Reviews of No. 22 (1922)
by Chanel

No 22 is for you if you felt Chanel No 5 wasn't powdery or aldehydic enough.

Probably stunning on the right wearer, but on my skin, it has emphasised all the things that make me remember why I'm more of a Guerlain girl.

This scent is amazing on my skin---all creamy, powdery florals that evoke bright morning sunshine, lazy days and times gone by. What a difference less aldehydes make---with the aldehydes more subdued here than in "No. 5", "No.22" feels more intimate and old-world, like orange blossoms soaking in milk and cream, dusted over with powdered sugar and nutmeg. Sickly sweet, right? Wrong---something about the oily powderiness of "No.22" stops baby-powder and frosted-cake associations dead in its tracks, allowing it to unfold like a gauzy dress; fresh, linen-like but with the nuances of warm skin. It's one of the few hyper-femme fragrances that doesn't smell fusty-musty or overtly girly to my nose. "No.22" is the smell of a very fascinating woman, who's warm and feminine but keenly intelligent---"No. 22" is enigmatic in it's dual warmth and refined, sculpted beauty. There's also something so nostalgic and evocative about it; Patou's "Joy" has this same quality of emotional timelessness, where it feels like something collective and deeply primal. However, "No. 22" is free of the animalic civet, allowing it a brisk freshness not found in "Joy". "Juicy Couture" would've loved to have been "No.22", with her perfect balance of creamy tuberose (no burnt rubber or indole death, here), vanilla and florals; but alas, J.C. can't help but fall short. If you buy only one fragrance with the intention of saying "I'm a woman", "No.22" is it.

The jury is still out on the reformulation. Except that I bought a vat of this not only that, but I bought it in the Chanel shop of all places. Not enough incense! Too much aldehyde! Proves that yes Virginia you CAN have too much of a good thing. I could just weep. Plan is to decompensate with Bois des Isles. But it's going to be a long engagement this time.

Chanel No. 22 is my black cashmere sweater and red lipstick scent. It is classic, warm, feminine and sexy on me. I know it shares many of the notes of No. 5, but it smells better on me than No. 5. It opens with a warm aldehydic floral that moves to a soft yet strong white floral. The dry down on my skin is full of incense and vanilla. Even on my somewhat dry skin in the dead of winter it lasts for most of the day. It is a scent that makes me feel relaxed and confident in my skin.

I've now tried No. 22 in pure parfum and edt. The parfum was beautiful, more subtle incence, softer, and a little powdery on me. But the edt....It had me at the aldehydes. Then, 10 hours of incense. 10 hours!!! I was giddy, like I couldn't wait to get home and write about it. I tried to fight the emotion, tried to tell myself that I've only worn it once, that I need time to let the relationship develop, time to see if it is a passing fancy or if 22 really is right for me. But I've given in. I'm not going to fight it anymore. I...I've never felt this way about a fragrance before.... : )

This is strange, because I really don't like jasmine and I am not too fond of ylang ylang or rose, but this is one of my very favourite perfumes. It is so expertly blended that no one note dominates, and the overall effect is one of refined, feminine elegance. I don't find the aldehydes to be overpowering, and the vanilla in the drydown is to me one of the best in the perfume world. Although expensive, you really do only need a tiny amount, and it lasts for ages (even on my skin). Definitely a perfume for a mature, elegant women - this really is class in a bottle!

I have worn this off and on for over 20 years. It is subtle, romantic and beautiful. It is not cloying. It is soft and I love it. Wish it were more readily available these days.

I wore the EdT during a day shopping at a high-end mall. I sampled various other niche fragrances that day, and without any question No.22 blew them all away.

Achingly beautiful.

This is the fragrance that a beautiful, young, sophisticated bride should wear on her wedding day. Nothing can ever come close to Chanel No. 22 It's "class" put in a bottle. Either you have it or you don't.

For me, No. 22 is the ultimate Chanel. Exclusive, expensive, but worth every penny, 22 must be the pinacle of moderniste sophistication.

