Egoiste

TL;DR An unusual scent; powerful and strong, it's primarily woody and very 'dry.' There is a 'funky' element to it, and a sort of spicy accord (not individual spices, not like an oriental) float around. I like it a lot, but I can see why it was a commercial failure in 1990. It's very distinctive, and even polarising. ***************************** This is an unusual scent, and you can see why it was a commercial failure for Chanel in 1990, although I love it. It doesn't fit its moment in time at all; it wasn't an 80s powerhouse (apologies for using Fragrantica cliches...) and it wasn't an Acqua di Gio, CK Eternity fresh-type scent of the 90s - although they'd catch up on that trend with the Platinum 'version' of this scent (it’s simply a different scent, though – not a flanker of the original in any way). Reading the reviews below, I was motivated to write because ... well, reviewers say that they can smell very strong, distinctive elements, but these are generally things which would struggle to exist alongside the other things people claim to smell as well. As such, the descriptions aren't really capturing what the scent offers. People are claiming (on aggregate) to be finding so many, often incompatible, scent profiles - perhaps this "unknowability" or "illegibility" really is the conclusion we should draw. You could have a woody and tobacco. You could have cinnamon and rose. You could have rose and coriander. You could have orange and cloves. You could have rose and sandalwood... but could all these things be robustly there at the same time? It would just be an olfactory shouting match. Clearly, something is amiss. Because this isn't shouting match. I think that the 'notes' people are pulling out are not really 'notes,' in the sense that this perfume is more 'one thing' or an 'accord' rather than a list of notes that you move through. It's a sort of woody, funky, dry, very, very masculine accord. Both on Fragrantica and Basenotes, woods and spices crop up a lot, and they’re right. But the spices are strikingly NOT oriental in nature. They’re a sort of dry funk in the background. They’re nothing like, say, contemporary niche spices (like you’d find in Amouage, or MFK, or Penhaligon’s), or more traditional ones either (like Jaipur, or Declaration, or Lagerfeld Classic). Wood, wood wood - sandal, mahogany, rosewood. There's no oud, thankfully (but then, this is from 1990). The next notes to register in the votes on Fragrantaca are tobacco and rose... hmmm. If the tobacco is there, it’s there not as tobacco itself, but as a dry, flaky, background ‘leaf dust’ of some sort. Think autumn, not humidor. Or don’t think it at all – I really think that tobacco isn’t a big deal at all – and Basenotes doesn’t list is as a note. Rose is there, but way, way back - it's some kind of dusty, dried pot pourri rose, absolutely nothing like, say, Lyric Man or Sables Roses. It's really dialled back, dusty and austere. It lasts all day. I like it very much. It's unlike anything else around, and something of a perfume orphan, out of time, out of place. If you're the sort of person who reads reviews, I think you'll like it too. But not if you're into sweet scents that smell of snacks.

Yes, it's a classic but Chanel's Egoiste is simply a work of art. Standing up extremely well in a world full of hype, passing fads and fake culture. The scent; It opens with a woody, spicy, warming blast joined very quickly by an exquisite rose. Masterfully supported by myriad of ingredients including gentle citrus', a touch of cinnamon and an assortment of florals, spices, woods, leather (I think), amber and vanilla. Combining to construct a rounded scent, quite unlike anything else I've experienced. Chanel clearly know what they are doing and perhaps the very best at making traditional perfumery that stands the test of time. You only have to look at Pour Monsieur, Antaeus and Platinum egoiste (+ many more) as testimony to their excellence in this genre. I know the Ingredients sound extensive and complex but it's so beautifully executed and blended to perfection, giving a fragrance that is very much rose forward (to my nose) but never completely on its own. There is always another element that'll come drifting by every time you opt to wear this scent and move about. It's an old style EDT and easily rivals many modern EDPs in strength, sillage and longevity. Relying on its quality ingredients and masterful construction rather than resorting to industrial and agricultural chemicals. 😂 Noticeable over arms length for hours, then around arms length for a few more comfortably. You'll have a solid, reliable bubble for the best part of a day and more. It'll see you through, no matter the task. The sillage will waft past anyone within a metre or two as you cross paths. Trust me when I say that all the right kind of people will notice, enjoying your trail. It's definitely for the older man, quite easily a woman too. Both past the first flourishes of youth 35+, understanding that not everything has to be full on, instant and light speed. This is a scent that will be enjoyed by people who literally like to "smell the roses". Strangely, I can see high powered professionals and business people utilising this scents distinctive aroma to it's full effect, just as much as someone who is out and about for leisurely pursuits. It's very versatile by it's nature. Wear on all but the hottest summer days or nights. Although considered a little warming traditionally, it's delicate enough by modern beast mode standards to be considered all year and at any occasion you may wish to wear it. It'll definitely be a fantastic companion through the cooler periods though. If you are of a level headed nature, who truly understands and enjoys the finer things in life then this could be a signature scent. It's captivating, elegant, individual and compared to the vast majority of modern offerings, wonderfully distinctive and honestly, a lovely break from olfactory assault. I only tend to buy perfume that I've tried, tested and adore. Living with them doesn't always work out but Egoiste can and quite possibly should be a lifelong addition to your scent wardrobe. A masterpiece for the ages.

