Les Eaux de Chanel – Paris Venise

Where I got it

Earlier this month, there was a Chanel Valentine’s Day VIP event where they were offering a cute little faux leather pouch as gift with purchase as well as V-day chocolates. Initially I wanted to buy the No.5 shower gel but I was told that it was sold out and they are waiting for restock. So Julia recommended that I get the Paris-Venise shower gel instead, but I have not smelled the fragrance before so I’m not ready to spend money of something I’m not sure I will like. So I decided to go for the Gabrielle shower gel instead and Julia, my SA, sent me some shower gel and body lotion samples of Venise to me so I can try.

After trying both samples right away, I really enjoyed them. I actually have not heard of the Les Eaux de Chanel collection and have not noticed them in the store at all!  Anyway, there is a total of 5 fragrances in the collection and they come in 2 sizes – 125ml ($234) and 50ml ($138). Obviously, you can tell the 125ml is much better value than the 50ml. But when you are not a frequent user of perfume like me, 50ml makes more sense. I wasn’t expecting this collection to be at this price range, because the Exclusifs collection is quite expensive and the 75ml bottle is already $390 a bottle. However, in saying that, this is an Eau de Toilette (EDT), and the Exclusifs are Eau de Parfume (EDP) which are much more concentrated, intense and longer-lasting.

I ordered the perfume on it’s own and I’m so glad that Chanel still does not charge me shipping and it is absolutely complimentary. Julia even popped in a cute little gift for me! They are really beautiful metal ornaments in a couple of iconic Chanel silhouettes – round with CC, the No.5 perfume bottle, the square compact, the camellia and he lipstick. They sing in the wind and then hit against each other and they are totally suitable for any type of decoration, not just the Christmas tree.

What I got

So I got the 50ml bottle of the Les Eaux de Chanel perfume in Paris – Venise. Every EAU DE CHANEL is a journey. Inspired by destinations beloved by Gabrielle Chanel, the collection features fresh fragrances for women and men alike. The amber trail of PARIS-VENISE, the city of shadow and light. The zesty, aromatic trail of PARIS-DEAUVILLE. The fresh scent of PARIS-RIVIERA, whose trail evokes the Côte d’Azur.

Specifically Venise. Description: An ambery fresh trail inspired by the exotic and enchanting city of Venice, one of Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite places. A composition of shadow and light, between freshness and sensuality. Composition: An eau de toilette with a sensual structure. The beautiful contrast between the fresh and luminous neroli essence and the enveloping warmth of an ambery vanilla and tonka accord. Inspiration: PARIS-VENISE is inspired by the city of art, where East meets West. With its narrow streets and canals lined with Italian palaces, Venice was a revelation for Gabrielle Chanel. The Byzantine paintings she discovered there, with their gold backgrounds and bright colors, became a major source of inspiration for her style. The sensual freshness of PARIS–VENISE evokes the enchanting, exotic character of this legendary city.

How I find it

The smaller size version bottle looks the same as the larger size, only a smaller version.  It comes in the same white box with black text, the clear glass bottle with a black pull-off cap to reveal a metal atomiser. The bottle is sleek and sophisticated, I love it heaps. So Venise has a slight orange-y yellow tone and looks very chic and simple. Very refreshing looking indeed. I decided to go for Venise as the notes are somewhat not what I usually wear. I love neroli, but I am not used to ambery vanilla and tonka accords. However, when I tried the body wash Julia sent me, I really enjoyed the fresh floral notes and that it is an EDT so the fragrance is not so intense. The more I wear this perfume, the more warm and feminine I feel this perfume smells. It is fresh, but not like a citrus-fresh. It is not drowning and doesn’t give me a headache at all.

Overall

I absolutely love it. $138 for a 50ml bottle of perfume is a pretty good value for Chanel perfume. Even though it is and EDT, it still smells beautiful and feminine. I usually prefer and EDT which is lighter on the nose. The top and middle notes would be more prominent and the bottom notes are more mellow and linger on slightly. I usually use two spritz in the air and then I walk into the mist. If I need a more intense scent, I would spray it on my wrist as well.

I love how it sits on my little perfume shelf and I have been reaching for it on a daily basis even when working from home and just going out for some errands. I have not felt any headaches or irritation on my nose at all. I also received samples of the other 3 fragrances in this collection and I also love Riviera and Biarritz was also quite nice. I don’t think I would go for Deauville because even though it is quite green, it is too sharp for my nose.