Les Exclusifs de Chanel Misia

What’s that scent of strawberry-scented bleach ?! That’s what a student said, wriggling her nose as she came into the classroom one winter morning. Elegant and flawless but better on hot days when its complexity and beauty truly reveal themselves, the fruity part - not strawberry, but raspberry and lychee - getting a bit acid in cold weather… hence my student’s comment.

A more complex version of FM Lipstick Rose I think. Very much alike, I tested them side by side, but this one has more depth imo. Unmistakably Chanel. It is one of the very few rose fragrances I actually love and find genuinely addictive. As someone who's not a fan of heavy, powdery rose (oil) at all, that says something. This one could easily read as an old-fashioned to some though, so I would not recommend it as a blind buy. But if you like this kind of vintage-leaning femininity, it is beautiful and mature. I am also a true sucker for the stories of Chanel: This one was created as a tribute to Misia Sert, Coco Chanel’s much-adored friend. She was mysterious, radiant, magnetic, called 'The Queen of Paris'. To me, that spirit is very well translated in this perfume: starry nights, powdered roses, lipstick, silk gloves, theatre curtains and Parisian elegance. What's not to love ...

At first spray, there is a second of Chanel No 5, then a burst of flowers that quickly fades into a powder that does indeed smell like vintage makeup. It has a cold, prominent violet. Very close to what Guerlain uses in their powders. I don't detect any rose nor fruit. But there is a sweetness of a fruit there. Feminine and upscale, this feels like a fancy department store sort of scent from the heyday of that kind of shopping. It's not very fun or flirty. It also gives me a headache.

I smell Sycomore. No, Misia is not a vetiver perfume; olfactorily they have nearly nothing to do with each other. I smell Sycomore EdT’s personality in Misia EdT. Christopher Sheldrake composed the original Les Exclusif Sycomore EdT to be a brutish, angry old goat of a perfume that pushed the strident woody character of vetiver so far to the forefront you felt like you were inhaling sawdust. Sycomore EdT gave an uncompromising view of the more stately characteristics of vetiver to the point where it felt completely unpliable, impenetrable, and unforgiving. Misia does the same for orris. The opening starts off friendly and familiar with fruits and roses and orris presenting a classic lipstick/makeup type accord, but this falls away quite quickly to a dry, starchy, and rooty orris. This orris is completely parched of all moisture - don’t expect any of the buttery silkiness orris can often have, it’s not here. The sandalwood sitting underneath is sanded smooth and has been left in the sun to be zapped of all water and sap as well. There is a sweetness that comes from fruits and roses in the heart but they have been dehydrated; the fruit is nothing but pith and skin and some crystalline sugar, and the rose petals crumble at the slightest touch. As time goes on, and it does so quite slowly for an EdT (Chanel really know how to make an EdT when they try), the orris gets darker, deeper, and more animalic thanks to a benzoin note that barely peeks its head above the surface, with the overall result a super stiff brown suede leather type accord. Just like Sycomore EdT, Misia EdT is an odd and fairly pushy perfume. It is decidedly a Chanel Les Exclusif without question: excellent materials, meticulous attention to the formula, and the prim-and-proper Parisian chic that Chanel is known for, but it also has a slightly unnerving quality to it that is hard to pinpoint - in general actually, it’s a pretty difficult perfume to read. It’s hard to know exactly what it’s saying, and it is certainly going to say different things to different people. To go from bright, chip-and-cheerful, fruity rosey lipstick all the way to a sandy and desiccated brown orris that comes across as suede is quite a trip indeed. What it does tell me, though, is that for Olivier Polge’s first Les Exclusif I am quite impressed. We hopefully aren’t going to get just pretty commercially-friendly perfumes from him, some of them are going to be curious and intellectually stimulating as well. Though, other than being quite a complicated character herself, I have no idea what this is supposed to do with Misia Sert.

this one is crazy beautiful... omg such an explosion of flower scents... a bouquet lol!

Guerlain’s Insolence EDP in a more expensive bottle !!

This became one of my all-time favorite perfumes the moment I sampled it at Harrods. Elegance in a bottle - a highly sophisticated, well blended bouquet of powdery violet. Simply mesmerizing. If anything smells like money, this is it. But not in an in-your-face way like say a Tom Ford. I can see an upper class woman wearing this, but men can comfortably wear it as well if they're into a clean vibe. The concept rubs me the right way. I love that it's named after Chanel's bestie, who was of Russian origin. It's an added layer for me as a Russian myself. Despite my love of this scent, it commits the worst possible sin - it performs horribly. It stays on my skin for approximately 2 hours and quickly fades into a skin-tight nothingness. Seriously, I need to physically place my nose on my arm to sense any remnant of it. For this alone, I will not splurge the 240 quid, and it's heartbreaking. Mind you, this is coming from a VERY financially irresponsible person, who'd Klarna the hell out of this if it was anywhere near beast mode territory. Maybe some day...