I felt like I didn't give the regular Egoiste the love it deserves. It's such a great fragrance, but I preferred Platinum way too much because of the fresh fougère profile and versatility. So much so that it became my signature. So, Egoiste slowly became distant to me. The prodigal son returns! I apologize, Egoiste. You are just as beautiful. They both have a calculated sharpness to them. Egoiste seems to be getting it from the carnation, cinnamon, and ambrette, and Platinum gets it from the geranium, galbanum, and cedar. As I mentioned about the versatility, this is obviously a more colder weather fragrance. Platinum was way more multi-weather, in a way that different qualities of the scent push more forth depending on conditions. Both are genuinely complex and hard to get bored of. For me, all roads eventually lead me back to Platinum. It just gives me what I want. The carnation here is clove to the max. A lot of people seem to say that they cannot pick up on the rose. I think that's due to the fact that different variations of rose are so distinctive. Like, we have an idea of what rose smells like from the look, but they vary quite a lot actually. Damask has a ''rosey spicy zing", it's bit hard to explain but damask rose has that quality, for instance turkish rose has a citrusy facet. There many varations of rose. But in this case the carnation itself is very bright floral with a recognizable clove facet. And because it's so clovey, it's more dominant, with the rose just rounding up the edges without taking away from brightness and spice cloviness. Basically it tames the carnation. And trust me, heavy carnation needs to be tamed. Combined with a very noticeable leathery pipe tobacco, it has a denser wood note as well, giving it a slightly more vintage feel compared to Platinum. I also notice a medicinal iodine "scratch" musk quality from the ambrette. Almost forgot... about the opening, it's a strong bitter, spicy, citrus tree bark. Like, it lets you know right away what you're in for. It does what it wants. EGOISTE: "You don't wear me. I wear you." That's what it's saying. But again, it's not harsh. Neither has a harsh personality. Just like Platinum, it just wants to take charge and is fully capable of doing so. Capable, confident, and at the same time gentle. The best qualities a man can have in my opinion. Both last long. You get to enjoy that beautiful mid with the heavy base of a quite dry, sturdy sandalwood, warm amber, and a sprinkle of vanilla that prevents it from smelling like a brute. The sillage on this is amazing. Performance is well over 8+ hours on my skin. It really is just beautiful. As someone mentioned below about the old commercials of the 90s... "Egoiste! Egoiste! Egoiste!"

As I write this, I begin playing Brian Eno's Discreet Music, and I think of how many ways we can articulate our experience with any given fragrance. We can recall the note breakdown (and certainly I will mention what I smell in Égoïste and it will match a lot of that pyramid). Then we can state what smells in our life of which it reminds us: nature, food, places, people. We can expound upon how it makes us feel, the mood it evokes, the imagery it conjures in our mind. We can tell of how it transports us elsewhere, even to a place we may have never visited before, or even a place that doesn't exist. Going even further, shapes, colors, sounds—a synesthesia, can be expressed. Égoïste seems to be composed with space in mind. Space in between the wearer and the scent, the man and the myth, the dream and the waking life. It's clear that it has a cult following, given the many reviews dedicated to it. For some enthusiasts, becoming acquainted with it seems a rite of passage. Some even think that there are camps: those who love Egoiste, and those who don't know what's good for them. As prolific as I am in my writing, I often struggle to put down in words my authentic experience without falling into the typical tropes. But Égoïste, well, I just dispose of most conventions. I turn down the noise and listen to, and smell, the spaces in between the notes. The bottle in my possession (a 1997 vintage for those who must catechize) traces lines between what is rose and rosewood. It is an outline of Pruneaux d’Agen Fourrés, a whiff of a carnation boutonnière, a humidor's ghost. It's a recollection of my seven year old self examining my father's Gibson, poking my nose through the strings and into the sound hole, studying his various picks, their tortoise shell pattern. Égoïste smells the way tortoise shell looks, a mottled, warm-tones dreamy. But those picks are often made of celluloid, much like film, capturing snapshots, memories, vignettes. The ambrette is what stands out the most to my nose, nut and fruit, vegetal and buttery musk, harmonizing impeccably with the discreet music of the sandalwood. Fin.