It is the smell one is sometimes lucky enough to catch on the Paris Metro as a beautiful older woman wafts past... So much more graceful than No. 5, more refined than No. 19, and nowhere near as 'mumsy' as some of the other reviewers would have you believe.

Timeless.

The top notes remind me of Chanel No. 5 so much, but it becomes something else altogether. I prefer the EdT to the perfume, as it is lighter and sexier. It is sexy and dignified at the same time. A true lady. It is a wonderful scent, but the perfume version is a bit too powerful, handle the perfume version with caution--don't drench yourself in it please!

First trial as I write of this Chanel 22 in EDT. Perfectly melded tiers of notes bring me coolness and green pungent, florals are soft but not so light to ignore and the drydown seems a natural progression to dryness and country woods with a vintage touch.
I really am impressed with this and feel it sits quite well in the modern arena and must appeal to young and old and the men too of course.
It is I think one of a kind. More unusual of the Chanels !

All aldehydic & vague sweet floral, too much like baby powder, & too vague.

I never cared much about N°22, but now, after having tried the classic version and the slightly reformulated 'Les Exclusifs' version, I see what I've missed. An effervescent, intriguing, powdery-green fragrance with a wonderful incensey drydown. The only aldehyde powerhouse that I find totally wearable for a man.
The topnotes are very fresh and green, almost a bit pungent. Shortly after, the floral accents strengthen and dominate the heart phase. By and by, the incense enters the stage and begins to play the lead.
The old and the new versions of N°22 are twins, of course, but indeed there are differences, mainly the higher dose of incense in the new version (which I like better). Besides, the new N°22 is a bit less sweet.
A must-try, also for the guys.

This one of only 3 Chanel frags that i dislike. I agree with ubuandebeme that on me it smells dry and powdery. Not unpleasant, but more ideal for a very VERY mature lady. I am amazed that some find it similar to my beloved No 5?? NO WAY?? IMHO they are polar opposites. I am unable to detect any incense or ylang ylang, but find lots of vanilla and jasmine. Ideal present for favourit elderly aunt, but makes me feel dowdy and frumpy when I wear it.

Nostalgia in a bottle. Soft, white flowers and powder. The florals are so delicate and well-blended, I can only guess what is in ther there: Lily-of-the-valley, neroli, ylang-ylang. A touch of incense. A clean, innocent, yet very womanly fragrance from a time when women could be clean and innocent and still voluptuous. This is a unique fragrance, which one must smell on the skin to appreciate. From the bottle, the aldehydes are slightly "oily" to me, like a mink coat. The overall impression is mild, even a little bland. Upon application, the scent comes alive, growing in intensity with whispering florals and a perfect, delicate powder. A must-try.

Well, there is not much left to say-great classical and unique scent-it may remind you of chanel 5 but i like this one more-it can be used by a man too(it has been already mentionned)specially when you are a real man-brown and dark and handsome with a classical attitude-it is a fine, distinguished,uptown scent-spicy,aldehydic,floral,a bit softness but evrything perfectly composed-a perfume as it should be and to my opinion better than nr.5!But Chanel is nothing for a vulgar,ordinary and simple person(sorry)chanel is for a classical, charismatic, good looking and sexy person!

You can basically spray No. 5 and No. 22 side by side and they will not clash at all. I'm convinced they both have the same notes, proportions are just different, creating a variation on the same theme. No. 5 has a headier opening of the two and dries down to a fleeting whisper of ambiguous floral, while No. 22 is the more passionate and tenacious, cleaner and not overly voluptuous, and remains that way down to its woodsy green drydown. Even No. 5's Eau de Parfum doesn't last as long as the Toilette strength of No. 22. I was able to find it at Neiman's and of course at the Chanel boutique. It's definitely worth a bottle.

Chanel No.22 is one of my favourite scents, but sadly I cannot wear it (for some reason - call it body chemistry). To me a more wearable, strikingly similar, scent is Creed's Fleurissimo (try it and I think you'll agree).
...But truth be told, Chanel No.22 is still one of the most unusual and beautiful of scents.

