By Designer

13 Best Chanel Perfumes for Her

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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

4 Best Smelling Gucci Bloom Perfumes

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Gucci Bloom has become a tremendously popular product for Gucci over the past few years. As a result, the brand has released several flankers, based on the best selling formula. One critique of the releases has been that they do have lots of overlap between one another.

Which is true. So, how does one select a Bloom perfume and which fragrances are among the top picks that have been brought to market thus far? Here is my list of the top options, after testing them out.

What are the Top Gucci Bloom Perfumes?

A Bolder Option

Ambrosia di Fiori– Very similar to the original Bloom, but definitely a bit different, and with more power behind it. Ambrosia di Fiori has a great opening honeysuckle note, with a less green-ish smell than Bloom, and a big use of tuberose later on in the wear.

Ambrosia also has a rose note, which makes it distinct from the original, and does add something to an already familiar blend. The rose doesn’t completely overpower everything else, though. It has a nice balance.

If you want a bigger, bolder, and heavier version of Bloom with some slight differences, this is the one to get. Very solid performance to go along with everything else. Ambrosia di Fiori Review

top gucci bloom

Best Seller

Gucci Bloom for Women Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Bloom is obviously the original and the most popular option, from the brand. However, it is still absolutely among the best of the entire line, and very worth trying out.

It is a tuberose led fragrance, that maintains a balance, and becomes a gorgeous floral perfume.

It’s a clean floral with a solid dose of jasmine, with a hint of honeysuckle. Fresh, green, with some spice at the top.

Bloom gives a good performance, with a not too powerful sillage, and a creamy sandalwood ending. All of which have become hallmarks of the other flanker scents, that have subsequently been released.

best gucci perfume for women

Pure White Floral

Gocce di Fiori– Bloom Gocce di Fiori, is like the stripped down version of Bloom EDP. It does away with much of the ancillary notes and goes for the trio of floral notes at the heart of this line. Honeysuckle, tuberose, and jasmine.

Gocce di Fiori is one for those who want the pure bouquet effect and something that is lighter than the rest of the line of perfumes.

It has an airy type of feel, with more jasmine in the mix, than the original. It’s still got some of the sweeter elements in there, but they are very faint and short-lived.

Still very much like the original, but if you want a sheer option, with a heavier weighting to jasmine, than Bloom EDP; this can be a great bet. Gocce di Fiori Review

Best Newer Bloom Release

Profumo di Fiori– Alright, so this is the newest of the Gucci Bloom scents. Like, brand new. I had a chance to smell this a few days ago, but based on first impressions, I’m putting Profumo di Fiori on the list of best. I was impressed. Update: I’ve now tried again and reviewed it.

Jasmine and ylang-ylang are already very familiar to me, but Rangoon creeper is more of a factor in this one.

Wow, I really enjoyed that note, when paired with the the other two main floral ingredients. It is also in Ambrosia di Fiori, but really was not much of a factor comparatively.

The opening really goes strong with the usual white floral notes. One change is the ‘sun-drenched wood’ accord. This gives a sunny a energetic feel to Profumo di Fiori.

You will get a period where ylang-ylang and sandalwood are strong within the composition, along with the Rangoon Creeper. But, that will shift more towards the jasmine and tuberose during the dry down phase.

It feels bright and has a creamy warmth to it, with enough woodiness to make things interesting. I don’t think that it’s ‘mind-blowing’, but this is a fantastic release from Gucci. Profumo di Fiori Review

Green Naturalistic Floral

Gucci Bloom Acqua di Fiori for Women 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray– Yes, the Gucci Bloom DNA is built around the white floral notes. But, what if you want something along those lines, just less reliant on tuberose?

Bloom Acqua di Fiori is one that I’ve come around on, since giving it a go. This one has a more citrus/green/grassy/aquatic profile than the others in the Bloom line.

Early on, it features a light lemon note and heavier galbanum. The effect is an aquatic aroma, that I likened to sitting by a pond, in the middle of a flower garden.

