Bleu de Chanel by Chanel is a Woody Aromatic fragrance for men. Bleu de Chanel was launched in 2010. The nose behind this fragrance is Jacques Polge.
Bleu de Chanel is part of the perfume brand’s Bleu de Chanel collection. It’s been a massive hit since it was released, and more than a decade since its launch, it is still one of the world’s best-selling fragrances.
The keynotes of this Woody Aromatic are Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Pink Pepper, Ginger, Incense, Cedar, Sandalwood and Labdanum.
A note from Chanel:
An ode to masculine freedom expressed in an aromatic-woody fragrance with a captivating trail. A timeless scent housed in a bottle of deep and mysterious blue. Bleu De Chanel is the fragrance of a man who refuses to be bound by rules. It reveals a character that asserts itself with independence and determination. The spirit of a man who chooses his destiny.
| Perfume Name | Bleu de Chanel |
| Brand | Chanel |
| Year Released | 2010 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette |
| Scent Family | Woody Aromatic |
| Gender | men |
I recently ordered a handful of samples from my local stockists to help me narrow down my next scent purchase. This is my experience with Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette.
What does Bleu de Chanel by Chanel smell like?
Bleu de Chanel EDT is a woody, aromatic scent with notes of citrus, pink pepper, jasmine, labdanum, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, and incense. It has a fresh, clean, and slightly spicy scent that is both masculine and sophisticated.
In the same way that I imagine someone from the Almafi coast wearing Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo, I envision someone from the French Riviera wearing this. It’s classy, sophisticated, and sexy without being too much in your face. The scent has that understated elegance that I feel is typical of Chanel scents.
| Top Notes | Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint and Pink Pepper |
| Middle Notes | Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine and Iso E Super |
| Base Notes | Incense, Vetiver, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Labdanum and White Musk |
My Experience
The opening of Bleu de Chanel is a lovely citrus blend. The grapefruit dominates the opening, but the lemon is still very noticeable. Soon after the initial spray, I can start picking up the ginger, pink pepper, and mint.
I’ve tried this tester a few times now, and sometimes, when I wear it, I don’t notice the ginger at all, and other times it’s really prominent. As the citrus fades away a bit I can start noticing the pink pepper and the labdanum, which gives the scent more warmth and almost resinous quality.
As the fragrance dries down, the incense begins coming out. It’s very noticeable but by no means overbearing. Like all Chanel scents, this is very well mixed. I could also pick up more of the vetiver, sandalwood, and cedar which balances out the spices with lovely fresh woodsy notes. These woody notes give Bleu de Chanel a beautifully warm, and sensual finish.
Sillage & Projection
The sillage of Bleu de Chanel EDT is moderate to strong. It has a good projection and can be smelled from a few feet away.
Longevity & Versatility
I found Bleu de Chanel’s longevity is between five to seven hours when applied with a generous amount. If you go for a lighter application, it may last up to five hours.
The fragrance is quite versatile and can be worn in any season, but I personally think it is best suited for spring and summer. It is quite a sophisticated scent but not necessarily a showstopper if that’s what someone is looking for. It’s a scent that’s safe for the office, but it can carry through the day into the evening if you have a date.
I wore it the entire day and reapplied it before going out at night, and I didn’t feel that it was too light or too much of a daytime scent.
Closing thoughts
Bleu de Chanel isn’t a very complicated scent, but as it develops, it becomes a classy and sophisticated fragrance. It’s a popular and well-loved scent known for its versatility and timelessness and is a safe blind buy.
It’s inoffensive and suitable for any occasion and is sure to please and get you some compliments. So if someone is looking to smell fresh but masculine and classy, then this scent is a must. Personally, I find it worthy of getting a whole bottle. There are plenty of cheaper scents that tried to copy this scent profile, but I say stick with the original, as no dupe can truly do it justice.
If you already have the Bleu de Chanel EDP or can’t decide which one to get: the EDT is slightly more citrusy, and vibrant, while the EDP is warmer, smokier, and slightly darker.