As a beauty editor, I love discovering new and niche scents, but there's something about a classic perfume that will always hold a special place in my heart. And when it comes to the classics, I automatically think of Chanel perfumes.
So, I set out to test what many consider to be the best-smelling fragrance from the luxe fashion house: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum. its one of the brand’s most iconic perfumes—and 25 years after it's launch, Coco Mademoiselle is still a cult-favorite. It's worn and loved by everyone from beauty editors to celebrities, and I needed to see if it lived up to its icon status.
With the success of Coco Mademoiselle, Chanel has also released a few flankers, the newest being Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu. But how does this fresh version compare to the classic? Our team spritzed and sniffed both to find out. Keep reading for a deep dive on the original and discover which scent is right for you based on your scent preferences.
What does Coco Mademoiselle smell like?
Coco Mademoiselle is a warm floral fragrance that feels both timeless and modern. At first spritz, you get a bright effervescence from citrusy grapefruit and orange with a touch of bergamot (which is a cross between a bitter orange and a lemon). Then, as it settles, the floral middle notes open with jasmine, soft rose, and a hint of sweet lychee. Finally, the base notes come through with a signature swirl of Chanel warmth: Patchouli, vetiver, white musk, and vanilla. The result is slightly sweet thanks to the floral and fruity notes, but maintains a creamy skin-like aura thanks to the base notes.
Is Coco Mademoiselle long-lasting?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: I sprayed Coco Mademoiselle for the first time before meeting a few friends I hadn't seen in months. As I hugged them, the first thing they said to me wasn’t “how are you?” but "you smell so good, what are you wearing?" Then, throughout the night, I had a dirty martini—okay...a few—and walked all around New York City, so it was an active night to say the least. When I woke up in the morning, 14 hours after my initial spray, I still smelled hints of florals and vanilla. The longevity is truly incredible. So, long answer: Also yes.
What age group is Coco Mademoiselle for?
This goes without saying, but there’s no age bracket for perfume. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, anyone can—and will—enjoy Coco Mademoiselle as long as you’re a fan of perfumes with bright, floral, and musky facets. Remember, scent is subjective, so some people may call this an “old lady perfume” but that doesn’t mean that it inherently is. I’m in my mid-twenties and enjoy it, and I have friends who have worn Coco Mademoiselle since their teenage years. My mom is also a fan! This is a scent that truly transcends age.
My Chanel Coco Mademoiselle review:
It’s no secret that scent has the magical ability to bring us back to specific memories. I’ve never experienced this phenomenon more clearly than when I first sprayed Coco Mademoiselle. Immediately, it reminded me of one of my best friends from college. I hadn’t lived with her in four years, but suddenly I was transported back to our apartment. I texted her instantly: “Did you wear Chanel Coco Mademoiselle in college?” She replied, “YES my classic scent. I’m wearing it right now!” If that’s not the epitome of a signature scent, I don’t know what is. I could recognize it years later, and she still wears it to this day.
At first spritz, it’s fresh and a little fruity without being cloying. Hours later, it settles into a warm, sensual vanilla with slight floral traces. I’m pretty picky about vanilla perfumes (they can oftentimes veer too sweet and skin-like for me), but here, the vanilla blends perfectly into a light citrusy-floral cloud.
I know some people may associate Chanel with older, powdery scents—like Chanel No. 5—but Mademoiselle feels ageless and timeless. My roommate wore it in college, I’m obsessed with it in my mid-twenties, and my mom (who is picky about scent because perfume gives her headaches) tried it and was converted. It also comes in an Eau de Parfum intense, so you can opt for the extrait depending on your strength preference, without a major price difference.
What other editors think of Coco Mademoiselle:
Mary Honkus, Contributing Beauty Editor
“My first ever designer perfume was a Chanel scent—Chanel Chance to be exact. And I won’t lie, I didn’t like it. That initial interaction cemented the idea in my head that Chanel is a very mature perfume brand. Years later when I first tried Coco Mademoiselle, I wasn’t a huge fan. However, my scent preferences have shifted recently, and this perfume has grown on me.
I now consider this quiet luxury in a bottle. It’s sophisticated without trying too hard, and it’s what I imagine the chicest French women to smell like. Two spritzes go a long way—this perfume is so strong and lingers for hours. (So be sure not to overspray, or you may develop a headache.)
I actually prefer the newest flanker, Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu, which is a bit more playful and energetic thanks to the juicy lychee-grapefruit opening. Consider the OG Coco Mademoiselle your signature nude lipstick, while this new iteration is the vibrant gloss you layer on top. You really can’t go wrong with either.”
Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor
“Coco Mademoiselle is far and away the best Chanel perfume. The notes are blended seamlessly, it smells clean and dainty, and if the “clean girl aesthetic” had a scent, it would be this.”
Final verdict:
In my opinion, Chanel Mademoiselle is a classic and a bestseller for a reason. The scent isn’t overpowering, but it’s strong enough to leave a lasting impression. It strikes the perfect balance of warm and musky but also fruity and floral. The fact that you can get both the 1.7 fl. oz. and 3.4 fl. oz. sizes for under $200 feels like a steal for such a luxury brand. So if you’re in search of a bright perfume that smells fresh and a little like your skin but sweeter, you’ll love Coco Mademoiselle.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about all the best fragrance trends and perfumes. For this story, she tested Chanel Coco Mademoiselle to give you her honest, unfiltered opinion.
Mary Honkus is a beauty contributor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories. She is an authority in all beauty categories but has a sweet spot for fragrance with a collection of over 300 scents. For this story, she tried the original Coco Mademoiselle as well as the new Crush Absolu flanker.
Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.