CHANEL Le Lion Review (Olivier Polge) + Listen to the Lion Draw

Chanel Le Lion review

CHANEL Le Lion via @chanelofficial

“And I shall search my very soul
I shall search my very soul

For the lion
For the lion
For the lion
For the lion
Inside of me…” ~ Listen to the Lion, written by Van Morrison in 1969

 

Van Morrison

via the Irish Times©

One sniff of the latest CHANEL oeuvre Le Lion – and I am swept into deep reverie by Van the Man, the Northern Irish bard’s hypnotic Joycean train of thought in which his prose and voice form the fabric of the song Listen to the Lion. Love, passion, loss, endless searching for that which eludes his grasp. The lion within him finds its voice as he seeks to verbalize cascading emotions. There are equal measures of boasting, despair and longing. He moans, roars, rages, seduces over 11 precious minutes. How strange that CHANEL Le Lion follows suit – and that Madame’s own private life would find similar ripples echoed in perfume and music.

Le Lion de Chanel review

via @chanelofficial

“I am a Leo and, like a lion, I use my claws to prevent people from doing me harm, but, believe me, I suffer more from scratching than from being scratched.” ~ Gabrielle CHANEL

Lions figured prominently in Mme. CHANEL’s adventurous life; they represented her astrological sign, Leo and appeared as her totem spirit animal. Lions are emblazoned upon her ensemble buttons, the clasps on her handbags, and frequently as a theme in her jewelry collections. She amassed many figurines and displayed them as a matter of course. The golden lion atop St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice had especial significance for Coco; it was where she and her friends sought respite in art immediately after the untimely accidental death of Mme. CHANEL’s amour fou, Boy (Arthur Edward) Capel. In several aspects Mme. exhibited classically leonine traits: creativity, loyalty, a love of order and considerable business acumen (Leo is a fixed sign, after all), determination, self-confidence, courage, generosity, stubbornness and difficulty accepting criticism gracefully. Like many Leos, she adored the limelight and center stage.

 

Coco Chanel and her fascination with lions

 © CHANEL/ Coco CHANEL at her 31 Rue Cambon Apartment

Perfumes created under the CHANEL label nod to significant aspects of her life: her lucky number (5), the year a fragrance was released (22), a familiar tree in the Auvergne of her youth (Sycomore), the name of her cherished Chinese lacquered screens (Coromandel), address of her first boutique (31 Rue Cambon), her country sanctuary (Bel Respiro), Place Vendôme jewelry boutique (18), Riviera getaway wreathed in iris (28 La Pausa), etc. It follows most appropriately, then – that a fragrance honoring her sun sign would be a solid next step, given that she was known to be superstitious. 49 years after her demise, Master Perfumer Olivier Polge has seen to it; the result is CHANEL Le Lion. I did not have the opportunity to smell it until recently – and had I done so, I would have put it on my 2020 top 10 list. There will always be controversy when a new CHANEL fragrance is released. Much is expected of great houses; they traditionally employ highly-regarded perfumers.  By this writing you’ve doubtless read many reviews of Le Lion and may have sampled it for yourselves. What I see cropping up most frequently are the comparisons to CHANEL Coromandel and Guerlain’s Shalimar – so let’s address that right off.

 

 

