Chanel L'exsclusif range

[Thickasabrick89]

I had heard some great things about Coromandel in particular but hadn't had a chance to sample in store the range until now.

Maybe my expectations were too high for a £240 75ml perfume but when I tried Coromandel I detested it. For me it felt musty and old. Like a grandad settling into a chair he's had for 50 years.

I tried some of the others 1932 (lovely but non descript), 1957 (clean washing detergent), Comete (parma violet sweets), Beige (seemed a bit Beige).

Probably the closest to one I liked was No 22 but I tried all of the others first I ran out of space and need to go back again with a fresh nose🤣

Am I missing something here? I like Coco Chanel and Coco Mademoiselle of the standard range (Coco Noir is nice too but lasts an hour if I'm lucky)

I love both Coromandel and 1932, but I guess it’s a case of ‘to each their own’!

‘Jersey’ is my absolute favourite. It’s basically a woody lavender.

Coromandel is my absolute no 1.
Also love Sycomore and Comete.

Each to their own!

Love Sycamore for Autumn , smoky and woody , also have no 18 and la Pausa which are both gorgeous , I’m not keen on Beige as it’s non descript really , I do like Coramandel though for Winter , I used to love Cuir de Russie but I think it’s an acquired taste as quite animalistic and leathery but not bought it for awhile … may have to try it again

I need to go back and try Jersey now🤣

Where do you find these to test? I’ve never come across them anywhere, probably from living rurally in the far north.

Cormorandel should be right up my street but it has something in it that makes me a little queasy. It is more like No.5 than any of what I consider the modern Chanel perfumes.

I have Bois des Iles, Cuir de Russie, and Sycomore. Bois des Iles is the most smooth and heavenly sandalwood.

I bought these a long time ago, before the prices went crazy, so although I long for a bottle of Le Lion, I just can’t bring myself to buy a bottle.

I love Gardenia

In case anyone E on this thread doesn't know every now and again John Lewis do 20% off Chanel and the Exclusiv range

I wear Gardenia, and have done since I was 17. My mother also wore it, as well as Bois des îles. Back then they were properly exclusive inasmuch as you could only buy them from a variety of Chanel boutiques around the world. Over the last 20 years, they've become available in all Chanel boutiques, online, and various department stores. Hardly exclusive...

Over the past 30 years, the formulations have changed and most of the original L'exclusif scents no longer smell as they should. Gardenia is definitely one of the losers (and fades ridiculously quickly), whereas Bois des Iles has fared better. I can't speak for the others, or the newer ones as I am not familiar with them. But, what I can say that considering the price, I do not think they're worth it. My current bottle of Gardenia will be my last.

I'm in the North West and apparently there are only 2 stockists where you can test them around here.

I went back again today, tried a few suggestions in this thread I'd missed last time and ended up settling on 31 rue Cambon!

I wear Gardenia and Beige and still love them both even after 10 years of wearing them. Wish they weren’t so eye wateringly expensive though. This thread has made me think I ought to go try some of the others!