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sem.stepanov2011 – :
I am rolling my eyes in delight, go ooohhh and ahhhh like a crazy woman. I am in heaven! When I was young Jil Sander was a big hit (still is in my humble opinion), and I always owned the creamy bath gel of Jil in the white box. I loved it so much, and everybody around me knew I loved it so much, this was always gifted to me by my colleagues for my birthday. They knew that I loved, loved, loved long relaxing bath times surrounded by gorgeous fragrances, candle lights and a glass of gin tonic (in the olden days Bacardi Coke) on the rim of my bath tub. My late hubby was so sweet that he had my bath water poured and my drink ready on the rim just before I came home, and when I walked through the door he welcomed me with the words: “Go wash the stress off of you, and then we can talk.” Yup, I was a spoiled thing way back then.
Oh, this fragrance takes me back to those days in such a delightful way. I got the chance to buy the shower gel, the eau de toilette and the body cream on Ebay, not such an easy find, because I was looking for a couple of years, and so I JUMPED at the opportunity. I am so glad I did, even though I vowed after more than 110 frags, over 30 bath gels and over 30 body lotions that maybe, just MAYBE I spent enough on frags and things, and I spent way more on the bottle of eau de toilette than I am usually willing to spend on a frag – but I found it too hard to resist this time. It usually is a real struggle for me to try to be reasonable when it comes to Jil Sander, and in particular when it comes to Jil frags that were on top of my “love it to bits and pieces” list all along.
This is SUPER feminine, like so many other Jil Sander fragrances.
Sometimes I wonder why some of the greatest flankers get discontinued.
cochevnic – :
Had this one for some years now along with the body cream. This is one of the most unusual gourmand scent I have smelled. It’s fruit, chocolate and vanilla but not kiddy sweet. Almost a hint of leather to me, dry.
jolly77 – :
Unusual… an aura of Christmas trees and orange chocolate. Rich and creamy. Sweet and woody, with its own unique charm.
pokemonik – :
If you sniff this from the bottle, you get the weirdest, strong, citrus, cleaner sort of scent.
I sprayed twice on my right arm, once, then let it dry, then a second time over that just to get a better idea. First time I tested was a single spray to the back of my hand. I think this is the kind of scent that requires a bit more initial application to come through.
So . . . first burst this time is cocoa. It’s powdery and rich. Not sweet, but then the fruit of the raspberry appears. This is like a rich chocolate-raspberry tart. It’s a little spicy and woody underneath the semi-sweetness.
Throughout the development, the bergamot is consistent and rather strong to my citrus-sensitive nose. But it’s not overwhelming. I think it is combined with the cranberry to make that tartness. It works well with the other notes (in the Jil Sander way) so that this is absolutely not a citrus scent, but it’s a rich, woody, gourmand. But I wouldn’t think of this scent as “gourmand” in the typical sense. There’s so much of the amber and cedar in this composition that it is an active part of the development and makes this more of an ambiance than a desert. I can imagine certain hookah smelling like this.
As the drydown comes along, the tobacco takes center stage (hence the hookah comparison). It’s really a gorgeous winter and fall scent. Of course, I’m going to be wearing it in the heat of Haiti, and for that reason, I’m testing it on my balcony without AC. This seems to help the notes bloom and merge rather than separating that so often happens in cold weather.
In the AC, this is more about the woods and resins. Out on the balcony, the chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry shine. The first time I tested this (keeping in mind it was only one spray), it seemed light and surprisingly without significant impact. This time is very different.
No longer do I get the similarities to Serge Lutens Chergui and Diptyque Volutes I noted before, other than the lovely warm tobacco. This is its own scent.
I really have yet to notice the mint much. There is an herbal sense through this that makes it seem like it’s infused with mint and lavender without those notes taking any sort of spotlight.
This is probably the closest thing to “gourmand” in my wardrobe, and for someone who is not a gourmand lover (strong chocolate like Dame Perfumery Scottsdale Chocolate Man, while beautiful, turn my stomach), it is perfect for me when I want something on the sweet side. But I would probably avoid spraying this around my neck in the heat.
