The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.

New Release: Les Exclusifs de Chanel Misia

by 61 Comments

Chanel MisiaWHAT I SMELL:  Misia opens with a powdery light and airy violet that quickly is accentuated by a lovely rounded almost plastic candy coated rose.  Candied doesn’t mean that the perfume is overly sweet.  In fact, it’s like a dusting of light powder that has been sifted onto the semi-sweet flowers.  The fragrance has a sense of fragility about it, but there’s an underlying iris rootiness wrapped in the most subtle of leather that helps Misia to keep itself grounded in confidence. After 10 minutes, the fragrance begins to grow and the leather comes forward but in a way that ensures that it never takes the spotlight away from the pretty powdered florals.  After 25 minutes, a slightly sour tonka comes in giving the perfume a greater amount of dimension.  There’s a definite vintage makeup and lipstick quality to Misia, but at the same time, Misia has a dynamic that propels it into the present day. In the end, Misia becomes a pretty powder puff of violet and iris…but not overly pretty, you can’t accuse Misia of being too girly-girl.

From the Chanel website:

Named for the art patron Misia Sert, Gabrielle Chanels confidante. Evoking the air of a theater backstage, this exquisite scent features a feminine blend of May Rose and Violet, intertwined with a hint of leather. A truly inspired and distinctive creation.

Ziegfeld Model - Non-Risque - Dancers by Alfred Cheney Johnston

Ziegfeld Girls

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Backstage dressing rooms at the Ziegfeld Follies, full of powder, makeup and unbridled femininity.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE MISIA:  daring, unique, confident

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MISIA:  CaFleureBon, Bois de Jasmin

BOTTOM LINE:  Misia is a temptress that keeps calling back to me with her siren song.  I really like her, but am not sure if I love her, but there’s something so unique and special about her that I can’t stop thinking about her.  Misia betwixts me!

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Oriental Floral
  • Nose:  Olivier Polge
  • Classification: Feminine
  • Expense: $160 for 2.5 oz. Eau de Toilette

The Scented Hound has two 2 ml samples of Misia to give away to two lucky readers (U.S only please).  To enter the draw, let me know what your favorite Chanel perfume is or why you want to get to know Misia.  The draw ends on Thursday March 5 at 6pm EST.  Winners will be chosen via random.org. and will be announced on Friday, March 6.  Good luck!

Author: The Scented Hound

Just a normal guy with the nose of a beagle!

61 thoughts on “New Release: Les Exclusifs de Chanel Misia”

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  1. cookie queen
    March 2, 2015 at 5:51 am

    Going to Vienna tomorrow and hooking up with the Olfactoria Crew for breakfast. Hoping the Chanel Boutique will have Misia already but the Austrians are not known for being quick off the mark. We shall see. Enticing review. xxx

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  2. Fazal Cheema
    March 2, 2015 at 6:55 am

    thank you so so much. I am a huge Olivier Polge fan and Chanel did a wise thing by snagging him. i have a feel i will love it.

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  3. australianperfumejunkies
    March 2, 2015 at 7:33 am

    YOU are the temptress Steve. DNEM because I’m across the waves but I SO want to get my sniff on Misia.
    Portia xx

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  4. thinkingmagpie
    March 2, 2015 at 7:37 am

    This is a definite must try fragrance for me. I can’t wait to venture out into “city” and visit Chanel store. Love your review. 🙂 (BTW, I’m not in the US so don’t enter me.)

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  5. lucasai
    March 2, 2015 at 8:08 am

    Your description of Misia is very happening. A powdered iris of makeup vibe and a leather? Well, yes, please. Hope to give it a go when I’m in Milan later this month… or earlier if possible.

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. deweycrain
    March 2, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Well the perfumista ‘press’ has certainly been impressive…. that’s my main inducement in wanting to try this debut. I’ve been wearing some vintage Cuir de Russie, this winter — and the bandaid / benzoin note is so crisp (and dare I say comforting? — must be a childhood memory)… and so little else has been poking above the fray…..lol. Is it like any of the vint cosmetic / powder standards i.e. L’aimant, Lipstick Rose, YSL Paris (when it first debuted) ??? Yesh, I’m curious Thanks

    Liked by 1 person

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    • The Scented Hound
      March 2, 2015 at 8:31 am

      Ahhh, the lovely Cuir de Russie. I wish I had some more as my samples have all but vanished. There is a vintage makeup vibe about this, but it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be vintage where I do think Lipstick Rose attempts to. I guess some might disagree. I do think that Misia will be a hit though 🙂

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  7. The Scented Hound
    March 2, 2015 at 8:12 am

    Lucas, ahhh, yes, you are a lover of iris, although this may be a bit too feminine for your tastes. Even though there is a whisper of leather here, the florals really dominate.

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  8. Connie
    March 2, 2015 at 8:31 am

    This sounds lovely- I always get excited about powdery rose violets. For my favorite Chanel, i would have to choose between Bois des Iles, Coromandel, and No. 22.

