[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] Being honest, at first I didn’t think I liked the new fragrance from Chanel. Le Lion is very resinous – it’s got that antique wood kind of note that takes me back to visits to stately homes in my childhood.
I’d describe this fragrance as fuzzy – you’re not quite sure what you’re getting behind the big hit of labdanum and powder until the juice has a little time to settle at which point the lemony citrus appears. Everything that comes from Chanel (Olivier Polge is the nose) has references to the house – I’m thinking of the Coromandel screens of lacquered wood and the continuing sweet powder story that runs through so many of the fragrances. The lion, of course, represents Chanel’s star sign – Leo – and has appeared on everything from blusher to buttons. I like to think of the initial new product meetings with the archive files gathered to decide which emblem is on the rotation because sure enough, they all appear and disappear.
It’s the powder notes that identify it fully as Chanel – it’s rounded off with bourbon vanilla while the base notes are sandalwood and musky patchouli.
I don’t know – I find it quite mysterious and intriguing… this isn’t a note profile that I’d naturally be drawn to (and it hasn’t replaced my favourite No.5) but it’s very more-ish. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve sniffed at my wrist for another hit. I didn’t particularly like Gabrielle which was a big departure for the brand from their usual profiles and while Le Lion is another step away from the double C comfort zone, it’s more alluring. It’s £155 for 75ml HERE, non-affiliate HERE. A little goes a long way. It’s not for you if you like the sweet and breezy structures of No.5 or Mademoiselle for example but it is for you if you love enveloping depth and citrus woods.
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