My conclusion? This is a stunning blind-buy and well worth the effort to hunt down. I would love to keep this with me always, and might try to find it if I ever run out . . . so let’s hope that never happens! glad
aleksei1981 – :
I got this one some, some years ago, and based on the main accord, I would say; not my cup of coffee! But… those sweet and aromatic tones didn’t bother me at all,it is quite unique and differentiate itself from tones of others. i can even feel vanilla (which I dislike), but in Jil, it just make the sense (maybe because it us not there:)
I used to wear it daily, and even now i have some leftovers, which I spray all over me with joyful. I like it in its unique way, and as it was my first Jil Sander perfume, it made me try other ones from Jil Sander. Now I love Pure for an every day purpose, always have some 30ml bottle somewhere,
CarterYM – :
I often buy scents when I travel to remind me of the holiday, or because that particular product is not available where I live. This is true of JIL which I picked up in San Francisco when it was released in ’97. Wow, that’s almost 20 years ago. I am not particularly a fan of gourmands but really liked this one at that time. I think it was the lavender, raspberry and chocolate combination that was so different from what I usually went for.
Tucked away in my closet is almost half a bottle in its original box. I hadn’t worn it in years and felt compelled to experience it again. A couple of sprays on my arm revealed that it was in excellent condition for a bottle I had purchased 18 years ago. It’s not something I would wear often now being too sweet for my current taste but I certainly admire the quality of the product that still smelled much like it did when I used it regularly. I’m surprised it’s not still available – it’s the type of sweet scent that is quite popular these days.
виктория – :
Sniffing this on my hand before looking at the listed notes – minty plastic? Is drying down now to something more woody but the plastic still overpowers. I could see this working much better on a man than on a woman. Tobacco a la the Body Shop Tobacco Flower (ah, I see that one isn’t in the data base here, along with loads of other Body Shop’s) one also coming through quite strongly. Overall I find this fragrance to smell disappointingly synthetic, although I’m sure the juice is in tiptop condition. Perhaps it’s because I don’t appreciate these particular notes and am therefore misinterpreteting them. This (original, not the modern one) Jil, I would certainly classify as a ‘gourmand’, in the mould of ‘skin scent’ – I can’t detect any vanilla, more of which might have seduced me. I am in the UK and have a nearly full good-sized mini if anyone’s interested.
gongrifon – :
The scent profile intrigued me, and when I saw a used bottle for sale online I bought it immediately. We all see the proliferation of fragrances that smell so similar they’re difficult to tell apart; Jil is very unique. I love vetiver, vanilla, raspberry, tonka, chocolate and cedar and this scent has them all. Reading this description would lead you to believe that it would smell like a bad science experiment. Not at all! Initially it has a crisp masculine opening, I can pick out the lavender, mint and vetiver with a touch of chocolate. On my skin the heart has almost a musky character, a well blended soft cloud of scent. I detect elements in the scent profile coming to the fore and then drifting away. It’s not all soft and sweet,I pick up red berries, bergamot, and lavender from time to time amidst the vanilla, sandalwood,cacao and violet. I’m hoping to pick up more woodsy notes in the dry down; even though it’s a hour since I sprayed it I already know I love Jil. The downside is that it won’t last long on my voracious fragrance devouring skin.
Jil is very different, and though I am not as experienced as others with extreme or niche fragrances; I find this is just the ticket for someone like me who adores the unusual. It’s definitely a new favorite.
antonkoptev – :
This was one of my first favorites as a proper adult, when I was going through a gourmand phase. It smelled just like a fresh baked sugar cookie on me. I kept thinking it smelled like an anise sugar cookie, in fact, even though to my knowledge there is no anise note in the perfume. Something about the way that the sweet gourmand notes mix with the more acerbic woody notes fooled my nose.
kostiukoff – :
This perfume connected with what wanted in a daily perfume, for work. When I wear Jil I am feeling confident as I have access to my worldly pursuits as way is prepared in advance of my arrival with this influential, impressive, not too pretty scent. A thrill to wear.
Shansonie – :
Interesting to read that not everyone liked this perfume at first. The same thing happened to me. I actually thought the smell was terrible at first…. but after a while the little tester my sister gave me as a gift found its way to my nose more and more often. It took a while, but it was one of the best fragrances I have ever had. A few years ago I was able to get a bottle on Ebay, but that was it. I think this fragrance was completely discontinued. What a shame. Maybe Jil Sander plans a revival of this wonderful, very special scent.
Артёмка – :
This was one of my first perfume. I got it as a present from my German uncle when I was around 16. Couldn’t stand it first because of the bitter after notes that lingered beneath the sweetness of the fragrance. Than for some reason I’ve grown to not just like it, but love it.
