Bleu de Chanel EDT vs EDP – Which is Best for You?

Bleu de Chanel is an intriguing and inviting modern classic.

This well-balanced cologne is distinctive, but not necessarily easy to define. It’s somehow spicy and fresh, yet also warm and musky. It walks a fine line between these two senses – and does so with style.

The different facets of the scent fit together like a puzzle. No one thing stands out and overpowers the rest. Everything just fits together mellowly and with aplomb. 

But even within Bleu de Chanel, there’s nuance.

Best For: casual office wear
Bleu de Chanel EDT

Bleu de Chanel EDT

Brighter and fresher than the EDP – better for daily wear.
Cheaper than the EDP by around 15%.
Best For: Date night
Bleu de Chanel EDP

Bleu de Chanel EDP

A deeper and creamier plate, with extra musk and incense.
Lasts an hour or two longer than the EDT.

Which is best – Bleu de Chanel EDT vs EDP?

I’d say they’re about 85% similar, but there are some subtle differences that are important to consider:

Note Profile

The EDP is deeper, creamier, and less bright. The grapefruit opening is dialed back, supplanted by an increase in musky and mysterious incense

Performance

The EDP lasts an hour or two longer than the EDT, and projects more intensely from the same amount of sprays.

Price

Across the board, Bleu de Chanel EDT is cheaper than the EDP – but because it doesn’t last as long or smell as strong, it works out about the same dollar for dollar.

The best way to compare the two is side by side, so let’s check out the differences so you can make the right decision.


What Does Bleu de Chanel EDT Smell Like?

Bleu de Chanel starts with a refreshing grapefruit note that makes you sit up and take notice. Combined with incense and ginger, the result is an energizing composition that tingles the nostrils.

Bleu de Chanel EDT

In the base, Bleu employs one of the sleekest uses of vetiver I’ve ever come across.

I’ve found that women in my age bracket (late twenties) don’t tend to go for punchy vetiver colognes. The mature woodsiness tends to be a bit too “old man”.

In Bleu de Chanel, the vetiver is poised against the spicier, fruity elements and they do a great job of mellowing each other out.

The result is a masculine vibe that still feels energizing and youthful – there’s no stuffiness here.

It’s a pretty linear scent that remains consistent throughout its 6 – 7 hour lifetime. What you get at the opening is, for the most part, what you’ll be kicking out hours later.

Bleu de Chanel EDT. Photo taken by Joe Manktelow-Pimm. Copyright: 7Gents ©

No prizes for the fragrance snobs that say it smells derivative. That’s because everyone copied it – because it’s a classic.

I don’t just wear scents to impress others, but if people are consistently complimenting me, you know you must smell good.

Top Notes:Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint and Pink Pepper
Middle Notes:Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine and Iso E Super
Base Notes:Incense, Vetiver, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli,
Labdanum and White Musk
Bleu de Chanel EDT Fragrance Notes

What Does Bleu de Chanel EDP Smell Like?

In the summer of 2014, Chanel released a more intense, parfum version of Bleu de Chanel.

Bleu de Chanel EDP

One of my friends has a bottle, so I tried it out to see the difference.  I would say the similarity between the two is around 80%.

The EDP seemed a little denser, creamier, and probably a little more mature.

It feels richer, with a greater emphasis on the deep notes like incense and amber and less brightness coming from the grapefruit.

This cozier EDP probably lends itself better to winter or colder weather – I think it would be a little overwhelming in high heat and feel too thick. The EDT had a more casual, laidback feel to it for sure.

It’s still subtle enough to wear to the office, but just make sure you go easy. It projects more intensely than the EDT, so 1 – 2 sprays will be enough to get you through a full 8-hour working day. Any more than that might come off as a little excessive to your colleagues.

Top Notes:Grapefruit, Lemon, Mint, Pink Pepper, Bergamot, Aldehydes and Coriander
Middle Notes:Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine and Melon
Base Notes:Incense, Amber, Cedar, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Labdanum and Amberwood
Bleu de Chanel EDP Fragrance Notes

Which is Best for You – Bleu de Chanel EDT vs Bleu de Chanel EDP

If you’re looking for daily wear, Bleu de Chanel EDT beats out the EDP. The notes feel crisper, and it feels louder, and bolder, and has more of an energizing feel overall.

