Note: Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Chanel company in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the Chanel fragrances.

The goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Chanel company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back the perfume!

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the perfume, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories), who knows, perhaps someone from the company might see it.

Looking to Buy Vintage Fragrances?

Monday, April 28, 2014

Fake Chanel 20ml Travel Sprays

Heads up! Here are some fake Chanel travel sprays being sold all over the world. These are 20ml size vials and are frosted glass, with a rounded base and metal cap..






Fake Chanel Box Sleeve for Chanel No. 5 Perfume

If you see this box sleeve used on Chanel No. 5, please be aware that this is a counterfeit product. Chanel does not use this box sleeve for any of its products.


Friday, April 4, 2014

Huile Tan Pour L'Ete c1930s-1950s

Huile Tan Pour L'Ete was a tanning oil from Chanel's early skincare line, originally created for herself in 1924, it debuted to the public in 1927.

In the early 20th century, tanning began to gain popularity, marking a significant shift in societal beauty standards. Before the 1920s, pale skin was highly coveted as it signified wealth and leisure, implying that one did not have to work outdoors. However, this perception began to change dramatically during the 1920s.

The 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, was a period of social change and liberation, particularly for women. The decade saw an increase in outdoor leisure activities such as beach vacations, sports, and travel, which were associated with the modern, liberated lifestyle.

One of the most significant influences was Coco Chanel herself. In 1923, she accidentally got sunburned while on a yacht trip in the French Riviera. When she returned with a tan, it sparked a fashion trend. Chanel, a leading fashion icon, made tanned skin fashionable and desirable, symbolizing health, youth, and a life of leisure.

The 1920s also saw a growing association between a tan and good health. The benefits of sun exposure were being promoted, with some believing that it could cure various ailments and improve overall well-being. This was in stark contrast to the previous centuries where sun exposure was avoided to maintain fair skin.

Fashion in the 1920s also embraced the idea of more revealing clothing, such as shorter skirts and sleeveless tops, which naturally exposed more skin to the sun. This encouraged tanning as a complement to the new styles, making sun-kissed skin an integral part of the fashionable appearance.

The beauty industry quickly adapted to this trend. Companies began producing and marketing products that enhanced tanning or protected the skin while tanning. Chanel's Huile Tan Pour L'Ete, introduced in 1927, was one of the early examples of a luxury brand tapping into this new demand. It offered not only a way to achieve a desirable bronzed look but also provided protection against sunburn, aligning with the growing awareness of the need to protect the skin from harmful effects of the sun.

In summary, the popularity of tanning in the 1920s was driven by a combination of changing cultural norms, influential fashion icons like Coco Chanel, the rise of outdoor leisure activities, and the beauty industry's response to these trends. Chanel's Huile Tan Pour L'Ete was a product that capitalized on this new beauty ideal, offering a glamorous and protective solution for achieving a sun-kissed look.

Huile Tan Pour L'Ete  - Bronze la peau et la protégé contre les brûlures du soleil 
Tanning Oil For The Summer "Bronze skin and protected against sunburn"


Astringent Pour L'Epiderme c1930s

Astringent Pour L'Epiderme, introduced by Chanel in the early 1930s, was part of the brand's pioneering efforts in skincare. It was designed to cleanse and tone the skin, reflecting the luxurious and innovative approach Chanel was known for. The product was packaged in an elegant clear glass cylindrical bottle, accentuated with a small black glass stopper, showcasing Chanel's commitment to combining functionality with sophisticated design. This product not only marked Chanel's entry into skincare but also set a standard for high-quality, aesthetically pleasing cosmetic packaging.


Creme de Beaute - Face Cream c1932

Crème de Beauté, launched in 1932, was a pivotal product in Chanel's first skincare line. This face cream exemplified Chanel's commitment to beauty and skincare innovation. As part of the early 1930s collection, Crème de Beauté was designed to provide nourishment and hydration to the skin, aligning with Chanel's philosophy of maintaining elegance and sophistication in every aspect of personal care. The launch of this cream, along with other products like Astringent Pour L'Epiderme, marked Chanel's significant foray into the skincare market, establishing a legacy of luxury and efficacy in beauty treatments.



