Chanel No. 22 c1926

Chanel No. 22, launched in 1926, is another iconic creation by the legendary perfumer Ernest Beaux. This fragrance was introduced as a floral counterpart to the famous Chanel No. 5, showcasing a different aspect of the elegant and sophisticated Chanel fragrance collection.

Chanel No. 22 is celebrated for its intricate and luxurious composition, blending a harmonious bouquet of floral notes with a sophisticated base to create a timeless and elegant scent. 

Fragrance Composition:

Notes at a glance:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as an aldehydic floral fragrance for women. 

• Top notes: aldehydes, narcissus, hyacinth, orange blossom, peach and bergamot
• Middle notes: lily, clove-pink, lily of the valley, white rose, jasmine, orchid, ylang-ylang, iris and tuberose
• Base notes: frankincense, vetiver, amber, sandalwood, vanilla, musk and tonka bean

Scent Profile:

Chanel No. 22, launched in 1926 and created by the legendary perfumer Ernest Beaux, is classified as an aldehydic floral fragrance for women. This exquisite perfume features an intense floral blend that perfectly captures the elegance and sophistication synonymous with the Chanel brand. A 1930 advertisement claimed that it was "an outdoors odor created for sports costumes, tweeds and woolens," highlighting its versatile and timeless appeal.

Top notes:

Aldehydes provide a sparkling, effervescent quality, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the opening. Narcissus contributes a rich, floral aroma with a hint of green, enhancing the initial freshness of the fragrance. Hyacinth adds a sweet, floral scent with a slightly aquatic undertone, bringing a sense of springtime freshness. Orange blossom offers a delicate, sweet floral note, adding a fresh and uplifting touch to the top notes. Peach lends a subtle, juicy sweetness, adding a fruity and inviting element. And finally, bergamot provides a bright, citrusy freshness, enhancing the overall vibrancy of the top notes.

Middle notes:

Lily brings a clean, green floral note, adding a touch of freshness and elegance. Clove-Pink adds a spicy, floral nuance, contributing depth and complexity. Lily of the Valley, known for its fresh, green, and floral scent, adding a crisp and clean note to the heart of the fragrance. White rose offers a timeless and romantic floral quality, blending seamlessly with other floral notes. Jasmine contributes a rich, heady, and sensual floral note, enhancing the complexity of the bouquet. Orchid adds an exotic and slightly sweet floral note, bringing a touch of luxury. Ylang-Ylang offers a sweet and exotic floral aroma, adding a touch of sensuality. Iris provides a powdery and slightly earthy floral note, adding sophistication. Tuberose contributes a rich, creamy, and heady floral note, adding depth and opulence to the heart of the fragrance.

Base notes:

Frankincense adds a mysterious and smoky undertone, giving the fragrance an exotic and sophisticated finish. Vetiver lends a woody and earthy aroma, grounding the composition and adding a touch of rugged elegance. Amber provides a warm, resinous scent, adding depth and richness. Sandalwood offers a creamy and smooth texture, imparting a sense of luxury and refinement. Vanilla adds a sweet, warm, and comforting base, enhancing the overall richness. Musk provides a soft and velvety base, adding sensuality and depth. Tonka Bean contributes a sweet and creamy aroma, adding warmth and complexity.

Chanel No. 22 remains a timeless classic, capturing the essence of elegance and sophistication with its intricate and luxurious composition. Its harmonious blend of floral and woody notes creates a fragrance that is both elegant and versatile, embodying the Chanel brand's commitment to timeless beauty and refinement.

Bottles:

Originally only available as Parfum (extrait) concentration, the Eau de Cologne was introduced in 1940. This made the Chanel No. 22 fragrance more accessible, providing a lighter and more affordable alternative to the more concentrated Parfum. This allowed people to enjoy the scent during the day, while reserving the richer Parfum for evening wear. Reflecting a shift towards more versatile and everyday use of luxury fragrances. 

To open the classic Chanel crystal parfum flacon, use the following tip provided by Parfums Chanel in 1963:

Remove cord and paper; with index finger as cushion, tap underneath sides of stopper lightly with glass object (glass on glass being the scientific method) while turning the bottle steadily between fingers, so that the stopper will be loosened evenly.

 

Fate of the Fragrance:

Chanel No. 22 was reformulated in 1985. Reports indicate that amber, spice notes, and more natural floral notes were blended with the original No. 22 white floral bouquet, making it "modern, provocative, and lasting."

The Eau de Toilette (EDT) and Eau de Parfum (EDP) versions of Chanel No. 22 were also reformulated in 1989. These versions were subsequently discontinued around 1998. However, they were reformulated with modern ingredients and re-launched in 1999 as part of the Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection.