chanel

Allure Homme Edition Blanche by Chanel

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Allure Homme has spawned a number of flankers, including the Sport series. Edition Blanche is another flanker of this popular Chanel name and has had a few variations of its formula over the years. In this post, I want to take a closer look at the current eau de parfum version, and share my thoughts on this scent.

What does Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: Sicilian lemon, bergamot, vanilla, vetiver, sandalwood

Click here to try: Allure Homme Edition Blanche by Chanel

My Full Review

Let’s see how Chanel describes it: A composition with a new, modern character. A true creative statement. A fresh, Oriental fragrance that strikes a perfect balance between elegance and uniqueness.

I’ve already reviewed the older and no longer produced EDT version of Blanche. Obviously, the two are going to be very similar to one another, but there are indeed differences.

In this one, the lemon is stronger early on. It doesn’t have the same harshness or spiciness, since the pink pepper note isn’t present. It’s got that dry quality coming up from the base notes, but you get more of the lemon and vanilla combo early.

Lemon and bergamot lead the way with their bright and sharp citrus smell. The vanilla starts to add it sweet creaminess and Edition Blanche does start to have its lemon cake phase. Maybe some kind of cream-sicle. Either way it’s an awesome gourmand.

There’s really only two phases with this Chanel cologne. First, that citrus and vanilla start. Then, the sandalwood and vetiver. The citrus will fade away and it becomes more of a fresh, dry, and creamy fragrance.

The dry down is quite light. The woods show up earlier in this newer version and play a more dominant role. It’s vanilla, sandalwood, and some vetiver for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is light to moderate. At it’s peak, it is noticeable, but not going to fill the room. It projects in the 3-5 foot range from the skin. Most of the wear it is going to be much closer to the skin, as Blanche is not a beast with its performance.

The longevity is around 5 hours with normal sprays and I can get it to around 6 hours if I double up. Performance is the real weakness of Allure Edition Blanche. Even though it is an eau de parfum, the extra concentration doesn’t do much to give this one more power.

That’s something you need to be aware of before getting this fragrance, so you aren’t completely shocked.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear all the way. The lightness, the citrus, and that vanilla finish are great when it’s warm out.

Edition Blanche is pretty versatile within that time of the year. It’s low key enough for work, can be worn semi-formally, or even casually. It’s more of an attractive or delicious smelling fragrance versus being something sexy for the nightlife.

Overall Impressions of Allure Homme Edition Blanche

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I do. Based on the aroma alone, Allure Homme Edition Blanche is among my favorite Chanel colognes. That lemon and vanilla sweet creaminess is fantastic and I really enjoy the dessert-like quality to it. Especially, in a summer scent.

At the price point, I do wish that it had better performance. That would go a long way toward recommending it more. 4-6 hours is okay. It would be good enough if the sillage were stronger, but with a lighter projection, it’s meh.

Also, I prefer the similar smelling perfume, Uden by Xerjoff to this Chanel. It is even pricier, but surpasses Blanche in scent and performance.

All in all, I recommend trying this fragrance out. It won’t be for everybody, and for those that enjoy it, this EDP may not be one you want to spend the cash on. Sharp, sweet, creamy, and dry woody. Simple and lovely.

Paris-Deauville by Chanel

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The Les Eaux de Chanel line is a more recent endeavor for the brand. The name’s of each fragrance starts with Paris and ends with another destination in France. I have gotten ahold of samples of each of the released scents so far and will be posting up my full reviews of them. Today, I am going to cover one of my favorites of the bunch, Paris-Deauville. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

What does Paris-Deauville Smell Like?

Notes include: lime, mandarin orange, lemon, basil, petitgrain, jasmine, patchouli, and rose

Click here to try: Paris-Deauville from Chanel

My Full Review

Here’s how Chanel describes it: Inspired by the country landscape along the Normandy coast, PARIS-DEAUVILLE Eau de Toilette is a lively, aromatic scent with a radiant freshness—the fragrance of the open air.

Paris-Deauville opens up with a delicious burst of its citrus notes. The main ones are going to be lime and mandarin orange. There is also so lemon. The orange note is very familiar, since it’s the same orange from Coco Mademoiselle.

Basil adds a great fresh spiciness to the blend. The citrus and green aroma is very attractive and bright for the summer months.