Me and my quirky chemistry...number 22 is soooooo powdery and dry on my skin, it comes off just like Kenzo Flower ~ which I call "Dr. Scholls Footpowder". Gladly though, there are so many excellent reviews by others. It can be lovely when on the right wearer!

Luscious, rich and heady, this is a va-va-voom white floral in my mind. I see this one as anything but light. It’s a head turner and I believe would be at home on the pulse points of any way-back-when bombshell. A perfect perfume for a party- it does have a bubbling, vivacious personality.

On me, it opens sweet, floral and aldehydic, with the most gorgeous whiff of orange blossom. Then, it deepens into a true white floral with rose and jasmine and ylang-ylang along with a waxy/plastic note of tuberose. No 22 does have a smattering of brains behind its platinum pedigree though. Underneath the hedonistic whiz-bang there is a base of warm vanilla and a touch of vetiver that gives the florals a foundation to prance along on. I like it especially as it starts its drydown and a smooth, slumbering, powdery note begins to emerge.

This perfume was created in 1922, around the same time that No 5 was created. However, I have read that it was held back and introduced to the world in 1928 to coincide with the introduction of Mademoiselle Chanel’s “White Look” line of fashion.

The pairing of white florals and incense present in Chanel 22 is just about as near to incomparable genius as it gets in the world of perfumery. It's that type of combination you might not expect to work at all, with the smoke of the incense quickly choking the pristine bouquet. But what results is something incredible, edible as a blend of honey and spice yet free of anything cloying or heavy. Just perfection - and once you encounter this it can be difficult to stop obsessing about it, it's that singular. If I ever return to wearing just a few fragrances rather than ranging all over the place as I'm prone to doing, this and Guerlain's Nahema woudl definitely be two keepers. If you've never tried Chanel 22, do yourself a favor and track it down.

My current Chanel favourite. The topnotes remind me a lot of No.5. Almost the same aldehydes combined with the usual hesperides. The middlenotes are also very No.5ish. Flowery, powdery and soft. So what makes this scent special and why do I like to wear it? I love No.5 but it's one of the few scents that really smell "feminine" to me. It's the drydown of No.22. Soft, but spicy with a gorgeous incense note. Although not mentioned above, I think I smell a tender musk note which adds some depth to the fragrance.
The staying-power of this scent is simply amazing, and I'm talking about the EdT. Few shots will last the whole day and even longer. Typical Chanel quality.
The Basenotes Directory says it's a feminine fragrance, but I don't care. The drydown makes it suitable for men as well (O.k., for men who also like fragrances like A*Men or Rochas Man).

This is a beautiful, alluring, STRONG perfume that I have to be in the mood to wear, or it disturbs me. I enjoy the fragrance, and I think it's an extremely fine, precious perfume; but it can affect a dark side of my moods. The heavy incense drydown is mysterious, but sometimes seems, well, sad. No. 22 is one of the most interesting and fascinating perfumes I've ever purchased.

Love this fragrance! Very much unique. Similar qualities to no.5. It is very difficult to find the actual Parfum, as it is rare. The Eau de Toilette is more readily available. However, I do have 2 .25 oz parfums. One is unopened and the other I use sparingly. I must say that the Parfum is the best in this line. Very smooth and warm and delicious. I also enjoy the lotion, but feel that it does not smell anything like the fragrance.

Yes, I agree. A very confident scent, with a very rich powdery quality, a fragrance I could see Madonna wearing while she wears a white patent leather go-go girl outfit from the sixties in London (e.g., Austin Powers era). One of the best women's fragrances in the Chanel line.

This is one of the rarer Chanels, and it's also one of the best. It's a flirty, giggling young woman with sausage curls, a pink organza skirt, and... a Ph.D. in physics. There's a weight, an importance to this scent that anchors its girlish flippancies. Chanel No. 22 doesn't sacrifice youth and femininity for gravity and confidence, a difficult trick to pull off. One smell of this, and you'll realize just how many scents are in the debt of Chanel No. 22.