Description
Number 19 in the name refers to the birth date of Coco Chanel, August 19. The perfume was launched in 1970 when Coco Chanel was 87 years old, a year before she died. It was created by Henri Robert, a perfume creator which created many other perfumes of the Chanel house.
Number 19 Eau de Parfum is a floral-woody-green fragrance, a white and green floral harmony. It is a unique blend of light-heartedness and sophistication, not simply a different concentration, but an olfactory reinterpretation, which is faithful to the spirit and base notes of the original composition. Top notes: green notes and bergamot. Heart: rose and iris. Base: vetiver, oakmoss and leather.
Available as 35, 50 and 100 ml EDP.
alas57 – :
natural, uplifting, classy. best ever.
BlueOwl – :
N°19 smells so clean, soapy, green & natural it’s something I would wear to bed cause there’s a very calming nature to it, it uplifts my mood
Crisp grass after the rain mixed with creamy ylang – ylang a work of art for women who need a break from fruity fragrances and men who want a green fragrance with a little more depth / character TIMELESS
didikanton – :
I have been wearing this fragrance for almost 25 years so it is time to do a review! It is as many have said, quite simply a masterpiece. The key to No 19 is that you need to give it time to settle. After half an hour it is lovely, after two hours, stunning and it lingers beautifully on your clothes. Spray it generously. The first notes are sharp and citrusy, almost metallic… but this after time settles into a creamy floral, predominantly of iris and rose notes with powdery lime top notes. It is certainly the type of perfume that would be appropriate all year round, but I love this perfume in autumn and winter when I think iris smells wonderful. Chanel No 19 is pure luxury – like pulling on a grey cashmere sweater and pouring a glass of good port. This perfume is understated elegance. It is not ‘in your face’ and will not turn heads, but it is a timeless, dependable classic. One thing I will say is that I do not like the body lotion – the sharp opening notes seem to linger and to me it ruins this beautiful perfume.
zzzcvbn – :
So classy and unique . Love it.
Skasetto – :
Been wearing this Edp for a week straight. I love the smell and the initial blast but it doesn’t stay on skin or clothes for very long at all.
I won’t buy it again.
Angry_dad – :
Sticking to a fragrance is as tricky as dating someone. I need time to know how I feel about a fragrance. Often, I make impulsive purchases at first sniff – and five dates down, they’re in the relegated bag!
I’ll update my reviews about my experiences and if you’re someone like me, maybe it’ll help you make better financial decisions Haha! Happy Sniffing!
Date #1
I’m out for coffee on a regular summer afternoon in the middle east that’s a good reminder of why we have such solid air-conditioning here.
No 19 seems to fit in perfectly with the day though.
Its very green at first spritz – very planty, as if you were sniffing freshly chopped stems.
As it dries it gets really smooth, the iris gets more pronounced giving it a slightly powdery character mildly reminiscent of Chanel No 5.
It’s interesting how this smells very floral in the air and greener up-close. A lightly floral fragrance with a naturalistic green core. In its dryer stages, I smell the Oak moss. This has a clean tone when it’s at its driest.
I get wafts of it every now and then but it is not too loud to the point of distraction. I am enjoying this one!
Date #2
Wearing No 19 to grab a drink. It is 7ish pm. One hour into my visit and No 19 doesn’t quite hold up in projection. Pretty weak. I do like mild fragrances when I’m out for drinks but I wish this were a little more potent. Have to get close to my skin to smell it.
StasMihalkov – :
Blue Fan mentions being a Kiwi, our perfume counters can bankrupt you in five minutes flat, especially if your taste is to Chanel. It’s almost spring here in the Antipodes, daffodils are blooming, it’s Saturday morning and I have sprayed a little No 19 EDT on wrists and décolletage. It does lift my mood as this concentration diffuses so beautifully into the shafts of sunlight. I have never understood the austere bitch comments on No 19 but perhaps it’s all about association and the women who wore 19 inspired me instead of deflating me.
My ninety five year old Aunt died recently, her wish was for her remains to be in a field of flowers and to this end I will collect her ashes in the company of her 92 year old sister and disperse them around the spring bulbs at One Tree Hill. I might play the U2 song of that name in the car along with Fats Domino’s Blueberry Hill. (she loved that one) Like Coco, she lived to a grand old age, but 19 is all about living life with exuberance and elan, wearing perfume whenever you can in a field of flowers.
