Chanel n19 is a ray of light to me. It's a cool white floral, powdery green scent. If it were a colour it would be a sunny white. It isn't as green as others because it has that powdery musky sweetness to fall back on, but it is by no means an opulent flower bouquet either, and I don't detect aldehydes in this one.
N.19 is feminine, bright and quiet, stays in the background and doesn't make you smell "of" something. Which is why it's such a perfect throw-on, everyday scent. I can't imagine one circumstance where this one would be obtrusive. In the mornings when I'm not quite ready to smell anything, it doesn't interfere with my senses; in Summer it's light and in Winter it's comforting; and it's surprisingly sensual for evenings.
If I were reading this I would be bored out of my mind and would now look for the following clarification: When I describe this as "fresh" and "light" (two words I abhor in fragrance reviews, they alienate me immediately) it is in contrast to the type of fragrances I go for: heady grand bouquets, power vanillas and candied roses. This one, although "lighter" because it shines through you rather than decorates you, is as special as the best and a beauty in it's own right.
I had to google the notes, I can't tell them apart, they melt into each other like a sunrise: Galbanum, hyacinth, neroli, bergamot, jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, orris, narcissus, ylang-ylang, oakmoss, cedarwood, iris, vetiver, sandalwood, leather, musk. From these I notice the rose and iris on a woody base the most, but they are so transparent I could hardly affirm they are rose and iris and vetiver.
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i love n.19! you have fantastic taste