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.

Unique and unforgettable male fragrance... The name is literally suited to the scent that it stays close to wearer make it a selfish thing to not share this gorgeous smell with others: the combination of carnation, cinnamon and tobacco along with a slightly boozy scent and rich leather...Alain Delon in a bottle! Longevity is about 4 hours with intimate sillage and maybe that's why many people dislike it...things changes if sprayed on clothes as you can smell it as long untill you wash them... Now about being outdated:Is as outdated as a good whiskey...you may have drunk Ursus-redbull for a while, you may have drunk mojitos, but when the hype goes out you know you will return to your favourite taste... Simply that kind of smell can't be outdated cause it's a classic... A gentleman's scent that elevates a well dressed, well groomed, self confident man who know what he wants...

Scent memory- Sometime in the mid-90s I was at my friend’s house getting ready to go out dancing. He had started working at Macys and was getting into fashion and fragrances. He came out of his room looking dashing and a magical scent hit my nostrils. I had seriously never smelled anything like it and I said, is that perfume? It didn’t fit the “men’s cologne” profile to my baby nose. He laughed and said it’s Egoiste. And then he sprayed it on me. We were the dancing queens that night!! We smelled like gods.... So 20 something years later I’m on my fragrance journey and just honestly nothing has ever come close to impressing me the way this fragrance did. I think this is a beautiful anyone scent. Something about the spicy sweet woods with just enough florals and the tobacco. Much respect to this fragrance. Maybe I’ve been chasing this dragon ?

I went to the Chanel boutique today and tried out some mens fragrances. Very masculine, kind of barbershoppy, and mature. This is a very serious fragrance that is absolutely perfect for an office setting. Starts off woody, floral, cinnamon-y, and spicy. Best way to describe this is that it is very masculine and mature. This fragrance is good if you're 30 or older. Let's talk about performance. On my skin I got around 7 hours on my skin with a medium projection leaning masculine. I recommend this for the winter, spring and fall. This works best in the night, but you can also wear this in the day. Lastly, is it a safe blind buy? To be honest, im unsure. If you love woody, masculine, barbershop type of fragrances, then you will love this. In conclusion: Scent: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 6.5/10 Chanel Egoiste: 8.5/10

I've written a review for Egoïste before but tonight I just had to come back again and do it justice. This is the first time after wearing it for six months that I truely fell in love with Egoïste. I've always enjoyed this timeless, smokey, rose infusion. However, tonight as I donned a suit and the temperature fell below zero on this chilly November evening, the scent became alive. It was something more. Sexy. Timeless. Unique. People are very quick to mention that this is an 'old-mans scent'. However, if you're young and want to wear it (I'm 23), do so and be proud. Egoïste was made to please oneself and no other. Beauty is simply in the eye of the beholder and for me Egoïste is a rose amongst the thorns. Be warned it is an intense evening/winter eau de toilette and not your every-day-driver. Enjoy.

Absolute perfection. Of course, formulations always come into play when discussing vintage scents but, I’ll have you know, as the current formula stands- I don’t see any space for improvement. A perfectly balanced, spicy, creamy, woody, powdery scent profile. I’m particular about sandalwood. In fact I don’t much care for its style as portrayed in Shalimar- or the later Le Lion. I find the heaviness of the notes texture off-putting. Here, it’s balanced in such a way as to not offend, and instead, provide an air of class. Obviously, more of a cool weather profile, even better suited for night than day. However, this also works beautifully as an office scent or even a date night scent. An absolute masterpiece in the most quintessential meaning of the term. I will ALWAYS have a bottle.

A fragrance I like to wear on a colder winter’s day like today – it’s definitely old school and maybe not for a younger crowd – I like this more than the more popular Platinum version – because it has that extra strong spicy woody character – it’s like one of the other older classics Polo Green, though I do not like the current version Polo Green anymore, it used to be my everyday fragrance every one loved in my teens – when my bottle is finished, I would not buy another one – I only wear the fragrance two or three times a year so my bottle will probably last till the end of my days - little anecdote, I think Chanel really needs to back up their fragrances, young people start to refer Chanel has a fragrance brand for older people

I think this is the most feminine masculine fragrance in the designer category. I used to get more cinnamon from older batches, but the newer ones are more rose-heavy, which makes them easier to wear in warmer weather. To my nose, the opening is dominated by mandarin and rose. Some might even call it unisex at this stage, but it gradually develops into a sandalwood-heavy fragrance during the drydown. One of my colleagues once said, "It smells like someone lit a sandalwood incense stick somewhere." As a result, it has good sillage and projection, and I'm satisfied with the longevity as well. The quality is excellent. It's a classic fragrance that remains relatively uncommon, allowing the wearer to stand out from the crowd.