Jeceferty – :
it is a masterpiece and yes, it reminds me of Love EDP- Chloe, as it settles down.
definitely the sort of fragrance that won’t make you smell like those watery, vanilla-fruit punch-candy-patchouli splashy scents that have flooded the market.
this is a classic scent. far from obvious, although it is very simple, and will never be overpowering. office friendly, business friendly- I think is a touch of good taste wherever you go.
longevity 6-8hs on my skin, soft sillage- I love the kind of perfume you wear for yourself, and you smell it through the day. I love it even more when it gives you a ‘cleanliness’ feeling.
this definitely works, for me.
pricey, though.
Gusarqiakm – :
No 19 edp..
The colour green is a favourite of mine , fresh, yet soft & mother earthy.
A spritz or splash of this divine green liquid already looks inviting…
EDP is very sharp and like a blast of cigarette smoke at first, in a good way, very very dry, with a starchy fresh &,bitter like a gin and tonic is first smell and sip , then suble white flowers and powdery notes come through.
This is definitely a bit of me , well I knew I’d like it as I own the no 19 poudre version and I love it.
No 19 poudre is one of my most used perfumes i reach for it lots especially in summer.
Poudre made me wonder about no 19 EDP that came b4 ( 1971?)
at first no 19 EDP was soooo dry/smokey was unsure if I liked it , I need not have worried as the starchy begining instantly grew on me .
Once the lovely iris butter , one of most expensive perfume ingredients amazingly beautiful, showed up I new I would enjoy this version too.
When you think that no 19 EDP was probably being created at the end of the 60,s ? You realise how timeless she is with soft rose and refreshing green notes and buttery iris it is perfect in day or night.
No 19 EDP will hold on forever.. miss poudre version is more of modern take on this beauty but poudre in my mind does not stray to far from the original , these are both just amazing , best served on a hot day , if no 19 can’t cool you down and calm your mind nothing will !
By way this is not cold or bitch like , but it is complex and stunning , with layers and debth..expensive,cooling, regal , soft billowy… chopped stems with a divine green center.
Poudre the latest edition to no 19, has less smokey first notes , instead she’s a more fresher more modern version but does not stray far from her beautiful mother, and anyway I love love !I’ve the smokey start in the EDP.
Now’s to find the edt and parfum version I wonder if they are different??
Edit:
This has replaced / usurped no 5 parfum ! Omg !
How did this happen ? No 5 just got the sack and no 19 in every version I can get my hands on , has been my new obsession 🙂
Truth is I love no 5 and always will but no 19 is heartbreakingly beautiful too!
PERFECTION!! Easily 11/10
gringosmit – :
I agree that this scent is a masterpiece. I fortunately was able to pick up a vintage version of the cologne splash. The juice is still good and it’s magnificent! It makes me sit up straighter, talk softer, think kind thoughts, and it actually makes me want to carry my very best handbag! What more can I say?
maximus2200 – :
Pure masterpiece. It combines elegance, power, and subtility. But to not forget the sexyness about it !
Best perfume for my wife.
PinatRy – :
It smells like cigarettes on my skin, I tried to like it but I can’t.
Mezbu708elipseskism – :
This one is well worth every penny you pay for it. If you want to be recognized and remembered by a classy, unique and beautiful fragrance, this is it – the unbeatable queen of all green fragrances of this world.
phosa – :
No. 19 is definitely galbanum + ionones + (some) vetiver base. I own the EdP, which because of concentration tends to be ionone-forward (read: very powdery). The EdT is actually greener and a bit more nuanced; I actually felt I could detect amyris and even dihydroanethol in a tiny amount, both green-colouring elements in a composition. That note contributes to the feeling of more orange blossom absolute than rose in my opinion, though the notes list rose. I recommend the EdT over the EdP, simply because the latter is imbalanced with a heaviness of powdery tonality and a bit of a cloying sweetness underlying what was conceived of many years ago as the green fragrance of the house.
painkiller – :
floral green and vetiver crawling on your skin for a perfect fresh springtime morning… a bit of overspraying to boost the moderate sillage, quite good on the masculine side
Maksimus-1978 – :
Chanel didn’t disappoint me with this one. This one just screams the spring season with its greeness in scent! A little underrated when it comes to everyone’s favorite Chanel perfumes for women. I’ve only been familiar with its other sisters like No. 5, Mademoiselle, and Coco. I’m so glad that I got to know No 19.
