No. 18 by Chanel, 2007

I do get the fruits in this composition, however they tend to be layered with spices and pepper. Chanel No.18 veers away from the typical fruity florals on the market, choosing to portray something a little less shampoo-like or juicy. I rather like this fragrance, and that's a huge thing for me to say seeming that I quite often dislike fruity florals, and dread Summer for that same reason. No.18 is different, perhaps even a little bit metallic. I swear that there is an apple note in there somewhere, however it's very subtle. There may even be cinnamon too, which reminds me of the scent of a freshly baked apple pie. However, this fragrance is nowhere near being a gourmand. Like the sales assistant noted, it's difficult to classify this fragrance and to pick out the individual notes. When I really stick my nose to my wrist, I get lemon, apple, bergamot, pepper, rose, ambrette seed, cinnamon, olives, musk and herbs. Thankfully this fragrance is rather subtle in a fresh, dry and green kind of a way. The lasting power is pretty good, however it tends to vanish every now and then, brought back to life by breathing hot air onto the spot where you sprayed it. In conclusion, Chanel No.18 is not my cup of tea, however it's a lovely, sophisticated and refined interpretation of a fruity floral that does tend to be drier than most.

My first experience with No.18 was pretty much love at first sniff. Fresh and slightly vegetal, 18 boasts an iris note like no other! It is an arresting beauty. As the hours wear on, the paper card carrying this scent is enriched by ambrette and a slight musk. I'm so loving this one, and ready to empty my wallet, but my (very wise) friend recommends WEARING it on my skin before committing to purchase. After this juice is on my wrist, I'm horrified to smell cumin! Somewhere underneath the glorious iris/ambrette/musk trio is the hideous and quite out of place smell of body odor. My heart is broken and my nose is disgusted. I keep snorfling my wrists in hopes of the body odor note being a false perception...alas, my nose is true, and the underlying skank is coming from the Chanel. Still refusing to accept defeat, I ordered a small spray vial to wear a few times - just to make sure. Well, the cumin note ended up not being as bad as originally thought. Yet, as I wear #18, it leaves me completely unsatisfied. So in the end, I close my wallet and keep Chanel's No.18 only as a fantasy. Update: So, 2 years later guess what I've added to my fragrance wardrobe? Yep! There is a subtle skankiness which I attribute to the ambrette seed, that somehow I've been craving! This blend smells like the more cultured and worldly cousin of ELd'O's Putain des Palaces! I'm turning both thumbs upward!