Sunday, March 9, 2014

FAKE CHANEL PERFUME ALERT - Essence of Chanel No. 5

A vintage 1970s-1980s set holding an Italian sterling silver heart pendant with perfume funnel and mini bottle of "Essence of Chanel #5" perfume. This perfume is NOT genuine Chanel No. 5 perfume. It is a knockoff. The box has a small label that says "Box made in China for Elegant Montreal".




http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIQUE-VINTAGE-CHANEL-NO-5-WITH-SILVER-HEART-PENDANT-NECKLACE-AND-PERFUME-FUNNEL-/111283390498?pt=Vintage_Costume_Jewelry&hash=item19e901c822


FAKE CHANEL PERFUME ALERT!!! ROLLERBALL

HEADS UP! Here is a fake Chanel perfume being sold on ebay this week. It is a rollerball imprinted with "Chanel No. 5", however, Chanel has never produced this item before. It is one of those junky perfume oils you can find at flea markets, etc.

You have been warned....don't buy fake!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Chanel-No-5-Roll-On-Cologne-Perfume-Partial-Bottle-Textured-Plastic-Cap-/360874571847?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5405ccf847


Monday, January 13, 2014

Where Should I Apply Perfume?

As a general rule, fragrance should be applied to pulse points. This is where the blood vessels are closest to the skin giving off more heat and acting like mini fragrance pumps.

Pulse points are the wrist, crook of the arm and back of the knee, and the base of the throat. Also, for long lasting fragrance spray at the ankles, it allows the fragrance to blossom up. For a sexy twist, apply perfume to your cleavage or spray perfume on your nude body before dressing. The nape of the neck, is a very romantic area, whenever your hair moves it might swish the perfume around, nice little subtle trail of perfumed loveliness.

Apply perfume right after you take a shower or bath. Your pores are more open then and will more easily soak up the scent. Some people say that rubbing the wrists together will crush the scent, I tried this with different perfumes over the course of two weeks, just to see if its true, it seemed to me that the friction of rubbing the wrists together actually heated up the fragrances and made them seem more potent.

I have read though that the perfume can react not so nicely to the first layer of skin...and give off a smell that isn't pleasant. Others say that to spray the perfume in the air and then walk into it, I have done this before, and it seems that it lets you control the amount of fragrance that is applied to your skin, rather than spraying directly onto the skin, this works best with heavier perfumes.

I spray perfumes on my clothes when I want to make the scent last longer, I won't spray perfume on fragile fabrics like silks or lace. You can spray your coat with perfume. Also an old tip is to apply pure parfum extrait to your furs. Doing this is up to your own discretion.

Do not apply perfume after you put your jewelry on, take it off first, then apply the perfume. The chemicals in perfume can leave stains or have chemical reactions to the metals, Pearls are especially susceptible to damage from perfume since it destroys their lustre.

Coco Chanel always said to apply perfume where you want to be kissed. I read an old perfume guide from the 1930s and it mentioned that you can apply perfume to your fingertips and eyebrows. Also apply perfume to a cotton ball and tuck it into your brassiere. Apply perfume to your hankies or gloves.

Jeanne Lanvin of Lanvin Perfumes suggested that you should apply perfume wherever your clothes cover your body, that way it will seem if it is coming from within and blend with the natural oils of your skin to make a truly individual fragrance. She also says the best time to apply perfume is 15 or 20 minutes before you are about to go out, that way the perfume has time to "set".

A 1924 ad for Ann Haviland perfumes suggests:

#1. to apply perfume to your eyebrows as the short hairs of the eyebrows retain the perfume longer than the skin since evaporation takes place more slowly.Besides, this is an ideal two-some,the girl usually comes up to a man's chin, not far below his nose.

#2. One little known method of applying perfume is to saturate a piece of cotton with your chosen scent, place it under the shoulder strap of your slip. Body heat releases an aura about you.

#3. A glamorous method of using perfume is to spray it on the hem of your evening gown, then as you walk or dance, the fragrance is wafted into the air around you. This is the best way to do it.

#4. Another pointer is to apply perfume to the inside of your gloves, while your gloves are on, the warmth of your hands attract the perfume which will cling to the fingers.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Vintage 1980s Chanel Dramming Fountain

Dramming refers to a technique for transferring a fragrance from a larger container to a smaller one (some websites call this "decanting".)

When stores have “dramming events” they are telling you that they have very large bottles of the fragrance, usually on display, that they will pour into a smaller one for you, usually in connection with special promotions. A dramming machine is equipped with a small spigot in the front to fill the miniatures with that would be given away during fragrance launches or promotions.







photos from ebay seller foundintime



It is interesting to note that on ebay, dramming bottles and machines are NOT permitted to be sold. Their policies are shown below:

Perfume testers and dramming bottles (which are bottles from which small quantities can be taken for supply to consumers as free samples), typically marked with the words 'demonstration' or 'not for sale', may not be listed on eBay. Also, you need to make sure that the essential and legally required information - such as, among others, the identity of the manufacturer or the person responsible for marketing the product, the composition of the product (content and list of ingredients), the use of the product (function and particular precautions to be observed in use) and preservation of the product (date of minimum durability) - is not missing from any permissible cosmetic or perfume product. Smell-alike perfumes may not be listed on eBay when they are compared to a well-known brand or scent. You may not list a perfume in a bottle other than the original bottle (decanters).

Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including restrictions of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

What are the guidelines?

Allowed:

  • New, in-box full-sized cosmetics
  • Factice bottles (dummy merchandise bottles)
  • Collector items (empty bottles)


Restricted:

Perfumes in their original bottles including miniatures and samples can be listed as long as you make sure that the essential and legally required information (see Policy overview) is not missing and that the box is not missing if the bottle came in a special box

Homemade cosmetics can be listed, as long as you make sure they comply with country regulations

Smell-alike perfumes can be listed, as long as there is no reference to a brand in the item title, attributes or description and the item is not listed in a category for branded items. Also, you are not allowed to circumvent this rule by misspelling brand names or otherwise trying to refer or allude to a brand.

Not allowed:

Items that are not allowed include, but are not limited to:

  • Testers
  • Dramming bottles
  • Decanters
  • Used cosmetics
  • Replica perfumes or cosmetics

Friday, December 13, 2013

Vintage 1970s Chanel Factice Wall Display

Vintage 1970s Chanel Factice Wall Display. 

This astonishing wood & plexiglass fronted display stand would have been removed from the wall in which it was set when Chanel altered the size of the bottles which happened to coincide when barcoding came into play in the early 1980's, it stands at exactly 48cms tall by 38cms wide by 5cms deep ( 1ft 5" tall x 1ft 3" wide x 2" deep ), it is in absolutely superb condition save the odd, easy to remove dark mark to the painted frame.

Of the 5 parfum bottles, the 2x 7ml bottles stand at 5.5cm, 2x 14ml bottles stand at 7cm & the largest, which is set into the centre of the display stands at 8cm are full with intact black wax CC logo seal & the original Baudruchage membrane (though the larger bottle has a small amount of residue). Thanks to the gold mirrored walls to the case being set at 45 degree angle to the flat face of the case the case appears to hold more than the 5 bottles.

This item sold on ebay for approximately $1,959.24 US dollars on Sept. 25, 2013.






Photos and info from ebay seller sam_in_barbate 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Chanel No. 31 c1920 and Mademoiselle Chanel 31 rue Cambon c1945

Chanel No. 31: launched around 1921, created by Ernest Beaux.

Chanel No 31: possibly relaunched in 1933.


On Thursday, March 04, 1948, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for MADEMOISELLE CHANEL 31 RUE CAMBON by Chanel, Inc., NEW YORK.

First Use Anywhere: 2/17/1948
First Use In Commerce: 2/17/1948

The USPTO has given the MADEMOISELLE CHANEL 31 RUE CAMBON trademark serial number of 71551168 in 1950. The federal status of this trademark filing expired in 1992.

Mademoiselle Chanel No. 31 rue Cambon: launched in 1945. Became Coco Chanel's signature scent following the split from the Wertheimer's.

Unhappy with the quality of the perfumes that the Wertheimers were selling in her name through their newly minted Chanel, Inc. company in the USA, in 1945, Gabrielle took matters into her own hands.

After finding a small perfumer in Switzerland to produce her new perfumes using the last of her raw materials, she started a new perfume line on her own and began making a line of competitive perfumes, based on the originals. She named them "Mademoiselle Chanel No.5", , “Mademoiselle Chanel 31 rue Cambon”. The perfumer also made new versions of Ernest Beaux’s creations and renamed them “Mademoiselle Chanel Bois des Iles” and “Mademoiselle Chanel Cuir de Russie.”

Gabrielle Chanel gave lawyer, Rene de Chambrun several tiny bottles to give to his wife. She then asked if it were possible that she could make these up from her own home, and Chambrun declared that she could, provided that she could only give them as “gifts”. Chambrun’s wife enjoyed the perfume and a Russian “nose” also agreed and they both deemed the perfume “exquisite”. A Swiss perfumer was instructed by Gabrielle to make up a hundred bottles of her various perfumes.

To get around the trademark for the bottle design, she used cylindrical bottles with sloping shoulder and topped with disk shaped, ground glass stoppers adorned with a red circular label bearing a large C for Chanel. These same bottles (sans Chanel labels) were also used by D’Orsay for several of their perfumes. To decorate the bottles Gabrielle used a eye catching red label with white lettering, in a simplistic font, true to her style of minimalism.