CHANEL Le Lion is reminiscent of Shalimar and Cormandel

Ida’s Bottles of Shalimar, Cormandel and CHANEL Le Lion

I am fortunate to have a 2007 bottle of Coromandel eau de toilette in my collection, along with many iterations of both vintage and current day Shalimars available for juxtaposition – so I’ll try to unravel this. Despite modern eschewing the term “oriental” when we’re attempting to describe a dense, richly resinous perfume which can be spicy, Coromandel, Shalimar and Le Lion share that DNA; it’s all in the tweaking of a formula which has had innumerable variations upon a theme. All three perfumes smell woody and spicy. Coromandel and Shalimar cite incense as a component; Le Lion does not. Coromandel shares amber, woody notes and patchouli, but it possesses none of the sunny citrus introduction of CHANEL Le Lion and in the final analysis, it presents as a larger-than-life, baroque boozy patchouli-with-jasmine with a smattering of frankincense. There is nothing leathery or musky about it; it’s a wall of scent and a power powdery perfume even in the edt. Shalimar? That’s trickier: are we smelling vintage, where the drydown is smokier and more leathery – or a lemony flanker, a floral version, a more vanillic rendition, a contemporary bottle which is clearly different than any of these? There’s the rub. What distinguishes Le Lion from any of them is its brilliant clarion lemon/bergamot trumpet fanfare, truly solar in character and bracing. Both Shalimar (original) and Le Lion possess that opoponax nuance (except that it’s not listed in Le Lion) and a distinct leatheriness combined with musk, sandalwood and vanilla in the base. In Shalimar, civet is apparent; in Le Lion, it’s labdanum and a musk cocktail – and perhaps a snippet of birch tar or isobutyl quinoline, which isn’t listed either. Patchouli’s presence in each fragrance supports the woody/leathery aspect without claiming pride of place as it does in Coromandel. Shalimar is glorious, but not luminous – and Le Lion radiates, potent and lingering but somehow airier and brighter. I can only theorize that perhaps the particular distillation /type of patchouli is of the less heavy/earthy variety.

This isn’t a question of which fragrance is done better; they are each magnificent. Do you need all three in your collection? I can’t resolve that for you. Chacun à son goût. I personally feel that if you are sensitive to subtleties, you might want samples or decants of all three (I’m a realist; sometimes decants are all one can afford). CHANEL Le Lion is a beautifully executed, soulful perfume which weds beauty to the beast with the elegance for which CHANEL is renowned. It’s a coup for the house, especially in these times of many less-than-inspiring fragrances, and I find it marvelous.

 

CHANEL Le Lion de Chanel

via @chanelofficial

CHANEL Exclusifs Le Lion is an illuminated perfume filled with personality: rounded, complete, generous in its scope. It’s all about light – how it initially bursts upon the scene, shifts, transforms into a glowing, enduring purr. In contrast to other ambers, I find it satisfyingly warm and full-bodied sans heft; it intimates leather without the more primal aspect of a traditional Cuir de Russie (not CHANEL’s, which is more suave than many). CHANEL’s lovely sandalwood makes its appearance here; the effect is satiny, a beautiful buffer which polishes the perfume overall. And, of course – there’s the commencement, with such stunning lemon and bergamot that they jump out at you joyfully; that part is irresistible. Is Le Lion shocking? Ground-breaking? It is neither – it is a New Classic, a perfect perfume composed of the finest materials which should stand the test of time.

Well done, CHANEL.

Notes: lemon, bergamot, cistus labdanum, amber, Madagascar vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli

From my own collection. My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

I am happy to decant a small sample of my CHANEL Le Lion for one registered reader globally. You must register or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Ida’s review of CHANEL Le Lion and where you live.  Draw closes February 2, 2021

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59 comments

  • pimpompompam says:

    Ida’s review, just like a lion, not scared of confrontation, address comparisons to Chanel Coromandel and Guerlain’s Shalimar – right of the bat. I love it. I just bought a bottle for my sister – zodiacal Lion, but have no clue how it smells except for amazing cuz it’s Chanel.

    Thank you for a chance to win it 🙂

  • pimpompompam says:

    Ida’s review, just like a lion, not scared of confrontation, address comparisons to Chanel Coromandel and Guerlain’s Shalimar – right of the bat. I love it. I just bought a bottle for my sister – zodiacal Lion, but have no clue how it smells except for amazing cuz it’s Chanel.

    Thank you for a chance to win it 🙂

    chicago il

  • London says:

    I love the honesty of Ida’s review. It’s a straight up fair minded objective as possible comparison. I would love to try this one because I love this genre though I don’t love either Coromandel (too much patchouli) or Shalimar (never been able to work out why) so maybe this is the one for me! I’m in the UK

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    I enjoyed reading Ida’s viewpoints on this much talked about on the boards scent. I especially liked her discussion of it in context with Shalimar, since I’ve been hearing all about comparisons since the beginning. Thanks for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • alexmradulescu says:

    I have really liked the syncretic way Ida has approached this perfume – and all the cultural references, ranging from the romanesque of Joyce to ’60s rock-and-roll, paint the portrait of ‘Le Lion’ in scent like I haven’t hoped for, excluding literally having sniffed it. I have been longing to smell this since the rumor of it being available in the Middle East (mid-2020 I remember). The fact that it elicits such comparisons and enjoys the company of THE orientals (Shalimar & Coromandel – basically my favorites out there) speaks of its magnitude and its modern classic status I reckon it will receive. Paradoxically, I’m ambivalent about Ida’s review in the way that on the one hand it speaks of it so eloquently that I feel I know it before smelling it and, on the other hand, it makes me more eager to catch a whiff of it than ever before. 🙂

    I live in Romania (EU)

  • simo975g says:

    I cherish my bottle of Shalimar. I like how Ida deacribes the subtle differences between the quite similar fragrances. I believe Le Lion will be right up my alley.
    I live in Denmark, EU.