Scent: 9 / 10
Projection: 8 / 10
Longevity: 8.5 / 10
bodiksan – :
This is a green no.5, without the floral sweetness.
If you like no.5 but you want something more masculine I would recommend no.19; thanks to the vetiver.
It has a sharp green note with a clean soapy feel. The heart is very similar to no.5, in that it has the same aldehyde woody DNA. The vetiver is noticeable but very well blended. It is really amazing how the vetiver is there and not there at the same time.
This fragrance has a nice elegant and introspective feel.
Good stuff! I love wearing this it after a shower.
It also lasts and projects nicely; it’s not just a skin scent.
sanekovinov – :
@ Christian Caggiano I definitely agree with you being a man and wearing N°19 too. This is by far more woody and less sweet/gourmand/childish compared to current releases. I wear it when I want to be confident for formal occasions and it works with suits and ties. Or during sunny spring days, white/blue shirt and casual jeans…
The 4 “classical” mainstream from Chanel are a real complete wardrobe: N°5 & 19, Coco and Cristalle. With these you do not need anything else or may be Egoïste…
xachik-92 – :
I`m not a particularly girly man and I wear this from time to time. I think a guy can wear this no problem. My wife always keeps her 50ml EDP in her handbag so I have an EDP sample. This is a beautifully composed fragrance from a great house. A classic.
DelMadman – :
Chanel 19 EDT is what I wore all through college and through a good part of my 20s. I also had the perfume, which was greener and sharper, and not quite as leathery/ oakmoss as the EDT on the dry down. It was very strong and natural smelling, though. Well I finally got around to trying the current eau de parfum version at Nordstrom’s. A hint of the old perfume is still there, but it’s much lighter and not quite as natural smelling as it used to be. There’s also a metallic smell that wasn’t there before. Once it dries down and that metallic note fades, there’s a similarity to the vintage version. Unfortunately they didn’t have the EDT tester, but now I’m curious and will have to hunt it down. Though this perfume version is not what it once was, it still made me nostalgic for this scent. I think I’ll test it again soon and see if I can get this version to grow on me.
валерок – :
Please indulge me a little re-review….
After testing this a few weeks ago, I tried it again in the department store today, then carried on with my shopping, got in my car and started to drive home. I was having a little conversation in my head that went something like this:-
“I love this perfume. Out of all the ones I’ve tested and re-tested, this one is my favourite”
“It’s reduced to $147… that’s an insane deal”
“It’s your birthday soon, maybe you can wait until then”
“But I love this perfume and can’t stop smelling myself”
“I really want this”
“Dammit. Go back and get it, you’ll hate yourself if you don’t”
Two minutes into my journey I swung my car around, found ANOTHER parking space, raced back into the mall and bought it. A pretty good price too, with the refillable 50ml EDP spray down to a not too stupid number of dollars for New Zealand. I am loving myself sick in this and am finding any excuse to push my hair behind my ears so I can sniff my wrists on the way there.
You have no idea (actually, you probably do) how good it felt to move that little icon from “Perfumes I Want” to “Perfumes I Have” :)))))
ohmi9 – :
Mother nature scent is that. As Goddess Earth is equally involved in all processes sustaining life: air wafting, grass growing (strong green notes), flowers blooming (mostly powdery iris, faintly rose, narcisus and lilly-of-the-valley), animal life thriving (leather notes), so is she part of decay (moist earth and woods, mossy-vetiver notes of herbs turning into soil). It isn’t a cold goddess, she can never be cold, she is the one to understand that everything comes and goes, each element is chasing the next one in the circle of life.
It is like I’m lying on the earth on a springday morning. Earth isn’t cold, grass and flowers with dew all around and underneath me, there’s a scented fog surrounding everything like Nature’s breath, the pale sunlight is there in the skydepths of these vapours.
Absolutely amazing natural fragrance.
