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pahtеt24 – :
Jill Sander’s products aren’t well known in the USA, it is a popular German house. I spent many years living in Germany and used JS products before, but currently I own only this fragrance.
Like other reviewers have noted, this fragrance has a strong masculine vibe, if one considers woody/herbal scents as non feminine. It’s non typical of women’s perfumes in that it lacks sweet floral and/or fruity notes.
I consider this a true unisex fragrance, but unlike many modern unisex frags JS is proudly strong and out there. There’s nothing fresh and watery here, this is powerful stuff and certainly not for everyone. JS mellows out on dry down and becomes smooth and even soft on my skin.
I don’t wear it often, but when I applied JS today for the purpose of writing this review it became clear how well this frag works for layering. I’d put on Anais Anais earlier today, which is also a powerful scent with strong lasting notes. JS works really well with the cool flowers of AA, and I’ll be sure to experiment a bit more with JS.
YIIIu6 – :
Uh, it was the very first perfume I ever bought for myself when I was in my 20’s, and I really miss it a lot. I wished I could get my hands on a bottle again, but the prices on Ebay are just outrageous. So I will wait patiently in hope that I can get a good deal on this gem down the line. Quite honestly, it has been so long that I owned it, I can hardly remember what it really smells like anymore, but I know that way back when I love, love, loved it, and she was the beginning of my love affairs with Jil Sander frags (actually, she was kind of my gateway drug to my fragrance addiction if you will). So I cross my fingers in hope that I can experience her beauty again some day.
So, finally I won a bit on an affordable used bottle of it ( $10 plus shipping for a half full 4.2oz bottle) I can’t wait to get it. SO EXCITED! I hope it didn’t turn, as it is a vintage bottle.
Update: It finally arrived, and I couldn’t wait to take a shower and put it on. First of all, it is not as lovely as I remembered, way more woody than I remembered, and not quite balsamic enough. My taste in perfumes must have changed quite a bit, or maybe it’s because it is an old bottle, and we all know buying a used vintage bottle is always a risk. I think aldehydic just doesn’t do it for me anymore. Pleasant enough though to use here and there. But the perfume that I once loved so much is now merely a like. Of all the Jil Sander juices I own (and I own quite a few) this is the only one with a strong masculine vibe. In fact, I think it would smell gorgeous on the right man. I am still glad I could experience her again and that I had the chance to add her to my collection without paying an arm and a leg, but more for nostalgic reasons than anything else, and I will leave this for after bath times when I don’t intend to leave the house again, because nowadays it is a tat too masculine on me to be worn with makeup, at least for the initial 2 hours, when it is actually an aldehyde beast. Once it settles down and becomes smooth and quite flowery, it stays close to the skin and finally shows its feminine site – and that stage lasts 12+ hours.
Den86Xak – :
Blind bought this one on eBay with a winning bid of just under $10. Was thrilled since I’m a fan of every J.S. scent I’ve ever smelled. That includes No.4, Sun, Jil (in the green frosted bottle), and now this one. I have 3 more Jils coming soon! 🙂
So first spray is a blast of beautiful aldehydes. If you don’t like aldehydes, this is not for you. I’m just getting to the point of loving them, and Jil does it up right!
I get quite a bit of the carnation and coriander, lending a peppery note to the composition. It’s not a sweet foral, though the ylang does counter the more bitter components.
Through the drydown, the honey is also there, but not sticky-sweet, but again just as a balance. Jil Sander scents always seem to be about balance between notes without a dominant note, but allowing the whole bouquet to open uniquely and as a dance. The fragrances change and morph the more you smell them. On first sniff, this is a sophisticated, clean, elegant scent. If I smelled this on someone without recognizing it, I would probably think this was an expensive designer scent. It’s understated and elegant from start to finish.
As the scent dries down, the incense becomes more clear along with the sandalwood. It is always a warm scent, but it shimmers with the aldehydes, citrus, and florals. This is not a dark scent.