  • Ine Espenes says:

    I am very curious and intrigued by the drscription of this scent 🙂 The mentioned scents are among my favourites…

  • Donna S says:

    I like the shape shifting that is described. Bergamot, lemon them into a powdery purr. Seems very interesting. I always enjoy Chanel and love trying new things releases. I’d love to experience this one. Thank you! I’m in US.

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    I like the shape shifting that is described. Bergamot, lemon them into a powdery purr. Seems very interesting. I always enjoy Chanel and love trying new things releases. I’d love to experience this one. Thank you! I’m in US.

  • Lauren Yamasaki says:

    I love the memories it provokes in her! A good perfume does just that-takes you away. I’m in California.

  • NeroNick says:

    Le Lion has been on my radar for a while now, the only other Chanel Exclusive I have tried is Boy and I Have gone through multiple bottles of Egoiste Platinum. Would really love to try this as it is so difficult to get samples – if I were to own 2, my second would be Le Lion as i wonder how it would match up with Boy as a defining era for me. I grew up watching the Lion King and I feel like Simba is a representation of Boy and The grown up version puts him on to Le Lion!!
    Loved the write up Ida!
    NY USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I love that they are still naming fragrances that are connected to Coco. I’d love to sniff this knowing it would have made Ida’s top 20 list had she gotten her nose on it sooner. Curious what the year will bring, maybe it will be on the 2021 list. I’m excited about this description as I can actually relate as I have a decant of Coromondel and I’ve smelled Shalimar. Thanks Ida. USA.

  • jackie says:

    I enjoyed reading Ida’s review, especially the history and wonderful descriptions and feelings the scent brings up. I would love to try it! In the USA.

  • Chris B says:

    What appeals to me is this is Chanel Le Lion is viewed as a timeless masterpiece. Definitely like tests this out.

  • AleksCipri says:

    Great great review! I was just reading about different Shalimars before this. First I love Ida’s intro where she mentioned other important Chanel perfumes and their names. Then I love and appreciate her detailed comparison of Le Leion with Shalimar and Coromandel. It helped me a lot to imagine its smell. I think this is a great fragrance. I hope to get my nose on it some day. I’m from Illinois, US.

  • Jake Dauod says:

    What appeals to me the most is more or less just the fact that it’s from Chanel. I have so much respect for the brand as their perfumes are classic and gorgeous. The notes in Le Lion sound lovely and I would love to get my nose on a decant. Kind regards from Illinois, USA.

  • Tara says:

    Ida- Thank you for the historical references to the
    Development in the Chanel fragrance collection and in Chanels’ references to her milestones in the naming of her collections. This has been the first time in awhile based on a review I wanted to say splurge this ones special. Your in-depth discussions of the notes and the effect it had on someone of your experience made it clear this is something I want to experience.

  • Amaziz89 says:

    Coromandel, Shalimar and Le Lion share that DNA; it’s all in the tweaking of a formula which has had innumerable variations upon a theme. All three perfumes smell woody and spicy. Coromandel and Shalimar cite incense as a component; Le Lion does not. Coromandel shares amber, woody notes and patchouli, but it possesses none of the sunny citrus introduction of CHANEL Le Lion and in the final analysis, it presents as a larger-than-life, baroque boozy patchouli-with-jasmine with a smattering of frankincense. There is nothing leathery or musky about it; it’s a wall of scent and a power powdery perfume even in the edt. Shalimar? That’s trickier: are we smelling vintage, where the drydown is smokier and more leathery – or a lemony flanker, a floral version, a more vanillic rendition, a contemporary bottle which is clearly different than any of these? There’s the rub. What distinguishes Le Lion from any of them is its brilliant clarion lemon/bergamot trumpet fanfare, truly solar in character and bracing. Both Shalimar (original) and Le Lion possess that opoponax nuance (except that it’s not listed in Le Lion) and a distinct leatheriness combined with musk, sandalwood and vanilla in the base. In Shalimar, civet is apparent; in Le Lion, it’s labdanum and a musk cocktail – and perhaps a snippet of birch tar or isobutyl quinoline, which isn’t listed either. Patchouli’s presence in each fragrance supports the woody/leathery aspect without claiming pride of place as it does in Coromandel. Shalimar is glorious, but not luminous – and Le Lion radiates, potent and lingering but somehow airier and brighter. I can only theorize that perhaps the particular distillation /type of patchouli is of the less heavy/earthy variety.

