To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
invaderrrr – :
old fashion, you can smell that it is late 80 early 90 product and this may make people think it smell like an older lady. so I would say older than 30 has not problem to pull it off. it has soapy open note and dry down is very elegant floral, classic. Do not blind buy this. It is not for everyone,
Марина09 – :
This fragrance has been on my wish list for years. I finally have it and can’t believe it took this long. Better late than never!
There is lots of ripe, juicy plum and green galbanum in the opening followed by a rich floral heart of carnation, tuberose, and ylang ylang. The base is woody and balsamic. It’s in the same vein as Poison, but not a dupe and can certainly stand on its own. This is one classy fragrance. Absolutely gorgeous!
glileafen – :
i’m about to say something that is quite shocking to me: this *may* be my favorite drydown of any perfume i own. but i’m getting ahead of myself. for me, the initial experience is all about the carnation and ylang ylang ! this is certainly because it reminds me of my mother, and all the fragrances she wore when i was young — amarige, ysatis, l’air du temps — all share that ylang ylang – carnation combo. since this experience is so instantaneous and so personal, it dilutes the plum and tuberose that others are getting (and i’m usually very tuned in to plum !) i’ll be interested to see if my nose gets sharper with this one with more regular wear in the fall, or see if this phase, at least, will always be that of fuzzy nostalgia (i’m ok with that).
the drydown is when my journey turns from memory lane to my very own fascination street. in an era where so many drydowns are simple and familiar–not unpleasant but not particularly remarkable–this one manages to remain complex and personal, which i find thrilling. a sandwich of musty oakmoss on top, with vanilla-tonka-myrrh as the center, and musk at the bottom holding it all up. florals still linger as a garnish. i can’t get enough. it’s sweet but not sugary or obnoxious; sophisticated and, mostly, self assured. and that self assuredness lasts all day, which is, as far as i’m concerned, true magic.
it’s armor when out. it’s satin sheets when home.
greenrywealia – :
beautiful, feminine, a bit old fashioned – true nineties scent. very soft, creamy, warm, a lot of carnation and ylang-ylang. i tried it on today and almost bought it but it felt too familiar.. since i have i large collection of fragrances i wanted to see if i already had something similar. when i got home i put on my magie noire from lancome and it smells very similar. jil sander is a bit softer on the sillage, as for longetivity it’s still to early to say. i can’t imagine anyone NOT liking this perfume. it’s so cozy and friendly even if you’re not into it you could at least say “why not”. as for the accords i don’t really agree with the order above – to me it’s all else mentioned before woody.
170355555 – :
I have the Lancaster and the coty versions. They both smell great. The Lancaster is a little richer. But longevity on both is extremely disappointing. Barely 2 hours.
Gb – :
I’m not great at explaining scents so I’m going to keep it short and sweet. It smells like an old lady at first spray but give it time to settle and you get a sensual, sweet, and warm scent. It’s beautiful, just give it time.
djvesna – :
I am unfortunately a little too shabby to pull this fragrance off! My currently sported short hair, none ironed shirt and chinos, with sandals are not good enough match for this beautiful creation.
Slava 1 – :
Poison in a good mood. Poison having a small break from the early 80´s post-punk scene and ditching the Serge Lutens overproduced “angular geisha” look for the day. She has taken off her fantasy shoulder pads and high heels to put on more comfortable clothes and decided to leave the operatics and drama for some other time.
If Poison is all venom and fangs and claws wrapped in plum brandy and a vampy tuberose taking no prisoners in her path, No.4 is giving you coquettish winks and warm smiles while baking plum pies and powdering her nose.
Not exactly your girl-next-door material, but at least she´s not leaving anyone for dead everytime she bats her eyelahes when passing next to someone on the sidewalk.
I really like them both. Some days I even prefer No4´s come-hither instead of Poison´s blast-forward, which can sometimes be overwhelming (VERY overwhelming in small closed spaces).
The combination of subtle teasyness, soothing character and a certain homely vibe makes it a great everyday scent without risking being mundane. Nina Hagen dressed appropriately for a trip to the flower market, if such thing can be imagined.
bodiksan – :
I blind bought a current bottle from Fragrancenet, and snuck a tiny first squirt on a tissue at my desk.