I missed the train when this was originally released as Bois Noir in 1987. I would be interested to smell it sometime to see how different it is, if at all. I didn’t miss the train the second time, with my bottles made in 1992, two years after Bois Noir was rereleased as Egoiste. The first thing to pop into my head when I smell Egoiste is incense. But nope, it’s not. Give it a couple more minutes and several deep inhales. What you’ll find is an orchestra with the sections playing different notes and the wavelengths adding up to a single major chord. To me that chord rings very similarly to a complex myrrh-frankincense incense combo but Egoiste is so much more than that. Orchestral is about the best and only way I can describe Egoiste. Deep, juicy and oily orange rinds; coriander; rosewood and sandalwood; vanilla; cinnamon; roses and carnations; animalic musks. Every single one of these notes is seamlessly intertwined. Attracted to each other like iron filings to a magnet, to try to separate them would be fool’s task. It’s ineffable, one of very few perfumes that leave me speechless and at a loss for description. It’s funny to describe an overtly masculine-geared perfume as achingly beautiful, but it is. This might be the best perfume Jacques Polge made for Chanel (while I’m writing that statement I’m side-eyeing a few of his other perfumes that I love in my cabinet to make sure they don’t launch themselves at me in fury, especially the Sycomore EdT; angry goat, that one). I’ve worn Egoiste in the winter, I’ve worn it in the summer, I’ve worn it at the office, I’ve worn it at a night out, I’ve worn it at a funeral, and I’ve worn it at a wedding. It’s never been anything less than perfect. Some perfumes just mean a great deal to you, and sometimes you’re just unable to articulate what something means to you because it doesn’t go into your brain, it goes into your heart. Habit Rouge is another one of those for me. And just like HR, I can’t imagine ever being without Egoiste.

After all the years of wearing different fragrances, when I think about the one that has been with me most of the years, it is definitely Him-L’ Egoïsté! He was with me throughout my life in various locations, he was by my side during good and bad situations and events... He was simply a real companion! The initial version of Bois Noir was made for the CEO of Chanel at the time - in honor of his recognizable signature scent! Thank God, it was later released for use by the general public under the changed name Chanel-L' Egoïsté.... If nothing else- You probably remember the unforgettable strong black and white commercial on TV- Women fighting and slamming the shutters from the hotel- and in the middle only in one of the rooms- a man's hand reaches out for this perfume and puts it on the fence :D The perfume was released in a strange period - At that time there was strong competition with different fragrance profiles - but it captured the true essence of beauty and charm - until today! Over the years, I have had several series or bottles - from wooden stopper bottles with a darker liquid, but without L', and with a wooden stopper with a lighter liquid - with today's and current version with a plastic stopper... Literally, it hasn't changed much in all these years, and still when it's up to the user, the story slowly unfolds and beautifully develops into a perfectly perfect fragrance! It smells like cinnamon (not after Christmas for me), rose, rosewood, tangerine, coriander, tobacco... In this way, that it is so well mixed - that if I were to remove a single thing from this composition - it would no longer be him in any way - that's why there is no good clone of this perfume! That's why I can call such a perfume a True Friend - I know it very well and even though so many years have passed, I've met plenty of other fragrances during this time - But it's still here and has remained the same - good-hearted with all its charm of which it rests!

Every time I wear this I have an urge to come here and write a detailed account specifying why I enjoy this, how it wears on skin, evolves and changes and how unique it amongst the current vintage of designer offerings. I want to defend this as one of my choices if "I could only own one fragrance to wear forever" due to it's unique blend of a minty fresh opening, floral spice body and it's warm woody dry-down. About how I find it's all day performance and complex base stands in direct contrast to modern designer's dependence on Iso E Super or the latest variation of ambroxen. I want to reassure potential new users that they'll grow to enjoy the old-timey carnation mixed with dried rose if they give it a chance. But, nah. Truth is Egoiste is unique enough that many won't like it. Some won't because it smells old fashioned, or because the notes are associated with bad memories or experiences. For others it will negatively contrast with their skin's chemistry to the point of repelling both them and others. There is a reason Egoiste never set any sales records and Chanel decided to go in a different direction for the Platinum flanker. It's uniqueness in part comes from competitors noting this profile and deciding to go in entirely different directions to find success. All the same, there is good reason too why this is still in Chanel's line up. That's because if it works for you, it really works for you. And if you like it, you'll really like. Not because it's unique but because it smells like the best version of you. So if the opportunity arises I highly encourage giving it a sample wear. Odds are you'll hate it. But there's also a chance you're one of the few that will absolutely love it.