    This isn’t a question of which fragrance is done better; they are each magnificent. Do you need all three in your collection? I can’t resolve that for you. Chacun à son goût. I personally feel that if you are sensitive to subtleties, you might want samples or decants of all three (I’m a realist; sometimes decants are all one can afford). CHANEL Le Lion is a beautifully executed, soulful perfume which weds beauty to the beast with the elegance for which CHANEL is renowned. It’s a coup for the house, especially in these times of many less-than-inspiring fragrances, and I find it marvelous. I am intrigued by the notes especially patchouli being my favourite note in perfumery and sandalwood and vanilla sound sumptuous. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    CHANEL Exclusifs Le Lion is an illuminated perfume filled with personality: rounded, complete, generous in its scope. It’s all about light – how it initially bursts upon the scene, shifts, transforms into a glowing, enduring purr. In contrast to other ambers, I find it satisfyingly warm and full-bodied sans heft; it intimates leather without the more primal aspect of a traditional Cuir de Russie (not CHANEL’s, which is more suave than many). CHANEL’s lovely sandalwood makes its appearance here; the effect is satiny, a beautiful buffer which polishes the perfume overall. And, of course – there’s the commencement, with such stunning lemon and bergamot that they jump out at you joyfully; that part is irresistible. Is Le Lion shocking? Ground-breaking? It is neither – it is a New Classic, a perfect perfume composed of the finest materials which should stand the test of time.

    Well done, CHANEL.

    Notes: lemon, bergamot, cistus labdanum, amber, Madagascar vanilla, sandalwood, musk, patchouli. A beautiful description by Ida I am intrigued by the mix of amber, sandalwood and lemon and bergamot. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • juhah says:

    I like the idea of a more woody Shalimar-like fragrance, especially with a leathery aspect as in Coromandel. Not sure it will be fully in my style but I would definitely like to try this one if I get the chance. From Finland.

  • teebear says:

    Thank you Ida for such a detailed and comprehensive review!

    I love reviews that create worldscapes encapsulating the experience of wearing the perfume, too.

    But ultimately for a perfume like Le Lion that is not trying, it seems, to reinvent the wheel but rather just to make a beautiful one which does its job perfectly, this side of the discussion is necessary too!

    I would love to have a decant of Le Lion. I hadn’t started getting into perfume too seriously before the pandemic began so my sampling of classics is still relatively small, and being able to sniff at perfumes like these that are grounded in classical canon is really informative!

    In Canada.

  • mleenstra says:

    Thanks Ida for offering this kind giveaway! I have been hearing these wonderful things about le Lion and based on your review I think the lemon and bergamot to lift up the more heavy amber, vanilla and sandalwood sounds lovely. I’m generally a fan of ambery fragrances and this sound luxurious and exquisite. Marit Uk

  • Erika says:

    I love the comparisons to Shalimar and Coromandel. It really gives me something concrete to compare Le Lion to. The best part is the truth in that all 3 perfumes have similarities, but all are spectacular in their own way. Usa

  • dinax26 says:

    I enjoyed the distinction you draw between degrees and character of patchouli, an essential yet often maligned element of perfumery. Your review inspires me to return to Shalimar, once too overwhelming, and to Coromandel, once too gourmand for me, to rethink my responses.