I can imagine this being that signature of a classically elegant woman who is comfortable in dresses or pants, but always wears heels. There’s a no-nonsense feeling to this one. Unlike Sun, this is commanding, but it is not pushy like No.4. And it’s not the playfully shy girl-next-door of Jil. This is the professional who is also a loving mother and adoring lover. She is practical, but also recognizes the nicer things in life. In reality, this might be the only scent she needs.
It works every day all year long, I would think. It is warm for the winter months, but the freshness of it makes it great in the heat (when I am writing this review).
Bravo again to Jil sander. I know her scents are not for everyone, but so far, she’s batting 100 for me!
sasha11 – :
To me is smells like a dove soap (the white kind) with a little kick of some kind of nutmegy spice. Very bathroom product smelling, which is kind of strange for a potent perfume to take on this kind of vibe. I remember when it came out thinking it was weird. Now I read all these comments and it has a cult status and I’m surprised. Maybe when worn it changes and starts to evolve into something else. Now I’m intrigued…
uliana-1777 – :
Very satisfied always when wearing. I use it from time to time since mid 80-ties. For me it is fresh, good to use during the day and appropriate also for summer
Unhappy that it is discontinued
cessisgughict – :
I was so excited that this had been relaunched and bought a bottle. Found it in abundance in Tenerife perfumerias.
So disappointed though.
As well as the bottle changing, the smell is not the same at all. It’s much more powerful in an unclean type of way!
It smells a lot like Knowing by Estée Lauder now but more pungent, if you get the idea.
I ended up giving it to my 80 year old mother and when I smell it on her it makes me feel sick.
vasysaaaa – :
I had forgotten how beautiful this smells! It is a clean, yet powdery smell, with strong incense, sandalwood and amber, at least to my nose, but still manages to be personal and not shouting… Glad it has been relaunched!
Hope Woman 4 will also follow the relaunch of the deep, unusual and highly androgynous woman III….
vivat0003 – :
Love, love this scent. Had this perfume on my wedding day in 1986 so it evokes great memories for me. I would love to purchase one if it is relaunched.
jlquawfwpfg – :
Good news, ladies and gentlemen – “Bath & Beauty” is back on the market (November 2012), as well as “Woman III”! It seems Mrs Sander’s return to the brand is highly beneficial. For years, a range of frags for little girls has been sold under a name that had once been prominent for classy, grown-up scents. Hopefully, that epoch is over and “Jil Sander” means quality again, not just concerning fashion, but perfume as well!
adel1908 – :
I’ve just found an old bottle of this perfume deep in my drawer. I bought it a decade ago, back then felt it a wrong purchase. But now, 10 years later, this perfume is such a refreshing oasis in the overhyped mass of shallow flankers! The strength and intensity has not fade a bit. Ladies, wisdom comes at 40+ 😉
Drakula))) – :
We bought it with my mother from a Duty Free shop back in ’80s. I love it, it’s a very fresh and unsusual scent.
Very unique scent. It’s not going to dominate one’s nose so that he can’t smell anything else. Long lasting perfume, refreshing.
I don’t find it sexy, just refreshing.
Alach – :
I have to defend this scent!
It is a make you feel better one, and it is not for seduction at all!
Why can we just have a perfume for ourselves?
Why do we have to please the male population?
Why? Why? Why?
VIPuts – :
this perfume is indeed very longlasting and strong !!!! but what i get is almost strong herbal soapy scent. where are those tons of flowers listed=?
i would never ever go out with this scent… its overhelming and i would think i m disturbing the whole crowd where ever i go. i hate people stinking as grandmas soap so i woukdn t dare to smell like this in public. eek ! maybe this is good for home, just used extremely sparingly, after having a shower, but even at home, i prefere more lingering seductive or cosy scents and not such a harsh vintage soap smell. thumbs down, sorry.
vad222 – :
Hi,
I think it was discontinued because the real components plant extracts etc are very expensive nowadays, and it would cost a fortune to make to the same quality as it is.
and it lasts and lasts and lasts and lasts (at least 2 yes I mean 2 days)
Jil Sander is the best!
OpittigHirm – :
Why, why, why…Why is it disontinued??!
Like Women III by the way…Huge mistake of JS!!!!
What on earth happened to the noses of JS…I just don’t get it!!!