5 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Gabrielle

Chanel released Gabrielle about 4 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 5 (well, 6, technically) fragrances that can serve as potential alternatives. 


Quick Takeaways

I get more in depth on all of the selections below, but here’s the highlights for those in a hurry.


What fragrances smell similar to Gabrielle by Chanel?

Personally, I haven’t come across an exact match of Gabrielle yet. Update: I’ve now included an inspired by version. But, it’s got some options that are pretty close. These are my picks of the lot.

Also, keep in mind, there are plenty of white floral bouquet fragrances out there with or without similar fruity notes.


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..

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.


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. 

11 Fragrances Similar to Chanel No. 5

Chanel No. 5 has been around now for about 100 years. It’s basically the most famous perfume on the planet and is still going strong in sales, all these years later. With its popularity, have come similar scents, cheaper comparable smells, and other perfumes which are alike. In this post, I want to cover these fragrances , as potential alternatives to buying Chanel No. 5. I’ll keep it updated, as I come across more options.


Which Perfumes Smell Similar to Chanel No. 5?

The First Inspiration

Floral Aldehydes by Dossier– The name itself gets right to the point, about what this one is. Floral Aldehydes by Dossier is the brand’s inspired take on the classic formula.

A big blast of cooling aldehydes up top, with the light citrus, floral heart, and the powdery aspects like the Chanel has.

An eau de parfum, the performance holds up well, at least to the standards of No. 5 EDP. Perhaps not the extrait.

Does it do a good job at matching the aroma? Pretty much. Sometimes the weighting of some of the notes can be slightly off versus the designer perfume. However, at slightly less than $30 per bottle (as of posting), it’s not going to be noticeable enough to complain much.


Another Number

Antica di Roma by Fragrenza– This is another inspired take on the No. 5 style. Fragrenza is a brand that has some good offerings, and I’ve tried many of their scents, from their designer based perfumes.

However, I haven’t given Antica di Roma a go, as of yet. But, I figured that I’d put it on the list in order to present another alternative, for those who want it.

The good news is, that you can buy a 3ml sample size of this and the other perfumes that they carry, so that you can give them a full test without committing to the full bottle.


Similar Profile, Differing Strengths

Dune By Christian Dior For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

This Christian Dior offering, isn’t an exact match of our Chanel. It actually shares many of the same notes, but, the strength of each, is almost inverted in comparison. The floral notes are much lighter and Dune is a woodier fragrance.

Like, take the notes, and flip them around.

A lovely and elegant scent dating back to the early 1990s. It is fresh, sensual, and great for the warmer months. Dune is dry and woody with sandalwood, rosewood, and amber being the main highlights. There are spiced notes and undertones of vanilla, which keep it sweet.

Dune is a very smooth and a pretty low key scent. It doesn’t have the same intense sillage as Hypnotic Poison, but is still solid throughout. This one could be a unisex fragrance, with its woody tones, and serves as a great change of pace from the usual popular fare.

dune


Another Similar Classic from that Era

LanvÈ‹n ArpĂ©ge Pẻrfume For Women 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray This one dates back to the earlier decades of the last century, but it has been updated and reformulated, a few times since then. The current version is a lot of floral notes, with a powdery aroma from the iris, sitting on top of sandalwood.

It’s actually kind of a powerhouse, when compared to the others on this list, and while it is pretty heavy it does have a certain cleanliness about it. Since this dates back to around the same era, as No.5, it does have a very similar classic feel. Add to the fact, that there are many of the same notes, and you’ve got a potential alternative.

You get a good amount of jasmine and ylang-ylang, but Arpege is pretty well mixed. Maybe not the most universally appealing scent on the list, but one that ranks up near the top, for a selection of the population.


Lighter, Woodier, and Still Classic

Rive Gauche By Yves Saint Laurent For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz
A blast from the past, this 1970s fragrance is a sure fire classic. Notes of sandalwood, oak moss, honeysuckle, gardenia, and others form an intense, clean, and powdery scent. Unique, inspiring, and long-lasting.