Oh. Poison. Granted this is better than Poison. It’s softer in a good way, better blended/smoother. I find Poison to be quite obnoxious, to be honest.
I hope it wears a little differently.
This wears on me softer, more woody, some powder. I like this much more than Poison.
vasyan1501 – :
I love this perfume it is full bodied packed full of herbs and flowers very beautiful. I had it when it first came out and the version I have now doesn’t smell any different as far as I can tell. Lots of plum, tuberose and carnation laid on a dense fume of sandlewood and patchouli. Totally satisfying and opulent but at the same time quiet and understated. Perfection.
rom.afanasencko2011 – :
JS No.4 opens up like a trio between Poison, Magie Noire and Knowing. Such a hot combo then soon settles down to a non-offensive, dry, fruity chypre which indeed falls flat (a common problem after the reformulation revolution which dethroned perfumes, for the sake of a soulless tyranny rather than for another royalty.)
Is this perfume nice? Yes, shower yourself with it. 10/10 for niceness and rather for non-offensive wearability.
As for beauty, I can’t help but wonder how the vintage was.
Al75 – :
I’ve finally found a vintage version and indeed, No4 is beautiful and very complex, thanks for the great reviews everybody.
The plum in the top notes reminds me of Poison slightly, but then in about 10 minutes it changes the direction and becomes much more like Byzance (11 notes), with whispers of L’Heure Bleue (14 notes).
But really, No4 does its own thing beautifully.
SIMBIOT – :
Reading the reviews below I wonder if it was really JS nr 4 I tried on at the perfume store. Looking at the components I should have like this scent. But unfortunately this is not the case at all. The smell reminds me of chewing gum named Bazooka Joe. I regret to say this. Although I haven’t smelled this chewing gum for many years, and so I am suddenly reminded of my childhood.
wiseforceexpert – :
This is a big beautiful everything but the kitchen sink scent that reminds me of both Bijan and VS Rapture. Not as cloying or sweet as Rapture and more sophisticated and complex (skankier too!) then Bijan. The civet really stands out for me in this one, it’s the strongest note at first spray with the tuberose and other florals gently wafting up through the skank. I honestly don’t get a fruity vibe at all, it’s nowhere near as plummy as I expected. I get more of an aromatic/spicy vibe. I think the floral fruity category is odd for this one, it’s definitly an oriental. The silage is massive, one spritz to the wrist and the scent is surrounding me like a cloud. Use a light hand with this one! I am sure the longevity won’t disappoint either.
mixalih1503 – :
Oh wow this perfume has everything! We all have a different experience wearing the same fragrance because as all perfume lovers know fragrance has the magic power to transform itself and change itself for every different individual. On me contrary to some reviewer’s opinions this is a vintage-inspired floral chypre with the sweetness of fruit top notes and a dryness and smokiness muskiness of an Oriental base/dry down, making it the most complex and most glamorous amazing fragrances I have ever worn in my life.
Opens with fruits. The most detectable to my nose is the plum, a rich jam plum juice and the peach with a fresh citrusy bergamot orange flavor. It’s a deep fruit with a spicy under taste. I get the coriander nutmeg and perhaps some cinnamon. This is a spicy one. Eventually it turns into a floral bouquet with trumpet fanfares of carnation, roses, tuberose, jasmine, ylang ylang and heliotrope. This part wears like 1980s floral fragrances (Rumba and Poison) without the heavy iris-based powdery scent of make up cosmetics a la YSL Paris. No. This is a rich floral with many different flower notes that feel fresh and feminine. No one flower stands out to me but the tuberose is borderline Dior Poison.
As the scent dries down the cedar wood comes through. Beautifully woodsy with a smoky air in the myrrh note. As with most myrrh it smells of balsams and ambers. There’s musk and patchouli. The dry down is totally Oriental, dark, deep, mysterious, nocturnal, exotic and glamorous. This fragrance must be worn with your best clothing. Not a T Shirt and jeans casual wear scent at all. One has to know where to wear it – a wedding, a dinner party, a soiree anything formal. Smells expensive and luxurious, high class. This was said to be worn by Jackie Kennedy and I totally believe it. This smells of beautiful Jackie. I’m honored to even wear the same perfume that once graced her body.
