Chanel No 5

Chanel No. 5 is one of the most famous fragrances in the world. Some people know it as Marilyn Monroe's perfume (and even more provocatively as the only thing she wore to bed). Others think of it as the iconic fragrance of the last century. Still others think of it as quite simply the most beautiful scent in the world.It's impossible to describe the scent, of course. The top notes are jasmine, neroli, and aldehydes. The middle (or heart) notes are ylang-ylang, rose, iris, and lily of the valley. At the base are amber, vanilla, and patchouli. But what does that mean? Why is this the fragrance many women dream of and consider the epitome of romance? Chanel No. 5 is truly greater than the sum of its parts.When Chanel No. 5 debuted in the 1920s, it was truly revolutionary. Unlike most perfumes that were made from flowers at the time and faded quickly, Chanel was made from oils and could be worn in smaller quantities that would last longer. Coco Chanel herself was a fashion designer and a very daring woman, so she wanted this perfume to be bold, elegant, and complex. Of course, now it is considered a classic and in unquestionable good taste.The current face of Chanel No. 5 is Australian actress Nicole Kidman. In the now famous television and print ads (famous for being the most expensive ads ever filmed, if nothing else), she recreates a scene from Marilyn Monroe's film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, bringing the cultural symbolism full circle. If you want to experience Chanel No. 5 yourself, you may select the eau de perfume, eau de toilette, bath gel, body lotion, bath soap, and even some other products like deodorant spray, hair mist, and talc scented with this classic fragrance.