REVIEW: Chanel Coromandel Fragrance

When my office was based in Covent Garden I used to occasionally pop into the Chanel store just to swatch the gorgeous makeup and bask in the luxurious atmosphere.
On one visit, my workmate Lucy & I ended up spritzing lots of their fragrances from the Les Exclusifs range and I ended up spraying Coromandel onto a fragrance paper and keeping it in my coat pocket.  For days and weeks after, every time I popped my hand into that pocket, I had a sniff of the card and ended up falling in love with this fragrance.

Now this baby is quite expensive and for years I succumbed to the fact that I’d never be able to own or afford it myself, that was until I hinted at Andrew that I just love the smell and he bought me it for Christmas!

Coromandel is described as a rich woody, oriental fragrance which on first spritz smells quite citrus-y and powdery, however this shortly disappears making way to a divine vanilla, amber musk & patchouli.  Finally it changes once more to a deep musky scent with hints of pepper, chocolate and frankincense, which lasts all day on my skin.

To me this fragrance is timeless and an absolute classic, but not in the Chanel No5 way (that is way too musky and mature for me, gives me a headache).  It makes me feel powerful and confident.  It’s also been said to have the best longevity out of all the 6 fragrances in the Chanel Les Exclusifs range which is perfect as a little goes a very long way.  I’ve worn this around 30 times since receiving it and it’s hardly made a dent in the bottle (fab because of the cost).

I should also say that probably not everyone will love Coromandel.  My sister commented once that I smelt like an old lady when I was wearing this, as is it quite heavy on the incense and patchouli, but I just think it’s a masterpiece and love the fact that it’s like no fragrance I’ve ever smelt before (I also know that wearing this, I won’t smell like a thousand other woman out on the street!).

The Chanel Les Exclusifs range is available only in the Covent Garden Boutique and in Selfridges London!  Have a sniff if you can!

What’s your favourite Chanel fragrance?

xxx