Jil Sander No. 4 Jil Sander for women

Jil Sander No. 4 is a Narcissus & Leather dominant smelling scent even though I don't see those notes listed. This type of 1990's scent profile, is similar to many of its' time, & reminds me of Dolce & Gabbana Red Cap, Nicole Miller Nicole Miller, Paloma Picasso, & these were considered boss women fragrances at the time. Now, these types of fragrances are considered more as evening events types of scents for mature women. Men & unisex can definitely wear this scent. It makes a bold statement with presence & depth. I purchased my bottle from TJ Maxx about ten years ago or so. It lasts for over 8+ hours & has a smooth drydowns experience & creates a nice scent bubble around you during the entire wear.

A grown-up version of Cabotine de Gres.

I stumbled upon this marvel while wandering around the duty-free at the airport and it was love at first sniff.

This fragrance evoked in me the image of a woman between 35 and 40 years old, dressed in a classic white cotton shirt, straight-leg jeans, elegantly cut and classic. A leather belt and small accessories in yellow gold as accessories.
Very old money aesthetic and truly chic.

Wishing to feel like that, I didn't hesitate to buy a mini bottle of 30ml.
Too bad I couldn't find a larger size, but I'm happy with the discovery!

This is so good! Opulent and rich. I don't know how I miss this parfume? And, how I didn't discovered before? But how ever, I got it now. Excellent performance! Worm, elegant and famine.

Love this fragrance. A 90’s classic. Nice musky floral.

This smells like a cross between Estee Lauder's Spellbound and Christian Dior's Poison.

This is not for me. Too much floral and somehow, with all these notes, it’s jasmine dominant on me. I learned the term jasmine skunk from these reviews, and that’s the main problem with it.

I blind bought it out of my love to 90s fragrances and the perfumer. Unfortunately, it is a miss so far. It is overwhelmingly floral to me, I don’t feel nor Coco, neither Poison`s plum. It is in loud 80s style, but without things I love – incense, deep fruits or bold spicies. And I agree with autumnblue914, I definitely feel jasmin skunk, but more in the dry down rather than in the opening. The bottle is beautiful and classy, I have 30 ml. I will put it in the shelf and give it a time.

Just bought it at the airport for 20eu. Immediately it smelled to me like Chanel Coco, which I like but find difficult to wear. After a few minutes it still appeared similar but maybe like a little friendlier, lighter, more woody version, missing something I dislike but in Coco. Hope this will suit me better.

It was my winter scent for 2 seasons, I liked that has fresh notes and that it is strong. Sometimes in the morning it was too strong to put it on if I did not eat breakfast.
Overall great perfume, complex, has personality.

I have the Coty reformulation, so I don't know what the vintage smelled like.

I like it but I'm not crazy about it. It's too complex for my untrained nose to know what's what, all I know is that it smells pleasant and fresh, and that as the drydown progresses it gets more and more powdery.

One thing I don't like is that during the first few minutes, I don't know which scent or combination of scents it is, but it smells a bit stinky. Maybe the animalic part? Unsure. It's like a slightly stinky (animal kind of stink), dense, laundry detergent. The stink mostly subsides after a few minutes, can't really notice it unless you're looking for it. I'm not good at explaining it though, but it just pokes my nose and it stinks, in the air it's not there. After it's gone it's all good though. Maybe it's also my skin chemistry. Who knows. I sure as hell don't.

UPDATE: The slight stink in the first few minutes is the jasmine actually. I have a sample of Gucci Bloom now and there the notes are pretty much jasmine and tuberose. Here in Jil Sander No. 4 jasmine is dominant in the middle. My theory - Jil Sander and Gucci are both under the same parent company which is Coty, and Coty uses the same jasmine accord for both of these which is why the stink is exactly the same. Or it could be the tuberose too tbh. It's one of those.

Overall pleasant. Just don't wanna put my nose against where I sprayed for the first few minutes.

Smells like Poeme Lancome. Frutier in the opening, creamier afterwards. If you like/love Poeme, go for this.

A strong perfume...a different one...I also detect aldehides...I know they are not listed, but...

I've been wearing Givenchy L'Interdit and it kept reminding me of a perfume I wore many years ago, and finally I figured out which perfume it reminded me of... Jill Sander No. 4. But now I want to find Jill Sander 4 and do a side by side comparison.

I read somewhere this was the perfume choice of Jackie Kennedy Onasis in the last years of her life. A scent for a woman not for a young girl.