  • Claumarchini says:

    Thanks so much Ida for this great review! Recently, it seems editors read my mind…I’ve been thinking about Le Lion a lot and can’t wait to try it, and I was actually also thinking about the need to turn my attention also to great classics such as Shalimar: so this review really has been really interesting and helpful!! Le Lion sounds really great (then again, when I think about Chanel I cannot think of one single fragrance that is not good at all…) and it would be really great to have the opportunity to be given a sample from Ida’s personal bottle. I live in Milan, Italy

  • wandering_nose says:

    Very grateful to Ida on sharing her honest and unabashed views on this new but already much spoken about release from Chanel. The honest and upfront comparisons with Coromandel and Shalimar, both of which I own and love more than I do many others, leave me certain that Lion fully deserves to join this masterful trinity in my life. So looking forward to getting to know it. Thank you for the draw! Based in Ireland

  • Anders says:

    Owning both Shalimar and Coromandel, the thought of a similar but more radiant fragrances sounds beautiful. As always you guys give an amazing amount of backstory and information about the creation of a fragrance, which is always more interesting than just hearing about the final product.
    I’m located in rainy Washington.

  • Constancesuze says:

    As a leo and an amber/oriental fragrance lover who hasn’t tried Le Lion, I can say that yes, it is quite possible to need all three in your collection 😉
    Thanks for your review Ida! I love the musical ties and synesthesia, it’s always so illustrative, reading what other people connect to a fragrance. As someone who sees signs and symbols (despite myself) I’ve always sympathized with Chanel’s attachment to the lion and to the number 5. Personally I would go with horses and the number 8, but that’s another story.

  • BGL says:

    Mabuhay from the Philippines!

    Really enjoyed Ida’s review! Love how how she was able to give us a better description of the fragrance by comparing it to classics! Objective and relatable through and through.

    Now I’m more curious about how it smells and how it would fare in a hot & humid country like ours!

  • Carboytony826 says:

    Dear Ida, how I’ve missed the beauty and depth of your prose and the immense library of fragrant knowledge within you.

    Thank you for breaking out those comparisons, you are one of the few people who could so adeptly describe the variations between the fragrances and within the iterations thereof.

    I will ashamedly admit I’ve never tried any Chanel scent, that I owned two iterations of Shalimar and never tried them either.

    This composition sounds wonderful, and sometimes a new classic is what we need – a break from avant-garde, from pushing the limits.

    I’m in Massachusetts.

  • NiceVULady says:

    I enjoyed reading about the similarities and differences between Le Lion, Shalimar, and Coromandel. I own Coromandel and love it, but I have never owned Shalimar. Le Lion, with its outstanding lemon and bergamot “commencement” sounds divine. Ida’s descriptions are always so lyrical and evocative. Thank you to Ida for this gorgeous review. I’m in the USA

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Thanks for the draw and the review. I didnt know le Lion before but the ingredients sound Great. Ida‘s review is very vivid and straight and I like the discussion About shalimar. I live in the EU.

  • drjedi says:

    This was a great review and comparison of three great perfumes by Ida. Enjoyed reading about Chanel and her sign Leo, and how it affected her choices and character. Especially liked the quote by Chanel – “I am a Leo and, like a lion, I use my claws to prevent people from doing me harm, but, believe me, I suffer more from scratching than from being scratched.” So true is also the comment by Ida that sometimes decanter is all one can afford, given the plethora of great choices available, and so much marketing based on subtle differences. Thanks for the review and note on Gabrielle Chanel, and the generous draw. Would love to check out Le Lion – the notes sound lovely indeed. Writing from the USA.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    Ida’s review was fascinating, The way she broke down the fragrance by comparing it to others,, was done quite well and deftly.. Along with that, is the way she makes the reader imagine how it may smell, and what excitement it would channel – –

    CHANEL Le Lion is a beautifully executed, soulful perfume which weds beauty to the beast with the elegance for which CHANEL is renowned.

    “LLe Lion radiates, potent and lingering but somehow AIRIER and BRIGHTER. I can only theorize that perhaps the particular distillation/type of patchouli is of the less heavy/earthy variety.”

    “In contrast to other ambers, I find it satisfyingly warm and full-bodied sans heft; it intimates leather.”

    “And, of course – there’s the commencement, with such stunning lemon and bergamot that they JUMP OUT at you joyfully; that part is irresistible.”

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA.