Aldehydes, florals, and a drier profile allow Rive Gauche to be in the approximate family of our target.

Rive Gauche has more oak moss and vetiver freshness, the same type of floral notes, just in a much lighter application.

It blends together as a powdery smell, but underneath you can pick out the floral notes such as rose and gardenia. Plus, the fresh oak moss, vetiver, and other woody elements come together to create a clean and simply sophisticated perfume. Rive Gauche Review

rivegauchew


Aldehydes with More Iris 

Hermes – Caleche – Edt Spray 1.6 Oz (New Packaging)– An aldehyde floral with a nice powdery iris note, taking the lead, within the composition. It has a powerful opening, with the iris and a nice neroli note, for a clean touch.

It softens up, as it dries down, and you’re left with an elegant vintage perfume aroma. At times, its more of a woody fragrance. Then, it will feel creamy. Then, a dry powdery scent. It’s got depth and lots in common with Chanel No. 5, though, not an exact copy. They are, close relatives, however.


Modern with a Similar Style

TOM FORD METALLIQUE 3.4oz 100ml EAU DE PERFUME This one is different, its a floral aldehyde, with a sweeter and creamier disposition. Vanilla, sandalwood, and ambrette provide that lovely finish following the aldehyde opening act.

The floral notes are toned down and quite subtle. This Tom Ford, does have an interesting metallic finish, as the name suggests. It’s not really a one to one match at all of Chanel No. 5, but one that kind of gives you a updated twist, to this style of fragrance.


Resinous and Smoky

AMOUAGE Gold Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz A smoky and resinous oriental fragrance, featuring: rose, lily, and jasmine notes. Close to Caleche, listed above, in smell.

Amouage Gold is an expensive designer fragrance, that dries down with a musky, and powdery aroma. Gets quite rosy, no aldehydes, but plenty of jasmine and some orris to add to its depth. Like a smokier and more exotic take, on Chanel No. 5.


A bit of 19, a bit of 5

Annick Goutal Heure Exquise Women’s Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce Ok, so this Annick Goutal scent, is probably closer to Chanel No. 19. However, it’s also somewhat like No.5, as well. I’m adding this, just to give one more option. Plus, on its own, this is a gorgeous fragrance.

It’s a great vintage fragrance with hyacinth, rose, and mostly iris holding things together. It’s powdery with a fresh greeness, to its smell. Very clean with a light touch of sweetness, provided by vanilla, and sitting on top of a sandalwood base.


Old School Lancome

Climat By Lancome For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 2.5 Ounces Another older fragrance, that I’ve only recently come across, and the resemblance to No.5 was there to my nose.

To me, this one has a soapier aroma versus being a match of our target. It’s clean and upbeat, with a muskier finish versus the same aldehydes found in Chanel. The main floral is the Lily of the Valley in comparison, but you get a bouquet and fresh woodsiness also.

I don’t think that this is the exact formulation of the older bottles, I wasn’t around in the 60s. However, this one isn’t very expensive and still has a nice quality fragrance, striking close to what we want here.


An Inexpensive Option

Nude By Bill Blass For Women. Cologne Spray 3.4 Ounces This is an interesting one, that usually costs around $20 per bottle nowadays (though, I believe it’s out of production….so that may not last). It has elements of Chanel No.5 (I’d say closer to the EDP, than anything).

The commonalities are the aldehydes and the floral notes. Jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang. The jasmine is noticeably toned down in the mix versus our target, while the ylang-ylang is ratcheted up. It also has a colder and sterile feeling at times.

The rosemary note is what I think separates it, in the early stages. It’s much more green/herbal than Chanel and dries down with more of a powdery aroma. Not my favorite, but certainly an option to try for cheap.


Gabrielle Essence EDP by Chanel

Gabrielle Essence is the follow up release to the popular Gabrielle by Chanel. It came out in 2019 and has enjoyed a good deal of attention itself. I purchased a sample of this scent, with my latest batch, in order to test it out and review it for the site. How does it smell? What’s different? Is it even worth a try?


