No matter how many fragrances I test, I find myself coming back to the classics. Chance, No. 5, and Coco Mademoiselle are a few of the best Chanel perfumes I reach for daily despite the dozens of scents that line my vanity. Clearly, the luxury house’s signature scents—dreamt up by some of the industry’s most acclaimed noses—have proven timeless and almost universally appealing. So instead of test-driving into a new fragrance launch, this week I decided to deep dive into the world of CC-stamped scents. What really are the best Chanel perfumes and colognes, and what makes them so special? Ahead, take a look at the standout fragrances to know.
Vogue’s Favorite Chanel Perfumes
Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: For many, Chanel No. 5 is the introduction to the luxury label’s fragrance portfolio. In 1921, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel famously enlisted perfumer Ernest Beaux to create a smell that embodied the scent of a woman. No. 5 parfum, the fifth composition Beaux submitted—and ironically Coco’s lucky number—was born: a tasteful (and instantly recognizable) blend of aldehydes, May rose, neroli, vanilla, and jasmine. Many liken it to a bouquet of flowers.
- Variations: Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum was reinterpreted by master perfumer Jacques Polge decades later in 1986, maintaining the aldehydes, vanilla, and May rose, but now opposing bright citrus notes. This and the following iterations—Eau Premiere and No. 5 L’Eau—maintain the original bottle design picked by Mademoiselle Coco. And for those who can’t get enough of the scent, there are body lotions, oils, and bath tablets available too.
- Notes: May rose, Grasse jasmine, aldehydes, sandalwood
Chanel Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: “Too blue to be black and too black to be blue” is how Chanel describes the inspiration of their Bleu de Chanel range. It’s meant to be mysterious, evoking the timelessness of the modern man. In Vogue’s senior fashion and style writer Christian Allaire’s quest to find the best colognes for men, he dubbed this “fresh, clean, and sensual” in a way that easily transitions from day to night wear.
- Variations: Polge introduced the first Bleu de Chanel in 2010 with its eau de toilette, which boasts a dry cedar accord opposing grapefruit and sandalwood. Our favorite, though, is the eau de parfum, introduced in 2014. It features amber, musk, and vanilla accords for something a bit more rich. For more staying power, consider the most potent of the bunch: Bleu de Chanel Parfum, with its sandalwood-cedar accord, which debuted in 2018.
- Notes: Cedar, New Caledonian sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla, citrus accord
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: If No. 5 was Mademoiselle Coco’s interpretation of modern femininity, then Coco Mademoiselle is an ode to the icon herself. Fresh, bold, and mischievous, this is a scent that will stop you in your tracks and leave you wanting more. My personal favorite of the bunch, this eau de parfum leads with a vibrant orange burst, balanced by a jasmine accord, May rose, patchouli, and vetiver. It’s rich, but not in an overpowering way, making it excellent for warm nights or a daytime adventure.
- Variations: Following the eau de parfum launch in 2001, Polge developed the eau de toilette just a year later, relying on grapefruit instead for citrus notes. This collection also features a parfum, eau de parfum intense, and l’eau privée.
- Notes: Rose, jasmine, orange, patchouli, vetiver
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette
- Why We Love It: Think of Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche as a sort of chance encounter—the joy it brings, the whirlwind of emotion opening up a world of opportunities. That’s what Polges had in mind when he released the refreshing burst of energy that is Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette. Its telltale circular bottle houses a zesty, citrus-forward blend brought down to earth by notes of teakwood and jasmine.
- Variations: Someone in search of something a bit deeper, however, could consider the Eau Fraîche Eau de Parfum, which debuted in 2023.
- Notes: Citron, jasmine, teakwood
Chanel Allure Homme Eau de Toilette
- Why We Love It: Allure Homme is a sort of hidden gem in the realm of men’s perfumes. Described as “crisp and clean, warm and sexy,” this has all the makings of an incredible summer fragrance. Bergamot and vetiver oppose Venezuelan tonka bean and black pepper from Madagascar for a scent that’s charmingly balanced—worthy of any modern man.
- Variations: N/A
- Notes: Lemon, peach, ginger, Mandarin orange, lavender, bergamot, black pepper, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, Brazilian rosewood, rose, jasmine, gardenia, freesia, anise, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood, coconut, amber, benzoin, musk, leather, oakmoss
Chanel 1957 Les Exclusifs de Chanel Eau de Toilette
- Why We Love It: Les Exclusifs de Chanel is a collection of scents inspired by Mademoiselle Coco’s life. Chanel 1957, composed in honor of the year in which the designer received Neiman Marcus’s Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion. To suit the occasion, Olivier Polge whipped up a powdery, aromatic blend sure to make heads turn. You’ll smell white musk upon first whiff, but as it settles, bergamot, pink pepper, cedar, honey, and vanilla will reawaken the senses.
