2018 Bleu de Chanel Parfum | Fragrance Review

I'm excited, are you excited? The launch of a Bleu De Chanel fragrance comes along come with the annual scarcity of a World Cup or long awaited James Bond movie. We're teased perpetually. Tantalised longingly. The emancipation swells and circles around the perfumery forums like a raptor in transit. 

What's the story so far with Bleu De Chanel? 

Luckily it doesn't have the complexity of a Marvel franchise. The new Bleu De Chanel Parfum is only the third instalment in the series. And I know what you're thinking, when has there ever been a decent 3rd instalment? Jaws? neh. Godfather? forget it. 

If you don't mind I'll let the press release take it from here. 

2010 - BLEU DE CHANEL Eau de Toilette

The original widened the scope of cedar to give it an arid vibrancy and the crispness of a pine forest at the height of summer. A vertical composition, soaring and carefree, spouting the bitterness of grapefruit and the dryness of vetiver. (Press release). 

2014 - BLEU DE CHANEL Eau de Parfum

Explored another aspect of cedar. The identifiable fabric of the first opus was plunged into ambery and musky notes. The murmur of sandalwood could be heard in the background, but the ambery accent and tonka bean are what heightened the sensuality of cedar.

2018, BLEU DE CHANEL Parfum

Adjusts the proportions of wood and citrus of the two previous interpretations. Immediately recognisable, the olfactory core of the very first fragrance is tattooed on the skin with the same, shiver-inducing top notes, the refreshing zests and the fresh sensation of lavender and geranium.

First impressions? 

It's sweeter than it's predecessor. At the same time it has a bit more meat on its bone. Denser. I wore it to a bloggers breakfast at Sotheby's and I get a couple of remarks on my scent. That could be due to it's lack of projection (maybe I needed an extra couple of sprays?), or perhaps in a semi/business environment it wouldn't be appropriate for someone to complement me on how I smelled. Good or bad. 

How long does it last? 

This is perhaps the most interesting thing to note. The Silage is rumoured to be quite middle-distance with the EDP range, but I started to feel the presence of the perfume more as the day wore on. 

Later at another event down at the Oris pop-up launch in Mayfair, I actually thought I could smell the fragrance on someone else. But it was me. And the notes were starting to register, perhaps my mind just needed a blank canvas to process the data. 

What could you detect? 

I was getting more Lavender, and something crisp and woody. More sandalwood than cedarwood. It had depth, it had character. It was sophisticated and dense. 

Overall thoughts, worth the money? 

Very impressed with the perfume as a whole, but like they say in the blogging world, you're really only as good as your last blog. 

The trouble with Bleu De Chanel parfum is that you're always going to compare it to its predecessors, and in that department, I don't see a massive arc in it's trajectory. 

After the second meeting the scent began to fade to a trace, 4-5 hours in total, which is a shame. I do like the fact it doesn't invade a space, that it's projection is subtle, and that I'm wearing someone that 9/10 other men in the room won't be wearing. 

They've amped up the price, rumours are that the formula has less alcohol and more oil so the cost of production has increased. 

Bleu de Chanel - Debenhams - £66