Houbigant • Chantilly • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* Zanita27 on 12/30/2012 1:33:00 PM more reviews by Zanita27

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Beautiful fragrance. Its an oriental that smells floral and slightly powdery. Its warm without being spicy. Ive got a thing for vintage perfumes right and this is one. You only need one spritz of this because it is a bit strong.

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kwood430 on 7/26/2012 9:23:00 PM more reviews by kwood430

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

My grandmom wears this all the time and I love going to her house and smelling it so she gave me a mini bottle. I do like the smell, it doesn't seem to give me a headache like others do. I mostly like it because it reminds me of my grandmom but it does smell very fresh and powdery. Almost reminds me of the love's baby soft I would get when I was younger

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*TOP REVIEWER* Cinnamon1 on 7/19/2012 10:02:00 AM more reviews by Cinnamon1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I wish I had something intellectual or sophisticated to say about this fragrance, but I don't. My mom wore this when I was little, and Chantilly is the smell of being snuggled by her. Nothing could smell as wonderful.

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*TOP REVIEWER* greenreed on 11/28/2011 7:05:00 PM more reviews by greenreed

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This did not smell bad. Powder and orange. However, this made me break out within a few seconds of applying. Glad I did not buy the huge bottle. Guess this is what gift sets are for!

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stayce on 8/8/2011 3:53:00 PM more reviews by stayce

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

I am always holding out hope that I'll stumble across some old-school drugstore gem; after reading so many positive reviews I headed over to my local big box store to check this one out.
Well. I have no idea what the vintage Chantilly smells like, but it can only smell better than this stuff. After a fleeting moment of powder, leather and orange blossom ("Nice!" I thought to myself), it settles down to a hideously strong industrial bathroom air freshener that refuses to fade away. I'd leave this one to history.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Olfactoria on 7/9/2011 6:11:00 PM more reviews by Olfactoria

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

A true oriental of surprising gravitas for something that comes in lacy, pale-pink wrappings. Among my favorite old-school orientals, along with Monteil's Royal Secret. Chantilly is deep, rich, and creamy, with a powdery softness. I really get the orange blossom, leather, and sandalwood. It wears much better on me than Youth-Dew, Tabu, or Opium-- all of which take on a strong indolic ("poopy") tone on my skin. This one is smoothly constructed and purrs like a kitten on my skin. No harshness, no off notes.


I highly recommend vintage Chantilly, though it's getting harder to find. I was lucky enough to get two .25-ounce bottles of the Houbigant parfum a few years ago. Most of what's sold now is by Dana, and it's the same species but not the same animal. But the versions by Parfums Parquet and New Dana (not "Dana Classics," which is the highly reformulated current version) are still to be had for practically a song.


One of my very favorites, a quiet yet deeply feminine pleasure.

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*TOP REVIEWER* zeynepd on 1/11/2011 3:34:00 PM more reviews by zeynepd

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

Houbigant's Chantilly, beautiful and magical like a kaleidoscope. To me, Chantilly comes very very close to timeless charm. Its many facets offers me many beautiful things from shameless candied fruits that must have been so courageous when the fragrance was first made to full-bodied citrus, some ambery powder and even some light moss. It smells somehow too powdery from the bottle, but once it's on my skin, it is some glittery powder that sparkles youthfully, while maintaining something mature. I associate its sweetness with fruity Turkish delight - not the almondy, rosy sort. This is cut with fresh lemons and bergamot. Delicious. Its amber gives it a retro feel, yes but it can be worn with many things if you don't like dotty dresses. Sometimes, Chantilly smells just a tad flat on my skin, but this phase is very short. Altogether a lovely trail. This fragrance makes me think of courageous women the twentieth century who dared to express themselves in previously untraveled paths of art and career. Like, you look at some sepia photographs of old times and some people's personal aura just shines - like those family friends or aunties who seemed to have more exciting lives than everyone else around them. I now imagine that those women wore Chantilly.

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mich52331 on 1/4/2011 11:50:00 PM more reviews by mich52331

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

I've worn Chantilly since I discovered it two years ago. It's a high-quality fragrance at a low price, and I love that everyone else in the world is not wearing it.

