Chanel No. 5: The Art and Science Behind a Timeless Perfume

[@iramazul988]

Beautiful lecture by Michelle! 👏 Chanel Nº5 is my absolute favourite perfume. It's magic in a bottle. 😍 Being a Pharmacy Technician, I have always found perfumes fascinating. 🥰

[@nikhilsfrags]

What a beautiful lecture and delivery. Bring more please.

[@jazellevalentine1696]

Chanel no 5 is my favorite perfume. I’m 19 and I’ve been wearing it for two years. It smells lovely on my skin and body chemistry. Also, I literally live in Ann Arbor so I was shocked that the AADL has a lecture on my favorite perfume.

[@glasspetalsmoke]

It's a classic and when it works it can be quite the showstopper. Smell & Tell events take place at the Ann Arbor District Library monthly (sometimes more often). The series is over six years old. I'll be giving my 80th Smell & Tell talk this Wednesday, December 19th. Details can be found at the AADL site and on my blog. I was on Live in the D this week with Tati Amare and Meredith Bruckner, and spoke about how to buy perfume. It's posted on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5bGmqlmlrqYl8U

[@jazellevalentine1696]

glasspetalsmoke I just watched it. Thank you for the information. I will definitely be there, with bells (and no 5) on.

[@kamarvika]

I will never have this perfume...its Tooo expensive for me 😭😭😭

[@edpetrus]

Just watched this presentation, wonderful, thank you. I found your talk because I've been looking for a connection between a perfume by Houbigant called Quelques Fleurs and no 5. Apparently the former is a revived old recipe that was supposed to be loved by the last of the French royals. When I was introduced to it by a salesman in San Francisco, he said something about Coco Chanel using it as an example of a perfume she liked. It struck me how similar it is to No 5 and I bought it for my younger daughter as a Xmas gift but she's letting it sit unused. It truly is a wonderful floral perfume. Perhaps there are some common standout ingredients? Look forward to any insight you might have.

[@glasspetalsmoke]

One would have to compare vintage formulas against current ones by smell and GC-Mass Spec to know for sure. The aldehyde overdose in No. 5 was, to my knowledge, unique. Guessing both original formulas had up to 200+ ingredients as vintage formulas were more complex and contained more natural ingredients than modern perfumes.

[@annemiekevandenbelt2971]

Great lecture! I’m a perfume addict as well since age 13, love Chanel and not only No. 5 but a lot more of those gorgeous scents :)

[@glasspetalsmoke]

Cuir de Russie (Parfum) and No. 19 are favorites (the first is a great winter scent). Glad you enjoyed the lecture!

[@annemiekevandenbelt2971]

@@glasspetalsmoke Oh yes I love those too! I recently bought myself a bottle of Coromandel, also very addictive to me :)

[@BobbyDior]

This was wonderful! My favorite CHANEL perfume has been Pour Monsieur and now, Coromandel. On a woman, I identify more with COCO edp. My bottle of No. 5 is the Ruby Red edition from two years ago. I brought it out and spritzed my forearm with it as I listened to Michelle's presentation. Mahalo for this!

[@glasspetalsmoke]

You're welcome!

[@goodtrubble9688]

Great information! I'll watch again to take in more. I like this lecture a lot.

[@glasspetalsmoke]

Thank you. Was a lot of fun to research and nice to be able to share what the Ann Arbor District Library filmed.

[@goodtrubble9688]

@@glasspetalsmoke do you have other videos/ lectures I can view on KZbin? I happened on this by chance, but would like to see more. Thanks. 😁

[@glasspetalsmoke]

@@goodtrubble9688 Most of the Smell & Tell programming I do isn't filmed, but that can change in the near future. Will keep folks posted here.

[@marceloccarmello7978]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[@sunburnchaplips6802]

My Mother wore Chanel number five in the 1970's and I was a child. I loved that smell. It does not today smell the same.

[@glasspetalsmoke]

The formula gets tweaked over time based on regulations and improvements (tech). Chanel takes great care of its formulas. If you are feeling nostalgic see if you can get a decant of Chanel No. 5 that was sold in the 1970s. You don't need a full bottle, just a small vial. The Perfumed Court is a good place to start. If you come upon an unopened bottle that was stored away from heat and light, and is sealed in the box (NIB=New in Box on Ebay, Etsy, etc.) you may want to buy a bottle.