You don’t use it to impress others. You put it on to connect with Life.
Work of genius. Love!
Tpo9l4o4ek – :
Powdery – creamy – floral
Color impression: yellow green
I’m a straight man who doesn’t mind if trying or even wearing feminine perfumes but Nº19 has a remarkably prominent womanly face that makes me afraid of wearing it. It subtly suggests an image of mature femininity on its ultimate edge, based on its green balmy floral and chypre-leaning context. A floral and powdery balmy fragrance that no matter how old I am, it always tends to be older than me.
★★★
mumargulis – :
I must apologize to anyone who loves this perfume. To me, this smells sadly of peanut oil and a mowed lawn. I just cannot learn to appreciate it. Help me to understand 🙁
Volkosob – :
Stop. I’ve found it.
OMG I’m in love with this perfume. I tried it yesterday alongside something else on my other arm, and regretted not spraying myself from head to foot in this. I had a blotter as well, which may or may not be tucked inside my bra today to try and get as much of this delicious aroma onto me before I head back to the mall to buy it. How have I gone my whole life not smelling this fragrance?? This has to be the most underrated Chanel out there.
I’m not even going to try and describe what it smells like, as that has been done a thousand times before by people who actually know what they are talking about, but I get the most insanely gorgeous powder on the dry down which lasts for ages, a good seven hours on me. Not an old lady powder smell either, but elegant and classy and subtle. Absolute heaven in a bottle. I adore it. I don’t care how much it costs. There is no budget to be able to smell this good.
maxim89084008839 – :
This is one of my favourite scents, I love its green colour and also smell. For me this is symbol of Chanel elegance. I have EDP and it is pefect balance of notes and harmony in a bottle. I love the whole transformation of this scent from the sharp opening to the powdery and soft drydown. It is simply gorgeous one of the greenest fragrances ever.
sobchuks – :
The most green chypre I have ever smelt !ultra mossy and sap like !really complex smell !
Very invigorating and mature
Cheerseperm – :
No 19 is a beautiful classic Chanel but, unfortunately, it doesn’t develop on my skin as it should. It is not the perfume’s fault – my skin is known to be a scent killer, which is why I prefer to wear very bold fumes. On the right skin, however, this is a very fresh and elegant woody floral.
kararrodo – :
I just purchased this and it makes me feel so grown up! I have only ever owned one other Chanel fragrance (Allure), which was lovely but for some reason owning #19 makes me feel like I have entered a whole new level of “maturity” with my perfume obsession. I now own a classic and I could not be more proud.
I do not believe I could write a descriptive review that would do #19 the justice it deserves.
It is well enough to say I feel honored to have it in my collection.
lqb814speagoessenda – :
I was sceptical when the top notes opened up. Those are very grassy and green! A bit manly, even. It took a few seconds to release the pretty florals like iris and sensual ylang ylang. This is not a super girly perfume but I like it that way. It’s authentic and down to earth. It’s natural but still very chique. This could be a great scent for those who don’t like general, bombastic sweetness! I love how this perfume dries down. It will leave you with a soft, woody scent at the end of the day. It’s just beautiful! I recommend you to smell the Chanel 19 perfume in the rectangle bottle with the grey cap if you’d like a more masculine version. This one is still pretty feminine!
alicemacabre – :
I’ve smelled it on others and it was pure bliss. On me however, it’s pure rosewater. Pity.
ramsycool – :
I went for 19 Poudre and I left with 19 eau de toilette!
Absolutly masterpiece.
Its was a stormy … rainy day.. and when I have put it… I literally faled in love right away!
This summer is great! Yes I will be using it this summer.
19 Poudre still on my list 🙂
bloodlawer – :
Re-review:
I write this as I wear it, watching none other than ‘Back to the Future’
As many of us have done, I envision characters in various media wearing perfumes. Now, who in the world would wear No. 19 in back to the future you ask?
