Elegance And Strength in One Fragrance
Bleu de Chanel is a perfume that has become synonymous with the luxury fashion house. The timeless classic was introduced in 2010 and has remained a favorite among perfume connoisseurs ever since, thanks to its aromatic, fresh, and unmistakably Chanel grapefruit scent.
Bleu’s scent begins at the bottom of the forest floor while slowly rising to the top, clinging to mosses, barks, and leaves to create a stunning canopy of fresh pine.
Citrus and spice are the key opening notes of this cologne. The scent begins with a burst of tart grapefruit and creamy bergamot. While citrus notes are more prominent in the opening act, these are soon followed by the spicier, minty notes from coriander and pepper. Underneath all of this is a slowly arising warm amber, smelling slightly of smoky incense. Glimpses of its true woody nature emerge as the smell takes a delightfully rustic turn. Featuring calming elements of fruit, flowers, and earthy spice, Bleu’s middle notes are very much woodland-like, adding to the blissful chill of being in a pine forest in the mountains. But it’s in the base notes that Bleu de Chanel reaches its peak of freshness. Aromas of rough cedars stand in striking contrast with the sylvan sandalwood from New Caledonia, giving off an overall pleasing, creamy texture to the fragrance.
Overall, we love how the clash of the hard and the smooth lends the scent a vigorous character. Early citrusy scents lend a feeling of lightness to the fragrance without taking away from its serious nature. Meanwhile, the woody and spicy notes (accompanied by a hint of fresh greens) provide Bleu with a pleasing depth and give it a much more masculine aesthetic.
The scent’s staying power, of course, varies according to the concentration you choose. For instance, the Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum (EDP) will easily stay on the skin for more than 7 hours. The Bleu de Chanel Parfum, however, is more concentrated and lasts for over 12 hours.
Projection starts out rather strong but gradually settles near the wearer. Not enough to take out a room, but definitely noticeable by someone a few feet away.
Bleu de Chanel has a more formal, sophisticated presence, so it makes for a superb office scent and is excellent for black-tie events. Don’t be afraid to try the fragrance in a more casual setting, such as for an evening out in the city or when you go shopping.
Luxury brands are continuing to push the envelope with innovative new products. Bleu is no exception to the rule, coming in 20 different variants on the perfumer’s website — including a Bleu de Chanel gift set. But don’t let that scare you. There are really only three main fragrances in the collection: Bleu de Chanel Eau De Toilette (EDT), Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum, and a stronger Bleu de Chanel Parfum. The Bleu Eau de Toilette is a breath of fresh air with light citrusy notes; the Eau de Parfum, on the other hand, is slightly more formal and has a stronger woody tone.
Also available from the house are Bleu de Chanel deodorant stick, shower gel, moisturizer, and shaving cream.
Inspired by Chanel’s quintessential fragrance, Dossier’s Citrus Ginger presents the same sophisticated combination of woody and citrus notes you’d find in Bleu, with zero compromises and for a fraction of the price. With its clean and masculine scent, Citrus Ginger is a Bleu de Chanel dupe that’s guaranteed to bring out the best in any man.