She then started selling the perfumes in her boutique. Chambrun mistakenly believed that she was permitted to do so in her contract with the Wertheimers. The Wertheimers disagreed and claimed she was counterfeiting their product of which they owned the trademark names. In 1946, a lawsuit between her and the Wertheimers ensued. They came to her boutique and seized all of her bottles labeled "Mademoiselle Chanel No. 5". A new settlement was reached and, she was allowed to sell perfumes under the name "Mademoiselle Chanel" but was not allowed to use the number 5 in conjunction with any of her perfumes.

Keeping her promise to Chambrun and Maitre Chresteil, president of the French Bar Association, she prefixed each perfume with “Mademoiselle Chanel” and sent them as gifts to her friends, Hollywood’s own Samuel Goldwyn and owners of the two most prolific department stores in New York Neiman Marcus and Bernard Gimbel.

She ceased the production of these perfumes in 1947. Who was the Swiss perfumer? No one knows. Gabrielle never revealed his name publicly.

So what does it smell like? Notes of oakmoss, jasmine and roses. This was later reformulated by Henri Robert and christened Chanel No. 19 and launched in 1970 as a tribute to Coco Chanel on the occasion of her birthday.

This is a different perfume than the newly made 31 rue Cambon: created in 2007 by Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake. Notes: Iris, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, bergamot, black pepper, patchouli, citrus, labdanum


The Best French Short Stories of ... and the Yearbook of the ... - Page 23, 1923:
"They were like that cursed perfume — mixture No. 31, which he got from Chanel's — which always floated round Gerard. . . . Ah, what a nuisance!"


Photo from Elysium.

Photo from Elysium.


Jasmin de Chanel c1933

Jasmin by Chanel: launched in 1933, created by Ernest Beaux.


Chypre de Chanel c1925

"Chypre de Chanel" stands as a timeless fragrance masterpiece crafted by perfumer Ernest Beaux and introduced by Chanel, the epitome of elegance in the fashion world, in 1925. The term "chypre" denotes a distinct fragrance category characterized by a base featuring oakmoss, labdanum, and bergamot. This genre traces its origins back to the 19th century, rooted in the aromatic traditions of Mediterranean perfumery.

During the early 20th century, chypre fragrances experienced a golden age, captivating the olfactory senses of perfume connoisseurs worldwide. This era witnessed a profusion of interpretations from various esteemed perfume houses, each infusing their creations with unique nuances and additional notes. Among the pioneers was François Coty, whose 1917 release of "Chypre" is often hailed as one of the earliest modern chypre compositions.

The 1920s marked a zenith for chypre fragrances, symbolizing sophistication and refinement. Chanel's rendition of the chypre style quickly garnered acclaim, solidifying its place as a legendary creation in the annals of perfumery. Renowned for its intricate blend of citrus, floral, and woody elements, "Chypre de Chanel" exudes an enduring elegance that transcends time.

The perennial allure of chypre fragrances attests to their profound impact on the world of perfumery, a testament to their lasting legacy and unwavering appeal across generations.

Ambre de Chanel c1925

Amber: Unveiled in the iconic year of 1925, this exquisite fragrance marks a pivotal moment in the history of perfumery. Crafted by the skilled hands of Ernest Beaux, Ambre is hailed as a masterpiece, believed to be the inaugural perfume created for the illustrious Chanel house.

Transport yourself to the opulent atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties, where Ambre emerged as a beacon of sophistication and allure. In an era defined by extravagance and liberation, this fragrance captivated the senses of the fashionable elite, embodying the essence of glamour and refinement.

The allure of amber fragrances in the 1920s can be attributed to their rich and complex olfactory profiles, evoking a sense of warmth, sensuality, and mystery. Amber perfumes, renowned for their unparalleled luxury and mystique, occupy a special place in the world of fragrance. Derived from the rare and precious substance known as ambergris, these perfumes exude an aura of opulence and sophistication.

With its harmonious blend of precious ingredients, Ambre de Chanel, no doubt, exuded an irresistible charm, becoming synonymous with the era's avant-garde spirit.

As the embodiment of timeless elegance, Ambre continues to enchant modern-day connoisseurs, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of Chanel and the artistry of Ernest Beaux.


Thursday, October 17, 2013

FAKE CHANEL PERFUME ALERT

Vintage Chanel No. 5 Perfume Bottles



Here are three pictures of authentic vintage Chanel perfume in the larger sizes.