What does Gabrielle Essence Smell Like?

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) 


My Full Review

Gabrielle Essence opens up much better to my nose versus the original EDP. With that one, it seems harder to distinguish between notes, at first.

Essence doesn’t have the same sparkling brightness as the original, but the fruity notes are better and juicier overall. Not sharp, but smoothed out by the white floral notes, that make up the Gabrielle DNA.

This is a blend of peach and citrus, with a bit of coconut that becomes more noticeable deeper into the wear.

While the fruity opening is better here, it also is shorter lived to my nose. This one gets down to the floral notes rather quickly, but I actually like that phase of Essence.

The main difference with the floral notes for me is, Essence has a stronger emphasis on orange blossom and jasmine, at first. With the EDP, it was jasmine and tuberose. The tuberose in Gabrielle Essence doesn’t play that big of a role.

Eventually, the jasmine, orange blossom, and ylang-ylang are sharing most of the duties. That’s what I get for most of the rest of the wear. It’s a bit sweet and has a nice, but not thick creaminess about it.

Light musk and woodiness, at the base, but this is mostly all about those floral notes. Nothing overly complicated, just a variation of what you’d expect.


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with Gabrielle Essence is pretty moderate. It does project itself better than the original, but it isn’t a massive difference. Not super powerful and dries down fairly softly.

There will be a scent trail left behind you for that first hour or so. After that, it’s going to be more noticeable in a 3-4 foot radius from where you’ve sprayed Gabrielle Essence on.

I also get just over 8 hours of wear on my skin with Essence. Yes, it stays as a skin scent for a good chunk of that time, but it is still there…just not in full force. That’s about what it consistently seems to be. Maybe it’ll get to 9 hours, at times.

Seasonally, it’s at its peak in the spring. Summer and autumn are great, but the spring is where the Gabrielle perfumes shine. In the warmer air, this Chanel really hangs beautifully and you catch whiffs of the full floral array.

Gabrielle Essence is a versatile daily wear, just like the original. It isn’t super formal and can actually serve better as a casual or semi-formal scent. It’s a lovely and attractive scent, just not a super sexy club beast.


Overall Impressions of Gabrielle Essence

Overall, do I like Gabrielle Essence? I really do. It’s a beautiful perfume and better than the original (which I liked). Essence is a very well balanced and well put together floral. The fruity opening is great, without being over the top.

Also, I like how the floral notes are weighted in this one when compared to the original. It’s performance is a bit better, but that could’ve been bumped up somewhat. It’s not bad, by any means, just not outstanding. Both longevity and power are above average, however.

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

It’s not their absolute best, but I enjoy what they’ve done with this Gabrielle series so far, and Essence in particular.

13 Best Chanel Perfumes for Her

Chanel is a luxury brand that has been around for over 100 years now and it’s still going strong. It is not only famous for its designer fashions on the runway but also in the fragrance department.

This French luxury brand has seemingly countless classic and super famous scents that have defined entire decades. For this post, I have selected thirteen Chanel perfumes, which I consider to be the best smelling of the bunch.

Of course, with such a limitation (yes, it still is ‘limited’ in scope), there’s always going to be scents that I’ve missed. There are too many Chanel fragrance variations, discontinued perfumes, and such that it is almost impossible to give a complete account.

However, this is certainly a good place to start, with the modern versions at least. Here is my men’s list of the best Chanel for Him.


What are the Best Smelling Chanel Perfumes for Women?

Musky Floral

Chance By Chanel 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray For Women– Chance comes in both an EDT and EDP version created by perfumer Jacques Polge. The EDP is the one that is linked, however, both of these options are obviously very similar. The EDP is very floral with notes of vanilla, iris, and jasmine leading the way.

It also is more subdued and cleaner than the EDT version, as the patchouli isn’t as much of a pure standout.