I have Replica Lipstick On, and while it’s beautiful and mimics the scent of a lipstick, I find it too dry and more of a deep red lipstick. THIS. This is truly a pink lipstick fragrance, as others have aptly put it, and it doesn’t just recreate the scent of lipstick, it adds an extra layer of uniqueness. This gives fairy tale vibes. Wonderfully feminine, powdery and sweet, it twinkles and blossoms. I’m not getting any strong notes so far. It’s super soft. A Bedtime scent (or if you just want to feel pretty and chic). An instant love. I’ll be yearning for this one for a while because of the price. Please wait for me and don’t get discontinued just yet!

I’m madly in love with this fragrance. Wearing it feels like being projected into a lysergic reality—a kaleidoscope of purples and reds. I never would have thought I’d enjoy a fragrance so openly 'feminine.' But I believe Misia can smell wonderful on a man. It should be worn the way one would wear a '70s animalic scent: with confidence.

I smelled all the perfumes in this line, one after the other. Misia stood out and was the bottle that was the most empty. I hate powdery perfumes that overwhelm the nose, however, I loved Misia. It's has a very soft, delicate powdery base, it's a little fruity in a nonspecific way, a little mossy, damp and fresh. There are no specific notes that stand out. They are all evenly balanced to create a very chic perfume that could be worn on a daily basis. I really like this one. Smell: 10 out of 10 Strength: 8 out of 10 Feminine For reference, I'm female.

A pretty, well Balanced scent that is sadly way way way too short in longevity on me to ever justify the price. I had to double check I didn’t get a dupe because I swear 3 hours max and it is gone. No trace left even as a skin scent.

Misia opens with a burst of sweetness, like cracking open a can of lychees drenched in syrup. The scent is light, feminine, and a touch vintage, evoking the feeling of indulging in a lychee-flavored candy while applying soft pink lipstick. As it warms on the skin, it transforms into a slightly sour, powdery sweetness—like tasting a tart, juicy candy while catching the faint hint of floral powder. An hour in, it softens to a delicate blend of powdery florals and sweet candy dust, lingering like the memory of a playful, flirtatious smile. Misia stays close to the skin, inviting only those nearby to catch its soft charm. It feels effortlessly romantic, light, and just a bit whimsical, perfect for quiet, intimate moments. Emojis this perfume reminds me of ✨🍬💄🌸💫 5/10

Marcel Proust defined it as «a monument of history, placed on the axis of French taste like the Luxor obelisk on the axis of the Champs Elysées». Misia Sert pseudonym of Maria Zofia Olga Zenajda Godebska Russian naturalized French pianist and model, a woman, an intellectual, a thousand artistic relationships. In every direction. For many she is a muse, for others a friend, for some a lover. Always, it is the center of gravity of a rapidly evolving world, the 20th century world of the avant-garde. This midwife of art was an influential friend of important protagonists of the Parisian Belle Époque. In Misia's Parisian salon it was easy to meet: Stravinsky, Diaghilev, Nijinsky, Debussy, Toulouse Lautrec, Picasso, Ravel, Cocteau, D'Annunzio, Paul Morand, and Renoir who portrayed her. Jean Cocteau was inspired by her to develop the character of the princess in the novel «Thomas l'imposteur». Mademoiselle Gabrielle Chanel was her beloved friend and confidante, until 1950, upon Misia's death in Paris, she took care of her mortal remains to dress her like a princess. The Maison Chanel, making use of the mastery of Olivier Polge's nose, launched Misia Eau de Parfum on the market in 2016 in the exclusive niche line of the maison. A fragrance that evokes the eclecticism of this wonderful beloved and disputed Muse: the opening notes of the juste pulvérisé are exhilarating, harsh, exotic, the triumph of the litchi amplified by Mademoiselle's much loved aldehydes, the heart the fruity and floral accords dance a masterful minuet which on the dry down brings out the warmest, leathery, vanilla and powdery notes. Feminine sillage of great charm. Typical duration of fragrances rich in aldehydes. Wonderful fragrance

Tried at the duty free based on the sales rep recommendation and I was smitten. Interesting, sophisticated, standing out fragrance with a hint of violet. I would definitely put it on my wish list.

