Chanel N°5 Elixir Sensuel

Over the years, I’ve worn and owned every iteration of Chanel No. 5 that I could get my hands on. I started with the sometimes maligned EdP (I didn’t know—it was the 80s! I was 16. There was no internet. Forget the excuses—I just loved it, and I still do). During a purist phase, I wore the parfum and nothing else. Then I discovered the joys of French-manufactured No. 5, with its richer and more floral profile I’ve also dabbled across the spectrum of vintage offerings, because even with bruised aldehydes or other age-induced flaws, No. 5 always comes through in the drydown with one of life’s great sandalwood experiences. Currently, I’m back to the classic EdT (made in France), but I also have a bottle of the Elixir, and that’s what I’ve been reaching for in recent months. The Elixir formulation conveys all the complexity of No. 5, but the sharp, tingly edges of the aldehydes are rounded and smoothed over, so the effect feels less crystalline, and more like a soft twinkle. It wouldn’t be No. 5 without that sparkle, but it’s softer, and perhaps kinder to noses that struggle with aldehydes. There isn’t much of an opening, and the Elixir doesn’t evolve like traditional perfume, but a silicon-based formula doesn’t have the same volatility, so it’s pretty much the same from start to finish. I also don’t get much powdery musk from the Elixir, so if you like No, 5 L’Eau’s cleaner finish, but want less of its emphatic citrus and more of the original’s golden jasmine/ylang/santal heart, you’ll really enjoy wearing this. It wears close to the skin; its relatively gentle projection and slightly less aggressive profile are perfect for office wear, although it’s fresh and undemanding enough for casual and every day wear—and it’s still No. 5, unmistakeably so, so it’s never out of place with cleavage and stilettos. (I also love it on the men who are intrepid enough to pull it off; male chemistry tends to emphasize its woody notes, and I like the aura of mystery conveyed by a conventionally feminine scent. But maybe i’m just perverse). Chanel has always made exquisite ancillary goodies (No. 5 body powder, with its giant old fashioned puff, makes me feel like Norma Shearer getting dressed for a night at the Copa with Irving, even when I’m just trying to recover from another day of Social Isolation and apocalyptic news (stress is the most significant factor in making or breaking your immune system, so a hot bath and a little pampering is more than just an indulgence. And don’t even get me started on their French-milled soaps—they’re a religious experience in themselves)), and the quality of materials in No. 5 Elixir is outstanding, even for a company with notoriously high standards. It melts into your skin with the same ease as the parfum.. The applicator is a simple dabber, so you can do a Marylin-style touch behind ears and on wrists, or you can smooth a little with your fingertips in the crook of your elbows (my personal favorite for scent application). The bottle feels sturdy, and its relatively compact size and tight seal make it ideal for keeping in a purse or gym bag, which adds an extra level of versatility to one of perfumery’s great all-rounders. Chanel really knocked it out of the park with this one, so the question remains (as of 2020): what happened to Elixir, and why won’t they bring it back? I know that scarcity is part of perfumery’s grand illusion, but it would be a real treat if Chanel periodically put more Elixir on the market. The only downside I’ve found is that it doesn’t keep particularly well or age like traditional formulas do: 24 months is about as long as I’ve gotten from my bottles (I’m on number three, and this will be it for me); and toward the end of my first two, as the scent in my bottle began to fade, I added a little Eau Premiere to ensure that I got a consistent amount of scent per application. But each time I open a fresh bottle, it smells great, and each has lasted just as long after opening, so I haven’t noticed any quality issues, so long as I’ve kept them sealed. Silicon-based products like Elixir had a real moment in the perfume world about 10 or 15 years ago (does anyone remember Lovely Body Satin or whatever it was called? I loved that, too); it seems like those have given way to other ancillaries like hair perfume these days, which I can’t really get excited about. I would love to see more Elixir-type products come back on the market, and the astronomical prices you have to pay for the few remaining bottles of Elixir show that there’s plenty of demand, so I don’t know why Chanel doesn’t bring it back. If they do, sign me up; I can’t justify the aftermarket prices I’m seeing, so I’m going to enjoy wearing my last bottle of Elixir while I can. If the perfume goddesses and/or the powers that be at Chanel S.A. are reading this, please hear my prayers: I’ll gladly buy more—and would you please consider adding Coco and No 19’while you’re at it?

