Coco Noir Chanel for women

"For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range ofCHANEL perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie. I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the CHANEL Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.” perfumer Jacques Polge.

In 1984, there was Coco, that sumptuous blend of wood, resins, flowers, spices and fruit. A treasure trove of splendours and an endless source of discovery and sensual delight. Then, in 2001, came Coco Mademoiselle, a breath of air that lightens this cornucopia of fragrance, in which everything is simplified and accelerated in a radiant burst of fruit and flower. And today there is Coco Noir, a great nocturnal Baroque. Another journey in the wake of a Gabrielle who fully embraced the dazzle of black and Venice, incorporating them not only into her creations but into her life.

Top notes: grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot, Heart: rose, narcissus, rose geranium leaf and jasmine. Base: tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli and white musk frankincense. Coco Noir was created by Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake.

Personal Review: Picture a beautiful woman playing a Nocturne on a baby grand piano at dusk...this is the noir for me. A beautiful, smooth yet subtle fragrance where one needs to "lean in" to smell it close to the skin. The noir is in the classy subtlety of the fragrance that makes one reminisce to a sentiment from the past...this is the noir for me. It is black and white like piano keys. At first I thought it would be too strong, but dries down to a classy, well-balanced slightly sweet smoothness that I love. Two men have followed me around the building so far.....this one is a beauty.

I LIKE that it is a much more tamed sent than Black Orchid or Noir de Noir. I am looking for delicate balance more than a fragrance bomb head ache.

Chanel No 5 is a bit too "in your face", showy and unreal for me. I'd rather wear Crystalle which is sparkling or the green No. 19 for it's luxury in a fresh way.