Chanel Les Exclusifs Fresh Body Cream
The above e-mail header recently landed in my inbox (as I’m sure it did in many of yours), with the following copy:
“Subtly scented to flatter any fragrance in the LES EXCLUSIFS Collection, this exquisitely soft, light cream envelops the skin with pure luxury. The sumptuous cream is perfect for layering, for the ultimate LES EXCLUSIFS experience. Presented in a beautiful coffret.” 150 grams; $130
When I first saw the e-mail tagline/headline (before I had opened it to read the entire thing), I thought “Wow! They’re coming out with creams for each of the Les Exclusifs — how cool!” Thoughts of slathering on creamy, dreamy Coromandel filled my head. And I knew plenty of folks would be flipping for the Cuir de Russie, 31 Rue Cambon and the others.
Then I read the fine print, so to speak. Which brought forth a slightly disappointed sigh. Hmmm … just how is this going to work? How can one cream enhance the freshness of the eau de cologne and yet flatter the deeper scents such as Sycomore? I guess it’s possible, but I tend to be a bit suspicious of products that promise to be all things to all people.
And frankly, if I’m going to spend that much money, I’d really prefer a scent-specific cream: I’ll just tack on a few more twenties and get a Frederic Malle body butter, thank you.
As it is, this Chanel Les Exclusifs Fresh Body Cream probably won’t be available anywhere but the boutiques, and I’m not close enough to one to sample it, so it’s a moot point for me. But in the spirit of fairness, if I ran across it, I’d gladly give it a test.
So what about you? Have any of you tried this yet? Do you plan to?
If you’re interested, check out the Chanel Les Exclusifs Fresh Body Cream here:
http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Fragrance-Les-Exclusifs-de-CHANEL-LES-EXCLUSIFS-DE-CHANEL-130955
Well, I just bought a jar of this stuff a week and a half ago in the Maiden Lane boutique. I can’t say exactly what it smells like, sorry, my nose just isn’t as precise as it once way. Getting older, ugh. When I tried it on my skin alone it seemed a tad fizzy and a bit flowery and I didn’t really like it alone. But then I wandered over to the fragrances and sprayed Rue Cambon over it on one arm and La Pausa on the other, it meshed nicely with both. But more importantly (at least for me) it made the La Pausa last and last and last. I usually get about an hour of scent wearing La Pausa. I’ve also worn it layered under Cristalle EdT and it worked with that too. So now, that I’ve found an anchor that works well for La Pausa, I might just save up for a bottle of it.
For what it’s worth, I’m kind of a Chanel girl. I like many, although not all, of their fragrances.
Wow, Tatiana, good for you! Thanks so much for letting us know. That’s great news that it works well with those three scents, and so glad that it’s helping your La Pausa last longer. BTW, I love the Maiden Lane boutique; that area has a cool vibe to it, I think. Enjoy the cream!
It sounds like pure decadence to me…. And I am a decadent kinda guy. Next time I at the Maiden Lane Chanel Boutique I am going to ask about it. However I am more inclined to by a bottle of Sycamore of Coromandel first to keep my Cuir de Russie company.
Great taste there, Lanier! The Maiden Lane boutique, you say? I am sooo envious! Love San Francisco and haven’t been out there in several years. Enjoy your visit and be sure to let us know what you think of the cream. Thanks!
I like FragrantWitch’s idea! I often sample scents I know I love by spraying on my sweater, scarf or coat in the winter – a nice way to smell good during cold times! I also like te idea of adding scent to less expensive body creams, as this lessens the impact on my bathroom real estate (pretty cramped as it is) and saves money besides.
Hi, Kim, and welcome! I love those tips, too. I’ve not sprayed a coat or scarf, but might have to try it when chilly weather hits here. It’ll sure make going out into the cold a lot more enjoyable, won’t it?
Hi Ann! I too am suspicious of ‘one size fits all’ but you never know…
I am hoping to get into London in the next couple of weeks so I will have to swing by Selfridges (oh the hardship!) and have a sniff. Of course, whilst I am there I shall have to spray Coromandel lavishly, maybe bring a spare scarf just for spritzing! And another one for Cuir de Russie… I’d be like one I those magicians who can pull a whole string of silk scarves out of one pocket! :Wink:
Oooh, you lucky girl to be able to visit Selfridge’s! Spray a bit o’ Coromandel for me, please. And keep those lusciously scented scarves coming, I say!