Chance gives you some floral sweetness and warm spice with the pink pepper, patchouli, and musk notes giving it some greater depth. Musk, vanilla, and the jasmine come to be the main players of Chance and together form something that is refined and moderate in its sillage.

However, during the dry down the patchouli does become more of a factor, and pairs surprisingly well with that soft jasmine. Chance has very nice performance and the ability to last for a standard workday or most other normal occasions. Chance EDP Review


Top Winter Fragrance

Chanel COCO Eau De Parfum Vaporisateur Spray 3.4 OZ / 100 ml– Coco is another fragrance with a lot of warmth and spice to its scent. This perfume is best served in the crisp and cold months of fall and winter.

Notes include coriander, rose, sandalwood, tonka bean, peach, amber, and cloves. Coco is bold, enveloping, and lasts forever and ever (especially the vintage bottles).

The floral (jasmine, rose, ylang ylang) and orange notes give it a subtle sweetness that isn’t the usual perfume blast of ‘loud’ smelling fruits or sugary candy. Rose and cloves are wrapped in the warm embrace of amber, which radiates beauty.

Coco is a rich and complex fragrance that defines class and has done so since the 1980s. May not be the best choice for younger ladies, though, some could still pull it off.

Coco eau de parfum is one of this brand’s offerings, that exudes the term luxury, and is probably something that most folks associate with Chanel. Yes, this stuff is powerful, spicy, and can be too much for some people.

However, it is an absolute classic with fantastic sandalwood, and an all day and into the night longevity. Grab a bottle and wear it dressed up.


Les Eaux de Chanel Pick

Paris-Venise by Chanel– This is going to be my pick from the Les Eaux de Chanel line of scents, at least for women. Paris-Venise gives you that familiar Chanel feeling, while being completely unique in its presentation. Other options like Paris-Biarritz, are a bit too close to smelling like Chance.

Venise is headed up by notes of neroli, vanilla, and tonka bean. With that is a nice citrus accord, added to powdery iris and violet, giving Paris-Venise a great freshness that can safely be worn into the summertime.

The citrus, iris, and ylang-ylang (plus other floral notes) are most prominent in the opening act. Then, the dry down features the softer powdery/creamy base notes that really help to set this one apart.

Plus, nice hints of white musk. Complex, while being totally light and easy to wear. Great! Venise Review


Other Les Eaux de Chanel Option

Paris-Deauville by Chanel– I’ve been spending a lot of time with samples of the Les Eaux de Chanel line lately, and Paris-Deauville, has quickly become a favorite.

It’s a summery citrus with lime and the mandarin orange note from Coco Mademoiselle. But, it changes things up with a wonderful basil freshness, light patchouli, and some green notes.

The lime and mandarin are fairly equal early on. That will shift more towards the lime which gets paired with the basil. Mandarin orange and lemon sit underneath that. It’s very uplifting and reminiscent of a summer’s day.

I get about 7 hours of solid wear out of it with a nice bit of projection. Paris-Deauville is a unisex scent, that gives you a lovely and pretty unique, albeit simple profile. Deauville Review


The Classic Chanel Scent

Chanel No.5 for Women – A standard classic within ladies fragrances. I mean, is this ever not going to be a best seller? Elegant, feminine, iconic and all stored within that famous bottle.

Floral and woodsy upon the drydown and it can be a bit repulsive to some at first (or not work at all for their body chemistry). However, when it works and has had some time to develop on the skin, it is beautiful. Personally, I’ve never experienced that, an old school vibe for sure but an outstanding floral scent.

There are a few different versions of No.5 and it of course has undergone slight reformulations over the many decades since its release, so this all can have an impact as to exactly what perfume you get. The Parfum is the original release created by Ernest Beaux 100 years ago.


The Other Classic Coco Option

No.22 EDP Les Exclusifs de Chanel– The formula for this one dates back to 1922 with Coco Chanel and Ernest Beaux. You could also go with No.19, which is probably more popular, but No.22 is the better perfume.