Chanel perfumes are my favourite but they have very weak longevity.

Oh no another powdery-violet-raspberry fragrance I love... how many I'll own. This one is a raspberry powdery dream. Somehow on my skin this is quite fruity ? I can smell the peach very well, with some typical Chanel aldehydes. All on a beautiful powdery background that is only slightly spicy (?) . Not sure where that little spiciness come from though... It's not as sharp and acidic as Bienaime La Vie en Fleurs (that I also love) but this has some similarities. The drydown is also less "makeup/violet" and more more fruity (on my skin). I feel Misia is more wearable during summer/heatwave than most other powdery scents out there. I need a FB. I won't regret it for sure. As usual with any fragrance from Chanel Les Exclusifs it is quite long lasting. Expensive but worth it 100%.

Misia is a very pretty and feminine fragrance that I could imagine being worn by either a princess or a queen, since it is both very regal and floral smelling. I could especially imagine Kate Middleton wearing this while dressed in one of her very ladylike and conservative floral print dresses. This fragrance has a light, effervescent, powdery and sparkling quality to it that would render it perfect for daytime in either the spring time or fall time. I don't think of this perfume as being a particularly formal occasion affair, but rather something more for a smart casual event where one wears pearls and a twinset. I don't get half of the base notes in this, but I can smell the vanilla, the violet, the iris and the orris root in the base notes. The rose is then the most prominent after the violet and iris in this for me, followed by the aldehydes and then the fruity notes. The fruit I can smell the most is the litchi. Misia is indeed similar to Lipstick Rose by Frédéric Malle, but I find Misia fresher and less resplendent of a makeup bag or a lipstick scent. Maybe a bit more like Guerlain's Méteorites. I got about an 8 and a half hour wear time from this perfume and a moderate sillage from my skin, so the quality is definitely there despite the high price tag. The bottle is also lovely as is usual for Chanel, of course. Altogether, I'd rate Misia by Chanel an 8.3 out of 10 and I would definitely buy this to add to my collection at a later date.

A pretty parisian chic wearing warm toned pink lipstick and chanel tweed, enjoying her brunch in an autumn weekend noon .. ordering a fruity desert and a side rosé .. finishing her quick snack and carefully patting her lips against a napkin and reapplying her lipstick again , picked up the napkin and fixed the lipstick lines Misia would smell like that napkin :) Lipsticky with full on violet and iris naunces , the iris here isnt airy but quite weighted down .. the fruits notes are sooo faint but blends beautifully with chanel signature aldehyde opening .. ideal for daytime wear in colder weather as it may be a bit too heavy for summer ..

I love it but I don't love the price point. I love it bit I don't love it enough to rebuy it because I can't say it can be my signature perfume so far. It really smells like lipstick. Have you smelt chanels lipstick or other lipsticks it's exactly like that or old lipstick but not waxy but the rosy scent lipstick. I love it but something doesn't stick for me to rebuy it. This is a crowd pleaser very inoffensive just a bit boring for me

Something bright jumps off my skin—aldehydes and lychee and stone fruit —opening is divine. The violet comes in from the base. This is like a beautiful summer Chanel version of a Guerlain violet fragrance. It’s love for me; will be buying a full bottle as soon as I can find a good excuse.

Chanel Misia is a captivating fragrance that exudes elegance with its delicate blend of violet and iris, enhanced by a powdery finish and a touch of aldehydes. It offers a timeless, sophisticated scent but leans a bit cold for my taste.

I wore Misia twice (from Les Exclusifs) and I don’t like it. Perhaps it is the top note of Litchi mixed with the Turkish Rose that gives it a cold, sharp, unwelcoming smell. The violet and the iris (two of my favorite notes) are drowned by the sour raspberry. Perhaps this requires “getting used to”— but for me, that is not the purpose of a fragrance— particularly when they expect me to pay over 300€ ($325 US Dollars) for 74 ml (2.4 ounces). To make matters worse— it becomes a skin scent after one hour— which ironically is a good thing, because no one around me liked it.

I really like it. It has a violet plastic smell that I'm personally very much attracted to. I love lipstick scents such as this. I think Misia is a contemporary version of something old with a lot of history. The woman who wears it works in tech but wears a Cartier wrist watch. She drives a sports car but also makes home made dinners using Le Creuset pots. She's a bit of a paradox, and that makes her unique.

