast. It actually will be pretty moderate throughout the wear, but an improvement on Allure Sport, especially compared to the newer batches.

Solid. Though, I still wish it was cranked up a bit more with its projection abilities.

On my skin, I get right about 8 hours each time I’ve worn it. Amazing? No, but very good. Again, a little more ‘extremeness’ would’ve been nice, but I can’t complain too much. Those last few hours are pretty light, which is probably one of the downsides here.

Seasonally, Eau Extreme can work pretty much whenever. I would prefer it in warmer weather and not the winter, but it’s not bad there. It is a ‘cold’ sort of scent, so, I’d rather go with something thicker and warmer in icy conditions.

To me, it’s best in the moderate range of temperatures from slightly chilly to a bit warm. At the far ends of the scale, it’s not as good.

Aside from that, Allure Sport Eau Extreme is very versatile. It can be worn by any age range, in a variety of situations. Sort of a jack of all trades and one that most guys could own as their only bottle of fragrance. It’s not really a formal fragrance, but not terrible there either.

The sportiness is there. Others in the category, seem to go a lot more dynamic or even skew the line between being an aquatic. Allure Sport Eau Extreme brings you a refined and energetic aromatic freshness.

It’s also got an attractive and mass appealing smell. Women like this and it does get complements. Maybe not a night club monster, though, it fits into the nightlife fine…just less ‘in your face’ about it.


Overall Impressions of Eau Extreme

Overall, do I like Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme? Yes! I’m so glad I came back to this one. The long time away from it, really made me appreciate what it is. I’ve found that I like the original Allure Homme less, Allure Sport about the same, and Eau Extreme more so.

The opening freshness gives you a nice change of pace from Sport. The mint, pepper, and cypress is great. The mandarin is less intense, but adds a brightness to the cold feeling of the composition. Then, the tonka bean, musky/woody finish is super smooth and attractive, if also being a bit fuzzy/powdery.

This is an easy to wear, all around versatile sort of scent. The sillage isn’t amazing and it’s not really what I’d term extreme, but the performance is still pretty darn good. I think complaints on this front are overblown. That 6-8 hour range of the wear, isn’t strong, but it is still pretty well detectable.

Eau Extreme is one of the better Chanel fragrances for men and very useful in any guy’s collection. Very mainstream entry from their collection and easy to wear.

Again, some people are just not going to like the tonka bean note in Eau Extreme. As such, one of the Bleu de Chanel’s might be the better starter cologne from the Chanel line.

Egoiste EDT by Chanel

Egoiste is a 1990 release from Chanel, that’s still going strong today. It followed and is basically a rebrand of 1987’s Bois Noir. I recently grabbed a new bottle, in order to review the modern formulation. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?


What does Egoiste Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, coriander, cinnamon, Damask rose, sandalwood, vanilla, ambrette seed

Click here to try: Chanel Egoiste


My Full Review

Egoiste is a fragrance that I’m revisiting and finally posting a full review of. I saw it online when I was making some other new purchases to test out and put a bottle of this in the bag, also.

It kicks off with a dry, bright, and spicy blast. That mandarin note is light and doesn’t grab the headlines, but it is a nice lighter element to the mix. Coriander and cinnamon are pretty massive here, making the opening act a very warm and spicy affair.

The mandarin fruitiness is bolstered by the presence of the Damask rose. Pinkish, sweet, and a touch fruity with how it comes across earlier. Balances out the weaker carnation, which really serves to add to the spice.

Now, the main star here for the entire duration of the wear, is the sandalwood note. The dry down is going to be very much about this ingredient, when the initial punch has faded. Very dry, very woody fragrance.

The coriander is the first to burn off for me, that little carnation too. This is more rosy during the second phase. A sweeter fragrance, with bits of vanilla and tobacco coming through. A warmer, honeyed sort of sweetness thanks to ambrette seed.

The woody accord is still about the sandalwood, but there is some mahogany and rosewood there in support. Sweetish rosy wood, dotted with cinnamon. Yet, it’s darker with the woody influence and that initial citrus brightness leaves entirely.

Finally, we get to the sandalwood dry down.  This is a very dry scent, especially at this point. Less sweet, a dense woodiness, some remaining: floral impressions, cinnamon, and tobacco. A slightly smoky and creamy ending.


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one offers up a strong start, but it lighter to moderate the rest of the way. I find it to be about equal to the modern Platinum Egoiste.

The first hour and a half or so is strong, then, it will become more intimate. Even when I cannot totally pick up the scent with my own nose, other people have made comments about it (positive ones). So, this one can make you a bit nose blind when it shifts more to the sandalwood part.

Egoiste still does last. Again, you can become desensitized to it and not really notice. However, I can still pick this up 7.5 hours later. Is it a monster at this point? No, it sits very close to the skin. It is there, however.

Seasonally, I’d skip this anytime that it is too warm. It’s mostly an autumn and winter wear. If it’s temperate out, Egoiste works well too. During the summer, I wouldn’t be too enthusiastic to have it on.

This one is refined and masculine. Can work as an office fragrance, but I also love wearing it out at night. It’s got a sexiness to it and receives complements from people. While Egoiste is ‘old school’, the formula still feels very modern and not completely anachronistic.

Yes, this does skew older in its demographic. Though, I personally wore this back in my early 20s at times, and it worked fine for me. Just know if you’re younger, pretty much no one your age, is going to be wearing something like Egoiste.


Overall Impressions of Egoiste

Overall, do I like Egoiste? I love it. I’m so glad that I randomly bought a new bottle for myself, to rediscover everything wonderful about this scent. It’s just so good in the winter air and has a different feel from most everything mainstream out today.

The first time that I wore it, this time around, I thought that I had stopped liking it completely. But, that went away pretty quickly and I wanted to wear this everyday for the next week straight.

Coriander and cinnamon are great. Very bold within this very dry mix. I love the way that the spices hit, while you still get some sweetness from the rose, mandarin, and vanilla notes. Really great, balanced, and signature sort of fragrance that you can wear for decades.

Egoiste is very approachable for guys who want to try an older styled fragrance, but don’t want to start with something like, Kouros. I think Egoiste, is a better smelling scent anyway, but it’s also easier to wear for most people.

It’s a pretty safe blind buy, unless you just absolutely don’t like this style of fragrance. It’s a nice change of pace in the sea of ‘blue’ scents and still very worthwhile, all these years later.