A Wren Says

One the world’s most famous fragrances for women, Chanel No. 5 entered the scene and made aldehydes a more popular note for women. That clean, fresh laundry scent note gets boosted in this new lighter iteration: Chanel No. 5 L’Eau. Consider this flanker a modern take on the original.

You might associate the original No. 5 with “maturity,” or rather old stuffy ladies. However, the L’Eau version reduces those heavy florals and leans more towards light and fresh notes. The brand highlights an opening of citrus notes, but I notice the cottony musks even more. My nose largely picks this up as a “clean” fragrance, like a respectable person who keeps an organized home and showers regularly. Throughout the day, I have moderate longevity and continue to get those reminders of the smell on my skin.

Chanel No. 5 L’Eau eau de toilette

$185 for 3.4 oz

Notes: Lemon, mandarin, orange, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, cedar, musk.

If I were to think of where I’d wear this fragrance, I’d think I’d be harder pressed to come up with where I wouldn’t want to wear it. This one seems like one that I could wear regularly. From grocery shopping to business dinners, I think it integrates well into my fragrance wardrobe. If it became the smell that everyone associated with me, I wouldn’t be made about it at all.

If you like fragrances like Byredo’s Blanche or Lazy Sunday Morning by Maison Margiela Replica, you might like this as well. Smell Chanel No. 5 L’Eau at a Chanel Beauty counter. Or if there is a Chanel Beauty boutique near you, you can book a 15 minute consultation to find the right Chanel fragrance for you.