My thoughts on Persolaise... Even when you aren't particularly interested in a fragrance, or perhaps even disagree with a review, Persolaise invariably manages to create an 'experience'. You are immersed in a descriptive world where the fragrance is tangible. Unlike the tedious youtube fragrance reviewers where EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! here we have thoughtful and considered reviews that allow room for your own ideas regarding a fragrance. Love at First Scent is always a pleasure.
Wow! This is so... AWESOME 😂 Thank you! It’s so kind of you to take the time to write this. And yes: it’s never about agreeing or disagreeing. It’s about coming together and exchanging thoughts and ideas 😊
I've recently decided to go on a Chanel - Persolaise binge and have landed on this precious episode🔥 I currently own 9 of the Les Exclusifs, all of them are the current EDPs, and my top 5 would be 1. No 22 2. Coromandel 3. Bois des Iles 4. Bel Respiro 5. Beige (Misia might be a very close honourable mention) I personally really struggle with Cuir de Russie and Le Lion and really want to improve my relationship with them and I do recognize what aspects make them so revered, but they both pass as too pungent or too animalic on me😂😂 Now that since you've published this video there have been 2-ish new Les Exclusifs (Le Lion / Comete), would you include some of the newer releases into your top 5 Les Exclusifs? And if so, what would be included, and what would be removed?🙏 Lots of love from Korea 🇰🇷
One of the great mysteries of the universe to me will always be why Bel Respiro isn't more revered for the masterpiece it is, so happy to see it on your list. My top 5 are: Bois des Iles, Bel Respiro, Sycomore, Coromandel, No.22.
Bois Des Iles is that scent that you put on in the middle of winter, when you wish it was a sunny summer day. That fruity citrus aldehydic opening is amazing.
I’m only just getting into Chanel Les Exclusifs, and I bought my first one just two days ago. I bought the big bottle of No. 22 and I’m loving it! It’s so sophisticated and makes me feel so put together wearing it! I want Misia next ... possibly Bois Des Iles and Coromandel 🙈🙈🙈 Ohh and Cuir de Russie!! They’re mostly all so great though ❤️ Ok... now to watch your video haha!
Coromandel is all I ever wear scent wise. My wardrobe is uniform and so is my choice of scent. The scent of patchouli and vanilla after it has dried down is both subtle and in your face at the same time. It’s a masterpiece.
My favorites: 1932, Jersey, and 31 Rue Cambon💗 the last one from the moment you spray until forever , the scent is the same .. very strong sillage and longevity.. reminds me of bois des isles but more creamy more feminine.. absolutely more beautiful . I also really love 28 La Pausa, dry down is absolutely gorgeous but longevity is super weak
Oh no I missed it too! Hope to catch you one day on the lifestream!!! I just bought my first big bottle of chanel, not an exclusive, it was N°19 Poudré. But I have many samples of the Exclusifs and I really like the Eau de Cologne and of course Coromandel! But I think my absolut favourite is Gardenia, such a gorgeous and playful fragrance!
Thank you for reviving my love for Bois Des Iles. I wore it on and off from the age of 18 for about 10 years. I’ve had the pre-Exclusifs EDP, the massive splash EDT and the pure Parfum - all are scintillating. That elegant reserve you mention is Bois Des Iles incarnate: the aldehydes and iris in the opening are that measured aloofness and, once you spend time with it and are permitted to get close to it, that beautiful warm gingerbread/sandalwood drydown reveals its tenderness and charm.
I'm thrilled to see the fragrances in the Exclusif line up which you chose to showcase and review here. They're more to my taste than the more commonly discussed Chanel fragrances here on RU-vid. Thank you for this video.
After this wonderful review of the masterpieces, I would very much enjoy a review of the less iconic Les Exclusives. Not every perfume can be a masterpiece (and some will only turn into one during one of the decades following their release). Opinions differ. I love your blogpost on Misia! It is just spot on in my opinion. And though I personally believe it is miles above and beyond Beige, Jersey, Gardenia and no18, I would still enjoy your ideas about all of these in a video. Misia and Gardenia stand out I believe. Gardenia more for the history behind the perfume than the current composition, and Misia for both: the monumental story (again a personal opinion) and the composition itself.