[@annamariaferranti29]

Excellent talk so enjoyed it. I will Definitely review this again and again so informative . Thank you

[@glasspetalsmoke]

The story of Chanel No. 5 is timeless. So many elements continue to be relatable and charming. The creation of something new, the challenge of being a woman in a man's world (perfumery and fashion), the accidental overdose of aldehydes by perfumer Ernest Beaux's lab assistant in one of the modifications (#5). The more you know the more you bring into the experience of wearing Chanel No. 5. Glad you enjoyed the program.

[@dondizm2678]

I love the science and poetry behind Chanel N5! Thank you and yes there is no gender to perfumes. 🙂

[@glasspetalsmoke]

The science and poetry are the best part. So much goes into creative endeavors of all kinds, but the elements of intention, emotion and memory that shape perfume are very special because perfume generates a unique set of emotions and memories in everyone!

[@shahrilpower2091]

wow i learn so much ... and the way she lecturer it .... it sounded so entertaining

[@glasspetalsmoke]

Thank you. Smell & Tell is entering its sixth year of programming and I try to keep it interesting and entertaining. What you don't see in the video is what happens when people smell the ingredients used to make the perfume, as well as the finished product. Those are magical moments because everyone shares their sensory impressions and stories.

[@tomasinacovell4293]

I learned a lot from this, and yesterday I just ordered yet another bottle of Chanel No.5. What is that watch you have on, and you remind me a little of Elisabeth Moss and someone else... I can't think of?

[@sarahsmile2883]

this was a great lecture, thank you!! I have always been very much into fragrance because the memories that are triggered.

[@glasspetalsmoke]

+Sarah Lundeen So glad you enjoyed the presentation. Smell is memory's sense; so precious!

[@homevidomemory]

Love love your story...

[@EliezaBaby]

Omg best lecture ever. Keep it coming please .

[@glasspetalsmoke]

Glad you enjoyed the video. There will be more in the future.

[@LarryOfilms]

I heard she was inspired the decanters her lover Boi had for the bottle’s design.

[@sharfalor4244]

My mum has worn Chanel No 5 for 50 years (most of my life). Interestingly I've only ever come across two women who despise and avoid any kind of perfume, both cook very bland/un seasoned food. They both suffered abusive childhood relationships with their mothers. Having said that they both use overly chemical smelling cleaning products. One claims to be sensitive to any additives in skin care, but a look around her bathroom soaps etc tells me otherwise. I wonder if they are unconsciously avoiding smells that remind them of their childhood.

[@kendalson7100]

The first overdose of that laundry powder musk in scent was in Drakkar Noir. I've always hated it and can't figure out why people want to smell like a box of Tide. Horses for courses.

[@handelviola]

Can you post the Patchouly lecture?

[@glasspetalsmoke]

Thanks for your request. AADL did not film the Patchouli event, but you can read this post on Glass Petal Smoke as it is quite popular and informative. glasspetalsmoke.blogspot.com/2009/02/patchouli-from-haute-to-not-and-back.html

[@handelviola]

Thank you! I enjoyed watching this as I too am just fell under the spell of no5 and got myself a vintage bottle for a song and it just smells amazing!!! I'm 32 male.

[@glasspetalsmoke]

You're welcome! Chanel No. 5 has a timeless charm and despite tweaks in the formula over the years, the brand had maintained the integrity of the fragrance.

[@digitalsmoke4694]

was chanel No.5 reformulated from the original?

[@glasspetalsmoke]

There are tweaks made to the formula over time because some materials fall out of favor (industry regulation, scarcity of materials due to environmental issues, etc.). Chanel has stayed true to the formula, for the most part, but I would encourage you to explore vintages in samples sizes. There will be a reduction in top notes with older formulas, but you will be able to judge their character. The Perfumed Court is a great place to start. theperfumedcourt.com/

[@mrbigbigtoe]

glasspetalsmoke The thing to remember though, buying a vintage perfume is not always a good idea, because typically, if the bottle is over 10 years old, the smell has completely changed and it bears no resemblance to what it used to smell like

[@Ai-he1dp]

She can come for dinner anytime.