Extrait GM = 3 oz parfum extrait



Extrait MM = 2 oz parfum extrait



Photos by ebay seller hitidedeer





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.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Info on Chanel Perfume Bottles

Chanel perfume bottles...
  • All Chanel perfumes appear in the signature Chanel bottle based on the original Sem design. 
  • All Chanel bottles have been made by Verreries Brosse and usually the bases will be embossed with a VB or BR logo. 
  • From the 1920s until 1951, the small O used in any perfume beginning with No. (number), will have a dot underneath it, after 1951, the dot disappears. 
  • From 1970-1987, all Chanel's pure parfums will be marked with the word Perfume underneath the fragrance's name. Starting in 1988, we see the word Parfum used instead.
  • Starting in 1987, the words Paris/New York are added to Eau de Parfums.
  • Black striped boxes used up until 1958.
  • The words "New York Distributor" was used from the late 1940s and into the 1950s.
  • The familiar black and gold cologne sprays were introduced in 1958, they were metered to expel 800 sprays in each bottle. Light and sturdy, designed by Chanel for the age of air travel.
  • Cologne and talc was used from 1939 - onwards

Decipher the numbers found on the extrait boxes:
  • No. 203 = 3 oz 
  • No. 202 = 2 oz
  • No. 201 = 1 oz
  • No. 200 = 1/2 oz
  • No. 210 = 1/4 oz
  • No. 375 = 1 1/2 oz (Eau de Cologne, not extrait)

Decipher the letters on the boxes to determine size of bottles:
  • T.T.P.M = 1/4 oz (Tres Tres Petit Modele/Very Very or Extra Extra Small)
  • T.P.M. = 1/2 oz (Tres Petit Modele/Very or Extra Small)
  • P.M. (Petit Modele/Small) = 1 oz 
  • M.M. (Moyen Modele/Medium) = 2 oz
  • G.M. (Grand Modele/Large) = 3 oz
  • T.G.M. (Tres Grand Modele/Very or Extra Large) = 4 oz


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.

Fake Chanel Perfume ALERT!

Fake Chanel Perfumes on ebay this week:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Chanel-No-5-Perfume-1-oz-Sealed-Evaporated-RARE-/111181552219?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e2efda5b

Boxes are wrong, also look at terrible font on the boxes and on the label, it doesn't even line up correctly. Also bottle is not embossed "Chanel" on base like it should be.

Here is another fake Chanel perfume on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VERY-OLD-VINTAGE-BOTTLE-OF-CHANEL-NO-5-WITH-STOPPER-APPROX-IMATELY-25-FULL-/151135599220?pt=fragrance&hash=item2330623a74

The label is completely wrong. Also bottle is not embossed "Chanel" on base like it should be.

Here is another fake Chanel:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Authentic-VINTAGE-Chanel-No-5-Paris-Perfume-size-7-/350890139102?pt=fragrance&hash=item51b2ae9dde

The bottle and stopper are not correct. Also bottle is not embossed "Chanel" on base like it should be.

More Fake Chanel perfume, this time one of those crappy "Essence of Chanel" fake roll ons that were popular in the 1970s-1980s. These are not genuine Chanel perfumes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Essense-of-Chanel-Roll-On-Perfume-/151133264442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23303e9a3a

Another fake perfume:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CHANEL-NO-5-1-OZ-BOTTLE-SEALED-/300975585882?pt=fragrance&hash=item46138afa5a

again in wrong bottle, not genuine.

Fake Chanel again!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CHANEL-NO-5-PERFUME-ALMOST-EMPTY-BOTTLE-MADE-IN-FRANCE-w-Maxfactor-com-/121179406297?pt=fragrance&hash=item1c36daffd9


Fake!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CHANEL-NO-5-PARFUM-PERFUME-BOTTLE-FULL-/370847378039?pt=fragrance&hash=item565839ea77

Fake bottle and label looks terrible!

Here's another one!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-CHANEL-NO-5-Pure-Perfume-Extrait-1-4-oz-7-ml-Full-In-Box-/310570791968?pt=fragrance&hash=item484f763420


Thursday, October 3, 2013

Real Chanel No. 19 Poudre vs. Fake Chanel No. 19 Poudre

On MakeupAlley this week, a member named hadas had posted some pictures of a fake Chanel No. 19 Poudre perfume she purchased from ebay.

Fake Chanel No. 19 Poudre photos:

Notice there is no accent symbol over the E in the word Poudre. Also notice the color of the perfume, it appears to be a fluorescent artificial green color.

Notice the discoloration along the edge of the label.

The base of the bottle is not "engraved" with the correct information, it looks like it is printed on. Also it should have the R in a circle after Chanel on the bottom of the bottle and should say Chanel twice. 

Front, back, & underside pics of the fake (it came with a fancy 'outer sleeve'):




Discoloration along the collar on the neck where the perfume has leaked.

The REAL Chanel No. 19 Poudre pics are below:

See the information on the base of the bottle.