That lemon and galbanum up top give it a cold and bright freshness, with a slightly grassy finish. Then, the cassis and honeysuckle also come into the picture.

The one main distinction is the much lighter use of tuberose versus other editions. That gives Acqua di Fiori more of a green floral aroma than the usual white. Freesia and lily of the valley provide the watery qualities of this perfume.

Those two floral notes will really come to dominate the composition. Moderate in its sillage and longevity. I got between 6-7 hours of wear from Acqua. Very nice. Acqua di Fiori review

10 Best Smelling Hermes Perfumes for Women

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Hermes has been in the luxury goods business for almost 200 years at this point and within the fragrance industry since the mid-20th century. So, it has a lot of experience, and has a reputation of creating both great smelling and quality perfumes for both men and women. Today, I wanted to focus on the ladies’ side of things and present what I feel are the best ten fragrances by Hermes for women.

Now, of course, these are not the ‘only’ scents by this house that smell good, just a sampling of the cream of the crop. As always, I have linked each scent to its page on Amazon for more information and ease of purchase.

What are the Best Smelling Hermes Scents for Her?

Beautiful Citrus and Amber

 
Hermes L’Ambre Des Merveilles for Women Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.3 Ounce– Sweet, warm, and utterly beautiful. This amber and vanilla laced scent has a nice bit of citrus added which propels L’Ambre to something that is sexy while being subtle at the same time.

L’Ambre des Merveilles opens up with its caramel note, orange, and a very slight floral tint. Though, I haven’t ever found out what (if any) floral ingredient is included here. Also, the orange citrus notes seems to be paired with a peach, or something to the same effect.

This fragrance is sweet, with a warm amber embrace, and the slight saltiness of the delicious caramel note. I find this perfume to be super attractive and a great wear for the colder months. My full Review.

The Best Seller

Twilly d’Hermes EDP– Twilly d’Hermes is probably still the most popular option from the brand. Very approachable and wearable, not the most expensive, and probably not the best of them…but still really good.

The ginger and citrus top notes, really give this one some life and an energy that I enjoy. The floral notes are going to make it clean and somewhat soapy, the vanilla and sandalwood are going to give it some creamy touches; but, I really think those top notes hold this together and make it something worthwhile.

Orange blossom, tuberose, and jasmine are your floral heart. More of the orange blossom for me, early on. Then, I’d say jasmine in the late stages. Even if it splits duties with that tuberose note.

Fresh, floral, woody and multi-faceted. Twilly is well-liked for a reason.

Jasmine Woods

Cedre Sambac by Hermes– This is apart of their more expensive collection of fragrances, versus the mainstream popular ones. So, Cedre Sambac is going to have a more limited appeal.

However, it is actually a very nice scent highlighted by the two notes: cedar and jasmine. It’s fresh woods, dry, with some spiciness with jasmine early on.

Then, the white floral notes (jasmine is the upper hand, but it feels like other stuff is  in the mix, possibly tuberose?) really come through to play well off of that. It becomes a clean and soapy feeling blend that gives you a high quality classic clean with a creaminess in the dry down.

There’s definitely more than just the two main notes, but the way it comes together is deserving of a spot on the list.

Great Citrus and Wood Perfume

Eau Des Merveilles By Hermes For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz.– As the originator of the other des Merveilles fragrances, there is a lot of overlap between this one and L’Ambre, for instance. Eau des Merveilles is different though, it’s got more of a woodsy scent and the citrus note takes more of an active role than it does in the aforementioned perfume.

A lovely and clean fragrance that is suitable for everyday wear. This one starts out with a similar citrus aroma, as its flanker above. Then, you get a resinous fir note, joined by cedar and two types of pepper.

This is quite fresh woods with some spice, swimming in a sea of amber. Not too loud, but has a unique profile, while being completely lovely.

Leather & Floral Perfume

Hermes Kelly Caleche Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce– A youthful blend of leather and florals with an opening of citrus notes, which gives it a fresh and hip aroma for those in their early 20s. This one has plenty or rose, violet, with some iris thrown in. The leather is the centerpiece, but each flower, seems to have its turn to shine.