This is the EDP ‘Les Exclusifs’ version. A bit less expensive, but still has great performance.

This one is focused on tuberose but is blended with an array of floral notes and a cooling and refreshing addition of aldehydes up top. At first, 22 has a greenish sort of feeling. Then, the usual cohort of jasmine/ylang-ylang/rose that Chanel is famous for comes in.

22 does have powdery qualities like No. 5, but much less so, with some sweetness also coming from the base. Not too heavy or ‘old lady-ish’, despite its older formulation. No. 22 still comes across as a stylish and modern luxury perfume.


A Lion of Chanel

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.

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. Not for everyone, but a nice change of pace from pure floral perfumes. Le Lion de Chanel Review


Most Popular Chanel Perfume

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum spray For Women 3.4 OZ.– The current popular star of the Chanel lineup and one that enjoys more of a universal appeal and can be more broadly worn than some of the other options on the list.

Coco Mademoiselle is sweeter blend of citrus and floral notes that has enjoyed immense popularity since its release. It has an aura of femininity with a strong heart of patchouli and musk.

Mademoiselle features some bright and clean citrus top notes and floral notes led by rose and jasmine. The patchouli is the main attraction in this one, however, it is tempered by the sweeter notes including vanilla.

It has extremely good sillage (a few sprays will do) and also provides all day longevity. Coco Mademoiselle has spawned a bunch of its own flanker fragrances, which are also great, but the original still takes the cake. Read my Full Review


Best Light Summer Scent

Chanel Chance Tendre Eau de Toilette Spray For Women 1.7 OZ./ 50 ml.– Bright, fresh, and girly. Chanel Chance Eau Tendre has a citrus base of grapefruit and quince to go along with sweet floral notes. This is probably the most popular of the Chance flanker fragrances by Chanel.

It’s mostly a floral fragrance that is highlighted by citrus notes to give it more balance. Iris, jasmine, and hyancith are a part of the floral bouquet.

Chance Eau Tendre is a much lighter fragrance than anything else on the list, but that light airy aroma, doesn’t mean that it lacks staying power. It’s just not a heavy bomb, but one that is a great option for everyday wear.

It is still very crisp, due to the citrus top notes, but it doesn’t have that usual sharpness that grapefruit can cause. Eau Tendre is very smooth with a dry down period that can be somewhat powdery (iris) and with a healthy dose of musk. Again, it’s not a heavy fragrance, so the musk isn’t going to be an unbearable mess.


Most Underrated Chanel

Chanel – Allure Eau De Parfum Spray for Women 3.4 FL OZ– Chanel’s Allure has a slightly exotic and oriental vibe to it. Smooth vanilla pairs with peach, orange, and bergamot. A very clean and sexy fragrance that lasts a long time and draws complements.

This is another case, where the EDP and EDT versions are similar but different. The Allure EDP has more vanilla and a warmer vibe (plenty of amber) than the EDT, which gives off more of the bergamot and orange notes with May rose in the florals (it’s also lighter). Either version one selects, you will received a beautiful and sensuous fragrance, under the Allure banner.

Allure EDP opens up with a nectar aroma of peach and then a lighter touch of the citrus notes. The fragrance is warm and sweet from the start, with the vanilla coming in early for a supporting role.

Then, as it dries down, you get more of the floral heart notes like jasmine, peony, and magnolia with touches of base notes like vetiver. Still, the peach and citrus, are the dominant factors in this scent. The whole thing comes together as creamy, smooth, and wonderfully enveloping.


The Best Gabrielle

Gabrielle Essence by Chanel Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz / 100 ml (Women) The original Chanel Gabrielle was pretty good, but it didn’t really reach the top of the list. Essence is a much better fragrance, which blends classic elements with enough modern touches to be enjoyable.

Tuberose, ylang-ylang, orange blossom and other white floral notes eventually combine to be the main focus of this fragrance. However, it opens up with citrus and some juicy/tart berry notes, that are truly delicious. There is a peach note and overall sparkling quality up top.