So, it seems I’ve found my No. 5. Like many others, I’ve tried and failed to wear other versions, including multiple attempts with Eau Premiere, which I thought for a while would work for me. Not sure what prevents me from being able to wear No. 5. The sharpness? The sillage? Most have been too strong, and not quite scents that I’ve wanted to announce my presence when I walk into a room. Enter Elixir, the discontinued, hard-to-find, and (therefore) usually expensive Chanel No. 5. It smells enough like the rest of the family that people would likely recognize it as related to its sisters, but here’s why I love it. Uncapping the top to slide it along my wrist...something about the thoughtfulness it requires, the slowness, makes me appreciate it more than many other bottles in my collection. The design of the bottle demands that it be handled gently so as not to spill the contents, which makes for a more mindful application. The smell radiates just far enough for the person closest to detect it, but it isn’t wimpy. It wears kind of like an aura, or what I want to be my aura, anyways. It DOES smell sort of like a combination of No. 5 and Bois Des Isles, as mentioned by an earlier reviewer. How much is a bottle of this worth? Well, I’ve paid a lot more for perfumes I didn’t like nearly as much. Seems these are going right now for anywhere between $100-200 on eBay. If I could get it from a reputable seller? I’d probably have been willing to go up to $120. Knowing what I’ve paid for others gives me a good gauge for comparison. For the gel formulation and stopper bottle alone, it differentiates itself from other fragrances. Buying this, your money is going in part to the experience of applying it. And it is memorable and lovely. I do think it’s worth it. In this era of busy-ness and wanting immediate gratification and having so little time to just be still, this perfume got me to slow down. I do recommend it.

So this is the No 5, which could work for anyone, though its exclusivity is still guaranteed by the limited quantity produced and high price. It has that Chanel sleekness, the perfect blend, the class, but it is not nearly as intimidating as the real No 5. I used to be one of those, who could not get their way with the original, the most popular world's fragrance. It would have struck me as too loud, too dominant, too aggressive and old fashioned. Luckily, I was introduced to No 5 Premier, which is now one of my favorites. That's how I started giving a chance to the rest of the range. If I do say so myself, that Elixir Sensuel is perfect in terms of being recognized as an absolutely lovable, pleasant scent, regardless of specific individual preferences. It makes a kind of paradox, though. If it wasn't so rare, I'd expect it to actually become the best seller today! I cannot imagine someone to go wrong buying it whether as a gift, or for their own pleasure. This is so soft, so delicate, so refined... one just cannot go wrong with it. It is like a cashmere scarf: it cannot offend anyone, nor send a wrong message. If it's gifted, that lucky person would recognize the generous, yet sophisticated gesture, and most probably enjoy it themselves. If it's for your own pleasure, you'd surely want to wear it often for that comfy feel and luxurious touch. Do not expect a huge aura, though. This is a discreet, sensual indeed, practically skin scent. For all the No 5 fans, Elixir Sensuel can perfectly compensate for your signature during relaxing, intimate moments, when a cloud of perfume is not attractive, nor appropriate. I'm speaking of those moments, when you want someone to be as close to you as possible, like cuddling with your baby, whether it's your child or lover.