Chantilly is "floriental." I smell hints of spiced orange, pepper, powdery musk and expensive soap. It's soft but still has depth and excellent lasting power.

On one hand, this is a girly scent, soft and powdery (but not too powdery!). I can wear it as a comfort fragrance while lazing in front of the TV. But the subtle layering of notes--none of them overly sweet---is nothing short of sophisticated and womanly. So I can also wear this with pearls to a social event. Makes me feel like a girl and a grown-up at the same time.

In short, Chantilly is unique, long-lasting, complex, and versatile. At least try it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* highrise on 11/24/2010 9:56:00 PM more reviews by highrise

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other, Fair, Cool   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

I was lucky to score a vintage perfume-and-powder set of Chantilly for virtually nothing on Fleabay. This is indeed your mother's - or grandmother's - perfume, only because it is a classic powdery, slightly spicy-sandalwoody beauty that still sells in gift sets at the drugstore. I don't know what the current formation's like, but echoes of the past make Chantilly sweet to wear on the gritty streets of the 21st century. Wonderfully comforting.

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Angela1013 on 11/10/2010 5:22:00 PM more reviews by Angela1013

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Chantilly Lace had a perty face....I recently bought a small vintage perfume on ebay made by Houbigant not Dana. This scent reminds me of my childhood and is actually the first perfume that I ever experienced before I became a Collecter. I remember wearing it all the time. The Perfume is very subtle powdery sweet and perfect for anywhere anytime.

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laurenmf on 10/14/2010 9:09:00 AM more reviews by laurenmf

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

This is a beautiful, classic scent. I like the old-fashioned quality it has (I tend to like those scents others think are for "old ladies"). This is powdery, but not overtly. A little spicy, but clean. It reminds me a lot of Avon's Soft Musk, which is my absolute favorite. I have never had the chance to experience the scent before Dana bought it, but I think the version out now is very nice. A great everyday scent!

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nearfantastica78 on 10/10/2010 12:52:00 AM more reviews by nearfantastica78

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I adore this perfume, I started sampling it from my mothers perfume collection when I was about 12 maybe? It is beautiful...it didn't smell spectacular on me when I was a young teen, but when I turned 17 it became my signature scent as my punk-style/spirit boyfriend loved it. I wore it everywhere and I got compliments everywhere i went. I began to wear it again a couple of years ago and it smells better than it ever did on me! It is a mature yet very sensual scent, a grown up powdery yet flirty aroma....not old lady at all. Of all the fragraces I own (and I own ALOT) this one renders the most compliments, the most stops in the street asking what I am wearing, and the most positive male attention. Despite is relatively inexpensive pricetag and its trading hands from Houbigant to Dana, it is a one in a million scent...there is nothing at all like it. It is very powerful and citirsy when fist sprayed, but after about half an hour it dries down to the most incredible powdery, musky scent. I cannot compare it to anything else I have ever smelled. I will be buying this for the rest of my life...an absolute gem :)

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*TOP REVIEWER* crickett85 on 5/17/2010 4:39:00 AM more reviews by crickett85

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Chantilly ceased to be Chantilly when Houbigant sold out to the blob that ate perfumedom, Dana.
Dana took the heart and soul out of this classic, somewhat mysterious oriental scent. It's now a boring slightly spicy sweet floral.
WHY use the name of a classic perfume when this is NOT the SAME perfume. Oh...hoping to fool a loyal fan base into buying your simpering watered down wanna be scent.
Skip it. This imposter lacks the heart, soul and depth of the REAL Houbigant Chantilly.

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devil_girl on 5/10/2010 3:34:00 PM more reviews by devil_girl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I bought some vintage Houbigant Chantilly and I'm in love. HG status for me. I didn't enjoy the sharp topnotes at first but now they don't bother me a bit. The drydown is the most beautiful powder you can imagine. Like grown up baby powder. You'd better believe I will be searching for more of this gem!

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dollief on 2/10/2010 9:41:00 PM more reviews by dollief

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Well, I don't know all the fancy perfume terminology as others do, but I do know that this is one frangrance I did not like much as a teenager, but around my 40th birthday I tried some on a whim, and fell in love with it. It is soft, feminine and does not trigger my migraine headaches like some (read: MOST) fragrances do. Lovely and classic.