Jeniffer. Does anyone else find No. 19 to be quaintly friendly, youthful, a bit bitey and upper class but also genuinely nice? In personality, that is. It’s a very come hither scent on me, I’ve found. I wear it when I’m most kind and I can honestly see Jeniffer (who I imagine to be a good christian woman) doing the same. Interesting
Boycif – :
Wearing Chanel No19 EDP can makes you feel elegant, fresh and sensuous: like slipping on an olive-green silk camisole; it caresses your skin and your senses, making you feel joyful to be alive. I feel both calm and sexy wearing this scent: in spite of its cool notes on first spritz, it morphs into something quite spectacular – warm, creamy florals come into play; soothing the zesty herbaceous opening and taming it into a thing of beauty. I absolutely love this pefume. Wearing it feels so pampering, it adds an element of luxury to the day and helps me feel comfortable in my own skin. I couldn’t have wished for a better birthday gift today!
serg-55 – :
I was excited to try this, because it sounds great. But on me/to me, it does not smell like I hoped. It certainly isn’t bad, but it’s very powdery. I don’t get any of the green, or maybe I just have no idea what green notes should smell like, but I wouldn’t imagine this. It’s powdery – I’ve come to realize my skin really amplifies any powder note, so maybe that’s why. It’s not offensive, but it’s very much a sophisticated lady in a fancy hotel in springtime. It’s more mature and together than I am, so Chanel No. 19 isn’t for me.
Schum – :
Green for sure. Green and mossy and musty with plenty of iris. There’s nothing inviting about it, it is distant, but less snarly than I had expected – I somehow thought it would be… bitchier, more aggressive. I don’t dislike it.
repin004 – :
I wear this well, and I’m so glad. I purchased a 50mL bottle in May, deciding not to use it too much because of the large price tag.
I love that gorgeous green-ness of it, there’s lily of the valley and something that reminds me of my Nan and a pack of marlboros.
I put some on my partner and he seems to wear it even better than I do (which isn’t uncommon because I seem to have unnaturally cold skin)
Domarev – :
Chanel 19 Jacques Polge interpretation is a fragrance that I would wear during summer. Not that it’s not compatible with other seasons, but to me the iris blend has a summery vibe. For those who don’t want to wear fruity perfumes and dislike aquatics-ozonics- and let’s face it we have no quality ozonics lately- a green scent and especially 19, is a one of the best options.
Upon first spray, in my opinion at least, despite what the notes indicate, I think I have an Eau Premiere developing, the same waxy aldehydes, the same floral blend, a strong ylang, the jasmine that they use, and this time the narcissus too, believe it or not, in my opinion it is higher than the voting indicates. Same narcissus as in First Van cleef and Arpels. All in all I like that aldehydes keep stronger in 19. Basically it’s like Eau Premiere went from High School to University and became 19.
After quite some time, there is iris developing and the fragrance stabilizes into a chypre. At least a chypre is what I get, a floral chypre, abstract and aromatic. Light but with a substantial sillage. Except the iris I sense a strong neroli too. It is clean, It doesn’t remind me of a soap, even though the iris is high, somehow the green notes balance it out. No leather, little santal.
I like it. It’s a yes. It’s an escape from the sweetness overload that dominates the perfume industry lately. But it’s unexpectedly another favorite of mine from the Chanel line along with Allure EDP, Allure Sensuelle EDP and EDT. Coco Mademoiselle, 5 Jacques Polge version, Eau Premiere, 5 L’eau, Coco Noir were all mih meh. 19 stands out. Will test Poudre and the Henri Robert version as well.
nestul – :
For lover of this then if your but get is Limits then go for silences by jacomo. On several occasions and 2 of them women’s working on chanel perfume counters so well worth a go at only £30.
