Coco Mademoiselle (2001)
by Chanel

I won't name the notes because everyone else has already done that. What I'll speak to is the overall impression: Mademoiselle is a lasting, beautiful fragrance that feels modern, sexy, and young--but not teenage young. The eau de toilette doesn't change much, but still lasts all day. The eau de parfum develops more, warming with the hours and leaving you with a sophisticated amber that's not over-the-top.

My one complaint is not with Coco Mademoiselle itself, but it's overwhelming popularity. It's so wearable, yet memorable that sooooo many women wear it (this is the problem with Chanel Chance, as well), and I like to be the only one at the party wearing a particular scent. I can't stand when someone says, "is that Mademoiselle?", it's the worst!

This review is for the EdP formulation.

Coco Mademoiselle opens with a lovely burst of citrus, and it is the orange in particular that captures my attention. To my nose, it is a slightly bitter orange, and I think I perceive it this way because the orange and grapefruit fit together so beautifully. The orange lasts well into the heart of the fragrance, and adds to the airy, optimistic tone of the composition.

The citrus opening is very quickly joined by the heart notes, and the two parts join together rather than one fading out and one fading in. The litchi gives CM a lovely grown up fruity feel, and provides something for the slightly bitter orange to connect with. The rose and jasmine are not the typical Chanel variety: the rose gains substance from connecting with the fruit, and the jasmine is greener and moister than in many other Chanel fragrances. The heart of CM is simultaneously fruity, floral, and green, and it is my favourite Chanel heart.

The dry down is a predominantly patchouli affair, with enough vetiver to add to the patchouli’s earthy, sweet feel. The combination of the patchouli and vetiver keeps the vanilla in a supporting role, which gives CM extra depth and substance. The musk is very feminine and just a little bit sexy.

Coco Mademoiselle is a fragrance for optimistic women who see the glass as being half full. If you see the glass as being half empty, then sniff elsewhere. CM is a confident fragrance for confident women of all ages.

Hate to say this but this smells exactly like MISS DIOR CHERIE.

The opening is stunning. Certainly not what I've come to expect from a typical orange, grapefruit and bergamot combo. Credit must go to Jacques Polge for adroitly allowing the heart notes to join the top in the opening act, and particularly for the inspired use of lychee which adds an oddly 'fruity-yet-flirty' dimension to what could have been just another citrus-floral-vanilla scent. I feel COCO MADEMOISELLE is decidedly contemporary and captivatingly feminine but falls a little short of the class and sophistication of Coco or other Chanel classics; I would even say this is one of the least Chanel-like releases from the house. Nevertheless it seems perfectly suited for anyone who is no longer a girl, but not yet a woman.

*** This review is of the EDP ***

I cannot agree more with Foetidus. It is simply perfect and I love smelling it. There is not much else to say. No note analysis needed. It is readily available so I recommend that you go out and try it. See what you think.

It is so difficult for me to review these superb classic Chanel women’s fragrances – the No. 5’s, No. 19, Cristalle, Bois des Iles, Coco, and more. Although they are all different, I tend to take one sniff of any one of them and the only thing that pops into my mind is: “Perfect!” There’s not much more that I can say about it. Coco Mademoiselle is softer than Coco, and, like Coco… it’s perfect…