Kelly Caleche is clean, interesting, with nice vanilla undertones. Not too heavy, but solid performance, and has a somewhat playful vibe.

Obviously, these particular floral notes can give off a powdery aroma, at times. Though, it doesn’t really go too far into that direction. Very balanced profile, overall.

Classic Style Hermes

24 Faubourg By Hermes For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Ounces– A still popular classically constructed scent consisting of orange blossom, amber, hiacynth, gardenia, and others. Mature, refined, and with plenty of staying power.

24 Faubourg is for those who want to go with something refined and led by floral notes. The opening does have some additional fruitiness, mainly orange, and a sweetness that seems to surround the composition itself.

Nevertheless, that is all a sideshow to the full bouquet of flowers, which await your nose. This is a brilliant performer, well put together, and quite naturalistic.

Best Iris Hermes Scent

Hermès Women’s Hiris Hermès Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 oz.–  A good bet for ladies who love iris scented fragrances, especially those that are surrounded by ‘green’ outdoorsy notes. It’s very classy, light, and brings an overall clean aroma to those who wear it. Also, total iris lovers.

Dry cedar and iris that starts out packing quite a punch. Very woodsy and has a bitter quality at times, but Hiris is a very clean, and interesting use of the iris note. It can be more difficult to find a bottle of this nowadays, but they do still exist online.

Hiris has a classy air and maturity about it, and the dry down is fantastic, when the other floral notes emerge.

Popular Unisex Fragrance

Un Jardin Sur Le Nil By Hermes For Women, Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce Bottle– An interesting blend of grapefruit and mango to go along with more earthy, plant life notes. Very upbeat and has a unique vibe provided by notes such as tomato leaf.

Un Jardin Sur Le Nil is a unixsex fragrance which starts off with its citrus/tropical fruits. Those do remain dominant throughout, however, this one does develop a further personality beyond just that.

It has an aquatic appeal at times, then hints of floral, then that nice tomato scent that lingers throughout. Tomato leaf doesn’t sound like it should be a great note, but I’ve found it to be the case that it is, consistently. Very summery with a great greenish finish. My Full Review

Hermes Sandalwood

Santal Massoia by Hermes– Resinous, milky, smooth, with hints of dried fruits keeping it all together. This Hermes perfume combines our sandalwood note with a similar wood, massoia.

The pairing of the two along with dulce de leche, help to create a lovely creaminess to the special woody aroma. The floral ingredients in this one, don’t really come across as distinct and separate. More like a bouquet of generic floral scents. Touches of flowers, but not a big green garden..

It’s like a fresh, milky sandalwood fig aroma. The dried fruits adding some sweetness underneath. This Hermes is on the upper end of the price spectrum, though, well worth giving a try if you’re a sandalwood fan.

Another from Le Jardin

Le Jardin de Monsieur Li– This also made my list of the top men’s fragrances from this brand. I think it’s definitely one of the top picks from the Le Jardin line of perfumes, while also usually being completely overlooked.

It’s a softer spring/summer wear, led by kumquat, a cooling mint, and a generally watery disposition in the opening act. Very crisp and fresh with a grassy note that comes through to make it indeed feel like a garden pond.

Jasmine becomes the main event for much of the wear. Fairly soapy, at that point. However, it maintains enough of a grassy, watery, and herbal edge to prevent it from being a ‘girly’ sort of fragrance. My Full Review

Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel

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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.