kibergdum – :
I’m not a chanel fan.non of chanel perfumes that I had,passed a simple like(coco mademoiselle,coco noir,chance edt and edp,chance eau vibe)
Chanel N 19 was the least fortunate one to be loved by me,I don’t like green scents,I also don’t like most woody scents and iris,vetiver and leather are risky notes for me but my friend offered it(edp) for a swap and I thought it’s always good to add a chanel to collection
I’m not a fan of opening part.I can see it’s a green scent from the first second.I can smell bergamot and something bitter,which I don’t like.the bitter note seems to be a floral with a grassy undertone.maybe Narcisse?I really don’t know what I’m smelling.I just know it smells like hint of bergamot+flowers with a green vibe(like flowers and their stems)and something like grass.I also feel large doses of galbanum
After about fifteen minutes that grassy bitterness leaves and now I know what I’m smelling:beautiful flowers
I can smell iris,rose and neroli and lots of moss.I love moss
Iris is different with what I’m used to.it’s different from usuall lipsticky iris-rose.it’s cold and green.very powdery but in a good way.this scent isn’t very dry to my nose.it smells like a cool spring breeze with flowers(and their leaves and stems)scent
As time passes vetiver makes this even greener but at the same time leather starts to showup
Leather can ruin any scent for me with it’s dirty animalic naunces but not here.although not listed I can pick up a hint of musk,blended with leather and they give a warm quality to scent which is more like another dimension.this warm,soft,alive dimension,gives life to cold and green flowers and makes me like it more
I can’t say I love chanel no19 but I really do like it.I have nothing like this in my collection.it’s my greanest perfume and strangely it appeals to me!
It’s a very peaceful scent.reminds calmness and smells like a peaceful day in nature
I see a very classy vibe in this pure soft,fresh calmness.rose and iris in a green bed of oakmoss and vetiver wrapped by leather.this lovely blend makes me calm down,forget about all pressures and tensions.I need it for aromatherapy
So I’m very glad to have it.I think this 35 mil bottle would be enough for me but if you love green scents you may need more
I see nothing old or difficult to wear in it(except first 15 minutes which has sort of an old vibe)this is great for mild to hot weather.good for office/formal wear and can be a signature scent for it’s lovers
❤❤❤❤
P.s:
Longevity is insane! It lingers on my skin for the whole day and night.if I don’t take my daily shower who knows?! It may cling to my skin all through my life!
I don’t know about it’s longevity on fabric as I don’t like to spray mossy(also musky) scents on my clothes. I believe that they need body temperature to unfold
I love it how l can smell lot of cold,clean,green,dusty/powdery notes(galbanum, iris and oris root,narcissus,moss,even neroli)but there’s also a sparkly rose blooming in their heart and it’s sweet,colorful scent making a lovely contrast.I also love how musky leather grounds everything with it’s alive warmness and tries to fight cold and clean theme,chanel 19 isn’t just something to spray in order to smell good or catch others attention,it’s PURE ART! something that can even make a green scents hater such as me to kneel down in front of it’s beauty and appreciate it’s elegance. I believe it’s a must try for all perfume lovers(as most chanels are)
Den4ik12750 – :
Definitely in my top 5 all time favorites. So gorgeous, elegant, sublime. Perfection!
wiloterm – :
I’m undecided. I’ve sprayed this over myself several times over several years and remain unsure if I really want it.
Sure this is a great green, and one which brings along the scent of late spring or early summer, when we wear cotton dresses and can run barefoot in the park.
Another plus is No 19 is not overly popular and therefore one you could wear and retain some sense of individuality (which cannot be said of other perfumes by Chanel)
However I think my heart belongs to that beautiful green witch Givenchy III.
МАСТЕ888 – :
I wore this beauty in my late teens and early 20’s, and I loved it then. Recently, I was gifted a vial of vintage No 19 edp from a fragrantican friend, and today decided to wear a spritz of it. Eyes rolling into the back of my head, oh gorgeous heavenly beauty! I also took the opportunity to do a side-by-side with Silences and, for the money, that fragrance is a winner if you can’t afford the real macoy. Anyway, later in the day I went into a department store and took advantage of the No 19 edp tester and just went to town on myself, squirting with abandon. Oh my giddy aunt, the love, the total crippling love!! This truly is a masterpiece. I absolutely adore the sharp green opening, which to me smells like galbanum but it’s apparently not. In any case, it’s utterly divine. And I love how it stays quite sharp for such a long time before it reaches that soft powdery floral, which BTW is the other thing that I adore about this perfume. What a contrast! It has complexity without being confusing or complicated. To the contrary, there’s not that many notes in it really, but it has been so masterfully created. This perfume is ageless, an enduring classic. It’s as beautiful, interesting and relevant now as it was when it was created. It may have it’s dupes, but there really is nothing that can compare to the original, Chanel No 19 edp.
demaTeams86 – :
This green scent is amazing! The last created by Cocò in 1970.
