So my almost 17 year old baby, Biddy, was lucky enough to snag a sample of Chanel’s latest perfume offering, Chanel Coco Noir. Each time I sniff it I like it a little bit more. Some may disagree with me, but I think Chanel does a great job with their flankers (a variation on an existing fragrance), men’s aside (whole other story) and Coco Noir is no exception. It follows the massive commercial success of Coco Mademoiselle, which was a variation on the original gorgeous and sexy perfume bomb, Coco, which launched in 1984. I loved the original, and it was my signature fragrance after I retired my beloved Opium. Coco is opulent and full of sensual spicy Oriental notes. Chanel dialed back the spice and toned it waaaaay down when they launched Coco Mademoiselle, playing up the woodsy musky notes making it heavier on the patchouli. I love Coco Mad, but a massive commercial success often means you will smell that sh*t everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. There was a time when you couldn’t go to any public place or party without smelling Coco Mademoiselle. Sadly that usually seals the deal for me and I was quickly “over” it. Well, Chanel has scored a real win with Coco Noir. I feel like they somehow brilliantly mixed original Coco with Coco Mademoiselle. Both are so distinctive on their own but become something magical again in Coco Noir.

Biddy smells delicious today. Coco Noir is a departure from her previous signature scents, Miss Dior Cherie and Marc Jacobs Daisy, but it suits her awesome individual fashionista style perfectly. Perfume choice is such a journey, and I remember my own fragrant evolution as a teen fondly. A sniff of Opium or L’Air du Temps can take me back to high school….summer as a kid, and because perfume was often a gift when I was young, cherished family holiday times as well. Both my daughters have lovely taste in perfume, and it’s incredible how their choices suit their personalities. Even more amazing is how when I catch a whiff of their perfumes, even if they aren’t there and I’m just shopping or out and about, it’s like they are standing right next to me.

UPDATE: Biddy got a bottle of Chanel Coco Noir for Christmas. That gorgeous iconic black bottle looks gorgeous on her dresser, and she smells yummy!

Chanel Coco Noir is available at Chanel counters, boutiques and online.