Growing up, my mum had the most enchanting collection of beauty products that took residence in her bathroom. (My dad’s electric shaver, bare bar soap, and a lone bottle of 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner didn’t stand a chance and were banished to a different bathroom downstairs.)
Atop my mum’s porcelain vanity sat her jars of creams and powders, and along the wall, deep drawers were lined with rows of sophisticated lipstick bullets. Pride of place on gleaming glass shelves sat her collection of Chanel perfumes. Even at a super-young age (and knowing nothing of Chanel’s iconic name), I understood with an inherent knowledge there was something supremely special about the gilded bottle stoppers and black lacquer detail. The name “Chanel” was effortlessly etched into my subconscious as the epitome of glamour and covetousness.
Nearly 20 years later (and now me being a beauty editor), that etching hasn’t faded. Of course, Chanel makes loads of holy grail beauty products that anyone with an affinity for nail polish, lustrously glossed lips, or glowing skin would want to hoard, but it’s the brand’s collection of iconic fragrances that will always represent the upper echelon of anything and everything pertaining to beauty.
So because everyone should own at least one Chanel perfume in their life, we’re paying homage to the brand by featuring its five best fragrances ever, followed by additional (similar) perfumes from other brands you definitely need on your shopping radar as well. With over 130 Chanel perfumes in the storied French fashion house’s repertoire, it wasn’t easy narrowing it down, but someone had to do it.
