
Scentonym Analysis
Our objective metric for performance per dollar.
Is it Worth It?
Shades Blue is a great budget option. It's not a perfect clone, but it captures the essence. For everyday wear, grabbing Shades Blue is a no-brainer. Someone seeking true sophistication should invest in Bleu de Chanel, but for value-conscious buyers, this is a winner.
Scent Breakdown
Shades Blue mimics Bleu de Chanel's vibe, aiming for that citrusy, woody-aromatic appeal. The opening bursts with grapefruit and lemon, but it's noticeably sharper, a bit more synthetic than BDC's smooth citrus. The mint is dialed up a notch, making it feel slightly more youthful. As it dries down, the ginger and nutmeg emerge, but the jasmine is faint. The base gets you close – incense and sandalwood try hard, but lack the depth and refinement of the Chanel. I'd say it lands around 87% similar. The biggest difference is in the quality of ingredients; Shades Blue has a noticeable synthetic edge throughout.
Longevity & Projection
Performance is where Shades Blue shines, especially considering the price. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin, with moderate projection for the first 2 hours. It projects a good arms length, more than BDC. It settles into a skin scent after that, still detectable if someone gets close.
Performance Audit
Based on average wear time
Sillage & radius
Relative to market avg
Why we track this:
Price Arbitrage: Significant savings compared to the original Chanel pricing.
Community Verified: Cross-referenced against 95 enthusiast votes for accuracy.