Chance (2002)
by Chanel

I tried Chance at the fragrance counter after reading rave reviews about it. I found it to be rough, edgy, and "in my nose". It immediately made me sneeze. On the drydown, it did not seem to lose its sharpness. To me, it's nothing like the wonderful Coco Mlle.

Several times in duty frees I sniffed a spray of Chance, hoping to learn a little about this relatively recent feminine Chanel scent - after all, it's a Chanel. I never could develop an idea about it and I blamed too much sniffing of other fragrances or the perfumy ambiance of the shop, which always screws up my nose. Now that I have a sample (meager though it is), I find almost the same problem with it that I found in the duty free: I can’t develop a firm idea about it: At least not a Chanel idea. Chance is very light and pleasant but it is way too safe and nondescript to fit in the Chanel tradition IMO. An opening of citrus and a touch of pepper: I find it a little sharp and rough, and basically, I don’t find anything special to enjoy about it. The floral middle is quite generic; I can identify the hyacinth in the middle but not really anything else. I don’t find it especially feminine so I think that Chance could be listed as a unisex scent. Its dry down is quite good, in a non-special way; and it lasts incredibly well. It’s an acceptable scent, but I think Chanel should do better.

Got this one for my birthday. I like it, but I'm not in love with it. It's definitely pleasant and mature but maybe a bit too typical for me. I feel like it smells like any other perfume, but better quality. I enjoy the fragrance from 212 for Women and it's cheaper too. Does anyone have that one? I'd like to know what they think.

A strange dissonant peppery/woody fragrance that is jarring, uninspiring and thoroughly uninteresting. This is in the same vein as Angel, but shares none of its originality or beauty. This fragrance has no purpose whatsoever. Buy Angel and forget this confused jumbled mess.

Really enjoyed this for the few times I wore it but then it got old and I smelled it on so many other women I stopped wearing. While it had great longevity I thought that sometimes it was too strong for work esp when you work in an environment where perfume is discouraged.

Liked the peppery notes that offset the strong musk.

I bought this for my woman. I love it as well. It's fresh, nicely sweet and fruity with a nice drydown that lasts all day as Chanels usually do. 5 years old now but still very popular among London young society types. I personally think this has a resemblance to Roma AFTER the topnotes. You'll never get this or any Chanel for a bargain but usually those who like CHANEL as a house frankly don't care.