Chanel

Chanel Gabrielle vs Essence Comparison

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Chanel released Gabrielle back in 2017 and it quickly gained some measure of popularity. A few years later, it introduced Gabrielle Essence as a follow up perfume. It can be tough to decide between the two, when you’re wanting to make a purchase.

So, I’m going to break things down based on my experience. Which is the better perfume? Which has better performance?

Tale of the Tape: Chanel Gabrielle vs Essence

Gabrielle

Notes include: jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, tuberose, musk, citrus, pear

Click here to try: Chanel Gabrielle For Women Eau De Parfume Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Gabrielle EDP

Gabrielle Essence

Notes include: tuberose, orange blossom, ylang-ylang, jasmine, coconut, peach, citrus

Click here to try: Gabrielle Essence by Chanel Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz / 100 ml (Women) 

Read my review: Gabrielle Essence

Opening

Gabrielle opens with sparkling citrus notes (grapefruit, pear, orange) and a pink pepper spice. This is  alongside a floral  mix of orange blossom and ylang-ylang.

Even after me giving this Chanel multiple tries, the opening remains the fragrance’s weakest point.

I’m not usually a huge floral fan, but when those notes take over, this becomes a much better wear.

Fortunately, the transition doesn’t take long. Around 30 minutes in, jasmine and tuberose join the mix, creating a floral bouquet that’s much more appealing.

It’s focused on white petals rather than green stems. The overall character maintains a sweet and bright undercurrent that continues throughout the wear.

Meanwhile, Essence kicks off with some juicier fruits, and not the same sparkling brightness or sharpness of Gabrielle.

It lacks the original’s sparkling brightness but delivers better, juicier fruit – peach and citrus smoothed by white florals, with coconut emerging deeper into the wear.

There’s peach and coconut, along with the citrus notes, this time. There is also more of the orange blossom and jasmine, leading the way versus the original.

The fruity opening is improved but shorter-lived, quickly transitioning to florals. The key difference is Essence emphasizes orange blossom and jasmine upfront, while the EDP featured jasmine and tuberose. Here, tuberose plays a minimal role.

Which is better? I like Essence much more in the early stages. It feels more balanced, delicious, and the floral notes are the ones that I like better.

Gabrielle Essence opens much clearer than the original EDP, where notes blur together initially.  That makes for a better experience at the start.

Edge: Essence

Projection

Neither one of these fragrances is a powerhouse. Actually, they’re both fairly moderate and can spend time being skin scents. However, Essence reaches a slightly higher peak than does Gabrielle EDP.

It’s really not a huge difference, but noticeable.

Edge: Essence

Longevity

With Gabrielle, I got 7-7.5 hours of wear on the skin. Again, it’s not a powerhouse throughout, but it did hang around. Gabrielle Essence lasted just over 8, for another slight advantage.

Edge: Essence

Versatility

I don’t see a difference here. Both are wildly versatile, mostly in the spring and summer months.

You can go casual or more formal (but neither are super stuffy or serious). They have very pretty and attractive profiles.

Seasonally, Gabrielle and Gabrielle Essence is at their best in spring, though summer and autumn work well too.

In warmer spring air, these Chanel perfumes really hang beautifully and you catch whiffs of the full floral array. That bouquet effect is great.

Gabrielle Essence makes a versatile daily wear, just like the original. It’s not super formal and actually serves better as a casual or semi-formal scent.

It’s lovely and attractive, but not a super sexy club beast. You really wouldn’t offend anyone wearing them. These Chanel perfumes are pretty rather than provocative, making it a safe wear for most occasions.

So, the similarities don’t make much of a distinction. Tie.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I think that each of these fragrances is a very good release by Chanel. Gabrielle EDP settles into a floral bouquet with some remaining sweetness. It does everything well, even if it is a step behind Essence in many categories.

I think that it ultimately comes down to which floral notes you prefer, as the weighting is different between these perfumes.

With Gabrielle EDP, tuberose and jasmine play a larger role together, in the dry down.

Meanwhile, Essence doesn’t have as strong of a tuberose. It more evenly splits between orange blossom, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.

