Coco Mademoiselle
Eau de Parfum, Chanel (2001)

Somehow I have only just become familiar with Mademoiselle (I came across it from a wall print image which intrigued me to look it up), the Channel Chance line is what was/is popular in my area it seems, as I have never heard anyone talk about it, and I definitely have not smelled it prior.

When I saw it ranked high on citrus notes (my preference) with orange plus Bergamot, I knew there was a high likelihood of really enjoying it. I never, ever buy at first sniff since scents change and I want to know of its longevity too, but this was an exception, I bought it without hesitation and have no regrets.

It is obviously much more than citrus, the woodsy, green, earth, rose and patchouli blend are SO perfectly intertwined, making this a more unique fragrance than I would have guessed. It is one of those EDPs that can be worn day to night, along with any season very seamlessly (btw: the EDT has very different notes and doesn't even smell similar to me). The sillage is strong, so one to two spritzes is definitely enough, and the longevity is amazing! I prefer perfume to be on my clothing and it pretty much remains until the clothes are washed, this is why it is my bathrobe scent; it always smells fresh and welcoming.

Lastly it even layers well, if I want it to lean more citrus/lighter or more warm/thicker, it is so easily accomplished. It truly is a beautiful perfume!!

I'm puzzled that people find this so challenging, I actually think CM is extremely polite and understandable. It also doesn't smell synthetic to me. It's a functional, well-balanced pairing of clean garden roses in arm with the leading patchouli. Citruses hold on for much longer than most openings, I can still smell orange and bergamot and hour after spraying. It's clean, floral, with green touches. The patchouli is scrubbed, not dirty or earthy, it's a "Chanel" patchouli...which cannot be described other than to say that it is, because I use this comparison to judge other patchouli's in the world of fragrance.

The thing I'm coming on to say, is that I've never smelled anything that I feel so secure in. This is not to say, that this is what I *enjoy* wearing most. No, but CM is the olfactory expression of a well-fitting blouse. Understated, tailored slacks. A tasteful "lob" haircut, and high quality, yet low contast makeup. Essentially, always, always appropriate, and semi-formal. CM is also exceedingly familiar (for itself, but also because rose+patch is so common), timeless, but utterly uncreative. So classic and chic, it's nearly painful, but it's the height of reliability.

I enjoy the Intense version more, and I think the EDT has a more intriguing, sparkling quality. So why continue to only keep the OG? Well, because I need something in my closet I can wear to jury duty. To sign documents in. To attend town meetings...etc. The fact that CM is so...blandly beautiful is exactly why it's so indispensable.

Extremely synthetic. This doesn't always have to be bad, but like in Coco Noir there's a note that comes off smelling like nail polish remover. Heavily perfumed nail polish remover. This isn't so bad to smell on someone else, but wearing it myself it's nauseating and I just want it off.

Jasmine bomb with an overdose of rose and fruity notes. Feminine for sure. Too sweet and fruity for me. The only time someone should wear this one is in the winter time. Warning: No more than 3 sprays! And that's a lot.

I'm hard pressed to find a fragrance so stridently synthetic that I enjoy so much. It's so blatantly fabricated, so brashly out-there, I have to believe it's the way it is by design and wit. I admire the balls it takes to produce something like this under Chanel and pass it off with a straight-face (specially at the time it was launched - less so nowadays). It's a joke. But what a good one. The Chanel with the most out of control joie de vivre, it also has nowadays the added bonus of being so ubiquitous you can be anything and anyone wearing this - because anyone and everyone who has been or done anything and everything has already worn it before you. It affords you an anonymity, a blending in, a not standing out for uniqueness. Who are you in a crowd when you're wearing this? Anyone and no one, which is a special kind of superpower - and a special kind of comfort. Like so many Chanels, it's also a no-brainer for those to whom it appeals: spray it on, walk out the door - what day it is matters not. Bravo.

From its launch on, it seems to be everybody's favourite. As you can't go wrong by buying it or even wearing it.
The words "Never trust a pink perfume!" keep echoing in my mind every time I sniff it. I don't remember where or when I heard this. But it sure holds true...