Égoïste. Où es-tu? Montre-toi misérable! Prends garde à mon courroux! Je serai implacable! Ô rage! Ô désespoir! That's pretty much what happened to me. Of course I was distracted by the best of all time which is Antaeus and didn't pay attention to Egoiste... I might have even mistaken platinum for this once or even twice... but anyway... It took me a while to appreciate this one more. But I love this. I used to think I liked allure more but nah, this one is better. I think I can appreciate sandalwood better now and that's one of the reasons why. It's Chanel and it's too expensive. Anyway this is Chanel's seductive scent something Antaeus doesn't even attempt to be. The ad is fucking dope too.

Woody, floral, spicy, and warm. Plus a punch of animalic funk. I’ll admit I wasn’t the biggest fan of this on the first spray, especially with the opening all I could associate the smell with was standing next to a horse. The dry down is heaven on earth. Couldn’t stop sniffing it. Next day I try it again, idk what it is but that same funk hits me totally different, in the best way. Not what I expected from the notes listing, and not a safe blind buy but if you can appreciate it, you will be rewarded. Edit: This has gradually become my easy reach, dare I say signature scent? I can't get enough of it.

Chanel just GET sandalwood, in a way that I think almost no other brand does. This perfume and its older relative Bois des Iles are possibly the best examples of a truly creamy sandalwood ever created, although the sandalwood isn’t as much of a focus here as in BDI. In comparison to BDI this is also more extroverted, a bit less vanillic but fruitier and spicier thanks to the ambrette, rose and cinnamon, and possesses more of a dry, woody, hay-like facet accented by the rosewood and tobacco. I think I’m narrowly more of a Bois des Iles person, but this perfume is still absolutely outstanding.

Sananda@37 yep and it's amazing that the man of all men Jacques Polge has made his masterpieces for men and if he has made any for women they were for other houses(Rives Gauche and Diva). So not only Chanel's masculines are better than its feminines because of Jacques Polge. He has managed to make Chanel the most respected house for masculines. Pretty amazing achievement considering Chanel doesn't even make clothes for men. Chanel's masculines are definitely better than its feminines. Dior beats Chanel when it comes to feminine. Just get diva for 20 euros it's better than Coco.

Is this the best fragrance ever created? no.... Is it a good fragrance? not quite sure.... Does it smell of quality? yes?.... Does it smell like anything else I've ever experienced? many similarities with other fragrances but that is only due to specific notes. What I do know is that it still keeps me reaching for it, and I cannot for the life of me get enough!!!! Stockholm Syndrome is what comes to mind. It has me wrapped up in it's rose, cinnamon, sandalwood, rosewood, and wet ashtray tobacco arms. Word of caution, try before you buy.

Egoiste took me a few wearings to really enjoy. I'm not used to strong sandalwood notes and I have always struggled with them. In fact, before egoiste, it was one of my least favorite notes in perfumery when used front and center. I don't know what happened but after about the 3rd wearing something about the sweetness and warmth mixed with the creamy, fresh woodiness has captured me in a way that very few fragrances have. This is just a beautiful masterpiece and I now know why it has such a legendary status. Absolute 10.

Rosewood is a very interesting note. It has a woody, spicy, and somewhat rosy odor. Rosewood is used very masterfully in this fragrance as it is mixed well with other woody and spicy notes as well as floral notes (rose and carnation). It's slightly animalic at the top, which makes this fragrance very attractive for me. It performs very well and is one of those rare fragrances that remain good both at the top and dry-down. It could be a great signature scent for cooler months. All in all, a very good job. 8/10

Its a shame this stuff isnt available in my country because its an absolute masterpiece to me. Made its way to my top 5. Reminds me of my guitars with the Mahogany and rosewood sawdusty kinda smell, but with cinnamon, tobacco, the florals, ambrette and vanilla adding a softness, sweetness, spiciness and warmth in the drydown. I cant get enough and will be a bit gutted when I run out, because I have to find sellers overseas to buy it, and DG postage costs a small fortune. Its a warm hug in a bottle to me.

Chanel Égoïste — oh the masterpiece you are. This one is truly something special. It's not a fragrance that will get you lots of compliments with the young crowd, but then again, it's called Égoïste for a reason. I wear this stuff for me, and I feel like the man when I do. I don't need anyone's approval but my own, and this one enables that. I think most men will enjoy this — and for those into the older ladies, this one does the job. If you're a proper man, this needs to be on your shelf.

If a "Byronic" hero had a scent, it would be Chanel's Egoiste. This is the scent you wear during the dying days of a tragic romance -- think of Spike from Cowboy Bebop and his relationship with Julia. Like the ending theme of that show, "The Real Folk Blues", this is a scent that evokes feelings of a love forgotten, symbolized by a visual of a bouquet of roses discarded in the heavy rain. My favorite fragrance of all-time and my signature scent. It's one that is very near and dear to me.