Bel Respiro is my perfume of choice when I have difficult meetings to attend. I wear it for practical reason such as its airiness and gentleness and I can’t imagine anyone being annoyed by it and for emotional reasons : it makes me feel great and the sense that there is always something beyond…sort of what you said. Sycamore, I have to say, is one of my favorite perfumes of all time. The extraite is expensive and I’ve gone through a bottle already. Wonderful video. Thank you.
OK sir I love your videos they’ve just been truly wonderful to listen to. I’m in Canada and we have been in lockdown since early December no stores open or boutiques anyway it’s mid February and I am still in lockdown. the only thing getting me through this is all these wonderful tutorials on fragrance I am totally infatuated with fragrance. I am enamoured with everything Chanel, I have most of the collection but none of the “Les exclusives Collection” Really what to buy one but I can’t smell anything yet. Seem to be leaning towards jersey ? Would love your thoughts I have been very tempted to try I Blind Buy BUT keep changing my mind based on all the intriguing descriptions of each Scent. My question, if you had to recommend one blind buy (Les Exclusives) what would be your gateway choice scent for a Chanel lover .
Thank you so much for watching - and yes, let’s hope were able to come out of lockdown safely before too long. ‘Blind’ recommendations are so difficult. Do check out my review of Jersey over on Persolaise.com. If you like No. 5, then I’d certainly suggest smelling No. 22. If your tastes lie more along Coco lines, then perhaps you should start with Coromandel or Le Lion. Do let me know what you decided to get.
How did I manage to miss these when they were live? I thought myself a philistine with Chanel, because I fail to appreciate No. 5. But having amassed a small Chanel collection by now, I must change that. With Les Exclusifs I have tried a few, and the only one I like, though not enough to own, is Beige. I have my eyes on Cuir de Russie to test as the weather grows cooler, so there's hope.
Chanel no 22. My forever fragrance. I received no.22 Cologne gift set from 1 st boyfriend when I Was 16 in the 80’s. Evolved to edt. Until I received the eau de Parfum for Valentines from Hubby. I love it. I wonder why did Chanel number 19 not become part of the Les Exclusif collection?. Mind you, this is my first time viewing your channel. I’m glad that I found your channel, I have 14 different Chanel fragrances. I love this house for it’s fragrances. I’ll be adding another Les Exclusif scent. faceted channel number 22 is very multi-faceted. Take care.
I've watched this video so many times that I had to find myself a bottle of bel respiro edt. I finally got it at a fair price, thank you Persolaise for planting the idea of getting it in my mind. I love it!
Coromandel is a masterpiece. Fragrance simply doesn't get any better than this. As far as EDT vs. EDP goes, people love to stir up controversy over nothing. There is no point in raving about something that can no longer be found. And avoid Le Lion at all cost. It is an olfactory assault, and is guaranteed to repel as much as it attracts.
Came across your channel. What a treat your videos are for the fragrance community. Kind regards. Huge Chanel enthusiast here. Favourite Les Exclusifs: Coromandel, Sycomore, Bois Des Iles,no 22, no 18, Boy and now Le lion.
Oh no missed it 🤦♀️ I was so looking forward to this video. The only ones I have tried from exclusif line are bois des Iles and Gardenia. I own Gardenia parfum. Would love learning more! So thank you for this video and content
Jacques Polges said that Gardenia was literally Chanel’s only figurative fragrance. Far from being boring it is certainly pure perfection. Gabrielle Chanel wanted Camellia but Camellias have no scent so she chose Gardenia - which I always think is a lovely story.
Good job, and what a wonderful line-up! Bel Respiro is also a personal favorite of mine... Too bad all of those lovely EDT are not available anymore, as many of the Exlusives suffered from the reformulations. Cuir de Russie especially! Would the EDP still be in your top five?
I love how the 3 Beaux creations are part of this list. And how would they not be? To me they really smell like family of one another. They keep reminding me of each other, however individual they may be in character.
@@Persolaise OMG i love it. just received the 22 EDP yesterday from Chanel. I'm in Heaven. love the way you describe 22. it makes me smile. and yes the 22 EDT is amazing, just wish they made it/sold it. that's what I initially wore. Thank goodness the reformulation didn't change that much. i would have died. now to live a long beautiful life scented in Chanel 22 EDP. thank you for your wonderful videio.
another great list. My favorite would be Coromandel both EDT and EDP, Rue Cambon EDP, and Jersey EDT (the only version I know and tried). I used to have Bel Respiro EDP but sold it when i was short in cash, and I found it's quite in the same wavelength as Givenchy Insense which I super love and have. Had some decants of Boy, Bois des Iles, and Cuir de Russie, but very hard to enjoy them in hot humid Jakarta, Indonesia....it's sad.