The performance is decent, but not an elite scent by any means, in that regard. It does smell very nice and has a great deal of versatility. Gabrielle Essence Review


Unisex Floral Woods

Bois des Iles by Chanel– Bois des Iles is definitely less ‘girly’ than many of the other entries on the list, but is still an utterly fantastic fragrance. It features a spicy top (coriander) and awesome sandalwood accord with milky, powdery, and creamy highlights.

The floral notes here are secondary, but present. Aldehydes are the other star of the show, along with the sandalwood. Orris lends the powdery touch and is joined by ylang-ylang.

It settles down into a woodsy and amber-laden perfume, with a warmth that is great on an autumn or winter’s day. This one is something different, but well worth a try, if you’re into woody parfums.


Spice, Sweet, Beauty

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

Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel

Chance Eau Tendre is one of the more popular takes on the Chanel Chance name. It’s already famous and a best seller, but does it actually warrant this position. I recently revisited this perfume, grabbed some samples to test out, and finally put my thoughts to the page. How does Eau Tendre smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?


What does Chance Eau Tendre Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, grapefruit, hyacinth, musk, quince, iris, musk, cedar, amber

Click here to try: Chance Eau Tendre

eau tendre edt review


My Full Review

Here’s how Chanel describes it: The delicate and unexpected floral-fruity fragrance creates a soft, tender whirlwind of happiness, fantasy and radiance—a chance encounter.

Eau Tendre starts off with its citrus note playing a very prominent role. The more unique quince note, leads the way supported by the more standard grapefruit. It’s bight and fresh, since you can already pick up the cedar and musk notes from the base.

I do notice with this original EDT version, the citrus notes stick around for a longer period of time than they do in the EDP.

There is also a greenish feel to the opening act. Part of the quince and maybe a stem-like aroma from some of the emergent floral. Not massive, but in the early stages, I can pick it up.

This one will shift from just being a fresh citrus fragrance to something that is floral, sweeter, and with a powdery finish. That’s going to be the case, when the hyacinth note is the strongest floral and it gets assistance in that regard from the iris.

The iris and jasmine seem to split duties between themselves. At certain points, the iris will be the second strongest floral, at others I will get a lot more jasmine.

The dry down is a powdery and musky citrus aroma. Cedar freshness still abounds, but the distinct qualities of the jasmine and iris seem to have merged into the hyacinth. So, sort of a generic powdery floral smell.


Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is a tad above average on the whole. The opening hour or two does produce a nice scent trail and it projects quite well off of the skin after spraying.

Now, this isn’t a heavy or ‘thick’ sort of perfume that will blanket a room, unless you just go nuts with the spraying. Nonetheless, it’s certainly not weak and will give one a decent scent bubble for much of the duration.

The longevity with Eau Tendre EDT is around 6-8 hours. Usually, I can get to seven with it as a base. However, it can occasionally fall short of that and only get to about six.

Eau Tendre is a very versatile fragrance, that can easily serve as a daily wear or signature scent for many women (and already does). It’s light and simple enough for teens to wear, but not immature, and really can work across the age spectrum.

Seasonally, this Chanel is best in the spring and summer months. It’s lightness and fresh/upbeat qualities make it a very nice wear for the warmer temperatures.


Overall Impressions of Eau Tendre

Overall, do I like Eau Tendre? Yes, the EDT version is my personal favorite from the entire Chance line. I think that it is slightly better smelling than the EDP and basically has the exact same performance level.

Eau Tendre is a very approachable and great little perfume. It’s really something that you can wear and not have to think about very much. Smell good and go. The floral notes are powdery and clean, not too much musk, and a citrus accord that isn’t exactly the same as everything else out there.

Yes, this has been around for a long while now, and has become fairly ubiquitous in its use among the public. Still, Chance Eau Tendre is a perfume that most people won’t find very much issue with and will probably enjoy. Well, except maybe the Chanel pricing.