When I ran out of the small bottle I bought 2 bigger ones and used it always, every day. After I used those bottles,it got withdrawn from the shops and I was so-so sad – nothing could compare to Jil!
Recently I remembered these memories and searched for it online. To my shock I found one available bottle! Immediately I bought it – it smelt the same but I have changed now 15 years later. Still like it, but not too much any longer. Wear it, but don’t really suit to me.
Forex U Turn – :
I really like this scent, it’s my favorite. It’s a very distinctive fragrance. Whenever I wear it, people ask what it is. I’m just sorry that it is discontinued. It’s even getting harder to find on Ebay. Wish Jil would bring it back.
dress_code – :
I don´t know what happened but lately i have changed my opinion on some fragrances i hated or disliked before. “Jil” is now one of them.
Right below is my previous review for “Jil” and i explained why i disliked it. Today i am wearing it for a second time and i think this is a “one sniff from hate to love” type of fragrance for me. I liked it yesterday and love it today! It smells complelty different when sprayed on my skin during warmer season, than when i tried it during colder season. The chocolate notes with tonka bean are driving me crazy! This is an instant head-turner at the moment! Long lasting dark chocolate and light vanilla, nothing else really, those are just 2 notes i fully appreciate and enjoy here. Guess this will be one of my favorite summer time evening fragrances, but only during summer time!
Now i have learned my lesson that never say never and always give a second try 🙂
keshavp2007 – :
I have purchased it based on a good reviews here and i absolutly do not like it!
For me it is like a men´s perfume, but not the best one. Very very sharp at the beginning it instantly scared me off so i puted it away for a while, thinking i will try it somedoay later. Then once again and again i wanted to test it but was still disgusted by it´s opening. Today i finally tried it on my skin. The very opening is like very citrus to me with some bitter notes dominanting (i guess that are red berries and cacao). Then after 10-15 min all i can smell is bitter cacao with vetiver mixed with some pine notes. It is not fresh citrus anymore. For me that kind of smell is really annoying in someway and since it has tobacco note in it, it just simply turns me off cause since i quitted smoking i cannot stand a scent of tobacco.
So what do we get? A sharply citrus at the beginning and bitter cacao with pine notes later. I do not smell any raspberries in it absolutly!
Staying power is average.
So for me it is very one-sided fragrance, that would better suit a manly man than a woman. But since Jil Sander was always very minimalistic in fashion it is no surprise then that the same is with the fragrances.
UPDATE: After 30 min all i can smell is dark choclate with a lightes hint of vanilla mix to it.
Still it smells like quite masculine to me and i do not like to wait that long for perfume to develope, by that time i will want to scrub it simply off.
Please do not remove this comment, since others might find it useful. Not every rewiev should be positive, so people like me wanted to make a blind buy might find it very informative. Thanks.
killerpech – :
A little bit on the weird side but I love this one!
First impression: somebody hit me in the head with a giant perfume bottle. Thankfully that lasts only for a few seconds.
Then I get berries with a hint of christmas tree.
It developes into deepest forest AND a rich floral-fruity bouquet. It’s hard to imagine those two side by side but it smells truly amazing. Very fresh but sweet and playful at the same time.
An hour later the woods step up and I get the vanilla.
Slowly the remains of the top notes fade away to be replaced by vetiver and tonka bean with hints of something woody-smoky, amber and vanilla.
It’s a shame that it doesn’t last longer, after only 4 hours it’s pretty much gone. I can’t remember if it had more staying power when the bottle was new. I really wish they would bring it back!
svdarling – :
This was the first perfume I ever bought, and I still love it today. It’s discontinued unfortunately (can’t understand why), so I was very happy when I got the chance to buy two big tester bottles on ebay, now I can have it with me a little longer…
лариса – :
Loaded with vanilla! Too much vanilla for me but very pretty but not for me to ware so I used it as a fabric refresher on my bed. If I like something but don’t like it on my skin then I use it as a fabric scent on my bed. One of my bizaar ways of using my scent to its fullest advantage-its better than sitting on a shelf!
KixUtinia – :
i agree with you tra! i wish also! i have a empty bottle and time after time i smell her. good memories, good sweet scent, with this perfume i had unforgetable period in my life!!!!!!!
Kumeresirtra – :
i agree with you tra! i wish also! i have a empty bottle and time after time i smell her. good memories, good sweet scent, with this perfume i had unforgetable period in my life!!!!!!!