Im surprised i havent reviewed this! The elixir version is one of my favourite versions and it reminds me of stronger No 5 L'Eau. What i love about the elixir is that it lacks the aldehydes that im sensitive to. The scent is soft, soapy flowers and also reminds me of the No 5 body lotion. The problem with No 5 and its products, is that i tend to easily get a headache after wearing (L'Eau is an exception). It is different to the regular EDP or EDT and the colour i'd associate these to, would be 'golden'. The elixir as appears in the picture reminds me of 'light pink'. Once, an SA mentioned that it goes straight to the dry down of the EDP, but i didnt find that happening on my skin. I used to own this twice (left one with someone and swapped the other). I do love this scent so much but its just too soft and as it remains so close to the skin it appears as non existent. I do like perfumes to have some presence. A stronger version i would say would be the hair mist. I had that too but the headache was the issue so gave it away. The body creme had the most sillage but for the same reason that went too - oh and that scent was closer to the long rectangle No 5 Eau Premiere. Just to get back to the point, the Sensuelle Elixir is beautiful but it wears like a light scented lotion so if you are after a perfume then this may not be one to hunt, but wonderful to wear at bedtime or if you dont mind your fragrances remaining private.

Ah... A blossom laden bitter orange tree grove flourishing around a frozen lake. I love the seasonal contradiction of Elixir Sensuel's gobsmackingly gorgeous opening. Everything about CN5 ES works from the immaculate presentation to the quaint glass stopper used to administer the runny honey that is Elixir Sensuel. One drop to the wrists and my world becomes a tranquil paradise. This sensual elixir warms up into familiar territory by becoming a bouncier version of my beloved CN5 EDP. ES has loads of naturally occurring youthful collagen plumping up her cheeks to CN5 EDP's somewhat sallow expression. In no way am I belittling CN5 (OMG that would be downright sacrilege - burn me at the stake RIGHT NOW!) no no no. My nose simply recognises the glamorous CN5 heart. Elixir Sensuel honours the tradition impeccably. She is slightly more curvaceous in her portrayal and her curves create a warmth unique to her expression.

Chanel No. 5 Elixir Sensuel is exquisite, divine! I love it. It's so sweet and soft and powdery. I can smell such beautiful rose, and yang-ylang and neroli, and the soapy jasmine, sweet and strong - it's beautiful. The colour is exactly how this perfume is. A soft delicate pretty feminine pink elixir of love. I am in love, with it. It is so luxurious, and sits so softly on my skin, but still carries far enough for other people to smell it who come near me, and say 'you smell so lovely!' I can smell it all the time. It's a dream! The dry-down is superb - soft and sweet, smooth amber and sweet woods. It's all so soft and creamy, delightful. And it lasts and lasts, forever! Beautiful, feminine, fresh, soft and dreamy. Gorgeous!

Ooohhhhhh, this smells soooo good! Pretty, lightly sweet, a smidgen powdery, petite fresh and lovely, an so very, very feminine. The previous reviews used some good adjectives to describe the Elixir Sensuel: Comforting, Luxurious, Stunning! When I bought this at the store I was ooh'ing and awe'ing so much that one sales woman accross the floor yelled over to me "The Elixir is my favorite too!" And the other sales woman who was waiting on me said "YES! I love the Elixir too and so does my husband." We were all happy ladies that day and enjoying ourselves. This version is so much nicer than the spray version. If you want to like Chanel #5, then try the Elixir Sensuel and expand from there.

What a great surprise! I don't like Chanel No.5, strong aldehydes make it unwearable for me. Elixir however opens with soft aldehydes, but iris kicks in fast and amber follows iris even faster. The whole fragrance works on my skin in a fast forward mode, doesn't give me enough time to enjoy any particular note. I can't believe myself saying this, but I wish the aldehydes stayed for longer, I really enjoy them in Elixir. It's a beautiful fragrance, it's soft, luxurious and it will earn it's wearer well deserved admiration and respect. It's easy to wear as it doesn't go to extremes, all notes are presented well and blend beautifully. It's so well balanced that it's almost a little boring.

