Chanel No 5 Review: A Classic, But Did It Change?

Before we begin our Chanel No 5 review, it is safe to say that this perfume is the most popular women’s fragrance in the world – for better or for worse (that’s what perfume reviews are for, right?). 

Chanel No 5 as a brand name rolls off the tongue like no other. Its fame in popular culture drives it as perfume’s version of “Kleenex.” Well, not quite the same, but you catch my point. 

Chanel No 5 is a big dog perfume. But does it stand up to perfume reviews?

Chanel No 5 Review – The Basics

Jacques Polge crafted Chanel No 5 in 1986, sometime around when Marty McFly traveled time. However, the original formula is said to have been created in 1921 by Ernest Beaux.

This makes Chanel No 5 one of the longest-standing women’s perfumes on the market. In some ways, its time-tested place in the market makes it unrivaled.

Chanel No 5 is a timeless, classic women’s perfume.

But there are some issues. For one, it is highly believed that the Chanel No 5 formula has changed over the years. This could be for a variety of reasons. Maybe they felt fragrance evolution made sense? Perhaps they cut costs?

For folks who still hold decades-old bottles, those bottles may have changed their scents as well.

Who knows?

But most of its contents remain close to the same. It’s an old-school perfume that doesn’t last a long time (typical of classic perfumes), but it certainly makes a bold statement when spritzed.

The bottle’s simple, classic style remains unchanged. The bottle doesn’t try to do too much, which signals its 1980s roots. It’s all about the fragrance, not where the scent is housed.

What Does Chanel No 5 Smell Like?

Jacques Polge served as Head Perfumer at Les Parfums Chanel from 1978 to 2015. His list of achievements wouldn’t fit in this article, but names like Coco Mademoiselle, Rive Gauche, and Tiffany come to mind.

In Chanel No 5, Polge leveraged Aldehydes, Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Bergamot and Peach as the top notes, followed by middle and base notes like sandalwood and Jasmine.

The aldehydes hit strong upon the first spritz. At about two hours, expect the top notes to fade and leave behind more subtle base notes such as sandalwood, vanilla, and rose.

Chanel No 5 Samples

You can pick up Chanel No 5 samples here. Perfume samples allow you to test a scent without investing too much into it.

How Long Does Chanel No 5 Last?

Maybe a few hours. This old-school perfume doesn’t last long, but its classic, unique and original scent makes up for that. That is, depending on your needs. You’d need to reapply during the day if this is your prominent perfume.

Chanel No 5 Advertising and Marketing

There’s a long, illustrious and impressive list of Chanel No 5 marketing campaigns dating back into the 1980s.

If you were around in the 1980s, you might remember Ridley Scott’s provocative (at the time) poolside marketing campaign.

Here’s Marion Cotillard’s wintery night vision “dream-like” commercial.

Chanel No 5 commercials certainly are a blissful, nostalgic trip through time.

Final Notes

Chanel No 5 is a timeless classic women’s perfume. But there are some concerns the scent isn’t exactly the same as the original 1986 version. There are numerous reasons Chanel would have updated the scent, from resources and supplies to longevity and culture. All the same, it remains a top women’s perfume from a trustworthy brand.