.
Kate Apted
.
Years ago, I saw Beige sitting on the counter at the Chadstone Chanel boutique. You are kidding me that Chanel would call an exclusive … Beige?! Such a boring, nondescript name would have to have a boring scent inside. To top it off, the sales assistant told me it is her favourite from the line. I walked past it and never, ever tried it. I felt I was missing nothing.
For some bizarre reason, I bought a used bottle of the EDT from an Ebay seller I have implicit trust in just two months ago. A huge 200 ml bottle with about 50 ml left. And it was cheap!
Beige EDT by Chanel (2008) – Jacques Polge
Fragrantica lists the following notes: frangipani, freesia, honey accords and hawthorn.
Upon first spray, I began to have this dialogue run through my head; “Kate, you let this go, girlfriend?! WHY did you not try this before it was discontinued?? *eyes roll back in rapture* Get another bottle STAT!”
Every single day since that first spray, I have been trawling through all my familiar online haunts to secure myself at least another 50 ml of this honeyed beauty. I have not been this smitten with a scent upon first sniff ever. I am yet to find a bottle, used or new, that is within my budget and able to be posted. It will happen.
The notes really do not appeal, on paper. I adore the freesia in my Antonia’s Flowers, so a mighty high standard for any other freesia to match. I am not a fan of frangipani, as I had overdosed on it living in Bali. Honey is a sweet note I would prefer to eat than simply sniff (OMG, stringybark honey!!). As for hawthorn, huh?? Yet, together, the effect is a smooth elixir of something not tropical, sweet or boring. Polge did an astounding job of making a seamless, rich golden floral.
Beige should not be oversprayed. One torso spritz is all I need, and I am a habitual oversprayer. Beige hums on my skin for a good four hours, with all the notes ever present and in equal amounts. I get a constant aura that tickles my brain in such a delightfully playful way, yet Beige is very much a grown up scent I feel a little fradulent wearing, to be honest. It is in a similar vein to 24 Faubourg by Hermes, but much more approachable.
I understand the story that is learned verbatim by Chanel sales assistants regarding Beige, however, the name brings to mind those horrid neutral toned body hugging dresses a certain American reality star-cum-model-cum-whatever else she is today wears. Beige, as a colour, to me, is devoid of character, mood, interest and texture. I find myself mentally and emotionally disengaged from the word and the colour. The sheer genius is in the perfume itself. But nothing attracted me to want to try it, much to my chagrin. The redeeming fact in all this is my renewed interest in the Les Exclusifs line. I am now wondering if I am missing out on any more strokes of Polge talent.
And I humbly admit to my own prejudices. Excuse me while I go and sniff at the altar of Beige divinity…
Have you disregarded a scent based on the whole package, only to find you got to the party too late?
Ciao bella et bello.
Kate xx
Yes! I purchased Beige when it was released, only because I am a Coco Chanel fan and if she loves Beige, I love Beige. Totally agree is it a nondescript and uninspiring name. If it was not Chanel Les Exclusives, it would not have been on my radar. The name of the fragrance does not do the fragrance justice. One would never guess it is the gorgeous floral it is based on the name!
I don’t think it is discontinued? I was worried; however, it is still available on Chanel.com website.
LikeLike
It is still available, but only EDP. That, and the parfum, just don’t have that blend of freesia and hawthorn that captures me.
LikeLike
OK, got it. I have the EDT. I didn’t realize the EDP and parfum differ so much. Glad you love the EDT despite the bleak name!
LikeLike
And I am glad you understand how beautiful it is. Xx
LikeLike
Hi Kate, I too did not pay any attention to Beige at first. And then … sniffing alone one day without commentary from anyone else it clicked. Loved that bottle to the last drop. Even though the EdP is different from the EdT, I may one day buy it just to get the beauty back. Sandra xo
LikeLike
Aww, Sandra! You love it too?! Music to my ears, honey. It is one I’d love to have on tap. Xx
LikeLike
Hi Kate! I wish I had a bottle. I put off buying it for too long, and ended up with nothing. I recently tried the parfum, and thought I would love it, but didn’t. Perhaps one will come my way one day. La Pausa 28 EdT …. I suddenly went apeshit for it and used up a large decant very quickly. The happy ending to this story is that I am flying to London tomorrow and and going to get a top up. I can hardly wait.
Cuir d‘Ange has a hawthorn note listed – one of my top 5 frags ever. Great post. xxxxx
LikeLike
Thanks, honey! Be safe on your journey. Pausa edt is another stunner. I was a little disappointed at the parfum. Just does not have that zing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a wonderful perfume time in London. Will you be visiting the new ssuper posh perfumerie dept that’s just re-located to the 6th floor in Harrods ? I saw some pics this morning it looks amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Matty. Nope. I visited there with Portia back in the Spring. Not quite so posh any more. Hahahahaha. Not planning any perfume visits, just friends and galleries. But that will probably change. I am picking up some perfume from Tara – more than enough to keep me happy. Stay tuned! Xxxx
LikeLike
Friends and galleries…perfect.
I travel down to London with one of my Grandaughters to see exibitions. There’s a couple on at the National Gallery I would like to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh the Sorolls exhibition is on next May-July. Would kill for a chance to see it!
LikeLike
Sorolla.
LikeLike
Heya Kate,
I wish I had a bottle of Beige EdT to give you but I never really “got it” and thus no purchase.
Isn’t it a bummer when we fall for the DCd stuff?
Portia xx
LikeLike
Sigh, ’tis. Never mind. I do feel fortunate to have this 50ml. 😊
LikeLike
@Jyotsna
Ha Ha, I knew what you meant X
LikeLike
It’s right what you say. Something on paper you wouldn’t like but then you try it, live with it for a bit and then sometimes the magic hits you and it’s frag love at first sniff…Amore lol. Portia and I smelt it while we were waiting in line for our plane. A lady had it on all day and she smelt great we started talking of course!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a thing about it appealed. I don’t even know why I bought it anyway…
I rarely smell something on someone and go out and seek a bottle myself. I cannot imagine what Beige would be like on another! I am not sure I could cope. 😂
LikeLike
No I havent bought any, but this lady smelt very good and she had sprayed from morning and this was the evening and still going, so powerful stuff!! still fresh
LikeLike
It is amazing to smell someone and it brings a smile to the soul. I envy those who can carry a scent all day and it smells fresh. 😍
LikeLike
Never paid attention to Beige until we started chatting about it a few weeks ago. Obviously now I want some.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! Try the EDP first before the unicorn EDT. I wish I had tried the EDP first. More obtainable. Xx
LikeLike
I admit it: I still haven’t tried Beige. Yes, it’s the name. Even when faced with a line of the Chanel exclusifs and I too much time to kill in an airport… my hand just skips past it. Beige, ffs. Bottled yawn. The buzzkilliest name of all buzzkills. I’d almost rather try a sweety-sugar-sexy-ditzy-boo named type of thing. BEIGE.
Clearly, I was wrong. I will try it next time.
Promise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Crikey, you have made me giggle! I am glad someone else understands the blandness of its presentation. Do let me know how you find it. Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person