  • Cristea Camelia says:

    ,, Shalimar is glorious, but not luminous – and Le Lion radiates, potent and lingering but somehow airier and brighter.” Well I always thought of my Shalimar edt as an oriental perfume that offers a glorious and luminous opening. So as I read that part of the review I searched for my Shalimar bottle and sprayed it on my wrist trying to imagine something brighter and airy. I am really curious about this one and I hope I have the chance to smell it soon.
    Reading the review from EU

  • Danu Seith-Fyr says:

    This creation has fascinated me since its emergence, something written so vividly from the personality of Madame Chanel. plus the fact that is is constantly referred to as the ‘new classic’ and the ringing endorsement of dear Ida, all add up to a must wear. I would be thrilled to partake of this shared treasure. Thank you

  • dirtydex says:

    I would love to be eligible to receive a sample of Le Lion. I am already a fast fan of Coromandel and Shalimar, so seeing it compared to such greats gives me high hopes for this one.

    I am in Canada. Thank you!

  • Niinocka says:

    Coincidentally, I had been browsing Chanel webpage for Les Exclusifs just a day before Ida’s highly enjoyable and educational article was published. Already mesmerized by white boxes, black ink, and classy flacons I was longing for some credible opinions about some of the fragrances, especially Le Lion. The timing could not be more perfect. 🙂
    I really enjoyed learning about the meaning and impact of lions on Coco Chanel’s life and her quite ritualistic and superstitious naming of perfumes after significant aspects of her life. I loved how Ida succinctly and multifacetedly addressed the comparison to the CHANEL Coromandel and Guerlain’s Shalimar.

    Since I usually adore bright citrusy beginnings and most of the listed notes, Le Lion might be more up to my alley than other Chanel fragrances from the regular line, which I find not to be syncing with me.
    A small sample would be a perfect opportunity to test compatibility and hopefully begin at least my first Chanel friendship, if not a love affair.
    Thank you, Ida, for sharing your knowledge, passion, and even perfumes with us. 🙂
    Greetings from Slovenia.

  • Bad Wolf says:

    I’ve never tried Coromandel, but I own a few different vintage bottles of Shalimar in all possible concentrations except for PdT, so naturally, while le Lion (what a great name, by the way!) may not become a staple of my collection, I would like to know what is monsieur Polge’s take on the theme. Thank you for a chance to try it, Ida!

    I live in Russia

  • xoe says:

    Lions have been cropping up for me quite a bit lately. Plus, we just had the Full Moon in Leo. What a perfect time for this review. The bright sunniness and the idea of a modern classic are what appeal to me most from Ida’s review. I am in the USA.

  • vickalicious says:

    I’ve not yet tried Le Lion, but it is definitely on my list to try. I love Coromandel, so it was helpful to have Ida draw some comparisons. Thank you for the giveaway and chance to win a sample, I appreciate the generosity. Located in the US.

  • Margarita K says:

    Thank you Ida for clarifying the differences between Le Lion and Shalimar in such a descriptive way. I, for one, never learned to get along with Shalimar. It was always just “too much” for me: too thick, too sweet, too heavy… I owned the Parfum Initial version for couple of years and I realized I never reached to use it…so I swapped it.
    Chanel fragrances, on the other hand, are getting along so good with my skin and with my nose: Coco, Rue Cambon, Misia and many others.
    And that airiness and luminosity you talk about is exactly what attracts me.
    So, I would love to try this Lion, no matter how tamed it is. At the end I want to cuddle and not fight with it.
    Greetings from Indiana, USA.

  • JulienFromDijon says:

    I haven’t smelled “Le lion” yet. (Avoiding Covid-19 and rising to a big city do not go along well). It sounds promising !

    In Ida’s review, I liked the comparison with Coromandel, Shalimar, and even Cuir de russie.

    Orientals and ambers are a special breed. The labdanum and vanilla accord is directly pleasing, and to anyone. But they can be tedious and loud after half an hour.

    I’ve read that Polge chose the “ciste” extraction rather the usual labdanum. It’s hint that the endeavor and fashion statement might be to not overdo vanilla.
    (It helps making the perfume more gender neutral. The trick was there in Ambre sultan, one Tom Ford amber, Tauer’s perfumes like “l’air du désert marocain”, and most of Delfine Thierry work for Lubin and Cloon Keen atlier) ( <3 Castaña <3 )

    The use of jasmine on the patchouli and amber accord could bring a good comparison with Mathilde Laurent's Cartier XII l'heure mystérieuse.She veered to adding a lot of cade, and olibanum (white incense), to balance the sambac jasmine.