I’m originally from Basilicata and this fragance remind’s me my childhood. When i wear this i imagine me into a wood, i feel the smell of the trees, the smell of the rain, of the flowers.
It’s a fragance with a big personality. The sillage it’s good but longevity not that power just like all green scents. 🙁
By the way, i recommend this. My fav by Chanel. Boldness has a number. N°19.
Naomi_fromAE – :
Fragrance Review For No 19 Parfum
By Chanel
Top Notes
Neroli Bergamot Orange Green Notes
Middle Notes
Rose Iris Narcissus Lily of the Valley Ylang Ylang
Base Notes
Sandalwood Oak Moss Vetiver Leather
Today is August 19th, Chanel’s birthday and I am wearing No. 19. This fragrance was launched on what was to be Chanel’s final birthday. As such all true devotees of Chanel should wear this perfume. It was her favorite. This is a calm and very green, earthy scent that wears like a quiet meadow in the afterlife; the Elysian fields. It’s a green floral with chypre ingredients but let’s not get technical.
I can say that this smells like green grass, oak moss hanging from trees, a few flowers of iris, lily of the valley and a touch of leather/musk, but there’s more to this perfume than meets the nose. I first wore this as an experiment. I was staying at the Paris Ritz Hotel during Fashion Week and stayed in the Chanel suite. In my effort to evoke her spirit, I wore this perfume to bed. I had a dream that she paid me a visit and sat next to me in a park. This scent is like a park. It’s a solitary park with a lot of hillocks. If the Seurat painting Sunday Afternoon In The Ile of the Grand Jatte had a fragrance it is this one. This is a peaceful chypre. I love these type of scents. They are romantic and get me so carried away.
This is also very hard to wear. The green scented perfumes of yesteryear – i.e. Aliage, Ivoire de Balmain, are virtually extinct. A few niche fragrances try to go there: I have worn Gramercy Park by Bond, which evoke different locations in New York City and that one is indeed a green park scent and I should know since I live in Gramercy Park, and I have also worn Houbigant’s Apercu as well as the Imaginary Authors fragrance called The Soft Lawn. Those type of scents send me! Visions of lush rolling hills, parks, flowers and woods.
For me this is a fragrance of Chanel’s own afterlife. She is at peace resting in green pastures where she walks around contentedly with other people that she loved. This is such a beautiful fragrance. If you like green florals and chypres, this is one of the most beloved and enchanting of them all.
Lion_13 – :
I finally got a chance to sample this and am love! As others have said, it is initially a sharp, almost realistic green blast of oakmoss and grass and just wonderful. It is sharp and unapologetic.
It dries down to a lovely green floral, but never sweetens, which is a plus in my book. Unfortunately, unlike others, my skin seems to eat this scent and after a little more than 3 hours, it is not even noticeable.
Despite Chanel No. 19’s fleetingness, this is certainly full bottle worthy for the full on, green beauty that is this scent.
ynf610speagoessenda – :
Morning dew on freshly cut grass.
A bunch of roses with the stems recently snipped.
Finding yourself in a slightly damp forest.
The only ‘green’ fragrance I’ll ever need, it solicits a sigh from me every time I smell it.
Takes you from a suit, to a white t-shirt, to a ball gown effortlessly.
At the end of a long day, while taking a hot shower, I can still smell this coming off my skin. So I close my eyes, inhale the aroma, and enjoy the sensation of being in my own private glasshouse in the middle of summer.
sepa – :
Oh how bad I want this! It gets more and more difficult to find it at the stores here in my country.
When everything is pink and super bubbly, sugary, why I want this old green juice? Let me explain: this starts with the famous monstrous greens and aldehyde notes. But after 1,5 hours, it settles as a very clean, almost soapy, flower scent that is not offensive and it symbolizes purity and cleanness to me. Very professional, very feminine..
It’s not your regular flirty scent but it is attractive in a different way. It kind of reminds No.5, with the aldehyde notes, you get the vintage “Chanel vibe” but you can’t really put your finger on it! It’s so rare to find someone uses this, isn’t it amazing?
To me this scent belongs to a lady who has a classic, universal style. The way she dresses doesn’t seek for attention; she wears quality pieces, basics but high quality basics! She doesn’t wear heavy makeup but w