Soleil Brulant by Tom Ford

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Soleil Brulant was released by Tom Ford in 2021, as a part of the now extensive Private Collection from the brand. I’ve enjoyed the other Soleil fragrances in the line and was fairly interested in trying this one out. I grabbed a sample of it recently to test Brulant and give it my full review. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Soleil Brulant Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, bergamot, peppercorn, leather, vetiver, amber, orange flower, honey

Click here to try: Soleil Brulant

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Tom Ford describes it: CAPTURES THE HIGH-SHINE BRILLIANCE OF THE GOLDEN SUN BEAMING ON A PRIVATE OASIS. THE SUNKISSED FRESHNESS OF MANDARIN AND BERGAMOT MINGLES WITH SPICY PINK PEPPERCORN, GIVING WAY TO AN ORNATE AND REGAL FLORAL HEART WHILE ORANGE FLOWER ABSOLUTE AND A NOTE OF RADIANT BLACK HONEY RELEASE A SEDUCTIVE VAPOR. THE BACKGROUND BRINGS THE BURNISHED WARMTH OF DECADENT AMBER EMBELLISHED WITH RESINS AND WOODS. AN AIR OF VETIVER AND LEATHER STOKES THE SMOKINESS OF EXTRAVAGANT INCENS

Soleil Brulant opens like a spiced honey blend with a hint of bright citrus to lighten things up a bit. The perfume feels quite resinous, but not super heavy. Immediately, you do get the burning sun-drenched quality of the fragrance. Some smoky incense, but it’s not overwhelming the composition.

It’s a unique sort of smell for sure, though, there’s something in here that reminds me of one of the Serge Lutens fragrances that I’ve reviewed…not sure which. It might be the orange flower note.

Brulant isn’t a very sweet fragrance, especially early on.. It feels dry with an amber/honey resin, on top of that familiar Tom Ford leather note. 

After that initial wave of peppercorn, the orange flower comes more into play. That’s when I start to take to Soleil Brulant. I like the burnt honey quality mixing with the floral accord and the woody/leathery base. 

The final dry down actually sweetens up, in comparison to the opening act. The amber and honey, have a smooth and actually somewhat creamy quality. Still white orange flower, but overall less of the burnt or spicy qualities that I encountered early on. 

It’s calmer and just more enjoyable without the stronger spiced kicks. The amber gets to come through, without having to fight for attention.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

In terms of the sillage, it really isn’t a loud projecting kind of fragrance. Actually, pretty moderate for most of the wear. I’d say that it’s above average overall and you will notice it. But, I didn’t get the feeling I was going to blow out the room while wearing Brulant.

The longevity is actually good. I usually got around 8 hours during testing. Sometimes, it’d creep up to 9 full hours on my skin. The good news is, that it stayed solid during that time frame, and wasn’t just another skin scent.

Performance is very good, on the whole.

Seasonally, it works pretty much whenever. I wouldn’t wear it during the hottest days, but again, it’s not a super thick or heavy fragrance. It can absolutely go beyond the winter time and venture into the summer, without much issue.

Though, I would prefer to wear Brulant when it is cooler even versus just more moderate days. That’s when these notes would really get to shine. That might be my own personal preference, though.

It’s almost perfectly unisex, maybe leaning slightly feminine. I don’t think anyone would have much of an issue wearing Soleil Brulant. Casual to semi formal wear. Could be a low key nightlife scent and one that has an attractive, if not sexy, aroma to it.

Overall Impressions of Soleil Brulant

Overall, do I like this perfume? I like Soleil Brulant. I don’t love it and I don’t really see myself wearing it that often, but it’s not something that offends me. Plus, it has some enjoyable moments. It’s just not a great one from Tom Ford.

The opening act is fine. Not my favorite, the spiciness of the peppercorn doesn’t really do it for me. Though, I like it more once we’ve really gotten more orange flower and leather in the mix. I really dig the solar and burnt quality to this, as the sort of inverse to Soleil Neige (which I like better).

Burnt or crispy honey actually is very pleasant and nice change of pace from the overly sweet versions, I keep encountering.

Is it worth a buy? This is one of the super expensive releases from Tom Ford. For most people, it’s not going to be a must have. Soleil Brulant is a perfume that I’d try to test out before committing to a full bottle. 

For a percentage of people, this will be right up their alley. For the masses? Not really. Before dropping $300-400, find a way to give it a try over the span of a few days, to see if you take to it. An interesting scent for sure, just not one that’s going to be the favorite of many.

I don’t think it’s better than any of the other Soleil perfumes. It’s not much worse, but those others will probably appeal to more folks.