Personally, I think that Gabrielle Essence is the better fragrance all around. It doesn’t blow the original out of the water, but does make marked improvements in comparison.

It’s a beautiful perfume that improves on the original, which I already liked. Essence is a very well-balanced floral with a great fruity opening that avoids being over the top.

I prefer how the floral notes are weighted here compared to the original. Performance is somewhat better, though it could’ve been bumped up further. It’s not bad by any means, just not outstanding. Both longevity and projection sit above average.

This is more than just a solid Chanel entry. It does everything well and has the versatility to become a daily wear for many women. It feels more modern than some of their past releases, even if it’s not entirely unique.

Winner: Gabrielle Essence

Coco Mademoiselle vs. L’eau Privee

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Coco Mademoiselle has launched a bunch of different flankers over the years. One of them, L’eau Privée, is one of the latest additions to the line. L’eau Privée is a nighttime/sleepwear version of the scent. I wanted to provide a comparison post, as plenty of people seem to have questions about the differences between these two.

Tale of the Tape: Coco Mademoiselle vs. L’eau Privee

Coco Mademoiselle

Notes include: orange, neroli, may rose, patchouli, vetiver, jasmine

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my full review: Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Coco Mademoiselle L’eau Privee

Notes include: rose, jasmine, mandarin orange, musk

Click here to try: CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE L’EAU PRIVÉE Eau Pour la Nuit Spray 1,70z

Read my full review: L’eau Privee

Opening

Mademoiselle EDP starts off with a strong blend of its orange citrus note, neroli, and patchouli. The opening stage is heavy on that orange, before ceding some ground to the floral heart, made up of jasmine and a bit of rose.

It’s bold and have a somewhat gourmand feeling, thanks to the pretty prevalent patchouli.

L’eau Privée opens up with the bright and juicy orange note that is found the EDP version. It doesn’t have the neroli note, but the jasmine and rose are there. Plus, the patchouli, but it is way toned down.

Which is better? They are obviously extremely similar, but I like the EDP’s scent a bit better in the opening act. L’eau Privée is light and not as sharp, which can be a nice change, but it doesn’t hit the same high mark.

It’s a less intrusive, but also less dynamic version of Mademoiselle eau de parfum.

Edge: Mademoiselle 

Projection

Coco Mademoiselle has a very strong sillage and its ability to project is outstanding. Even after all of this time, this Chanel EDP still has that same strength and hasn’t lost a step.

L’eau Privee has a moderate sillage upon first spraying. Though, as a nighttime scent that power is short lived and it is ultimately a softer fragrance.

This category is no contest. Mademoiselle L’eau Privee gets very light and airy once you’re past that immediate burst. Though, I can still smell it on me without issue.

Edge: Coco Mademoiselle

Longevity

Mademoiselle EDP has always lasted for over 10 hours on my skin. It gives an outstanding performance and takes a long time to settle into a skin scent.

Privee will go for four hours on my skin. The last two of those hours is a pure skin scent, that won’t be jumping out at you, in the slightest.

The performance between the two isn’t going to be a close call. L’eau Privee does give me more longevity than some people have said in their reviews of it. Still, it’s not supposed to be a powerhouse, and easily loses this category.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Versatility

Coco Mademoiselle can work in a wide variety of situations. I’d avoid the heat with it, go easy at the office, or just don’t use it in formal settings. Outside of that, the EDP can deliver.

L’eau Privee is one to use when you want to freshen up for a few hours with something light or to use before bed. That’s its best use case. But, it can work better in the heat than Mademoiselle.

Not that it’s going to last a long time, but the scent itself can hold up more in the spring and summer months, without starting to smell weird.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Overall Scent

This really isn’t a fair contest, as L’eau Privee is designed for more of a specific purpose versus the original EDP perfume.

However, it’s always a question that comes up from newer folks to Chanel, who don’t yet know the difference between these two scents.

If you want an all-purpose perfume, that has style and staying power; Coco Mademoiselle is a great choice overall and the clear choice in this comparison.

If you already like the style of Mademoiselle and want something the spray before bedtime…then maybe pick up L’eau Privee. That’s one of the only real uses for it. But if you want to shell out the money, go right ahead.