I would peg this perfume as being an autumn and fall and winter fragrance. The opening is fruity and delicious and floral so it would smell good in spring and summer but the dry down enters into the autumnal stages with dry spice and woods plus musk notes. This is so long lasting and has bombastic sillage so apply with a light touch unless you don’t give a damn about spraying too much and giving your perfume a bigger larger than life persona. This is the kind of perfume that arrives in a room before you do! It’s totally 1980s inspired and can be seen as a more beautiful Giorgio Beverly Hills. Absolutely fabulous!
SFish – :
I was startled by this one’s opening beauty, it far and away exceeded my expectations…it’s drop dead gorgeous and mysterious. Definitely no screechy fruits here, so yes it’s a bit mature as one reviewer pointed out, because you’re not assaulted by the fruity sweetness. The plum is not sweet and cloying, it’s subdued and voluptuous.
Spicy tuberose, vanilla and patchouli are seamlessly and expertly blended to create what I believe is one of the most addictive and exquisite fragrances I have ever owned.
Getmaan – :
This isn’t a fruity floral, IMO this smells very spicy. I love this, I don’t think it smells anything like vintage Poison I own a bottle from 1992 and when tested no 4 and vintage Poison there similar that’s about it. Beautiful scent.
kisyBedsHeili – :
Love this one!
Comes across as more spicy on me, in a good way.
For the more confident woman for sure, and better in cooler weather i think.
Narazegrers – :
This is not a fruity floral at all to me with none of the top notes prominent. It blasts out of the bottle a sweet tuberose and ylang. In the drydown there is a little bit of plum but not that fruity floral quality. Not like ripe fruit to be eaten. It turns into a vintage floral in the base with the musk and some depth from the basenotes. They don’t jump at you but round out the fragrance and make it more than a floral.
ierei – :
Vintage No. 4 is quite similar to vintage Poison – sweet fruit with tuberose.
But No. 4 is warmer, more woody, powdery, natural and wearable, for me.
Instead of dark plum smoke, No. 4 is golden peachy balm with woods and powdery violets (they make the heaviness a bit fragile)
I usually don´t like nutmeg and coriander, but I don´t mind them in Jil, they make it refreshing spicy, along with bitter geranium.
Elegant, full-bodied and luscious.
trevor85 – :
No 4 (1990) By Jil Sander is one of the most beautiful and unique fragrances of the Nineties with a plethora of beautiful scented notes that shimmer like jewels. I was reminded somewhat of Femme Rochas and Elizabeth Arden Red Door but more voluptuous and with accents of Oriental floral and chypres.
As a whole, it’s a rich fruity floral with a confident womanly air, elegant, glamorous and more than that it’s long lasting and classic vintage fragrance which deserves to be ranked among the best – Chanel No 5 Shalimar Coco Eau de Parfum etc. I wore this when it was first released and have been wearing it again. For me, a most satisfying fragrance.
The prelude is of plum, deep and fruity, with a tart lemon, but more a lemon merengue than straight citrus. Peach a favorite fruit note of mine is also in the opening. Starts off fruity and delicious but not in a modern gourmand way. Dark fruit, deep concentrated fruit juice (again similar to Femme Rochas) but I absolutely love fruity scents like that.
Sweet florals abound in the heart and even before the mid-stage performance it’s a rose and geranium and violet which is so inviting. In the heart plenty of tuberose, carnation, heliotrope and jasmine. Each of the flowers in this formula is a flower I have loved for years.
Carnation is detectable but no one flower overpowers the other. Each floral scent is well blended and has enough time to shine. Buttery tuberose, powdery heliotrope, and exotic ylang ylang/orange flower. There is also a whisper of mimosa. So yes this is abundantly floral. If you’re just not a floral fragrance fan, this is not for you.
In the dry stages, No 4 is a self-evident chypre with equal parts oak moss, oak wood, sandalwood, tarragon or vetiver, green notes and musk. In addition herbaceous patchouli leaves and vanilla. The mixture of vanilla, patchouli, and sandalwood give it a distinctive Oriental flair.
So ultimately this is like some wonderful perfume experiment gone RIGHT! It has a little of everything. However it is a vintage and a real perfume: strong, super sillage, fills a room, heavy concentration, and old school. But it’s on you if you put too much on. It smells good either way for me whether it’s a dab or a douse. I would peg this perfume as a summer and spring fragrance.
A beautiful and fantastic magical perfume.
stas_prim – :
I used to have a crazy crush on a man who fancied my friend instead of me..They had something going on, but it didn`t last – the friend didn`t like him enough. I clearly remember the moment when she showed me that he bought her this perfume, and he asked her to wear it for him as he thought this was the most sexy and feminine scent and it reminded him of her – ye she didn`t like it! Years on I came across this bottle at an airport duty-free and sprayed on and I knew I had to buy it, partly because of this memory and partly because I realized I liked it myself..It`s a real grown-up perfume; probably my first one ever. It`s spicy, animalic and has a real oriental but elegant vibe. Not suffocating or heavy, just really, really feminine – so many notes are squashed into this bottle, and they make a perfectly rich and grown-u scent. Like Chanel no.5, only better.
Lpker – :
To wear this scent, you need self-confidence, don’t try to hide. Do not be childish, No.4 is the most mature scent I know. It’s rich, complex, sweet floral, oriental, fruity, nearly boozy, elegant, animalic, erotic. Enourmous sillage and staying power –
“in ‘da face!’. Even if you will have left, No.4 will still be there, leaving the enviroment dipped into the night coloured and golden syrup of smell (if this is possible ). Everyone will remember you. When I wear No.4 I am amazed about its sillage. Every single time. I only wear it when I am absolutely t.h.e.r.e. Or need to be.
Cteronem – :
Jil Sander No 4
Jil Sander
Top Notes
Bergamot Peach Plum Galbanum Anise Geranium Rose
Middle Notes
Carnation Rose Violet Tuberose Heliotrope Ylang Ylang Jasmine Nutmeg Myrrh Tarragon
Base Notes
Coriander Sandalwood Tonka Bean Patchouli Musk Civet Oak Moss Vanilla Cedar Wood Ambergris
Vintage No 4 Eau de Parfum (1990) From eBay
Coming at the end of the Eighties when fragrances were of the go big or go home breed, No. 4 from Jil Sander is a complex powerful perfume with 27 notes, an Oriental potion made of fruit, flowers, moss, patchouli, wood and musk. Every single accord and note of all the different categories of perfume are found within this alchemist’s brew. Floral, fruity, woodsy, Oriental, chypre and civet. It was reported that the widow Jackie Kennedy wore this perfume toward the end of her life when she was out of the spotlight and living a peaceful private life. This is a beautiful ‘dress up’ formal evening fragrance. It was overwhelming and mind blowing for me to even smell this.
Opens with fruits as in a lot of deep juicy fruit. I detected a big plum note, or rather, a chemically formulated plum-like scent as plum has no real scent. The artificial plum note gives it a sugary sweet air, perhaps too sweet, and it’s also composed of peach apricot and citrus. The sweet fruits give it a summer vibe but it is rather warm like a fruit wine or rum. Then it develops into a floral bouquet of rose, jasmine, carnation, heliotrope and violet. There’s also a noticeable tuberose which seems out of place because the tuberose brings it back to the 80’s (Giorgio Beverly Hills) but gives the florals a buttery and edible quality. These are soapy but creamy flowers, redolent with a dominant jasmine, decidedly feminine, confident but not domineering. She is a woman who knows who she is what she wants but when things don’t go her way she doesn’t let it bother her and she makes the best of it. She is Jackie Kennedy! She smells of a woman who has control in her life and is at peace. The florals are soothing and therapeutic. This many flowers really don’t bother me. They do fill a room so the sillage and projection is extraordinary as is the longevity. No. 4 is a real perfume.
When the fragrance dries, I detect a great deal of green and woodsy notes. I smell tarragon grass, patchouli leaves, oak moss and sandalwood. The greenery of the perfume’s final stage give it a classic feel, older than 1990, something out of Piguet Bandit including a civet but it’s not as brazen nor as heavy. This is a soft musk, a blanket of warm musk and a smokiness coming from the incense note courtesy of myrrh. The final stage when dry and when it starts to disappear is Oriental and exotic, mysterious and deep.