I’ll give it a whirl when next I’m in Chicago (assuming it’s at the boutique) but I have to say, for that cost, you can just get a big ol’ tub of Cetaphil and, depending upon the scent you’re wearing that day, add a few drops to a handful and boom! you’re done (I do that a lot because you know what a body cream ho’ I am. For example, I use a few drops of jasmine EO mixed in Cetaphil to amp the beautiful jasmine in Tribute since there are no body products. And Chanel Cuir de Russie parfum – just 2 drops in a palmful of Cetaphil will subtly scent you all day, which is good since CdR parfum costs the earth as it is.
I’m with you, Ann. Save your simoleans for Malle or Amouage. The Amouage body lotions are $55 and deposit enough scent to stun an ox! If you spring for the cream ….wowzers!!! Now THAT’S getting your simoleans’ worth!
xo :Devil:
Hmm.. Enough scent to stun an ox you say? Fantastic.
My husband would have a bird if he realised that my first thought at upon reading $55 for Amouage body lotion was ‘that’s all?’! He thinks I smell nice but wanting/having as much perfume as I do is totally beyond him. And he likes my cheap Sand & Sable as much as my Jubilation decant so would be further perplexed!
Hi, sweet A! You know, now that you mention it, maybe it’s a chanel dot com exclusive — will have to look into that. If so, no way to try before you buy 🙁
I had no idea the Amouage lotions were that reasonably (so to speak) priced. And I love your tip about the Cetaphil — good thinking!
And lovely M, my DH would have a bird, too (an XL turkey, ha!) if he knew how much fragrance I actually have, not to mention the $$$ over the years!
CRAP! I am a BALD-FACED LIAR! LIAR, I SAY!!!!
LIE-AR!
But not on purpose. The BODYWASH is $55! The lotiions are $75.
My apologies. fwiw, the bodywash is actually worth $55, weird as that may sound. It’s so full of scent (esp Epic, my precioussss) that a dab on a Salux will scent your entire shower time!
Again, though. I LIED!
I’m sorry.
xo :Devil:
Not to worry, dear. I’m thinking an extra $20 isn’t going to make that big a difference at this point. And anything (especially by Amouage) under $100 is the new free, right?
:Wink:
xoxo :Devil:
I like to apply the Cetaphil and then give a tiny spray of what I’m wearing over it; that seems to work well, and on me it can actually help the topnotes hang around longer. As to Amouage… yep, if it’s under $100 it’s free, I think I may save up some change and see if Father Christmas can be persuaded to leave a cream under my tree 😉
NP
Yes, Ninara, I’m right there with you — a decadent goodie under the tree would be most welcome. Will definitely have to try the Cetaphil also. Thanks!
I don’t have any Chanel boutiques in Cleveland. Chanel seems to want their boutiques only in places like New York, Paris, or wherever the wealthy like to congregate. Which probably is a blessing and a curse for me. This cream can be acquired through the Chanel website (for lesser mortals like me). While I would like to try some, I’m not going to because I already have Amouage Gold and Lyric on my want list. I had to use what pennies I saved for Lyric on a new carpet cleaner. I have my dog to thank for getting into a huge bag of chocolate and eating it all then getting sick.
Oh, no, Eldarwen! So very sorry to hear this. Why does it always seem that just when you get a bit of extra money saved for something that you want, along comes some sort of crisis to gobble it up? Just hang in there, you’ll get there eventually and it’ll be so sweeeet! BTW, I know what you mean about the Chanel boutiques. I live in a very large city in the South but no boutique, although we can get Chanel at Saks and Neiman’s, but still …
I’m thinking it’ll probably be some sort of subtle white musk, a slightly powdery affair, or perhaps a very faint amber/cashmeran affair, and mesh well only with the most popular of Les Exclusifs… honestly, thinking of non-offensive notes that might work well with a variety of scents, the first thing that comes to my mind is white musk. (Not that I’m extolling its virtues, mind you, I’m just trying to think from mass market and cost effective points of view) I really, really hope someone here has tried it and can comment!
NP
Hi, Ninara! I think you may be on to something — a non-offensive white musk or faint ambery-powdery scent might work. I do wish there were more opportunities to sample it, as some people may not like how it meshes with their favorite Exclusif.
Maybe one of our Posse pals who lives in or near a boutique city can swing by and try it and let us know …