One of my favorite fragrances of 30 years. Chanel treats the customer like royals. This lovely fragrance for men is bold, warm, strong, projecting. It is telling that Egoiste and other fragrances remain superb and relevant. No need for endless flankers, Elixirs and whatnot. I wouldn't wear it in summer, but one certainly could. Given that I have a hundred fragrances on the shelf, there is always room for a 50 and 100 ml bottle of Egoiste. If you like my thoughts, hit the Like button. 👍

My lovely girlfriend and her wonderful family recently won perfumes from a Japanese auction and decided to gift me a 125ml vintage bottle for my birthday. It is truly a special type of scent. Cinnamon, Woods , Rose and a smooth Tobacco in the background. It isn’t sweet or gourmandy , performs well and smells divine. I’m only 20 but I’m still gonna wear this mature ass fragrance on date nights and special occasions lol . And most importantly, my girl likes it one me 9/10

I am new(ish) to wearing Chanel Egoïste (a couple of months), but its warm, spicy-woody notes of sandalwood and cinnamon, rose and vanilla are so well bended that the final product feels like more than each of its components. It feels timeless. It has great longevity, 8+ hours, on my skin, with a classy, elegant, smooth, masculine, slightly mysterious, and quiet projection. Perfect for evenings or cooler days (i.e. right now). BIG love 👍👍👍👍

I have slowly grown into this scent, and it has become my champion among Chanel releases. It may be a designer release, but I don’t think Mr. Polge played it safe. When you name your creation Egoiste, the bar is already high. He managed to harmonize diverse woody notes and merge them with a rich yet airy bouquet. The coriander seeds impart a luxurious touch to the composition, while musky ambrette rounds out the edges.

Its a beautiful, dry sandalwood. The more I smell it the more intoxicating it becomes. As much as I love it, its difficult for me to wear it confidently. I imagine this scent on a much older, distinguished man. For that reason it does smell somewhat outdated to me. Still, its an incredible concoction. The fragrance is already quite sharp and bold, but I wish it projected more. It remains very, very close to my skin.

Egoiste feels firmly rooted in 1990, predating the age of sweetness, projection, and algorithmic appeal. Its bitter citrus and spice opening sets boundaries, while a dry, architectural rose leads into disciplined sandalwood with leather and tobacco making it polished and restrained. Enduring not through nostalgia but coherence, it reflects Jacques Polge’s precision and stands as one of his most timeless creations.

It can be easy for me to forget how good this fragrance is. Egoiste requires a full day of wear to understand because it's formula is so dependent on the individual's skin chemistry, much more so than today's modern designer concoctions. Warm and spicy woods with darkly romantic floral elements, it evolves throughout the day becoming more personal whilst remaining both sophisticated and mildly mysterious.

My newly found love and signature fragrance. It's my favourite in my collection. So clean and refined, yet still sexy... I've read many reviews saying it's for older gentlemen. And yeah, maybe if you're the kind of guy that wears sweatpants all the time, it might not be the ideal scent for you. But if you enjoy dressing up and are a sophisticated individual it even works for guys in their 20s.

Just got my hands on a bottle shoutout facebook. I'm wearing this at my desk job right now it's perfect for it. Spring-Fall-Winter-Summer evening. I get a lot of waxy floral and powdery smoothness with the sandalwood. Super classy super smooth super nice. Cozy and calm but not boring at all with a bit of spice. Try this. I love it compared to Platinum. Platinum smells like sour pennies to me.

One of the frangrances that surpass time, incredible it has a 1990 stamp. it is warm and spicy, I find even a bit boozy trace with a chocolate. I dont like rose in fragrances but here it is very safe and the rosewood is great. It is not loud, no problem to wear in the office in colder weather. Great for social evenings. I think it inspired Cartier to create Pasha parfum version in 2023.

What to even say about a masterpiece like this? It's a warm, spicy and seductive sandalwood/cinnamon fragrance. This is worn by a man who has nothing to prove and is so confident in himself that he creates his own gravitational pull of elegance and class. It smells like an alluring CEO or board member of a fancy schmancy company attending a formal event in the 90's.

I have fond memories of wearing this in smoke filled bars when I was younger (it mixes very well with actual tobacco on clothes). Great winter scent. Doesn't mix well with sweat in summer. Quite a sophisticated scent with rose mandarin tobacco cinammon etc... it is on the spicy side definitely not fresh. Extremely elegant but don't overspray it. 8.5/10

To the guy with poor performance. I thought so too. But after about a month of using it, I found it was getting stronger. I think its peaked now. I get a decent 8 hours from it. My Bottles are from 2024 and 2016. Both smell and perform the same. also, this is still my Favorite. Not often I can say that about a fragrance for more than a few weeks....