    "Do you need all three in your collection?"
    I haven't stop buying tuberose perfume after the first perfume, and the second, the third…
    Thanks for the reviews and draws !

    I live in France

  • sowa says:

    Leo is my zodiac sign, I love Coromandel and have seen very good Le Lion reviews from bloggers I like. In a word – I have to try it. I like when Ida describes how luminous Le Lion is. “It’s all about light – how it initially bursts upon the scene, shifts, transforms into a glowing, enduring purr.” I am sure I will like it. Pride and strength radiating with golden light. Sounds great!
    I live in the EU.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Dear Ida,
    Thank you for such a thoughtful and beautiful review on Chanel’s Le Lion.

    I wish Chanel was alive at this point in time. It would be great to see her take inspiration to infuse into her creations in the midst of everything that is going on. I’ve had a chance to smell both Shalimar and Coromandel and they are beautiful, warm hugs of resin, vanilla, musks with the smiling brightness of citrusy lemons/bergamot.

    I really liked how you gave us an insight into the personality of Chanel and the differences in the three different perfumes.

    Regards from WI, USA

  • hautebrother says:

    I love how Ida addressed the comparisons to Le Lion’s contemporaries. They all share what I love most about the oriental category; dense with enveloping sillage.

    Ida’s pure reverence for brilliant execution is truly relatable. Like fine dining, I’d prefer precise execution of a dish vs. new, yet uninspired.
    Brooklyn, NY

  • Amanda32828 says:

    Excellent review, love Coromandel and Shalimar. I bet that CHANEL Le Lion smell awesome too. Thank you for the opportunity to smell Le Lion, commenting from Orlando, Fl. USA.

  • Princess Anna says:

    I have read so much about Le Lion this past days and my curiosity is sky high. The notes sound incredible and the fragrance seems to be as perfect as the others Chanel fragrances, that I have tryed and loved so much. I currently live in Romania.

  • Sorohan Adriana says:

    Ida’s review, like a lion, makes me feel as strong as a lioness. From Chanel I like Beige.
    I am from Eu Bucharest Romania Europe

  • AlenaK says:

    As I left the notes of le lion unresearched before the review (just to remove all sorts of what I might subconsciously hope to see), what appeals to me was how the image of the lion builds and builds and builds — but only the image of course, leaving active imaginations to wonder in all directions how the spirit of the lion (or *her*) may be captured in a bottle.

    Then here comes the comparisons of the notes, where the word choices fill in the blanks and make perfect sense. Ahh of course the sunny citrus of the brilliant golden mane — and how it would leap like a lion would. Of course down down down from the mane would be skin, leather, skin, fur of the beast purring with content.

    And then one would be reminded of these senses when le lion comes up in your mind — the music, the vivid imagery, and the fragrance you are all too happy to keep the imagination runs wild around the lion at a (social) distance — even with all the hints given — until you can safely go out of quarantine and meets the lion in its lair!

    I’m based in Thailand : )

  • Mayday says:

    I love that Ida starts out with it’s all about light – and moves quickly to use the verbs ‘bursts, shifts, transforms’; I can vicariously smell this scent and feel that feeling of transformation that one gets when they hit upon the perfect scent! I have a small collection of Chanel, including the niche Boy and Beige, and the more classic Allure. I love each one for different reasons, and each one seems to ‘transform’ me from within. I have been reading and watch Le Lion since it was released and would love to try it. I don’t live within any reasonable distance of a shop that I could experience it; so until things ‘open up’ a bit from COVID; I wait!
    USA, NY

  • MissJanners says:

    I enjoyed the information about the history of Chanel, and how the names are chosen. From this review, it does seem worthwhile to own at least a decant of both Shalimar and Le Lion. I’m drawn to classics more than I am to new, groundbreaking scents.

    Thanks for the chance to try it. I live in Canada.

  • doveskylark says:

    I appreciate that Ida wrote about the significant aspects of Coco Chanel’s life and the perfumes inspired by these aspects. I also GREATLY appreciate Ida’s mention of Van Morrison’s song “Listen to the Lion.” I went straight to YouTube for a listen, and wow! A masterpiece. I’d love to spray on some Lion and just listen to Van Morrison.
    I live in the USA.