This perfume is elegant and glamorous. No. 4 matches with diamond jewelry, black or darker toned midnight blue or royal purple evening dresses. She has presence and beauty but she impresses through her very self. No. 4 is more a perfume my mother would wear today but I really have fallen head over heels for it. I would love to wear this to the social black tie affairs I go to such as the theater, ballet, symphony, and opera. A perfume which has a mature aspect I mean compared to today’s perfumes but it has a regal beauty that is unsurpassed. It belongs in the same category of gorgeous big florals like Diva Eau de Parfum by Ungaro or a more fruit full bodied First Van Cleef and Arpels. She is definitely vintage but it’s hard to compare her to other vintages. She is very much her own woman. Like me.
Thanks eBay
Becass – :
Yet another successful blind buy. Current formulation. This perfume was affected by transportation in a most terrible way. When it arrived I cleared the nozzle and the tube, and couldn’t smell anything close to promised plumminess and rich slightly honeyed dry-down. It smelled of screaming tuberose all the way. After 4 months of rest, it is unrecognizable and much better that I could have ever imagined 🙂
ComprarViagraAR – :
Une cousine très proche du merveilleux Ysatis de Givenchy : capiteux, boisé et racé.
chipas – :
Previous review was for the Coty version.
This is the Lanchester version. It is softer
Cleaner, And there’s no hay note. Crispy
Enough Initial blast but the drydown is a
Surprising powder perfumy goodness oh
BeasT132 – :
A perfect perfume for bad girls.Despite the note of plum,that in this case works very well,it’s a beautiful,sexy,intriguing cougar perfume I never smelled.
uby907Bessinepome – :
This is right up my alley. As an 80s girl the plummy tuberose with sweet peach reminded me of classics such as 273 , poison etc. However, this is more classily arranged and can be worn anytime, any season. Its a complex perfume with a lot going on..but never distasteful. Its excellent.
NikRen – :
So today I put on Jil Sander No 4, the whole nine yards: Shower gel, body lotion and the juice. Took my shower this morning at 6:20 am. Now it’s almost 5:00 pm and the smell is still lovely and noticeable. In fact, the longer I wore No 4 today, the more beautiful the fragrance became. With a lot of Jil Sander frags, most of them I absolutely adore by the way, you have to reapply quite a bit. This darling however is like the energizer bunny: She keeps going, and going and going. Strangely I could swear I detect honey, but there is no honey listed in the notes. Maybe it is the plum, being sweeter than I would have expected? Whatever it is, she is truly spectacular and I really love her. So far none of the Jil Sander fragrances I have tried have disappointed me, and No 4 will also always, ALWAYS have a place in my heart and my drawer.
Gramicearrarp – :
My first bottle of this came from my very first boyfriend. It was the little bottle of pure perfume, potent and absolutely beautiful. I was soooo young…Unfortunately, it came from nasty little bugger who was embodiment of every parent’s worse nightmare.
Few years later, I broke my piggy-bank and baught a new bottle and deodorant too. My much older sister and younger brother went bonkers about it and kept wearing it until they use it. My brother even wore it to his prom! It was that good.
For about 20 years, every time when I was in Germany I was sniffing it and reminiscing. So much bittersweet memories. Few days ago, I saw a giftbox of this lovely lady in the discount store and baught it again.
Oh, my…mature, complex, every stage of it is beautiful. Epic. I don’t know who created it, but he or she was freaking genius! N°4 is woody, green, creamy, sweet, flowery, spicy, animalic. It’s too much and not enough…and still dignified and ladylike. After all this years and all this perfumes I understand that N°4 had huge influence on my taste and still fuels my cravings.
I’m going back for the rest of those giftboxes, I shall have some pretty happy siblings very soon. We were definitely to young for it the first time, not that that had stopped us.