Égoïste is a Manly scent that debuted in 1990 named L’ Égoïste and subsequently became Egoiste. By definition, an “Égoïste” is someone who is self-centered, haughty, arrogant, selfish. Egoiste gives the wearer the Ego, the Confidence, Self assurance for everything. Yes, that's the scent profile that describes it. When I was in my teens and throughout my younger adult years, this Chanel fragrance has been touted as a Musculine Masterpiece that stands out from the Pour Hommes and Barbershopy scents of the classics. It's a scent that makes you stand out amongst the Males and the Alphas. Egoïste is a very personal and masculine fragrance. It is spicy, woody with intensive projecting top notes of rosewood and coriander. As the scent develops, it becomes bolder, warmer with the bulgarian rose, carnation and warm cinnamon in its heart. On the drydown, it reaches its full potential with the smooth sandalwood, ambery vanilla with the suede like leather and somewhat smoky tobacco. It's finishing is bold and rugged, with the roses and cinnamon still lingering around giving the wearer everything they need to impress. The longetivity for Égoïste is good for 8-10 hours with very good projectivity from the opening and great silage. At least it's not any weaker than Anteaus, performance wise. It can be used at a formal event or as a sexy date night scent, manly and versatile. If you are looking for a Bold, Confident and a Scent that speaks, look no further than this Chanel fragrance.

Disclaimer, I own an older late 2000's- early 2010's version and also own the current 2020's version, however I cannot speak for versions pre 2000's as I have never smelt it. In my personal opinion, it is one of my favourite scents of all time and one of the best timeless creations out there. I don't see an older man when I smell this but rather I see a timeless well-dressed gentleman that could have belonged to any era. The newer current version is a little more smokey, leathery/rubbery and synthetic smelling in the opening compared to the older version, which is more natural smelling and more woody-floral. I dare say that the current formulation is more masculine in the opening than the older versions. After the opening, the mid and dry down are pretty much 90% similar between the older vs modern version, with the modern version losing some of it's classic aldehydic woody quality and natural quality, whilst the older version is undoubtedly more natural smelling and more similar to it's older sister, Bois Des Iles, especially in the dry down. The classic is more timeless and unisex whilst the modern is more masculine and a little more synthetic due to what I am picking up in the opening rubbery leather notes being amped up. Silage and longevity for both the versions that I own are below average to average at best, I really have to overspray and spray on my clothing to be able to enjoy it for more than a few short hours.

I have always had a special bond to Egoïste. This fragrance has been on my mind for over 10 years since I got my nose on it for the first time. I still remember the day where me and my best friend saw the iconic commercial for Chanel Egoïste back from 1990 on YouTube. The commercial was like art for us, so dramatic and mesmerizing that we went to the local beauty store the day after to test the fragrance. It was instant love but back then, I was younger and therefore also quite intimidated by Chanel Egoïste’s very mature and classy scent profile, since I was used to more youthful fragrances as a teen, but I still loved this fragrance and couldn’t stop thinking about it, it was like being under an enchantment. Now 10 years later, I totally adore this fragrance without any doubts or intimidation, this is such a timeless masterpiece of a fragrance! Chanel Egoïste is for the confident and classy man that knows who he is and knows what he wants. The rose note in this is heavenly together with the woods. This fragrance is not for everyone since it can be a bit too mature or intimidating – especially for younger men/teens, like I was myself back all those years ago, but that is okay and makes this fragrance even more interesting, since its scent profile and notes are not mainstream and not everyone will wear it. Chanel Egoïste will always have a special place in my heart, pure nostalgia. 10/10.