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*TOP REVIEWER* catwoman30 on 11/22/2009 12:52:00 AM more reviews by catwoman30

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

After reading all of the reviews up here I just had to give this scent a try:I have a soft spot for what people refer to as 'cheap' perfumes.Wally World had a giftset of a 1oz. Cologne and matching 2oz. lotion for 5 bucks-I figured it would be no great loss if I hated it....Boy was I in for a surprise:I absolutely love it!It is extremely powdery yet after the initial drydown it is soft and comforting.Maybe it is because it has been around for 60+ years but it makes me want to dress up in vintage clothes with bright red lipstick and my hair in pin curls...I keep thinking of Kate Beckinsale in 'Pearl Harbor' and could totally see her character wearing this....odd thought but it's true.I love this stuff and the fact it is so cheap is a plus.I can see wearing this year-round easily and will buy again and again...<3

**Edit**12/13/09-I have worn this every single day since I bought it.I have tried on other stuff and ended up washing it off to put this back on and that NEVER happens.I usually tire of a scent easily but this is all me:)

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*TOP REVIEWER* candystripelegs on 11/12/2009 3:38:00 PM more reviews by candystripelegs

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Warm, musky, powdery with a bit of citrus and vanilla. Very innocent but yet sexy at the same time. Whenever I wear this I suddenly want to do my hair in victory rolls and wear a lace slip underneath my favorite polka dot dress, it definely evokes a nostalgic feeling!!



Yes, it may be an "old lady" scent but I don't care, my grandmother and great aunt both wore it and I admired them dearly. I think it all depends on your style, body chemistry and how you carry yourself. Some people just can't pull off the older scents but I find them more complex and they seem to blend with my body chemistry much better than the never fruity/gorumand scents that are so popular today.



Anyone who loves strong orientals or musk would most likely enjoy this as an option for a softer scent that isn't too sweet.

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*TOP REVIEWER* prettykitty1 on 11/11/2009 2:53:00 AM more reviews by prettykitty1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

I'm 36, and I''ve been wearing this scent on and off for 24 years. Even though it's easy to take drugstore scents like this for granted, I keep coming back to Chantilly because it's so rich and complex, and I especially enjoy the vanilla drydown.

As others have commented, the juice is pretty strong, but if it's applied sparingly, it can be quite lovely, especially in winter when a warm, powdery, citrusy scent is especially comforting.

The nicest thing about Chantilly is the timelessness of the scent. It's not fruity or gourmandish in a modern way. It's definitely old-school, and I mean that in the nicest possible way. I'm sure I'll wear this every now and then for years to come.

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*TOP REVIEWER* judysmath on 5/26/2009 4:24:00 PM more reviews by judysmath

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I am 52 and pre-menopausal and I've had to replace perfumes I used to love with new ones due to the change in my body chemistry. When I was a teen and tried this perfume, I didn't like it because it had a chemical smell on me and never dried down to the powdery scent. I recently bought a bottle of Chantilly on a whim and tried it and love it. It's powdery on me now and I don't smell the chemical smell any more. Must be due to my body chemistry change. One word of caution though--- it's pretty strong, so use sparingly.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tessture on 1/30/2009 2:53:00 PM more reviews by tessture

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Mossy orange blossom, slightly powdered with sandalwood. Chantilly is a difficult fragrance because so many of us have memories inextricably tied up with the scent. Someone we knew wore it while we grew up. Powdery scents to seem to evoke that dreaded term 'old lady', probably because many older scents have powder bases. Something that's been popular for 68 years is bound to have been worn by a few old ladies. A lot of young ladies have worn it, too, and still do. Chantilly is a very pretty orange blossom with oak moss and faint florals hiding underneath to surprise you on dry down. It might not be your cup of tea, but it's been around for long enough that, even if you hate it, you have to admit that it will probably be around for many years to come. More people like it than don't, and it's all down to opinion anyway. I have nice memories of this scent, so I give it a rating that reflects that.

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