No. 5 L'Eau fragrance notes
Head
- lemon, mandarin, orange, aldehydes
Heart
- Rose, oxygenated jasmine, ylang ylang
Base
- vetiver, cedarwood, soft and cottony musk notes
Where to buy
Latest Reviews of No. 5 L'Eau


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Two thumbs way up

It opens up with citrus freshness and the clean opening of the aldehydes the bergamot starts the show.an unhurried floral heart and surprisingly even-tempered aldehydes lighting altruistically from within,a broadcast of silky glow over a base of moonlight. it's glorious flowers the ylang ylang, roses and jasmines are so well blended.to end up in it's fine talcum powdery finally.it has a very floral/ soapy feeling, very fresh and clean as if you just stepped out of the shower.i would have liked a bit more signature in the dry down though, it really moves far away from the original in that stage;but still compared to recent launches and terrible flankers of masterpieces,No 5 L'Eau is a lovely addition.sillage is moderate at around arms length and longevity seems moderate at around 4-6 hours.

Absolutely perfect combo of fresh floral, sweet powder, and soft citrus. Unisex in style, but I would say a bit femme for most men-- as a 50 y.o. male dandy, however, it's right up my alley! Superb!

Ylang becomes more pronounced for me, as it settles.
The base is rather gentle. Whiffs of cotton and light vetiver appear. It's a lovely flanker of the original! It's suitable for a work environment, as it is a bit more delicate...
Light cedar later, which mixes with cotton and then, the cedar remains awhile.

Aside from that, the heart is recognizably No. 5, yet more fresh, more delicate. The drydown veers from the original, and its kin Eau Premiere, with a lack of vanilla. It's more of a musky, dusty smell.
Anyway, packaging is flawless, perfume itself is flawless, nothing not to love.

Ylangdehyde absolute.
'Flection's rare 'Fraction.

I can see how this one might be regarded as inoffensive, perhaps even elegant, & for the most part I agree. But the quality of the aldehydes here are a deal-breaker for me. I found much more to enjoy in Eau Premiere, & that, not this, is the one I'd consider buying.


Some time ago Jake and Dinos Chapman caused an (intended) uproar by displaying some Goya prints they had bought and then scribbled over, in the way a child would scribble in a book. I feel that this Chanel palimpsest is a similar "work". The faint shadow of the original masterpiece struggles to make itself known, but has not a hope of succeeding. Most of what made Chanel 5 what it was has been removed, leaving just a vague impression. Then to make quite sure that it is possible to ruin a once great fragrance, there is added a dollop of something so sweet and synthetic that one sniff induces tooth-ache.
This is vile and Chanel should be ashamed.

4/5