They don't make 'em like this anymore. A fragrance with this much depth and character could simply not be made in 2024, let alone survive a focus group. There is a dark, bitter tang to the tangerine/sandalwood combo which proclaims the wearer didn't come here to be popular, but don't let the name mislead you. I find nothing even remotely selfish, extroverted or egotistical in this fragrance and have a feeling this would have been a much bigger success had it traded under a different name; most men after all don't really want to be seen as selfish. If anything this is a fragrance which belongs to a quiet introspective gentleman. He still reads newspapers in print and takes long walks in the countryside on weekends. The musks in this definitely correspond to those of a man's body but there's no reason this couldn't be worn by a woman a-la Terre D'Hermes. The sandalwood heart clearly invites endless comparisons to Chanel's Bois des Iles, and even though that masterpiece was Jacques Polge's inspiration, the two smell very different to my nose, mostly because of the added tobacco in Egoiste. I've never layered Chanel's 80's baroque classic Coco with Bois des Iles but I have a feeling the two combined would be very close to Egoiste. The ingredient breakdown would suggest a strictly winter fragrance but as an EDT, I find this light enough to pull off even on hot summer days.

There's this common bias, amongst advocates of niche scents, that designer perfumes tend to be well blended, but safe. Well, Egoiste is a masterclass of the former, but shuns the latter theory entirely. It is in no way a safe scent, with a big bursting fruity-floral nose, underpinned by subtle woods and spices. Do NOT be put off by the words fruity or floral though. The interplay of mandarin and carnation is bloody amazing. So well balanced that you end up with something that is neither, and entirely unique. Great performance, and it evolves throughout the day so that you find yourself trying to capture new nuances in it, hour by hour. A real journey. There is one drawback, however, and to some people this might be a deal-breaker. This scent is unique, different, and because it's so hard to place, in an olfactory sense, it seems to unnerve some folks. A comment I sometimes get when wearing Egoiste is that it's 'strange'. Make of that what you will. Personally I love it. I love the confidence needed to wear it, and the confidence it gives you. Few scents make a statement like Egoiste. Caveat: keep it the box, and in a cool dark place (like you're supposed to anyway). That orange note turns pretty nasty when mistreated, and you may end up with something that smells less like a high-end designer fragrance, and more like a decomposing carrot.

"Egoïste" is a perfume that is both cheerful and sparkling, with a warm and impertinent scent. I think I tested a lot of perfumes, well before I was 20, during, and in the 1990s. Prosperous, exuberant and boisterous period of my life. I remember wearing it as soon as it came out, this spicy wood expressed an explosion of notes so radiant. Like the advertisement of Jean-Paul Goude in which we can see the facade of the Carlton, a sumptuous facade of sunny white stone, where "women will type their rages in the shutters of the palace"! The juicy Sicilian Mandarin, spiced with coriander and enlivened by rosewood. I came out of the aromatic classics, wiser ... I remember this delicate heart, with these perceptible notes, of Turkish rose entwined with the note of carnation, these receiving the lively whip of cinnamon. In warmer version, rounder, more present than today. It has slimmed at the heart. And, a warm background wooded by sandalwood and balmed with myrrh and amber ... I just bought it more than 30 years later. It has barely changed. Always impetuous at the opening, less round at the heart. I always find it elegant, chic and mature. Lighter! But, always remain egocentric! A weaker hold, a beautiful wake. In my opinion, it has a distinctive fragrance signature.

This is a beautiful fragrance. The opening is mixed with Rose, Tobacco, Leather, and Mahogany. I have to admit that theres an Off! insect repellent vibe to my nose for the first 15-20 minutes before the magic starts. Egoiste has a rich, opulent, smokey, leather vibe. The Rose stays through most of the drydown and it finishes with Amber, Leather, Tobacco, and Vanilla. The scent is addictive. This such a departure from the scent profiles of many modern fragrances today. It stands out with it's uniqueness and commands notice and attention. Longevity is very good (6 hours) and the scent projection isn't out there. Chanel seems to have this recipe for making fragrances that last without loud projection. I get the same thing from Bleu de Chanel and Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme. That's a characteristic of understated elegance and class. It doesn't call out attention but leaves enough sillage to capture one's notice. There's a reason Egoiste has been a classic for 34 years. Not everyone will wear this at $130 per 3.4oz bottle directly from Chanel, but many will acknowledge how well crafted and good Egoiste is.

If I come across a man wearing this fragrance, I can't help but turn around and take a closer look. Is he really as sexy as he smells? A woody fragrance, with sandalwood that immediately adds a touch of sensuality, spicy, with warm and flamboyant cinnamon - all accompanied by a subtle tobacco note that adds depth without ever overwhelming the composition. Hints of pepper and florals round out the fragrance beautifully. Even the leather note, which is usually something I'm quite picky about, works perfectly here. It's blended so seamlessly that it enhances the composition rather than dominating it. This is unapologetically masculine and - dare I say it? - it radiates serious Big D. Energy. Elegant yet undeniably sexy, it's the kind of fragrance that is both intoxicating and deeply attractive. You probably remember that famous commercial where women throw open their shutters and shout, "Egoïste!" The man himself is never shown. He creates desire... simply through his scent... Well, that's Egoïste!