That nasty little bugger sure had exquisite taste. Hell, he probably stole it from his mother…
erinasheltonux – :
When I was about 10 years old my father bought the box of 5 perfume miniatures for my mother. They were Guerlain Shalimar, Joop Berlin, Chopard Casmir, Jil Sander Sun, Jil Sander No 4. Jil Sander No 4 was my most favourite of them. I remember I tried them, touched the bottles and sniffed them. More than 20 years later I read here on Fragrantica about Jil Sander No4 so I ordered a sample. It was the same smell I remember. Classy, stylish, embracing scent. The drydown is amazingly sweet but not girlish sweet. I love Chanel Coco. They are not similar but there are some common features.
Adil787 – :
Wow! That is a real masterpiece! I have tested it several times at airports, before finally making my mind up and purchasing one. My opinion of No.4 has differed between “too dated and harsh” and “what a soft and alluring juice of a temptress!”
So why so varying impressions? Well, I finally figured out that the smell of No.4 depends on how concentrated the spray is. Meaning how far you hold the bottle while spraying. This fragrance needs some air and skin between the droplets. Just like a fine wine that needs to be exposed to air before tasting. This perfume is very potent, and one spray from at least 20 cm away is sufficient. The dry down is just amazing, and I am totally in love. Sophistication and sex appeal in one bottle.
daulet20 – :
The essence of 1990 is in it. This was before perfumes took a turn for the clean/marine notes. This is a perfume that says “I am in the room.” If you’re not confident then it will wear you instead of the opposite.
konflikt – :
My bottle is at least 7 or 8 years old.
Its resiny green on sandalwood somehow projects as transparent but at the same time rich and mossy, with the perfect undercurrent of non-foody sweet.
If the note list stopped there, I’d wear it all the time.
Unfortunately, it’s shot through with a relentless plum that intensifies over time and adds a cloying tinge to an otherwise autumnal masterpiece.
Sarabulat – :
This scent is the most long lasting scent i have ever met and the sillage is incredibly powerful. I have a half bottle of this and unfortunately it is not possible to find it in my country. I have other beautiful fragrances but this one is always special to me. I feel smart, intelligent and sophisticated when it is on me. Lovely!
BoycleSpeelay – :
Along with Beautiful, my mother’s favorite perfume. Can’t find in Brazil, Beautiful was also very hard to find because Estee Lauder has no distributor locally. A very classy scent, moderate projection, long lasting.Tuberose-based, it is not spicy nor has prominent civet, anise, tarragon or myrrh, it has a ladylike quality that Coco Mad has emulated although with quite different notes and scent. On me the tuberose makes it unappealing.
Stifmaster – :
Lots of greengages.
Color: bittersweet
sergey123as – :
This is way too soft, sweet, powdery on me. Can only use this post bath. Has zero sex appeal. I wish I knew enough about scents/notes to determine exactly what it is that disagrees with me, so I can avoid the disappointment and expense!
tenoeloriedEn – :
I saw a comment below saying that a fragrance were to be returned since the buyer didnt like it…..this sounds a bit weird to a swedish person….if I buy something I usually try it on before, a shirt for example. It might not feel right back home so it gets returned in an un-used state = the store can sell it again. To be allowed to return a fragrance because you dont like it isnt fair to the store owner, what will they do with an opened, sprayed perfume?
If you buy it you should at least try it on your skin and then stick by your purchase or sell it on Ebay.
I work in a store myself and live by the device ¨the client is (nearly) always right¨…..but there must be a line somewhere….:-)
Cheers
Matz in Stockholm
Glazyka88 – :
A mighty soft surprise.
Expecting a powerhouse and I sprayed on carefully, came out as a real full bouquet, yet smooth fragrance. Not overpowering actually. Like throwing a blanket: Goes fast up in the air… And comes down calmly.. I think the tuberose is mostly responsible for it.
She does not come out overwhelming, so even when you’re not much in to tuberose, Jil Sander 4 is worth a try.
Perfect for this autumn, very happy with this little timeless gem!
qazwsxedc – :
Today is a Jil Sander Jil Sander No 4 day!
I have two wee decants of this beauty, so I sprayed one on each hand. Actually, the one on my right hand just squirted, but such is the life of samples and decants!
I look forward to trying these compared to the matching lotion, and hopefully can swing that next week, but we’ll see since I’ve been stocking up pretty aggressively.
