Chanel No 5 L’Eau Review and Musings

Chanel No 5 L�Eau is a re-imagination of the iconic, stylish, and legendary Chanel No 5. Chanel No 5 L�Eau is my ideal sophisticated floral, unlike Chanel No 5, this is a more youthful and dare I say fun fragrance that captures the elegance and charm of the original juice but evokes a more youthful, lighter, and fresher feel and interpretation.

I have many, many Chanel fragrance loves. Coco Mademoiselle, Allure, Coco Noir, and I hope to add the new Boy to my list shortly, just to name a few! But one fragrance that has never captured my attention or love is the original Chanel No 5. Ask anyone the first thing that enters their mind when they think Chanel and I do imagine that the answer would be, “No 5!” It’s a fragrance that evokes the brand image and remains a piece of Chanel’s treasured history. I have tried, with all my might, to love No 5 but it’s sadly a little too strong for my tastes. But Chanel N�5 L�Eau succeeds in capturing my attention and my heart with a much easier to wear fragrance that’s light and refreshing.

It’s a rather fitting fragrance for the younger demographic it aims to capture, the millennial generation if you will. Fragrances like Angel Muse by Thierry Mugler, Stella McCartney’s new fragrance Pop featuring Madonna’s daughter, and Dior’s Poison Girl also join this new trend. I actually love that many of these higher end brands are taking aim at a more youthful audience even though I don’t fit into that demographic. Why? Because iconic fragrances like Angel, Poison, and Chanel N�5 have become easier to wear and a lot less overpowering. Like her mother before her, Lily Rose Depp is the face of Chanel N�5 L�Eau, yet further proof that Chanel aims to target a generation of stylish millennials.

But don’t let my musings about the millennial generation veer you way from Chanel N�5 L�Eau. Because as far as I’m concerned, the fragrance was created for folks like me who aren’t quite fans of Chanel N�5 and always wanted to wear and enjoy the fragrance but also wanted it to be much more lighter and a lot less cloying. Chanel N�5 L�Eau is for us!

Chanel No 5 L�Eau comes housed in Chanel’s traditional clear square glass bottle. I think the packaging is as legendary as the fragrance itself. So, I find it fitting that L’Eau gets the same star studded treatment as the original. It’s simple yet chic packaging that will look stunning on your vanity.

As with the original fragrance aldehydic rose plays an important role in the fragrance. Aldehydes consist of synthetic materials and are what some feel made the original Chanel No 5 so legendary. For me Aldehydes are difficult to explain but for the most part I find they give off a fizzy or sparkly element in a fragrance. The reason I say aldehydic rose plays an important role in L�Eau would be because it’s where it takes its namesake from. At first mist, the fragrance smells like a light version of No 5. It’s like the theme song from your favorite show, an opening of sorts of things to come, well known yet not so familiar since you aren’t sure what will happen in the latest episode. That is exactly L’Eau! It’s a prelude that’s well known but you aren’t quite sure where it will go. Initially many No 5 fans will applaud Chanel for creating an initial memory of the original juice. But as it settles you’ll find it goes playful and it’ll quite blatantly with absolutely no shame and the daring only one of great youth would show, begins to display it’s true colors and reveals itself as No 5’s younger sister. After the initial mist, cheery citrus elements begins to blossom. There’s zesty lemon here mixed with orange and a light bed of neroli. As it starts to dry down hints of rose begin to reappear with a base of white musk and cedar that give the blend a more sophisticated element. So sure, the fresh, lightness gives this fragrance a very youthful twist but the base and set are very sophisticated and elegant. If Chanel No 5 is your evening fragrance, L�Eau will happily be your day fragrance!

L�Eau fragrances are essentially eau de toilette formulas (L’Eau simply means water). However, this did not take away from the quality at all. The fragrance is actuallt strong and very long wearing for an EDT formulation. I get a good six hours of wear with a beautiful throw and linger on two mists. The formula wears long and strongly.

Chanel No 5 L�Eau is a stunning addition to Chanel’s Fragrance Collection. It brings a youthful, happy element to a brand steeped in rich history! It’s an easy way to experience Chanel fragrances in a new, exciting, and lighter way. I loved this one and I can see it becoming a fast favorite and staple. It pleases me to no end that I now have an easier and carefree way to experience the iconic No 5 fragrance. For those of us that never quite got on with Chanel No 5, you’ll surely love it’s younger sister.

Chanel No 5 L�Eau will be available shortly at Chanel counters and at chanel.com.

Have you smelled or tried it?

Do share your thoughts!