Ok I found a 50 ml version of it online which is pretty rare and it said it was unboxed but it was actually brand new. So not only did I find the 50 ml but I paid the price for an unboxed perfume and got a brand new. Do I prefer it to Antaeus? Probably not. Is it better than Antaeus? Maybe. Did I wear the shit out of it? Yes an entire week despite having many others. Does it make me Don Giovanni? Yes. Should I wear it regularly? Nah it’s for special occasions. I wish the performance was better. Even the current Antaeus is a beast and lasts until the next day. I wish egoiste was the same. I really love this and this was hard to love. Only ogs get this scent. Oh it’s similar enough to Antaeus too. I quite like allure but I pretty much think this Antaeus and diva are Jacques Polge’s best works and this was his last incredible work. I’ve read that this is his favourite work. Even though I still prefer Antaeus this is his only scent that arguably beats Antaeus in some ways.

This thing is a "panty dropper". I was obsessed with Antaeus and also after Antaeus I wanted to smell a lot of hard to find fragrances and that made me pay less attention to this and you can see I don't wear colognes to get compliments or whatever. I like stuff like Antaeus and Hascish. Recently I started to love Egoiste and I've been talking to a lot of random girls and meeting them... when I wear this thing it's different. It gets their attention... it's hard to describe and it's passive so it's not like people will tell you... people always talk about compliments... but let's face it, how often do yo walk up to a girl with an incredible ass, tits or even hair and say it to them? Never... if they think your perfume is incredible, it doesn't mean they'll tell you necessarily... it's the impact which you can only sense in a passive way. I'm sure this thing gets female attention more than any other fragrance I know... so expensive. I want this thing!

Allow me to embellish. Egoiste is a play of contrasts. A warm garden breeze tempered by an arctic chill. Warm sunshine fading into a lingering twilight. Versatile enough to wear with a suit, or casual enough to wear on a first date. An energetic opening of mandarin, coriander, and woods blankets into a pillowy bed of tobacco, leather, cinnamon, and powder. A slightly dirty, but unfathomably beautiful rose, and a creamy, balmy, slightly spicy carnation note tie everything together, each note whispering its presence. It is the anticipation of the first red lipsticked kiss of someone you desperately want to call your own. The embrace of a warm peacoat on a cold Manhattan day. It is your scarfs favorite scent in the winter, but you’ll also love it with a trench coat in the fall. Egoiste is a masterpiece. A relic of a time long past. A scent that belongs in the pantheon of history’s greatest olfactory statements. Send this with me to the grave.

Absolutely gorgeous! I love this! Woody, spicy rose that is very flamboyant, sexy, and vibrant. This the type of fragrance that turns heads and makes people notice you. What makes this so unisex IMO is the tobacco is just a whisper here. So many tobacco fragrances irritate me because it chokes out all the other elements of the fragrance or they are drowned in syrupy vanilla sweetness. Here everything is balanced to perfection. The woods, spices, cinnamon, yes finally cinnamon and they blend so well with the rose and lift it up to a higher plain. The roses become even more majestic, exhaled. The leather is supple and sensuous and blends well with the Chanel touch and their creamy sandalwood and just the right amount of vanilla. Chanel does vanilla the right way. No syrup here just sophisticated perfection. This is a bottle my husband and I can share. I will wear this and can see myself grabbing it come fall. 💕

Égoïste is one of the few fragrances I was aware of before I started my perfume journey a few years ago, due to the hilarious and unforgettable commercial that aired in the early 90s. (“Égoïste! Égoïste! Égoïste!”) I tried it in a department store in France a few weeks ago and fell in love with it. “Égoïste,” to my mind, is a bit of a misnomer: this is no ruthless banker or finance bro who gets a kick out of using people; it’s more of a distinguished but sensitive dandy (similar, in that way, to Habit Rouge, although they are quite different). There’s a generosity and gentleness to it that I feel completely comfortable with. It’s a fragrance for a lover, not a fighter (not an egotist) and, to my mind, completely unisex. (The Platinum flanker, on the other hand, all steel and sharpness, is way too butch for me, but that’s the one that Chanel sells in the U.S. for some reason.) A unique and beautiful classic.