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  9. Sun Mi
    March 2, 2015 at 8:46 am

    Thank you for the lovely opportunity to win samples of this! On the whole I haven’t had a lot of luck with Chanel, though I did really like LE Gardenia, and there’s several I’d really like to try (Cuir de Russie, Sycamore, Coco Noir). Since I’m on a bit of a leather search, this sounds really interesting. Thanks for the review!

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  10. maggiecat
    March 2, 2015 at 8:47 am

    I love Chanel, and a new scent is always exciting. Even when a Chanel isn’t “me,” it’s always a work if art I can appreciate. Having read several biographies of Coco Chanel, I can’t wait to try the scent named for her friend Misia!

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  11. rickyrebarco
    March 2, 2015 at 8:54 am

    Lovely review. I can’t wait to try Misia. I love orris, iris and violet- yum! My favorite Chanel so far is Jersey pure parfum. I love lavender also. If it has purple flowers I like it! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Holly
    March 2, 2015 at 9:15 am

    Sounds lovely, Steve. I have the feeling I’m going to love this one. Your imagery is fantastic – the layers, the fragility, the ground beneath. My favorite Chanel thus far is vintage No.19. Thanks for the giveaway! I’m in the US.

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  13. Peppy Obrien
    March 2, 2015 at 10:11 am

    My favorite Chanel scent is Coromandel. I’d love to try Misia. It sounds so lovely

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  14. Robin D Bradbury
    March 2, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Oh…My favorite Chanel is No. 5…need I explain? This Misia sounds so beautiful…like absolute perfection. Thankyou so much for the draw.

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  15. Nancysg
    March 2, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    I keep trying the Chanel Exclusives hoping to find “the One”! No success yet, but perhaps Misia is it.

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  16. Clancy Ratliff
    March 2, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    My favorite right now is probably Beige, but perhaps it will be Misia once I smell it! Thanks for doing this giveaway.

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  17. poodle
    March 2, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    I’ve got a sweet spot for No.22. I do like a good vintage makeup smell so this one has got my interest.
    I feel like I live at the North Pole but according to my mailing address I am still in the US.

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    • The Scented Hound
      March 2, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Poodle my dear. I have some vintage Chanel No. 22 EDC and love it. It’s very cheery and comforting. I’m not as in love with the current EDT…but would love sample the extrait which I have been jonesing to try. Yes, this winter is tired isn’t it!

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  18. silvrolive
    March 2, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Make-up powdery violet and rose scents appeal to me as well as anything with iris, so I would love to try Misia. I am in the US.

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  19. jamie schnirch
    March 2, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    Chanel No.5 has been my all time favorite, but Coromandel and No.22 are shouldering her out of position these days. Thanks for the great review.

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  20. Brenda
    March 2, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    Years ago my favorite was Chanel No. 5 perfume., but saved the perfume for dates on the weekend and special occasions. During the week, I always used No. 5 body crème, as my fragrance. I especially loved the body crème because it stayed with me all day. I would love to try the Misia, because I love Iris flowers. Iris’ were my grandmother’s favorite flower, and it would remind me of her.
    Thank you for the chance.

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  21. Beth
    March 2, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    I am excited to try this one, especially with the makeup vibe. That’s something my boyfriend loves!

    I’ve been wearing a lot of Chanel no.5 this winter since he bought it for me for Valentine’s Day. I love it more with each wearing.

    Thanks for the drawing!!

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  22. Azar
    March 3, 2015 at 2:12 am

    You mentioned “unique, confident and daring”. An extra dose of confidence is always welcome here. My favorite Chanel? Probably Gardenia followed by No 19.

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    • The Scented Hound
      March 3, 2015 at 8:31 am

      Azar, surprising as this may be, I have never smelled Chanel’s Gardenia and I am such a sucker for gardenia fragrances. It needs to go on the top of my “must try” list…of course that list is crazy long at this point! Good luck!

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  23. pollytechnic
    March 3, 2015 at 3:50 am

    I’m really looking forward to trying this one, not sure if it’s made it to Oz yet? I do hope so! Will check the Chanel boutique next time I’m in the big smoke!

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  24. Nemo
    March 3, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    My favorite Chanel is a toss-up between Cristalle and No. 19, but I am finding myself drawn to the violet in Misia. Thanks!

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  25. hajusuuri
    March 3, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    Nice review, Houndie! I just bought Chanel No. 19 EDP and got a mini of Misia and Sycomore. I also have a largish decant of Misia coming my way within the next few weeks. DNEM…just wanted to say hello!

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  26. hofken
    March 4, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    I want to get to know the rose, Violet and leather notes of Misia. I haven’t yet found a Chanel fragrance that I truly love. The above comments point me in some new directions.

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  27. Undina
    March 8, 2015 at 4:37 am

    It’s OK to comment after the draw has closed, right?
    I usually try not to read reviews for those perfumes that I plan to try eventually but I couldn’t help myself and read your review – the first one I read for this perfume. Now I’m contemplating why would I need to get to SF to try it at Saks or Chanel boutique…

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