I will always remember testing it when it first came out even though it was more than 20 years ago. It was such a gem. The small slim bottle with the pretty pink liquid inside. I opened it and I was immediately besotted with the elegant.. soft.. creamy.. sensual.. dreamy.. fluffy.. lovely cloud like interpretation of the original No 5. It floated around me and my senses were in heaven. It was very beautiful and I really wish that it was still available. It made me understand the beauty of No 5. Nowadays, I still wear Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum for special occasions and I pair it with the No 5 body oil which reminds me of it a bit.

Chanel No 5 has always been one of my favourite fragrances, my first love was EDT, then eau premiere - I haven't owned the EDP. This version is my absolute favourite and I think will oust eau premiere as my signature. From first application the notes are the epitome of the classic No 5, there's no waiting for the dry down to appreciate the softer, powdery notes, they are there from the beginning. I find it so feminine and soft, it's like wrapping yourself in the cosiest cashmere rug. It doesn't have huge sillage but I don't really mind that, I love how you just get the occasional waft of it and it lasts about 6 hours on me.

This is really beautiful. It melts into the skin and stays close, so "sensual" is a good description; it's not a seductive scent at all, but instead one that you want to wrap yourself up in and savor. It's sweeter and softer than No. 5 and the woods are stronger, but the powder character is the same. Even though it doesn't smell like Coco Mademoiselle I find myself comparing the two because they have the same comforting, close feeling to me. I have not yet tried Eau Premiere, but if it smells like this one I think I'll have to; I actually like this better than the No. 5 I tried earlier today.

I don't know why "Pentecostal Smell Good" is telling all this stuff about fakes, tubing and ebay, because Elixir Sensuel is a dab bottle with a gel to liquidy stuff inside. I would bet, that the market for fake Elixir Sensuels is very little, so no money in producing fakes. I'd say, if you buy a bottle on ebay, it's probably not a fake, although the inside might be tempered with. You probably find fakes of No. 5 EdT and EdP in bigger bottles more easily than a real bottle, though.

I find this so much wearable than the EdP. It goes really well with my skin chemistry. I can actually smell the perfume, and not a blast of aldehydes, as in the EdP. It still is soapy, but in a good, fresh,clean and sweet way. I cannot detect any specific flowers though, but I love it.I've been wearing ES with the No. 5 body lotion, and I alternate it with Eau Premiere/body lotion. I think both combinations are wonderfull.I prefer these 2 combinations to the No. 5 EdP.

Between the original No.5, Eau Premiere and this, this one is definitely my favourite. The orris, musk and ylang ylang come out beautifully on my skin, with a hint of a mildly soapy jasmine, making it soft and creamy. This seems less like a typical Chanel to me, but I think this is because the aldehydes are so muted. I think this would be a very lovely and inoffensive day time scent.

While I really like this perfume, it oddly reminds me of my brother's shaving cream! That aside, it's a soft, light powdery scent that I love wearing on days when I like to lounge around my home and watch tv! I'm always comforted when I put this on. This is something I only wear on these occasions but it could also be worn out for special events as well.

I was gifted this years ago. It's absolutely stunning. It takes you straight to the middle notes of the fragrance without having to wait for the drydown. It has a breadth and richness that the EDP and EDT ( which I personally believe are entirely different fragrances to one aother) just don't have.

I love this scent so much, it is not too sweet which is why I like it, it smells sensual and inviting, and not overly girly, almost unisex in it's scent. The scent lasted maybe 2 hours, so my only complaint would be that it does not last a long as I would like. But it is divine.

I miss this so much :( But Eau Premiere is indeed very similar. If you're willing to shell out a few bucks, the extrait is actually the closest thing to this- it's actually my favorite No. 5 concerntration. Wish there was a Fragrantica page for it *hint*

lovely!! but everybody tells me that it lasts longer than chanel 5 edt, the spray , i don;t seem to smell it at all. it doesn;t spread the scent. i know a perfume should't be invasive, because it can be vulgar...but still...

Got mine today. Hard to find, soooo beautiful. Very soapy and powdery. Close to original. But more modern. Also similar to premiere. Close to skin. It is sexy, not in a dirty way but in a sensual soft way.