It all sits on top of a generally green and slightly floral mix in the base. It’s all very fresh and bright. Quite unisex.

Basil and lime are the main attractions for most of the wear. The other citrus notes play a supporting part. As it dries down, you do get a bit of jasmine and rose, but not much. Patchouli is the third strongest and really works well with the other two.

However, Deauville doesn’t develop all that much as a fragrance. You’ll get most of what you’re going to get early on in the wear. The good news, is that it is a very nice perfume and enjoyable.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here ranges from light to the upper edge of moderate, in the early stages. The boldness of the citrus and basil notes can pack a bit of a punch initially. However, that will calm down and Paris-Deauville becomes more of a classic summertime wear.

The performance here is overall solid for this type of scent. A lot of citrus based perfumes like this can disappear in a few hours. This Chanel will hang around on my skin for up to 7 hours. Usually, it’ll hit six without issue, and that last hour is up for grabs.

Seasonally, mainly going to be the summer. But, late spring will be plenty doable for many of us. It’s not overly formal, but when it’s warmer you could wear Deauville casually to semi-formal. It’s more of a daytime fragrance than a nightlife powerhouse.

Very unisex, maybe leaning a bit more feminine. I really had no problems wearing this one, as a man.

Overall Impressions of Paris-Deauville

Do I like this scent? Yes, to me, it is the second best of the Les Eaux de Chanel lineup. Probably the best, as a unisex fragrance. Paris-Venise is more feminine, but I think better as a whole.

I love a good use of lime in a perfume. There have been some, but they usually have poor performance. Chanel has solved this, with its use of strong basil and patchouli. Paris-Deauville does have a slight Coco Mademoiselle quality to it with the mandarin and patchouli, also.

It’s not too complicated of a fragrance. Though, I find it really enjoyable and one with a rather unique profile. The citrus and greenish aroma. Very fresh, cold, with enough of a floral contingent but not anything that overwhelms the composition.

Sure, it will have a limited use case for most folks, being only the spring and summer. Though, within that timeframe, one could get plenty of enjoyment out wearing Deauville.

I like this fragrance. It’s definitely a Chanel that you should at least try and one that I think will have plenty of appeal for most folks.

Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDT by Chanel

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Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDT was released by Chanel back in 2008. I got a sample of this version a few months ago, along with the newer EDP that the brand still sells. My sample is marked concentree, so, I’m not sure if it was a further release beyond the regular EDT. Either way, this one is no longer produced, but I figured I’d do a review for posterity’s sake. 

What does Edition Blanche EDT Eau Concentree Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, pink pepper, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean, amber

My Full Review

Blanche EDT opens with a sharp and dry use of lemon, vetiver, sandalwood, and pink pepper. You’re absolutely going to have to be a citrus lover with this one, to really appreciate it, as it is very sharp upon opening.

The lemon is going to dominate through much of the wear. Early on, it feels especially intense, but once the vanilla and tonka bean kicks in…it will settle.

The pink pepper is the first note to fall off and that gives the sandalwood and vetiver a bit more room in the base. The vanilla creaminess will start to envelope the lemon note, along with the tonka bean. 

This Chanel fragrance is actually pretty darn linear and there isn’t much development beyond that. Just more of the lemon/vanilla aroma and less of the other notes within the composition.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is moderate in the early stages and then pretty light thereafter. However, it does project itself very nicely early on and it’ll hang around well after spraying. Just don’t expect a complete beast for the duration.

Longevity wise, I get 6-ish hours on my skin with this Eau Concentree. Allure Edition Blanche spends much of that time, as a skin scent, but it does indeed hang around. Still noticeable, just not amazing with its performance.

 

Seasonally, Allure Edition Blanche is a spring and summer fragrance, all the way. Mainly, for the summertime. I like to wear it casually or even for a night out. Though, I’d say that it’s probably at its best in the daytime. 

Overall Impressions of Edition Blanche Eau Concentree

Do I like this fragrance? Absolutely. I know they don’t produce this version anymore, and the EDP is close enough, but I really do love this scent. Uden by Xerjoff is an available replacement (and in many ways even better).

