N°5 Chanel 1986 Eau de Parfum

8.4 / 10 436 Ratings

A popular perfume by Chanel for women, released in 1986. The scent is floral-powdery. The longevity is above-average. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Floral

Powdery

Woody

Chypre

Synthetic

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Aldehydes

Bergamot

Lemon

Neroli

Heart Notes

Iris

Jasmine

Rose

Lily of the valley

Base Notes

Sandalwood Vanilla

Vanilla

Vetiver

Amber

Perfumer

Jacques Polge

Ratings

Scent

8.4436 Ratings

Longevity

8.2382 Ratings

Sillage

7.9372 Ratings

Bottle

8.5371 Ratings

Value for money

7.6182 Ratings

Submitted by Estate · last update on 01/09/2026.

Source-backed & verified

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Reviews

36 in-depth fragrance descriptions

12/27/2021

8.5Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

Kurai
388 Reviews

Kurai

5

Undefeated

Nowadays, the floral aldehyde is a lost genre. We even forgot it is a genre. We only remember No5. All others - Sortilege, Arpege, Caleche and what else? - they are defeated and long forgotten. It is lonely at the top.

Despite being engineered to perfection, No5 still works with the skin's chemistry. To me, this interaction is what makes a perfume a perfume; and I feel it is missing in many other perfumes. The downside is, it doesn't work on everyone. Spectacular on some people's skin and close to sour mold on others. It is therefore not only the most famous perfume, but arguably also one of the most regretted purchases.

On my skin No5 works wonders, though. It feels like I'm emitting sparkles and feathers. Even though the whole aldehyde genre isn't a perfect fit to my taste, this is pure bliss.

12/31/2024

10Scent 9Longevity 7Sillage

Elijahrb67
121 Reviews

Elijahrb67

4

The legend herself, in all her glory

Although not quite the same as the original extrait version, the No.5 EDP, which has seemingly become the standard version of No.5, captures the essence of what made this fragrance such an iconic piece of perfuming history, and truly stands the test of time. I was a bit apprehensive to wear No.5 for a long time, primarily because I'm a younger male, who despite loving and wearing a lot of the feminine classics, doesn't typically go for much of anything super floral, but after I sampled it a few times in a department store, I decided to give it a go. Imagine the absolute cleanest, most delicate and fresh floral smell you can possibly think of, and you've got No.5. I will say, it smells very different on paper and in the bottle than on does on clothes and skin, it really takes wearing it to fully understand what it is you're smelling. The opening is very clean, soapy, and ever-so-slightly citrusy, but not entirely sweet either. As it dries, the florals mesh with the aldehydes in a way that smells like actual fresh laundry that has been hung out to dry in the sun. I was shocked though, as despite hearing countless tales of the heaviness of the florals in this fragrance, I really experienced the total opposite. This is a floral fragrance, but by no means an overpowering one. It's light, but still smells like a beautiful bed of flowers on a warm summer's morning.

I completely understand why this fragrance is so revered, as it's immensely gorgeous, and has become a top 5 favorite of mine (likely second only to Mitsouko) over my short time of wearing it. I only purchased a small bottle at first, but after this one is empty I will definitely buy the bigger size. No.5 is incredibly impressive even 100+ years later, and I strongly recommend everyone give this a try, regardless of usual preferences, as it's a truly magical and enlightening experience.

01/02/2025

9Scent 9Longevity 10Sillage

Ringtale
141 Reviews

Ringtale

3

New bottle, new experience (bottle not in database yet)

I am flabbergasted, really! I used to hate Chanel no 5 after smelling it years ago. But I got a free sample along with another purchase and I almost decided not to even touch it, thinking it wouldn't make sense.
But I read many reviews on different platforms from people complaining about this reformulation so I thought: 'well if people who loved it in the past, don't like it now, maybe it has changed and will now match my taste better'. It made me curious anyhow and so I tested it.
It's a sample from their newest bottle that I don't see in the database yet (like the one that carries the latest no 19 or like the one that carries the perfume of no 5).

Well...I don't know if it is because of the reformulation or maybe my perception of scents has changed or my skin chemistry....
Whatever the case: I'm in awe!

This is 'angels breath' it is how I imagine 'peace on earth' would smell like.

It is now deprived of anything that - in my opinion - made this a very formal and bossy scent (think suits and pearl necklaces) it doesn't remind me of Arpège (1993) Eau de Parfum anymore, that 'stubborn' waxy smell is gone. Maybe many people mourn it for that, but I find this way, way better.

Still classic, but I can't imagine anyone finding this 'old lady' (a comparison that should be forbidden anyhow :-)). I even don't get a 'vintage' feel from it any longer (I don't mind vintage by the way) it is completely timeless in my opinion.

It is clean the way I love clean, the way I would have loved Pure Grace Eau de Toilette if that had been less synthetic and more versatile.
Not as musky as many 'clean' scents can be. A warm, soapy freshness, but, at the same time, it is so much more than just that. It is sophisticated but not in the 'rich bitch' way and I think it could be worn in any season and for any occasion. No need to overspray: a little goes a long way.
The opening may still be a little too aldehydic for some, but after ten minutes or so....pure bliss! It is one of the few perfumes of which I love the drydown, I often love the opening more (strangely, I know :-)). Here it is the other way around. That drydown is good.

The sillage is strong but delicate, like a trail of stardust or sunbeams.
Longevity is outstanding, I can still smell it after 12 hours.

So If you never liked Chanel no 5, I think you also could at least sample/try the newest formulation.
If you have always loved it: try first. It is completely different, at least in my opinion for what it's worth.

Edit: After wearing it from time to time, I noticed I get a little bit weary of it at the end of the day if I spray too much. I use very, very tiny drops.

10/31/2022

Loulou31
90 Reviews

Loulou31

1

J ai essaye

Tous les 10 ans j essaie d aimer ce parfum, du moins lui laisser une chance puisqu il plaît tant,il doit y avoir quelque chose...
On le décrit poudre ,sensuel,là où je sens au fil des ans des fleurs agressives,qui me piquent le nez pour ne plus me lâcher.
Rose jasmin muguet tout e que je déteste, et la seule chose que je sens ,je ne peux jamais arriver au test sur peau car ce parfum sur mouillette m agressé.
Définitivement j arrêté,lui et moi ça ne se fera pas

02/04/2025

9Scent 8Longevity 9Sillage

shengnu
94 Reviews

shengnu

2

Masterwork of interwar modern art

I could talk about what this 3-aldehyde combination used in such a large quantity meant to perfumery. I could talk about how Chanel has maintained No 5's smell by buying land and creating their own jasmine fields in Grasse. I could talk about how this has maintained its beauty while so much is gone.
But I won't go into detail.This is the closest thing we have to visiting Paris in the 1920s and seeing the great art deco buildings go up, with their facades of glass and cement. Or visiting Weimar to see the Bauhaus when it was most active.

No. 5 starts with fresh, clean lemon soap. Very austere and restrained. Then a fade to light, sweet white floral and tart peach.
It doesn't have the smuttiness of Tabu or drama of Fracas. It whispers. Restrained, austere, clean, sculptural.

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