Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
07/11/2016
Oriane
129 Reviews
Oriane
2
Gorgeous Soapy White Floral
This review is for the vintage EdT, c. 1990.
Top Notes: Tuberose, Lily, Neroli, Lily of the Valley, Orange Blossom, Aldehydes.
Heart Notes: Nutmeg, White Rose, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang.
Base Notes: Iris, Vanilla, Vetiver.
For a very long time, I was afraid of No. 22. Its legendary aldehydes caused me to keep my distance. If they were not enough to make me reticent in ordering it, there was the unfortunate issue of poor performance to consider. Frankly, at Chanel prices, it did not seem worth the risk. However, I recently had the opportunity to acquire a vintage EdT, and I decided to take the plunge. I am more impressed than I ever thought I would be! Wow!
No. 22 is a divine, soapy white floral. I do not think I really understood what "soapy" meant until I smelt No. 22. It smells very "French" and very elegant. Yes, there are aldehydes that persist throughout the wearing, but they are not the monsters I feared they would be. Some people think No. 22 is a version of No. 5, but I disagree. No. 22 stands completely on her own merit, and she smells much more elegant and refined than No. 5. No. 22 is the type of fragrance I envision being worn by a very refined, very wealthy woman.
The beautiful white floral notes seem to float on the aldehydes in this feminine composition. It smells soapy, clean, and fresh. Thus far, I do not detect the incense that so many reviewers claim to detect. To my nose, this is simply while floral perfection. I picture the woman who wears this as tall, slender, with porcelain-like skin. She wears her elegantly styled hair upswept, and she is draped in the finest silk garments.
The story goes that whence Coco Chanel was ready to launch her first fragrance, Ernest Beaux wanted her to choose No. 22, but she chose No. 5 instead. All I can say is I agree with M. Beaux. Chanel should have taken his wise counsel. The man was a genius. I cannot wait to find out how No. 22 performs in cold weather. I bet it will be stunning.
The vintage EdT has better than average, projection, sillage, and longevity, too.
Top Notes: Tuberose, Lily, Neroli, Lily of the Valley, Orange Blossom, Aldehydes.
Heart Notes: Nutmeg, White Rose, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang.
Base Notes: Iris, Vanilla, Vetiver.
For a very long time, I was afraid of No. 22. Its legendary aldehydes caused me to keep my distance. If they were not enough to make me reticent in ordering it, there was the unfortunate issue of poor performance to consider. Frankly, at Chanel prices, it did not seem worth the risk. However, I recently had the opportunity to acquire a vintage EdT, and I decided to take the plunge. I am more impressed than I ever thought I would be! Wow!
No. 22 is a divine, soapy white floral. I do not think I really understood what "soapy" meant until I smelt No. 22. It smells very "French" and very elegant. Yes, there are aldehydes that persist throughout the wearing, but they are not the monsters I feared they would be. Some people think No. 22 is a version of No. 5, but I disagree. No. 22 stands completely on her own merit, and she smells much more elegant and refined than No. 5. No. 22 is the type of fragrance I envision being worn by a very refined, very wealthy woman.
The beautiful white floral notes seem to float on the aldehydes in this feminine composition. It smells soapy, clean, and fresh. Thus far, I do not detect the incense that so many reviewers claim to detect. To my nose, this is simply while floral perfection. I picture the woman who wears this as tall, slender, with porcelain-like skin. She wears her elegantly styled hair upswept, and she is draped in the finest silk garments.
The story goes that whence Coco Chanel was ready to launch her first fragrance, Ernest Beaux wanted her to choose No. 22, but she chose No. 5 instead. All I can say is I agree with M. Beaux. Chanel should have taken his wise counsel. The man was a genius. I cannot wait to find out how No. 22 performs in cold weather. I bet it will be stunning.
The vintage EdT has better than average, projection, sillage, and longevity, too.
2 Replies