- Variations: While there are no other fragrance iterations, 1957 is also available as a body oil.
- Notes: White musk, aldehydes, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander, orange blossom, jasmine, orris, cedar, honey, vanilla
Chanel Coco Noir Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: With Coco Noir, Chanel proves that warm and spicy scents offer genderless appeal. Following Coco and Coco Mademoiselle, this was launched in 2012 by Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake, inspired by the designer’s late night adventures in Venice. That said, this is a darker, richer elixir that features notes of grapefruit, Venezuelan tonka bean, and Indonesian patchouli, resulting in something that’s a little moody and undeniably alluring.
- Variations: N/A
- Notes: Grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot, rose, narcissus, rose geranium leaf, jasmine, tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli, white musk frankincense
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: If Chance Eau Fraîche is fresh and sparkling, Chance Eau Tendre is fruity and floral. “Created for those who, like Coco Chanel, embrace their chance,” as the brand puts it, I like to use this as an instant pick-me-up. Running out of the house before a big meeting, cheeky daytime dates, or weekend frolics are all occasions for this exuberant perfume.
- Variations: Jacques Polge first introduced the Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette in 2010, with the parfum by Olivier Polge following in 2019. Both are rooted with jasmine notes, but the parfum mixes it with a rose essence while the toilette leans into white musks.
- Notes: Rose essence, jasmine absolute
Chanel Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum is a unique white floral fragrance that offers year-round appeal. Grasse tuberose and orange blossom provide a captivating freshness you’d liken to an early spring day, while jasmine and ylang-ylang add a touch of woody warmth. It’s skinlike in the best way, and it’s a top contender for any signature-scent considerations.
- Variations: Gabrielle Chanel is available in an essence eau de parfum and parfum—along with travel sizes, a body cream, hair mist, deodorant, and body lotion.
- Notes: Jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, tuberose
Chanel No. 5 L’Eau Eau de Toilette
- Why We Love It: No. 5 L’Eau rose again to the top of the cultural conversation in 2024 when Chanel debuted a Marilyn Monroe–inspired bottle—paying homage to the actress who famously only wore No. 5 to bed. “I created No. 5 L’Eau to show No. 5 in a new light, surprising anyone who thought they knew it,” Chanel’s in-house perfumer Olivier Polge previously told Vogue. To do so, he paired the O.G.’s aldehyde note with lemon, mandarin, and orange at the top—destined to dry down into a mix of rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, musk, and cedar. The result? A “fresher, more casual version of No. 5” per Polge.
- Variations: While the limited-edition Monroe-inspired bottle is no longer sold, No. 5 L’Eau is available in a travel spray and hand cream.
- Notes: Aldehydes, lemon, mandarin, orange, damask rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, musk, cedar
Chanel Egoïste Eau de Toilette Spray
- Why We Love It: Bleu de Chanel is undoubtedly the most sought-after cologne from the Maison. Though its first iteration was launched in 2010, it managed to eclipse the popular Egoïste eau de toilette spray that came before it. Introduced in 1990 by perfumer Jacques Polge, this takes a more warm, woodsy approach to men’s fragrance. While Bleu de Chanel masterfully balances citrus top notes with an amber and creamy base, this takes those latter notes and brings them to life with a sweet and spicy twang. Sandalwood, vanilla, and amber are met with cinnamon, rose, coriander, and mandarin for an intriguing blend suited for an alluring man.
- Variations: For something more fresh, consider Chanel’s Platinum Egoïste eau de toilette.
- Notes: Mandarin, coriander, damask rose, sandalwood, vanilla, ambrette seed
Chanel Comète Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Another favorite of Chanel’s Les Exclusifs collection, Comète is as sweet as it is powdery—created in 2024 by master perfumer Olivier Polge as a nod to the Comète necklace from Gabrielle Chanel’s only high jewelry collection entitled Bijoux de Diamants. Fitting for a dazzling shooting star, this has a similar ethereal quality to it—fresh cherry blossom accord opposing iris, heliotrope, and musk linger brightly on the the skin.
- Variations: There are no other fragrance iterations.
- Notes: Fresh cherry blossom accord, iris, heliotrope, musk