Maybe you use it during the summer months or a fragrance that you wear to the gym or something along those lines.

Some people seem to like to use it as a freshener, either for themselves or their bedroom. It’s a nice smelling scent. A lighter and fresh version of this line from Chanel. It’s just not going to become a signature perfume for anyone, unlike the eau de parfum.

Winner: Coco Mademoiselle

Coco Mademoiselle vs Mademoiselle Intense Comparison

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Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle line is insanely popular and the original EDP is still going strong after two decades. One of the flanker fragrances, that the brand released over the years is Coco Mademoiselle Intense. When in the market for one of these fragrances, the decision can often come down to which one of these you prefer. But, which one is actually better? Lasts longer? Is the one to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Coco Mademoiselle EDP vs. EDP Intense

Coco Mademoiselle

Notes include: orange, neroli, may rose, patchouli, vetiver, jasmine

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my full review: Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Coco Mademoiselle EDP Intense

Notes include: patchouli, amber, tonka bean, vanilla, orange, jasmine, rose, musk

Click here to try: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Oz 

Read my review: Coco Mademoiselle Intense

Opening

Mademoiselle EDP starts off with a strong blend of its orange citrus note, neroli, and patchouli. The opening stage is heavy on that orange, before ceding some ground to the floral heart, made up of jasmine and a bit of rose.

It’s bold and have a somewhat gourmand feeling, thanks to the pretty prevalent patchouli. 

Mademoiselle Intense also features the citrus opening, but it is toned down quite a bit. What is amped up in the composition is the patchouli and amber note coming from the base. It is a more powerful opening than even the strength of the original. 

You will also get some of the vanilla, jasmine, and tonka bean. Though, they aren’t that strong early on.

Which is better? I prefer the citrus blend of orange and neroli, in the original Mademoiselle. You still get the patchouli note, but it is a bit more balanced in comparison.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Projection

Yes, Intense does open even stronger than the original EDP version. However, it doesn’t maintain that large of a distinction for the entirety of the wear.

Both of these are perfumes with a heavier sillage than your average popular perfume. They do each mellow out some over the first few hours, but keep up the ability to project or leave a scent trail quite well.

Intense does have the edge in this category, but it’s a lot closer than you’d expect from that opening.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

Both fragrances last on my skin for over 10 hours. I don’t really notice much, if any distinction, in this category. Perhaps, Intense will get you an extra bit of time, but I haven’t really experienced that.

Again, it’s another category that you might expect some massive or at least a substantial difference, but every time with either of these Coco Mademoiselle offerings it’s basically equal.

Edge: Push

 

Versatility

Again, I don’t see a distinction between these two Chanel scents, in this category. Neither is going to be something to wear in the heat, but are fine elsewhere.

Also, that can pretty much be worn whenever…maybe not the most formal settings, but otherwise they can work.

Mostly, autumn through springtime, as a daily wear. You can wear it to school, office, casually, or even for an evening out. Very versatile perfume, which is a part of the popularity of both Mademoiselle and Intense.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

This is actually a close call, as both of these perfumes are great. Coco Mademoiselle Intense has more emphasis on the patchouli and amber aspects of the formula, with even a hint of extra rose. Though, the citrus is toned down.

It’s a bit stronger and has the same great performance as the original. However, I don’t think that it smells any better, and doesn’t bring all that much new to the table. 

Between them, I have a slight preference for the original EDP. It has the strong orange note which I enjoy and less of the patchouli which I have a lower preference for.

It’s not a huge win, and for those who want less citrus, you might consider the Intense or EDT versions versus the original. 

Or again, if you’re a bigger fan of that patchouli note. Other than that, there is a ton of overlap between these two fragrances. Most of the difference comes down to preference about how each note is weighted in the composition.

Winner: Mademoiselle

6 Best Chanel Perfumes for Summer

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Moving right along with the summertime related posts, I wanted to do one for the ladies’ side of things, and focus on one of the most popular brands: Chanel. For this list, I am going to focus on the best perfumes by the French design house, which will work best in the summer.

I have already covered the best overall Chanel scents, but many of those are too heavy and cloying for the heat. For this list, I wanted to mention some of the great seasonal wears, while also having some variety in terms of style.

