Choosing between two great fragrances is always tough, but it is even more difficult when they are two of the most iconic fragrances from one of the most popular designer brands in the world.
If you are familiar with perfumes, you must be well aware of Chanel No 5 and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. They are insanely popular among the ladies – but which one of them is the superior perfume?
Well, today, I will be discussing just that in this essay. So, read till the end to find out which feminine scent takes the crown between these two legends.
Clash of Scents: No 5 Vs. Coco Mademoiselle
Chanel No 5 by Chanel
Main Notes: Aldehydes, Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Amalfi Lemon, Bergamot, Iris, Jasmine, Rose, Orris Root, Lily-of-the-Valley, Civetta, Sandalwood, Musk, oak moss, Vetiver, Amber, Vanille and Patchouli
Chanel No 5 is the most iconic women’s fragrance to date. Since its release in 1924, it has been owned by every single fragrance lover at some point in their lives.
The massive popularity of this perfume is due to its first-time incorporation of a synthetic component called aldehydes into the blend of notes. This brilliant creation by Ernest Beaux became an overnight sensation, which remains equally relevant even now.
No. 5’s first burst of crispness and dazzle comes from the perfume’s high concentration of aldehydes in combination with more well-known floral notes.
Moreover, it is one of the most common classic and luxurious fragrances used as a signature fragrance by countless ladies worldwide.
Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel
Main Notes: Orange, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Turkish Rose, Jasmine, Mimosa, Ylang-Ylang, Patchouli, White Musk, Vanilla, Vetiver, Tonka Bean and Opoponax
Launched long after No 5 in 2001, Coco Mademoiselle is another legendary fragrance by Chanel.
This creation of Jacques Polge is a classic fragrance that has produced numerous versions of its well-liked composition. It is much lighter, yet sweeter than No 5, and has a fanbase of its own.
However, much like the former scent, this one has held a steady position as one of the best-selling women’s fragrances to date. Its aromatic scent with a floral heart is loved and worn by ladies all over the world.
But between these two, which one has a better scent profile? Which one performs better?
To get all the answers, you just need to keep reading!
So, here is a thorough comparison between Chanel No 5 and Coco Mademoiselle:
Opening
Coco Mademoiselle’s opening notes combine Neroli and a strong orange note. At first, it has a bright, fruity flavor with just the proper amount of warmth from the patchouli underneath.
The additional floral notes start to show up in the subsequent phase. Jasmine and rose begin to take the place of the orange note.
The rose is present but isn’t particularly strong. The predominant scents are jasmine and persistent neroli.
Mademoiselle has a fresh, comfortable vibe about it, yet it’s a little too strong for me to call it comforting. Nonetheless, the opening is quite pleasant.
On the other hand, the opening of Chanel No 5 features prominent aldehyde notes along with bright citrus of neroli, lemon and bergamot.
Sometimes the initial scent may feel overwhelming, but it gradually develops well, giving rise to the floral heart notes and musky base.
Eventually, it has a sweet and slightly bitter aroma reminiscent of fresh linen.
So, between these two, which one do I think has a better opening?
I would say that Coco Mademoiselle has a better opening than No 5 owing to its fresh and delightful notes, whereas No 5 can feel somewhat overbearing at times.
Projection and Longevity
Like most Chanel perfumes, the projection and longevity of these two scents are also quite excellent. But how do they vary?
How long they last usually varies from skin to skin. In the case of Chanel No 5, it lasts around 5 to 6 hours on my skin, whereas Mademoiselle usually lasts around 6 to 7 hours or so.
Hence, Coco Mademoiselle has a slight upper hand in terms of longevity.
When it comes to projection, the sillage of No 5 is incredible. It projects all the way across to the other side of the room.
When it comes to Mademoiselle, the sillage is good, but I would say it’s moderate at best. Nowhere near that of No 5’s.
So, how does the performance of these Chanel icons compare?
I would say that Coco Mademoiselle is more long-lasting than Chanel No 5, whereas the latter is better in terms of sillage and projection.
