Allure Sensuelle (2005)
by Chanel

I rather liked this straight from the vial- the opening too- and then the drydown became an old bowl of cereal on me, bad milk and all.
I've always been annoyed when reviewers mention bad milk- like "really, come on now." But this smells just like a soggy bowl of Cheerios.
With weak potpourri and a hint of BO.

PS It's probably just me, so please don't let me deter any fans or potential fans. Give it a try for sure.
But I agree with Galamb_Borong that it smells like cheese.

Chanel Allure Sensuelle EDP

Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Pink Pepper, Jasmine, Rose, Iris, Candied Fruit, Vetiver, French Vanilla, Amber Patchouli, Frankincense, Sensual Note (from OsMoz.com)

When I first apply Allure Sensuelle, I detect aldehydes, vanilla, labdanum, peach, melon, patchouli, rose and a fresh ozone-like note. The watery melon and ozone notes begin to change relatively quickly, and the mid notes reveal the woods to be cedar, or perhaps a cedar and sandalwood blend, along with an amber accord and mixed rich florals. The floral heart is quite classic, and has the refinement that is typical of Chanel. The rose gives a bit of a nod to Coco, however, the context within Allure Sensuelle is far more woody and substantially less loud. The middle development is lovely in a classic way -- woody oriental with luxurious floral notes, not terribly spicy, but nectar-like in the same sense as a rich dessert. The base is very nice, woody and resinous, with an interesting smoky note which could be from incense and vetiver. It sounds great on paper, so I am not sure why I never seem to find any sense of comfort when I first spray Allure Sensuelle. It is as if the perfumer took the head from one fragrance and the body from a different, completely incongruous one. I find the top and early middle to be quite confusing because the top notes simply don't fit with the base. If I am having an off day, this sweet, wet, ozonic top mixed with a rich oriental base can be positively sickening. On the plus side, AS is not terribly linear as its character changes throughout. This one is all about the drydown, in my opinion. AS is pleasant enough, but certainly not one of Chanel's best.

I'm looking at that note list and feeling baffled - how does stuff resemble ANY of those notes?

The top notes are mildly aquatic, and yet somehow burnt and dark at the same time, like burning cellophane. Something caramelized sweetens this as it progresses, and by the heart I'm reminded, finally, of something pleasant that I recognize - Norwegian whey cheese! It's an unlikely analogy, I know, but a friend spotted the eerie resemblance too.

Needless to say, burning plastic, aquatic notes and whatever makes this smell like whey cheese does not make a pleasant fragrance. Its soft sillage I'm grateful for, but as for longevity - three hours and this got washed off!

Sorry folks, this one's a scrubber.

Somehow I've resisted scrubbing this, and its gradually gone past the stomach turning 'nasty patchouli and some Prada-like weird chemical thing' to an (at least mercifully faint) fridge deodorant vanilla that all modern perfumes seem to default to. I couldn't imagine the circumstances in which I'd want to smell like any stage of this perfume.

I got the bergamot right out of the vial. Then Allure Sensuelle morphed from something I wasn't to ointerested in to something really full and warm. Its name is fitting, as it smells creamy, soft, and sensual, both in the harmony of its drydown and in the exact combination of its notes. Maybe it's all in that 'sensual note' (whatever that is.)
I got mild vanilla at what I thought was the end, and I was a little disappointed in the longevity. It didn't end there after all, though. There is a quiet spot right after the flowers and the vanilla, which gently ushers in the spicy and somewhat surprising amber, patch, and frankincense. The flowers and vanilla are my favorite part.
If I was going to wear a perfume for others, if I wanted something safe with which I might fetch compliments, I'd choose Allure Sensuelle. It is easy on the nose.

I didn't quite get Allure Sensuelle at first, it is a study in contrasts - cool, clean, savory and yet warm, woody and sweet at the same time. The patchouli, vanilla and frankincense base is both cozy and very sexy, overlaid by a jammy melon or apricot note. Suprisingly, the effect is not cloying or sweet, nor gourmand in the manner of Angel. The parfum is more subtle and refined than the EdP and the incense notes are more intense in the parfum. I find Allure Sensuelle both earthy and ethereal and the parfum has become a holy grail for me.