A Drop of Chanel No. 5
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Has anyone not heard Monroe’s infamous quote about the iconic Chanel No. 5? The beginning of an inseparable association between her and Chanel’s most famous scent, Monroe spoke about the perfume in a Life interview.
“Once this fellow says ‘Marilyn, what do you wear to bed?’” Monroe explains. “So I said I only wear Chanel No. 5.”
She was only 26 at the time.
Liberated Woman
Monroe was cleverly navigating overtly personal and misogynistic questions.
“You know they ask you questions…just an example: ‘what do you wear to bed?’ ‘Do you wear a pajama top? Do you wear the bottoms of the pajama? A nightgown?’” Monroe explains in the interview Chanel unearthed. “So I said ‘Chanel No. 5!’ Because it’s the truth, and yet I don’t want to say nude! But it’s the truth.”
And when you think about it that way, Monroe’s fondness for the scent is a no-brainer, as the perfume itself was inspired by liberated women.
When in Rome…or England
Chanel No. 5 wasn’t Monroe’s only perfume of choice. In fact, looking into her interviews and even some purchase history that’s been found in recent years, Monroe’s favorite perfumes were often directly inspired by her surroundings.
In 1956, when pressed by a reporter to confirm if it’s ‘true that you wear nothing in bed but perfume?’ Monroe easily replies, “As I am in England let’s say I sleep in nothing but Yardley’s Lavender.” This little detail actually found its way into the 1991 film Marylin and Me.
When a receipt came up for auction in recent years, we learned even more about the kind of perfume Monroe preferred. The invoice from Floris was for six bottles of a now discontinued Rose Geranium eau de toilette, ordered by Monroe’s secretary. The scent is still available as a bath essence.
Marilyn Monroe’s Favorite Perfume Notes
From what we can gather, Monroe had a preference for clean and light floral scents.
Chanel No. 5 is a combination of many ingredients, like aldehydes, ylang-ylang, iris, amber, and sandalwood. It’s known for its large bouquet of notes, rather than exemplifying just one flower. On the other hand, Floris’ Rose Geranium combines rose and cedarwood with green notes for a fresh finish. This goes hand-in-hand with Yardleys’ Original English Lavender, which also prioritizes a refreshing feeling.
So, if you’re looking to smell like Monroe, reach for light, fresh floral scents. But you want to be sure that these notes balance deeper musks and woods for a dimensional fragrance. And of course, Chanel No. 5 is still a great choice!
Conclusion
Marilyn Monroe’s love for perfume, particularly Chanel No. 5, is a fascinating topic that continues to captivate perfume enthusiasts and fans alike. Her quotes and interviews provide insight into the personal and professional life of the iconic actress. When exploring her favorite perfumes, it’s clear that she preferred light, fresh floral scents that exude a sense of liberation and freedom.
FAQs
Q: What is Marilyn Monroe’s favorite perfume?
A: Marilyn Monroe’s favorite perfume is Chanel No. 5, but she also had a fondness for other light, fresh floral scents, such as Yardley’s Original English Lavender and Floris’ Rose Geranium.
Q: Why did Marilyn Monroe love Chanel No. 5?
A: Marilyn Monroe’s love for Chanel No. 5 was not just about the scent itself, but also about the liberation and empowerment it represented. She often repeated the quote “I only wear Chanel No. 5” as a way to assert her independence and individuality.
Q: What other perfumes did Marilyn Monroe like?
A: In addition to Chanel No. 5, Marilyn Monroe also liked Yardley’s Original English Lavender and Floris’ Rose Geranium. These perfumes were often inspired by her surroundings and personal experiences.
Q: What are the key notes in Marilyn Monroe’s favorite perfumes?
A: The key notes in Marilyn Monroe’s favorite perfumes, such as Chanel No. 5, Yardley’s Original English Lavender, and Floris’ Rose Geranium, are light, fresh floral notes that balance deeper musks and woods for a dimensional fragrance.