Jil Sanders no. 4 is reminiscent of so many 80 and early 90s powerhouse floral perfumes. Namely, Fred Hayman Touch and Fred Hayman Rodeo, Tiffany EDP, Blazer (Anne Klein), Bijan etc. So many great perfumes. I purchased a current version and I still find it to be a very strong, elegant, warm floral. Beautiful in every way. Suitable for an elegant evening occasion or, in my case, everyday (lol).

Beginning reminds me of Dior Poison but in the end it is much more warm and not smoky like Poison. Poison isnt really warm spicy in my skin. In the end this reminds me of Estee Lauder Youth Dew. I was testing fragrances at Douglas and all the new releases didnt impress me much. The modern fragrances seem to all smell the same. I saw this bottle and sprayed it on and I was truly impressed by its warmth and uniqueness. I didnt buy it straight away but I could not forget it and just got the bottle later. It is so beautiful and warm and elegant. I can see this becoming a winter favourite along with Youth Dew.

I sort of figured that this wasn't actually going to be like Poison and only got compared to it because of the strong plum and tuberose note.

I'll admit, I do get an undercurrent of the Poison heart. This is definitely more airy and more spicy- the carnation is palpable. I also thought I detected cardamom, I suppose that's the nutmeg note.

Review is for a recent bottle.

Edit: This becomes a cardamom bomb.
Unfortunately, for all of it's beautiful notes it turns into a complete cardamom scent.

Mmmm... this is sweet and feral!
I hunted an og bottle to get the experience fueled by the postive reviews on here and I wasn't disappointed! I usually shy from animalic but the civet gives the fruit and floral notes the punginess I craved. Lovely air bubble and I can pick up both notes I most wanted to enjoy, the plum and bubblegum tuberose!

I can sense the ghost of what used to be a stonking fruity floral chypre, like Coco, Diva, etc. I have a new bottle from Coty and what I am getting is a soapy, light, attenuated version of the original. I detect mainly ylang ylang and oakmoss. It quickly becomes a soft, unusual skin scent. It reminds me of the kind of soap you see in boutique hotels - interesting enough to notice, but innocuous and universally wearable. People will ask you what you are wearing, but only if they are close enough and within 2 hours of putting it on.

I would recommend this for anyone looking for a light, mildly sweet chypre.

The perfume is only a shadow of what the fragrance cries that it once was (distributed by Coty). I didn't need to check the notes to know that it had carnation and tuberose- they sprung up so lovely, floral and fresh on my skin, supported by a hint of greenness from the galbanum and barely there whiffs of ylang ylang, moss and inoffensive civet. To get any sort of performance from this, you'll need to overspray. The dry down is soapy, aromatic, and floral.
I'm underwhelmed, I expected more. The scent is lovely but too weak (settles to be a skin scent 10 mins after spraying), lacking in projection and too expensive for the price tag of a 30ml bottle.
I'll put it away for a month and re-test to see if it performs better or if No. 4's glory days are long over.

Update: One month later and both scent development and fragrance longevity have improved, but I like perfumes that perform, not skin scents.

Smells like an expensive soap. I get forest, myrrh, timian, oakmoss and some scented candle. It’s deep and robust. Makes me think of dark green machester and brown leather in autumn. Not a fave but I dont detest it.

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I tried the updated version. Goes on strong plum peach and tuberose, and is mostly tuberose for its life. Still smells of its era in that big tuberose 80s feel, but I’m enjoying it anyway. Very Jessica McClintock on me. Dry down after three hours or so is a wonderful oakmoss sandalwood tonka blend, almost incense. There’s very little floral left at this point, mostly represented by a tart sweet note behind the soft warm wood/tonka blend. It’s a skin scent by now and must be huffed nose to wrist, but I’m really loving it here. Will use up the sample for sure. VERY dated, really, but I’m enjoying it.

I'm using the Coty version. This leans masculine on me. It's all carnation, civet, spice, and herbs. I don't get plum, which is different than everyone else here. I do get myrrh though as the sweetness. This seems to me to be something an early 1900s, maybe late 1800s dandy would wear. Also a touch of something that makes me want to say aftershave. But, that can't be right.. I'm giving this to my partner. Maybe he'll like it?

Edit to add: He’s not in love with it either. I’ll try it again in warmer weather.

This one took some time to click with me. On the first few tries I picked up an accord that reminds me of old-school men's aftershave (possibly the blend of carnation and nutmeg or even just carnation -- I'm not a fan). After ignoring it for a couple months, I gave it another shot and feel like I finally "get" it. On me, No. 4 opens with a blast of rich, juicy plum, which shifts almost immediately to a fresh, creamy scent that reads as "soapy." The next phase is heavy on tuberose, which sticks around to the very end. Other notes from the "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink" list are more difficult to tease out, but that's a testament to the expert blending of this fragrance. In that way, it brings to mind Lou Lou and other '80s powerhouses that don't evoke a specific flower or spice so much as they smell like... well, perfume.

