Our take
What does Allure Sensuelle smell like?
In 2005 Chanel gave Allure, launched nine years earlier, a nocturnal sister. Jacques Polge, then the house perfumer, composed this eau de parfum. It starts on citrus: bergamot, mandarin and orange, pricked with pink pepper. That sparkle fades fast. The heart darkens quickly. Rose and jasmine are there, yet iris gives them a powdery texture and dried fruits add an almost candied roundness. The base is the reason to love it. Patchouli and incense lay down a dry smoke. Amber and vanilla soften it, while vetiver keeps some structure inside all that velvet. This is far from the clean brightness of the original Allure. It sits closer to Coco with the heaviest spices taken out. On warm skin it grows into something much bigger than the first fifteen minutes suggest.
When to wear it
An autumn and winter scent for evenings and dates. Two sprays are enough, one on the neck and one on a sweater.
It belongs to the Floral, Oriental / Amber family. Allure Sensuelle is one of 45 creations by Chanel in our encyclopedia.
