Chanel

N°22

N°22 by Chanel is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 1922 in the premium price tier. It opens with aldehydes, neroli and bergamot, moves into tuberose, rose, jasmine and lily of the valley and dries down to incense, vetiver, sandalwood and white musk. Expect around 9 hours of wear, and it projects strongly.

Notes, explained

Opening

• Aldehydes Fizzy, soapy, slightly waxy. The 'sparkle' at the top of Chanel No. 5.
• Neroli Distilled orange blossom. Green, soapy and elegant.
• Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.

Heart

• Tuberose Creamy, waxy and enormous. The loudest white flower.
• Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
• Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
• Lily of the Valley Clean, green, dewy floral. Reads as 'fresh laundry' to most people.

Dry-down

• Incense Smoky, dry and meditative. Adds gravity to anything.
• Vetiver Dry, earthy, smoky grass root. Smells like soil and citrus peel.
• Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
• White Musk Clean, soft, laundry-like. The 'smells like nothing but better' note.

Smells like this

• Estée Lauder Beautiful
• Cacharel Anais Anais
• Clinique Aromatics Elixir
• Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds
• Chanel N°5 Eau Première
• Gap Heaven

Cheaper alternatives

• Estée Lauder Beautiful
• Cacharel Anais Anais
• Clinique Aromatics Elixir

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