Favorite Chanel Perfumes for Summer

Fresh for Summer

Chance Chanel Eau Fraiche Eau De Toilette Spray, for Woman EDT 3.4 fl oz, 100 ml– Chance Eau Fraiche is a wonderful fragrance and particularly excels as a summertime wear.  Chance Eau Fraiche features a top that is both aquatic and citrus, with lemon leading the way.

The base notes of the perfume hold things together with fresh cedar and a great pink pepper note. It is a clean and light scent, but not weak, that will holdup perfectly in the heat and not get bogged down or warped.

Also, shares plenty of the same qualities that makes the original Chance so beloved. Chance Eau Fraiche Review

A Trip from Paris

Paris-Venise– This one from the Les Eaux de Chanel line is spectacular and absolutely one of the top offerings for the warmer months.

Venise features notes of neroli, vanilla, and tonka bean. It kicks off with a great citrus accord, ylang-ylang, and a powdery mix of iris and violet. It’s fresh, unique, and a dynamic summertime wear.

The citrus, iris, and ylang-ylang (plus other floral notes) are most prominent in the opening act. Then, as it settles, you get the softer sweet and creamy notes coming through.

With enough of the iris/violet combination to make it interesting. Paris-Venise is a very beautiful fragrance. Paris-Venise review

paris venise review

Cristalle Class

Cristalle EDT– There are multiple versions under this name, reformulation concerns, and further rumors of its demise. Yet, this one has stuck around since the 1970s. Underappreciated, even by me.

Yet, this one is clean and hangs around beautifully in the air during the spring and summer months. Green, light citrus, that is tempered by the inclusion of the hyacinth floral heart. So fresh without ever feeling like its screeching for attention.

Jasmine, rosewood, some light moss, and vetiver help to make this distinct from the other entries on this list.

It’s probably a good thing that Cristalle mostly flies under the radar versus the more well-known Chance series, for instance. You can enjoy it and stand out more from the crowd.

The EDT Version

Coco Mademoiselle EDT 50ml/1.7oz Brand new & sealed– The EDT version of Coco Mademoiselle is another awesome pick for the summer months. The EDP is more well suited for the colder months, so, make sure you pick up the correct bottle.

The EDT is cleaner and has a lighter overall profile, led by citrus notes including: bergamot, grapefruit, and mandarin orange. The patchouli can initially come off as strong, but once settled in, it totally works within the composition aiding the citrus.

The other main draw, is the jasmine note, which adds a light floral ingredient to this perfume. While not as heavy as the EDP, this one still has a very good longevity and the sillage isn’t ever underwhelming.

Most Popular

Chanel Chance Tendre Eau de Toilette Spray For Women 1.7 OZ./ 50 ml.– This is the best smelling version of Chance, in my mind, but probably the second best option from the line for summer. Eau Fraiche is the better summer wear, but this one still works well in the heat.

In the opening, the crisp citrus notes work well with the floral notes: jasmine, iris, and hyacinth. The dry down, feels more suited to spring, with the slightly powdery floral notes and musk.

Also, the flowers are more prominent in the dry down, than is the citrus. As such the dynamic changes. Still, this one smells great regardless of season, and is a best seller for a reason. Chance Eau Tendre review

Lime and Basil

Paris-Deauville– This one is another entry from the Les Eaux de Chanel line. Deauville is a perfume that I really enjoyed experiencing while testing out the Les Eaux fragrances.

Lime, lemon, and mandarin orange start things off here. But, it’s not a purely citrus fragrance, as there is also a prominent basil note and an overall green aroma in Paris-Deauville. The main notes are lime, basil, and patchouli.

That’s the trio for most of the wear. There is a floral aspect to this with a bit of rose and jasmine, but they really aren’t that major in the mix.

For me, it lasted about 7 hours, which isn’t bad for a warm weather fragrance. Deauville is a pretty simple scent, that’ll be a spring and summer wear, but it’s a really great use of lime. Read my full review

6 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Gabrielle

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Chanel released Gabrielle a number of years ago now. Since then, it has become a fairly popular white floral blend with a citrusy sort of opening. Not really groundbreaking stuff, but one that can be very nice to wear.