I got Bois des Iles. And I Love it. Santal blush sounds more modern and dryer, when Bois Des Iles is more juicy, a little bit vintage, also it reminds me a little bit of Chanel 5. Also got Chanel Boy, the next will be #22😁
Persolaise, may I kindly ask you to a delight us with a full review /marathon of the entire Chanel Les Exclusifs line? Would be amazing to get your perspective on the entire range.🤩 My favourite from the Exclusifs is no. 22 and 1932..., so far. Very interested to explore La Pausa and 31 Rue Cambon. Please, pretty please, review the entire line.🥰
Love Bois Des Illes, and I find with my untrained nose, that 31 Rue Cambon smells similar--both wonderful (and yes, I wore #5 most of my adult life) #22 the old 90s version was my vacay going to Maui or on a cruise fragrance. Very floral
Yes, Mr. P does have that ability to describe a scent so aptly you feel yourself earring it already. I’ve a few blind-buys based off his description alone!
I don't know why, but i can see Ingrid Bergman using Bois des Iles as signature scent in 1940s. I think it would fit her perfectly, such an elegant masterpiece.
Gosh - big price rise on the Les Exclusifs recently; at least in the UK. 200ml bottles have jumped from £300 to £350 and 75ml bottles from £169 to £200 in the last week or two. Although, I suppose when you look at what just 100ml of a Frederic Malle EdP (£275 for POAL) or Tom Ford Private Blend EdP (£284 for most of the them and £370 for the cherry, peach etc ones) costs, I can see that Chanel saw it was missing a trick pricing 200ml of its premium range at £300.
What a fun review! I would love to hear your opinion of Guerlain Vetiver. It is nothing like Sycomore (which I don't love, but do find intriguing). I really love Guerlain's interpretation of Vetiver though. I was heartbroken when Chanel cannibalized the EDT's. I so wanted 1932 edt. I only have No. 22 edt, and Misia edt. They are wonderful.
Thanks for watching. I was always very fond of Guerlain’s Vetiver, but I haven’t worn it for ages, because Madame Persolaise can’t stomach the note. Maybe it’s time to revisit...?
Also...i think that back in the "day" when naturals were used more...that "spoilage" can occur more..than now w/all the synthetics around. Naturals can "turn".
Just rummaged through my collection to find my decant of Bel Respiro and apply. Lovely! I own bottles of Bois des Isles, Coromandel, and Rue Cambon, all in EDT. The beginning of Rue Cambon is glorious, but the dry down gets a bit
...sour on me. As you said, Bois des Isles doesn’t have much lasting power, and I have to be in the mood for patchouli to wear Coromandel, but I do love it. Thanks for your wonderful perfume reviews!
Thank YOU very much for watching. I've been reconsidering what I said about Bois Des Iles. I'm not sure I was 100% right that it doesn't last; I don't think it's quite as simple as that. It DOES last, but it becomes extremely subtle. And I think that sometimes I'd like it to have just a tiny bit more oomph.
Chanel 22 is my signature fragrance, and has been since the mid 80s. I don't own any of the new incarnations of it, though, and have been trolling eBay every so often for parfum since I learned of its demise in the early 2000s. I wore the old EDT as a college student, and it was loud with the aldehydes for the first 15 minutes, and had tremendous lasting power, longer than the parfum. I now wear the parfum (vintage that I have), and I have to disagree with you about 22 being cold, but maybe the new EDP is cold. I associate coldness with #5, and life and warmth with 22. It is an elegant, sensual floral with a ton of incense, like a bride in an incense filled church.
My only access was at in a couple of duty free outlets. That means selecting was rushed. I don’t regret my 2 bottles of Beige, but I think my perception of Sycamore was influenced by the other scents. And I think I really wanted Coromandel. Oops! Beige fits all occasions, including spending time at the pub. 😁 I got #22 as a gift for my mom over 30 years ago. The white and gold refillable container. My mom loved #5, and thanks to dad’s funding, I gave her a new option.
Thanks very much for watching. Wow, an old bottle of No. 22. Please tell me your mum loved it! Yes, it's a shame when you can't take the time to smell and think before parting with your money.
I was holding my breath for Bel Respiro! I adore BR; airy and perfect for carefree days, yet the drydown keeps it grounded. Persolaise, is your book ever going to be available again?