Thank God I found a sample of this and didn't blind buy this because I am not into these scents. Very reminiscent to Lipstick Rose, this one is just smoother and blended better. If you like Lipstick Rose, you should try this one out because I think Chanel did this better. Personally, it's not the type of violet's I go for so it was a pass for me, but I can appreciate the beauty and careful blending that went into this one. Personally, I like my violet's candied and sweet, not earthy and leathery so it wasn't the type of violet fragrance I go for. Unfortunately, violets are really hard to pull off and the only perfect violet fragrance for me is Insolence. Sylvanie Delacourt knocked it out of the park with that one. It highlights the violet perfectly without getting muddled and muted under other notes, like it so often does. The original EDP in the round bottle is the perfect homage to the violet flower. As far as lipstick smelling scents, nobody does it better than Juliette Has a Gun with Lipstick Fever. Smells EXACTLY like vintage lipstick and I love that one. I think it's because they put sweet top notes to disguise the initial off-putting blast that violets do when first sprayed. Once they dry, the beauty comes off and they found a way to maneuver around that.

Misia is perfection to my nose. I recently decided that it was insane to hoard my refrigerated roughly 70% full bottle of the 2016 formulation, which I have kept in my second-floor refrigerator for almost the entire duration of its life (I received it new, a generous gift from a friend, and I loved it immediately, even though she bought it blind). I know I have reviewed this a bunch of times already, but I'm going to write another review, simply because I recently decided to use it and then risk disappointment with the new formulation, assuming I ever spring for another $300 bottle of this wonderful stuff. Let's face it, the more I use it, the more oxygen enters the bottle, even in the dark refrigerator, so I should probably use it and share it with the few deserving eneficiaries I can think of. I have had it for quite some time, and I have several other perfumes I could wear instead. But I will genuinely mourn the last few sprays of this powdery rose-iris-violet scent, which has similarities with, say, Kenzo Flower and Guerlain Insolence and Lipstick Rose and Iris Poudre and some others, but is not so much like these other perfumes as to be adequately replaced by them. A well-traveled friend who has visited China told me that the litchi (lychee?) in the formulation I have (I sent her some by mail) is the only realistic simulation of the fragrance that she has encountered, and she once traveled with a big basket of them on her bike while traveling there, so she knows the scent well. I wouldn't know about that, but I do relish the fruity notes at the top, which linger surprisingly long with the powdery "makeup" accord of the rose, iris, violet. I never tire of this one--a worthy tribute to the charismatic Misia, Coco Chanel bestie, turn-of-the-century trophy wife, salon doyenne, gifted pianist, and muse to Ravel, among others. (Ravel included musical ciphers of her name in some of his compositions.) I keep wondering if Misia will be portrayed in The New Look on Apple TV, along with Binoche's Coco Chanel, but so far I have just seen two episodes, and she hasn't popped up yet. A fascinating person nonetheless. Update: If you love this and can't justify the high price, try Fire Element by the Dua Brand. I'm wearing OG Misia on my left elbow and Fire Element on my right, and they are very, very close. After about a half-hour into the drydown, I cannot tell them apart.

@monika.ga trust me, it's not even close to Mademoiselle, they're completely different scent profiles with different projection (intimate vs enormous)

I've been using it for a few weeks. At first it seemed quite intense, violet, with a distinct hint of lipstick. Now I sometimes feel a resemblance to Mademoiselle. Does anyone else have this experience?

Such a gorgeous perfume! But projection is a joke! :(

I just noticed the hilarious typo in the description. Misia Sert presided over a salon; she didn't own a saloon. It's hilarious to think of her as some kind of Miss Kitty figure, though, lol. And now I'm imagining Maurice Ravel as Matt Dillon or (funnier still) Festus. Many comedic possibilities, imagining this enigmatic "saloon owner."

It really bums me out that the EDT has been discontinued; I know there's an EDP, but I don't think it could compete with the perfection of the original Misia EDT. I keep my cherished bottle in the refrigerator--a perfectly chosen gift from my BFF for a milestone birthday the year after it was released--and wear it when I want to feel magnificent, like a real lady, une femme d'un certain âge. A sublimation of rose, iris, violet, and powdery, velvety orris, the scent of fancy stage makeup and maybe a teensy hint of ballet-slipper leather, autumn leaves in the air at twilight, a bite of future frost. Sometimes I wear it to bed, mostly for myself because the countless layers of transparent florals are so intoxicating to me as I drift off to sleep.