In the (beautifully scented) world of perfumes, you’d be hard pushed to find a more prominent powerhouse than Chanel. So when I caught wind of the fact the coveted label is about to release a new fragrance, it piqued my interest.

Of course, the brand already boasts a number of best-selling women’s perfumes, with the likes of the original Chanel no.5 having reached heady heights in the olfactory hall of fame.

For me, Coco mademoiselle (£80, Boots.com) has always held a special place in my heart. My mum has worn the scent for as long as I can remember, so its bright notes of orange, jasmine and rose are instantly recognisable. Now, Chanel is launching a new iteration of this popular scent: Coco mademoiselle crush absolu.

Hitting shelves on 19 August (Gabrielle Chanel’s birthday), the new scent promises a sweeter trail, with notes of lychee and grapefruit. The question is: can it compete with the likes of the original Coco mademoiselle eau de parfum? More than a month before it’s set to go on sale, I put the new fragrance to the test.

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  • Why we love it- Day-to-night and winter through summer versatility
  • All notes permeate through as the liquid dries down

  • A younger take on the original Coco mademoiselle

  • Take note- Not as unique as Chanel no. 5 or the original Coco mademoiselle scent

The crush absolu perfume has a distinctly different scent. Much like the original, the aroma is citrusy. While crush absolu swaps mandarin and orange for grapefruit and lychee, that same zingy, back-of-the-throat punch remains (in a good way).

As it melds with the oils and heat of your skin, though, the lychee focal point and amber-vanilla base notes really begin to sing, making for a more sugary surround.

In terms of who the new scent is best for, I’d say it skews younger than the OG with a less aromatic finish – largely, this is down to the removal of bergamot. The result is something that’s just as suited to daytime wear as it is to evenings. Likewise, it has excellent seasonal versatility.

I spritzed my wrists and neck around 11am, and by 4pm, I could still smell the ambery notes without pressing my nose fully against my skin. It’s not in-your-face strong, but I think that less is more when it comes to perfume. (So long as it’s not undetectable entirely, that is.)

If we’re splitting hairs, I’d caveat that the crush absolu eau de parfum feels a touch less unique than Chanel’s wider fragrance library. It’s not that it mimics any other fragrance, but rather that its sexy, sweet-floral-amber combination is by no means an untrodden path.

That said, I’d recommend crush absolu to fans of YSL libre, Lancome la vie est belle (no surprise there), Prada paradoxe and anyone who loves sweet scents without the marshmallow, ice cream shop cloud, or floral scents without the sneeze-inducing sparkle.

Key specifications

  • Notes:Grapefruit, lychee, rose, jasmine, amber, patchouli, vetiver, vanilla
  • Strength:Eau de parfum
  • Size:50ml, 100ml (£160)
  • Available:19 August