The EDP is probably a better pick for winter, but If I’m wearing a winter fragrance, I probably want it to go a little further with its warming, spicy qualities. If you’re looking for something special for a chilly evening, you’d do better with a Victor and Rolf Spicebomb, for example.

I don’t see why you’d need to run both in your collection because they’re pretty similar, so my recommendation would be to pick up the EDT and use the cash you would have spent on the EDP to explore another classic cologne like Dior Sauvage.


How Much Does Bleu de Chanel EDT and EDP Cost?

(Prices below are from FragranceX.com.)

The EDT version of Bleu de Chanel is slightly cheaper, but keep in mind that the EDP lasts longer and has a higher concentration of fragrance oil – so you need fewer sprays to achieve a similar effect.

The cheapest EDT is available in a 1.7 oz format for around $90, and is the most accessible way to get into Bleu de Chanel fragrances if you’ve got budget limitations.

As you can see in the table below, the cost per spray gets far cheaper the larger the bottle you buy, so it’s best to invest in a larger size if you can afford to.

Volume (Oz)Bleu de Chanel EDT PriceBleu de Chanel EDP PriceBleu de Chanel EDT Price Per OzBleu de Chanel EDP Price Per Oz
1.7 $90$102$53$60
3.4$110$132$32$39
5.0$145$169$29$34
Bleu de Chanel EDT vs EDP Price Comparison

Where to Buy Bleu de Chanel EDT and EDP

If you’re looking to buy Bleu de Chanel online, you need to make sure you use a reputable retailer.

There’s nothing worse than placing an order that feels a little too good to be true, only to receive a cologne that underwhelms because it’s obviously a knock-off. Or worse yet, doesn’t arrive at all.

For the best prices and shipping times, I recommend shopping through FragranceX. They have great shipping times, and cut-price offers by selling cologne testers that have never been used.

Otherwise, you could order through Amazon – just make sure you check out the reviews beforehand to make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable vendor.

Best For: casual office wear
Bleu de Chanel EDT

Bleu de Chanel EDT

Brighter and fresher than the EDP – better for daily wear.
Cheaper than the EDP by around 15%.
Best For: Date night
Bleu de Chanel EDP

Bleu de Chanel EDP

A deeper and creamier plate, with extra musk and incense.
Lasts an hour or two longer than the EDT.

EDT vs EDP

What is an EDT?

An EDT is an Eau de Toilette – a fragrance containing 5 – 15% essential perfume oil. These fragrances are designed for day-to-day use and tend to last for between 4 – 7 hours.

They’re not as concentrated as EDPs, which makes them a better choice for the warmer months of the year where heat is likely to make your fragrance project more than usual.

If you’re looking for something subtler for the office of running casual errands, an EDT is the way to go.

What does Eau de Toilette Mean?

Toilette comes from the french word “toile”, which is a small piece of fabric historically used while shaving.

The term became synonymous with grooming more generally, so Eau de Toilette simply refers to “water of grooming”.

What is an EDP

Eau de Parfums have a stronger concentration of perfume oil than EDTs, usually around 10-20%. Thus, they carry a stronger scent and tend to last longer – up to 10 hours in some cases.

Because EDPs contain a higher percentage of the active ingredient they tend to be more expensive than EDTs – but because you need less per application the price difference balances itself out.

Beyond strength, EDP variants usually have a slightly different note profile too. The scent is designed to be stronger, so more powerful and arresting notes are prioritized.

If you’re looking to make an impression on a date or a party, EDPs are the way to go. 

What Does Eau de Parfum Mean?

Eau de Parfum has a more straightforward translation than EDT. Parfum refers to fragrance, scent, or flavor – so Eau de Parfum simply means “water of fragrance”.

Check out some of our other EDT vs EDP comparisons for more:


What’s Changed?

We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information

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