The reason for spraying both is because I wanted to see if there was a noticeable difference between the two. Having read the reviews, I was curious if I would sense two different formulations, but it does not appear so. While the one on my right hand seems to be a bit more loud, it also might be either the difference between spraying and squirting, and the difference in age or whatnot. The one on my right hand seems a bit more on the sharp side, and has a bit of the plastic note that comes from a lot of tuberose scents. The one on the left hand seems to warm to a spicy honey sort of scent that I can only assume is from the ylang-ylang note.
Both of these are truly gorgeous.
I find that with No 4, it is optimal to spray it and experience the fragrance from a distance. When I sniff close to my skin, I get a bit of that sharp note (civet?) others have referred to. It doesn’t bother me, because I am partial to animalics. But as I lower my hands and simply breathe in what is rising to meet me, it is a gorgeous bouquet centered around the tuberose and ylang-ylang.
With other Jil Sander scents I’ve reviewed, the beauty is in the development and a sort of dance from one note to the next, without it being linear or static. But No 4 is different. This scent seems to be focused on the whole rather than the parts. Sort of like an enormous bouquet so full that all you can see is the beauty of the bouquet, and you find yourself unable to specify the specific flowers, or even the dominant colors.
That is not to say that this is loud, obnoxious, or without taste. On the contrary, this is the epitome of taste and refined elegance. It is one of the last true classic scents, and the comparisons with other divas of perfumery are justified.
To me, the beauty of this fragrance is in the drydown, beginning around an hour after application. It is here that this becomes part of me and it is no longer “wearing me,” but is part of my essence. Not a skin scent in the least. And unlike other JS scents, there is no way that this can be called “understated.” But it is not desperate for attention either. She simply knows her strong points and how to accentuate them, and when she enters a room, all heads will turn, but they will simply appreciate the beauty and then return to their life. She is not distracting.
wiktor-xp – :
This is one of those deep, emotive smells which tends to transport you. Elevation, sensation – that is what No 4 is. It also makes me happy, anyway. This perfume seems unisex to me – perfect to mix with a crisper, lighter fragrance like Pleasures for men by Estee . I searched for this after sniffing a sample in a Vanity Fair from 1992. BEWARE! This has been reformulated to a mute, monotone fragrance. New bottle will read Coty Prestige on the back. Old versions read Lancaster Group or a Paris address. Get that! Similar one is Ysatis by Givenchy.
Gann – :
The new No.4 smells barely the same ,just in the beginning same promissing notes as in the old one,then is nothing left .I mean no middle dry down or staying power,very bad reformulated.
They did the same thing to the Angel,from big bold rich to the some unisex airy water…
I have been p…ed off then it is happening…To bad…
edit -I have a bottle with batch code from 2013,get ordered bottle with b-code from 2015 to my daughter and the last one is not good at all…sad
NekROMaNT – :
This is like Lillie Rubin with hay and the
drydown is Red by Giorgio Beverly Hills
Full bodied, interesting, sweet and dirty.
sezon6216 – :
Ok here it goes, I’m finding that the reformulation I just received today feb. 1st is the bottle with coty and made in france on the back, it smells much fresher and seems to be stronger, the bottle with the “made in germany” the supposed original is just old so I gotta go with the reformulation. It’s warm, in the base I get the vanilla and the coriander, nice, the top note I get plum with rose at the center, not bad for a reform but the original I don’t remember to compare I just know it was a favorite back in the day. But at least I can stand it and it’s really worth wearing! I received It from Palm Beach perfumes and it smells like a good clean fresh batch, got 1oz with free lotion for 39. not bad! Wrapper still on the box of perfume!
him – :
From the reviews I was expecting this to smell like Poison so I wasn’t too excited about opening the sample. However, I’m glad to report that it is more exciting than that. Jil Sander No 4 smells like Don Limpio in Spain, a version of Mr Muscle in the UK, that smells gorgeous! Whenever I’m in Spain, I always buy a bottle of Don Limpio and clean the bathroom with it.
If you’ve never smelled Don Limpio, don’t imagine that this smells like cleaning products because Don Limpio doesn’t smell like a typical cleaning product