That dry lemon and pink pepper opening act could scare some away from this. However, that creamy vanilla/sweet/dessert like finish is so damn good on a warm summer’s day. I have been slowly depleting my sample vial, since I know it’s such a rare commodity. 

The performance of Allure Edition Blanche was never its strong suit. The sillage is moderate, at its peak, but detectable. For much of the wear, it will be a softer experience. Though, it does stick around on the skin for a nice amount of time. 

I wish Chanel could’ve beefed up the performance a bit more.

If you want a bottle of this one in particular, you’ll have to shell out over $300 in all likelihood off a site like eBay. Or you can just go with the EDP, which is also near this same level. Uden is usually $200, but well worth it. 

Bleu de Chanel Parfum vs. Acqua di Gio Profumo

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Bleu de Chanel and Acqua di Gio are two famous names, in the men’s fragrance space. Both have numerous best sellers to their names, and are basically legendary at this point. In this post, I want to compare two of their flanker scents, Acqua di Gio Profumo vs. Bleu Parfum. I have reviewed and tested each, and now want to try and determine which is the better fragrance for guys. 

Tale of the Tape: BdC Parfum vs AdG Profumo

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

 

Acqua di Gio Profumo

Notes include: bergamot, sage, patchouli, incense, geranium, rosemary, and marine notes

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profumo 75ml (2.5oz) Parfum Vapo., 2.5 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Acqua di Gio Profumo

Opening

Bleu de Chanel Parfum kicks things off with a trio of citrus notes: bergamot, lime, and lemon. These ingredients don’t have a super sharp opening, because of the other notes at play, from the start. You have mint, cedar, and sandalwood which provide a cool woody freshness to the composition. 

Acqua di Gio Profumo, on the other hand, also has a bergamot note. However, it is alone, and more powerful than the citrus found in the Bleu flanker.  This one doesn’t have a pure citrus smell either, as it is joined by a dark oceanic breeze, filled with spicy sage, and incense. 

Which is better? It’s a very close call, in my mind. Though, I think that I lean toward the AdG scent. The smoky incense and sage, play very well off that familiar marine profile. Though, I must say that I do enjoy the woody/herbal qualitites of Bleu Parfum.

Edge: Profumo

Projection

Both of these fragrances start out with a strong sillage. They can project themselves, quite well. However, AdG Profumo seems stronger, and is more steady throughout. The Chanel fragrance, starts off strong, but becomes much lighter.

Acqua Profumo starts off stronger and ends as a moderately sillaged cologne. Bleu just never gets to the same highs nor does it keep its power at a high level. However, it also isn’t a weak skin scent, just not as good.

Edge: Profumo

Longevity

While Profumo has the edge in strength, BdC Parfum, seems to get the win in the longevity category. I get 8-10 hours of wear from the Giorgio Armani cologne, while the Bleu will go for 10+ hours, on my skin.

Both of these scents has great staying power, but one will go for longer, albeit at a lighter sillage.

Edge: Bleu Parfum

 

 

Versatility

Blue de Chanel Parfum is much more of an autumn/winter type of perfume. It can do well, in moderate climates, but isn’t very good in the heat. AdG Profumo can do well year round, but has more of a warm weather vibe.

Blue Parfum is the better fragrance for professionals or more formal wear. AdG Profumo is the better casual or daily wear, particularly for younger guys, but not exclusive to that age range by any means.

There is separation between these two, but no clear winner, in this category. It will really depend on your individual needs. Both can do well out on a date or for nightlife.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

What do I like about Bleu de Chanel Parfum? How it takes the familiarity of the Bleu lineup’s citrus notes and gives it a woody/herbal component. It’s got a darker profile, than its predecessors, and the sandalwood note is awesome. It’s creamy, woody, herbal, with some citrus zest.

Acqua di Gio Profumo takes the famous Acqua di Gio profile, deepens and darkens it, and gives you a more mature version. I love its incense and sea breeze blend, with the spicy blend of sage and rosemary.

Which is better? It’s a hard decision to make, as both are quite good scents, but I lean more toward Profumo. I think it will work better for most guys and I prefer to wear it versus the Chanel.

Bleu Parfum is nice and it will be an excellent choice for some portion of guys reading this. However, Profumo has the edge in my book, and also has a better price between them.

Winner: Acqua di Gio Profumo