Thank you for that, Taffy. I love BR too... as you can tell! There are absolutely no plans for my book to be re-issued. I did approach the publishers once to ask if they were interested in an update, but I think in their minds, the whole Le Snob series is done and dusted.
Thank you, but what about 1932? I think I am in love with that one. I might not be sophisticated enough for No. 22 because the soap is too high on my skin.
My favorite is Bois des Iles. It’s the smell of my dream world, or at least a perfect mystical voyage. The only full bottle I own is of 22, though. I bought it because of my fairly recent love affair with number 5, but I am still a bit challenged by it. I am enjoying keeping trying though. I hope to own Bois one day soon! The question is should I spring for Bois or Premiere first…
Hi GitanaRusa. Love your name as I dance flamenco! Please forgive me if I feel I have anything to say in this. Having to choose I would definitely go for Bois (I also own Premiere...). Greetings
@@L-Ondee thank you for writing! I agree that Bois is the way to go. I’ve been relishing my samples of it. How wonderful that you dance flamenco! It’s beautiful music and dance! I dance Argentine tango and was born in Russia, and Gitana Rusa is the name of a tango:) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8B3wYtckgrs.html
@@GitanaRusa2012 how wonderful! I didn't know there was a tango of that name. It suits you perfectly. I suspected you might be a Russian girl that dances flamenco. It could have been just as well that. And by the way these perfumes go so well with Tango Argentino! The elegance, the sensuality and the time period they were created in. Enjoy them!
Im a bit late for this. Thanks for being one of the best reviewers of chanel perfumes. I was thinking of buying a 200ml of cuir de russie, but scared that ive red someone in fragrantica mentioned that it has a fecal note. Since I have tried the current formulation of shalimar and couldnt stand its animalic side, and theres a fecal note that is really not for me. Can you help me? Its unfortunate the theres no shop in our country selling the les exclusif line and cant find any samples. So ill just rely ready on reviews, hope to hear from you. Thank you and keep safe!😊
Thanks very much indeed for watching, and for the kind words. The leather in CdR definitely has an animalic side, I’d say. Perhaps you could try to find a sample of it somehow.
Selecting a favorite Les Exclusives would be like picking a favorite child. Honestly it changes all the time. I have a mix of EDT and EDP, in some cases i have both concentrations. I would have to say No 22 would have to be a staple. I waffle between the EDT and EDP. I find the EDT a bit more loud and in your face so it really depends on what I am looking for on that day.
You literally read my mind.I am browsing through the Internet like maniac,because I want to get my first Les Exclusifs for my birthday in August as a gift for myself and I don’t know which one should be my first one.Any tips? Xo
The only Les exclusif i own is Gardenia. Love it but longevity is an issue 😬 Your video makes me want to own Coromandel and 22 🥰 What is their performance on longevity and sillage? Ty
Le lion is my favorite and then cuir de russie would be second. Sure le lion reminds everyone of Shalimar but that's just in the opening,. Because after that opening it goes completely different ways.
Finally got a sample of Coromandel today...Now...am I totally insane or can anyone else detect the most subtle nod to youth dew here? Not that they smell the same, but just an echo somehow. Either way it's exquisitely beautiful!
I wish Chanel would stop increasing their prices so much. £50 extra for a Les Exclusif is shocking and a real shame for loyal customers. I have 1957 and Le Lion and wish to get another 4-5 from the line but genuinely can not justify paying their new prices. I may try Edimburgh though
I'm very lucky to live in Milan I have tasted my way through the entire LES exclusives line more than once at la Rinnacente. I liked Coromandel and also 1932 or maybe I got the date wrong? Cuir de Russie too
I am in love with Chanel this year. I do not have any from the Exclusive line... at least not yet. I am looking forward to owning Coromandel soon. It is on my wish list...
What does it mean when you say that an edp is too heavy? Does heavy mean dark, or cloying or does it mean that it radiates more slowly and doesn't sparkle with high notes?
I think that depends on the edp in question. In the case of the Exclusifs, some of them feel as though they have less room in which to breathe -- they're bogged down by excess baggage. They feel constrained.
Le Lion de Chanel is to be a new Les Exclusifs supposedly to be marketed in the Middle East first and not available in Europe etc until 2021, well that’s the rumour and yes it’s meant to be an Amber sandalwood musk fragrance.
