Chanel – Allure review : Elegant and seductive

It seems as if every perfume Chanel makes is doomed to success. Still, some perfumes, such as Coco Mademoiselle, Chance, and Allure are uplifted more than any other, and both critics and public exalt them as contemporary classics. After them, all others are measured, their success and…Allure. Whether because of the popularity or the traditionally controlled, top-quality artistry, or positive stereotypes – we don’t know, but what we know for sure is that there is almost no girl or woman who hasn’t had one of these three perfumes.

The first Allure in eau de toilette concentration appeared in 1996, followed by perfume water, pure perfume, body milk, bath gel, and hair spray. Due to the very similar DNA of perfume and practicality, in this review, I will focus primarily on Eau de parfum concentration, while other forms differ mainly in the transparency of the fragrance, and not so much in the composition.

Chanel says for Allure:

Difficult to describe, impossible to resist.

And indeed, most Chanel perfumes are challenging to describe. Probably, because they have unique and complex perfume structures, composed of many fragrant notes and accords, as well as aromatic facets that intertwine, rise, and change, leaving people anything but indifferent and bored. Namely, these compositions require an analytical mind and an open heart.

Allure is a dance of two fragrant notes, bourbon vanilla, and mandarin, which play a traditional Viennese waltz, with impeccable style and moderation. Some would say that it is too much restraint, but that is Chanel. My impression is that Allure is Chanel’s answer to Guerlain Shalimar, which still attracts the attention of both sexes, although almost 100 years old. Successfully made vanilla in the perfume has the peculiarity of transcending time, gender, and nationality, and everyone wants a piece of that cake. Despite having an almost identical composition, the backbone of Shalimar is also vanilla and citrusy sparkling and delicious bergamot; these two perfumes still have specific differences. Due to its restrained but refined nature, Allure is rather intended to be worn during the day, while Shalimar, due to its equally refined but unrestrained and somewhat animalistic, dirty nature (inspired by the panties of Monsieur Guerlain’s mistress), is more for the night. Kind of night that guarantees a walk of shame the next morning.

So, perfume lovers, you have a recipe: Allure for work, Shalimar for the boudoir. Just be careful not to mix them up; you don’t want to open that Pandora’s box.

The creator of the perfume is Jacques Polge.

What is your favorite Allure concentration? Mine is Eau de parfum followed by a flanker Allure Sensuelle.