As such, people tend to want to find similar perfumes, which are either cheaper or other designer fragrances in the same sphere as  the pricy Chanel. In this post, I want to present 6 (well, 7, technically) fragrances that can serve as potential alternatives. 

 

Favorite fragrances that smell similar to Chanel’s Gabrielle

Ylang-Ylang Similarities

Floral Ylang Ylang– So, this is Dossier’s interpretation of the Gabrielle formula. To my knowledge, this is the only attempt at creating a ‘inspired by’ perfume based on the Chanel notes. At least among brands that I trust to have quality product..

Update: Another one has been released, see below.

This is going to be the one to go with, if you’re looking for a near match of the aroma that you get with our target scent.

This starts off with a bright use of grapefruit and blackberry, paired with a top note of lily. Then, you get into the floral heart led by ylang ylang with jasmine and tuberose.

Again, this is inspired by Gabrielle. So, it may not be exactly the same, but it is a very good impression for a much cheaper price than the designer original.

Dear Similarities

Dear Gabby by Alexandria– Here is the second alternative option for those who want a perfume inspired by the Gabrielle formula. This one comes from Alexandria Fragrances, who I’ve had good experiences with in the past.

Dear Gabby is an extrait de parfum concentration, which is higher than what you get with the original. Not necessarily stronger, but it likely will have a greater staying power and potentially bring some more projection while wearing.

Now, I haven’t tried this fragrance out as of this update. But, I’m including it as another option for those who don’t want the Dossier, and because this is a brand that I know to usually do a great job at matching the vibe of a designer scent.

 

J’adore Options

Christian Dior J’Adore Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– So, from the J’adore line by Dior, you have a few options. The original J’adore EDP is pretty similar. While J’adore l’absolu kind of goes between Gabrielle and Gabrielle Essence. 

I actually prefer the Chanel scents to either of these, but not by a huge margin, and you can generally find bottles of Dior a bit (sometimes significantly) cheaper. 

L’absolu goes with jasmine and tuberose as its floral highlights. It lacks the fruity notes, however. Meanwhile, J’adore EDP gives you ylang-ylang and jasmine, along with notes of plum and blackberry up top.

Inexpensive White Floral and Citrus

Vera Wang Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounces–  The floral notes used between Gabrielle and Versa Wang are different. So is the overall quality, although this isn’t a cheap mess, by any means.

But, the structure of these two fragrances are similar. Clean and bright citrus up top, with a white floral heart and a musky/sandalwood base. The main difference is this one uses lily, lotus, Bulgarian rose, and gardenia as its floral bouquet.

It has more of a soapy quality than Gabrielle, but it retains some of that same sort of sweetness. An easy to wear scent with a low key profile, but quite presentable quality and longevity. 

Mix of a Few

 

White Diamonds Legacy– Obviously, there haven’t been a ton of new releases from the Elizabeth Taylor line. However, this updated take on the classic White Diamonds, actually has a good deal of overlap with how Gabrielle comes across.

Legacy is a more modern white floral than its namesake White Diamonds. Which, gives it a closer proximity to the Chanel.

This one has gardenia, orange blossom, and jasmine leading the floral heart. Gardenia is the most noticeable of them. But, that ylang ylang isn’t going to be in here. That’s the biggest difference.

Still, musky with sandalwood in the base, and we get a light citrus top also. Early on, the citrus notes are joined by a slight spice. Then, we get a great creaminess and a light sweetness throughout.

Not an exact match, but a likeable cheap alternative, and close relation.

A Fruitier Cheapie

Crush by Rihanna– Now, this isn’t a one to one with how it’s structured, as it has more of a fruity profile than does Gabrielle. However, this Rihanna perfume does hit a lot of the same beats.

The citrus notes are quite similar and ylang-ylang plays an important role here. Along with, an additional pink pepper.

Up top, you get the citrus blend. As it moves forward, ylang-ylang and berries become more prominent. Towards the end, you get some fresh woods, paired with the berries and some lingering orange from the opening.

Crush is like Gabrielle, while remaining completely unique and a great value play. It probably has the same level of performance, if not better than the Chanel scent.