If you have read my previous articles, you probably know that I am a huge fan of Chanel products. Because I love the famous perfume house so much, I created a “Chanel” index to measure the efficacy and luxury of all men’s colognes. As you can see, my obsession with Chanel is that strong.
This index is based on my favorite cologne, Pour Monsieur Concentree. If a men’s fragrance can nearly match, match, or exceed the level of Pour Monsieur Concentree, it will have met my high standards and thus be added to my fragrance wardrobe. So did Pour Monsieur Concentree have to pass a test? Of course I do, and it was compared to my first experience with a Chanel cologne. He had to pass the Antaeus index.
I was first introduced to this scent when I visited a Chanel boutique in San Francisco. When I tried it for the first time, I knew I was in nirvana. It was strong, luxurious and very, very sophisticated. It was meant for the man who was really comfortable with himself and loved being in charge. However, this cologne had a softer side. I noticed a hint of talc in its juice. So this cologne, in my opinion, was for the powerful man with a sensitive side. A few months later, after searching for the right price, it became my most prized possession.
Chanel launched Anteo in 1981. It is named after the figure from ancient Greek mythology, Anteo. He was the son of the Earth Goddess, Gaeia, and the Sea God, Poseidon. He was also considered an invincible fighter, who could maintain this invincibility as long as he kept in touch with his mother goddess. He puts the doom on him when Hercules grabbed him hard. According to Chanel, “Men can be both strong and vulnerable, and the ANTAEUS fragrance reminds us of this by touching on the theme of virility with tenderness and indulgence.”
The opening notes of this woody chypre fragrance are lemon, lime, coriander and sage. The middle notes are thyme, basil, rose and jasmine. Finally it ends with patchouli, castoreum, labdanum and oakmoss. Its juice is housed in a sleek, glassy black bottle.
I highly recommend Antaeus for mature men who want a strong and powerful but “sensitive” fragrance. Antaeus can be purchased at Chanel boutiques, Chanel.com, or other fine online perfumeries.