Compliment Factor
You inevitably receive many praises and inquiries about your scent when you wear one that stands out.
So, which of Chanel No. 5 and Coco Mademoiselle will garner you more compliments?
Due to the popularity and recognition of both of these perfumes, you may not be asked what you are wearing but rather how you became familiar with it.
Both these fragrances are excellent at capturing people’s attention, and since their smell develops so beautifully, they naturally garner a lot of compliments for the wearer.
Hence, when it comes to the compliment factor, I think it is a tie between these two legendary scents.
Versatility
When it comes to useability, both these perfumes can be worn all year long, regardless of the season.
It would probably be best to steer clear of either during the sweltering months of summer, but it should be fine in any other kind of climate.
Both Coco Mademoiselle and No 5 can be donned in winter as they complement the weather very well.
Mademoiselle and No 5 can be used in a wide variety of situations, wearable both throughout the day and at night.
For Mademoiselle, it is quite contemporary and fashionable, it has a certain amount of sexiness to it. Not particularly “girly” or feminine, but, in my perspective, it doesn’t quite fit in the unisex category.
On the other hand, Chanel No 5 is more often worn by older women, sort of as a staple fragrance. But it has a lot of usabilities nonetheless.
Many people use it as a signature scent, wearing it to all kinds of occasions, formal or casual.
So, I think it’s safe to say that these perfumes are versatile and can be worn almost anywhere except when it’s extremely hot outside.
Value For Money
When shopping for perfumes, it is essential to do pricing research and evaluate the products in terms of their overall worth because these products can be fairly expensive.
How do their prices and values stack up against one another?
To ensure that you are able to make an informed comparison of the prices, I have provided a comprehensive breakdown of how much each item costs on the official website of Chanel.
Chanel No 5 Eau de Toilette Spray is available in 2 sizes. The 1.7 fl oz sized bottle costs $95, and the 3.4 fl oz costs $125.
Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum is available in 4 sizes. The 1.7 fl oz costs $116, and the 3.4 fl oz costs $146.
So, it is very evident from the price that Mademoiselle is much more expensive than No 5. But this is also due to the fact that it is an Eau de Parfum, which is much more concentrated and richer than Eau de Toilette.
However, when I compare these two, it seems to me that Chanel No 5 EDT comes at a somewhat more reasonable price.
Hence, I think No 5 offers greater value for the price between these two.
Overall Scent
Now that you are familiar with how different aspects of these two fragrances vary, let’s find out which one has a better overall scent.
While both Chanel No 5 and Mademoiselle exude feminine aroma, their styles are kind of different from each other.
In the case of Coco Mademoiselle, the stimulating effects of orange are felt almost instantly. A jasmine and rose transparent harmony is revealed through a transparent and seductive core.
The base notes, particularly vetiver and patchouli, create a sophisticated undertone to the aroma as it develops to its full potential.
Mademoiselle somehow embodies the energy of the younger version of Coco Chanel, channeling high spirits and dominating sensuality.
On the other hand, Chanel No 5 is much more mature and consists of woody and floral notes. The rose and jasmine notes are at the heart of the scent, but the aldehyde is the protagonist of this fragrance.
It is a vibrant perfume that has a timeless quality to it.
While both of these are great fragrances, I would say that I like the overall scent of Chanel No 5 more than Coco Mademoiselle. So, it’s the winner in my eyes.
Final Verdict
There’s no denying that Chanel No 5 and Coco Mademoiselle are two of the classic and timeless fragrances by Chanel. Even decades after their release, they have managed to remain iconic staples for ladies in the world of perfumes.
Hence, stating that one of them is inferior to the other would certainly be an incorrect statement.
Instead, I’d like to conclude by saying that while their performances and features may vary from one another, they are both remarkable fragrances that are worth a place in your collection.
The ultimate choice is in your hands because whichever one you choose to go for, there is no loss – it’s a win-win situation.
