THINGS WE LOVE

– Chanel's masterpieces in glass bottles –

Last year I received Les Extraits des Exclusifs le Beige from Chanel as a gift. An incredibly delicious scent, of which I know that if I apply just one drop, I will be hooked on it for the entire year. Sounds like a huge luxury problem and it is, of course, because I still haven't used a drop. The bottle is so incredibly beautiful and sealed with the classic Chanel stamp, which is why it still shines front row on my beauty shelf. By the way, I often have that problem with the scents of Chanel, because they are not only divinely delicious, they are always wrapped in the most beautiful packaging, making it a shame to put them in a drawer or even to remove the cap. Don't feel sorry for me, every day I indulge in a whiff of Chanel, and Eau Vivre is currently my absolute favorite. So when that runs out, there’s a good chance I will remove the seal from Le Beige to immerse myself even more in the world of Chanel.

So they are beautiful, they are delicious, and they are classics that everyone wants, will, and must have. Seems like a clear story, especially when you know that every second somewhere in the world a Chanel scent is flying off the shelves. Here are the icons of Chanel lined up. But beware; a greater addiction danger lurks.

No.5

Chanel's perfumer in 1921, Ernest Beaux, was commissioned by Mademoiselle Coco to create a perfume that smells like a woman. “A woman should smell like a woman and not like a rose.” In response, Mr. Beaux developed two perfume lines, from which Coco made her choice for number 5. This was launched on the fifth of May in 1921. Five was, according to Coco Chanel, a lucky number. And the perfume certainly had luck. Today, it flies off the shelves every thirty seconds somewhere in the world.

Coco Noir

That it is the young offspring of the Chanel family does not mean it hasn't immediately made it to the iconic family. Coco Noir has only existed for 4 years and is the third variant of the Coco perfume, causing the odes to pile up. And rightly so. Perfume master Jacques Polge was inspired by Venice, the city Gabrielle loved so much, which translates into a very warm and pleasant scent with grapefruit note, bergamot, tonka bean, and vanilla.

Mademoiselle

Certainly one of my favorites (which one isn't?), if only because of the soft pink color. The scent is oriental with jasmine and May rose. Not overly sweet, as there are also flowers and iris in it, making it very sensual. The scent was launched in 2001 by nose Jacques Polge.

Coco

If the scent is named after Mademoiselle herself, you know it is a very special specimen. She, the scent, is also quite a few years old, born in 1984, and extremely feminine. Clover, rose, peach, jasmine, and vanilla come together in this far too beautiful bottle.

No.19

Number 19 refers to the birth date of Madame Chanel: August 19. The perfume was launched in 1970 when Coco Chanel was 87 years old, a year before she passed away. No.19 remains a very special scent. Due to the launch and the scent itself. It is floral-woody and contains many white and green plants. There is also a variant of No.19 launched; it is softer and powderier than the original specimen. The name is quite obvious: No.19 Poudre. A bit softer due to the irises and white musk.

Allure

When I smell the scent Allure, I often know that May is around the corner. Allure is a very floral and fresh scent with an oriental accent, which makes it very rich. In 1996, the nose Jacques Polge, who is also responsible for several successes of Chanel, developed the scent and since then it has been an iconic scent that cannot be overlooked.

Chance

It is a bit of a quirky one in the Chanel family, as Chance is the only round bottle. Perhaps that is why it is so beloved. It is a huge fresh scent with vanilla and flowers, and it is now available in several variants. That it fits with us Dutch girls is clear, as top model Lieke van Houten once danced in the commercial to celebrate the luck of Eau Tendre. The Eau Tendre, Eau Fraîche and the newest Eau Vivre let you experience spring at any moment of the day. My lifesavers.