Oh man, this one is a powerhouse. There’s a lot going on here. I generally am not a fan of plum, spice, and animalic notes, so this one’s not for me. VERY vintage smelling.

I never thought I could find a scent that gave me as much joy or sang to me the way Fracas does (the 1990’s version.) Jill Sander 4 does that for me. Not sure why but my body chemistry demands a powerhouse. Light fragrances disappear after an hour. Jill Sander has that immediate punch of vintage but then the magic happens in the dry down. It becomes this Tuberose beauty that lasts on me for hours. I’m not skilled enough to decipher all the notes (I hope to get better with time.) JS4 isn’t for the bubble gum basic scent lovers. She’s complex, a little loud and very 90’s but if you are a 90’s girl reminiscing over the Realm perfume from your Freshman year (guilty) I think you’ll love her.

Stay away from reformulated Jill sander nr 4...! Just bought it, used five days in a row using 12 sprays both on my skin and on clothes, longevity 1 hour precise. Now I've thrown it right into the garbage and will never buy again or recommend it to others.

This goes nowhere close to poison, two completely different scents. This is very early 90s smell like darting into a hairdresser saloon. It’s very refined compare to all the c*apy reformulation. Do not get the COTY version

⬇️ If you dislike Poison, I probably wouldnt recommend this, it’s that same plummy Tuberose but without the incense. This is more carnation and sandalwood with plum and Tuberose. Dries down like a classic fresh towel scent

I hate Poison with a passion, do you think I could pull this off?

Got a small, bargain bottle of Jil Sander no.4 as a blind buy. I wanted to break out of my woodsy, amber comfort zone and try a rich, plummy oriental. No.4 is just that, with a beautiful floral heart. It's well-blended with the sweet, spicy, floral and powdery notes co-existing harmoniously. No.4 is full-bodied and a bit serious, but is also very wearable and alluring. Sort of a less intense Dior Poison.

I’ve had my bottle for a few years now. And to be honest, when I first tried this, I wasn’t overly keen.
In fact I would actually layer this with one of my other attar oils.
Anyway, I’m going through my wisdom years, and my body chemistry is definitely changing.
I put this on again, and I absolutely love it!
I realised, that this is not great in my clothes. I smell too much of the peach note. And it’s really not my thing.
However, on my skin, OHH MAN, it’s very womanly. Feminine, very grown up.
Slightly sexy.
And for me, perfume doesn’t really register as “ sexy” generally.
But this has warmth, it has depth, it has layers, it’s beautiful.
This is me!
It lasts a long time on my skin, which surprises me. But years after 4/5 hours. It does need a top up.
This does not smell overly young. It’s for a woman.
I wouldn’t recommend this for a teenager.
I feel this could possibly be worn in early spring?
It’s very , very beautiful. And I’m very glad I never got rid of this.
Because I planned to.
Funny, what’s interesting, is I’ve been told many times, when I first wore this, that this really suits me.
That this is “ me” my scent.
I wasn’t convinced at the time!
Funny how things change.
So if I’m doubt, allow a perfume to develop over time on you. You just never know? You might just change your mind.

I sold my vtg (Made by Lancaster) bottle years ago thinking I will never be able to pull it off, since it has a class on its own. What a mistake I have made....

Just this year Nomade has become my favorite chypreish orientalish frag, and it reminds me of Jil Sander 4.

It is time to try the Coty reformulation, if they manage to produce Chloe Nomade, JS can not disappoint either.

IMO...a tobacco/tuberose scent.
The tobacco is "honeyed"...the tuberose is NOT that girly...total white floralish type. The first blast of notes..can be kinda off--putting.Patience required.

I find this a bit "aldehydic" as well.

The drydown,is actually where this scent starts to shine. The notes need to develop on the skin...This scent goes thru a few changes/morphs on my skin.

They don't make em like this anymore, IMHO.

Good performance/projection/sillage....so far,so good.

A classic.

Starts with a strong, deep, boozy drenched, syrupy, carnation - a deep, dark, rich boozy chord where I can barely discern the notes of Tonka beans, tobacco notes intermixed with geranium and floral notes. The tuberose is in the chorus line, part of the floral arrangement/bouquet. The general essence of this perfume comes across as a boutique or niche' fragrance...it is unusual, something that smells as if it is an acquired taste. The nutmeg/cinnamon smell has a warmth to it that would resonate better in fall and winter and there is something about this mixture of fragrance notes that make this smell "Christmas/Holiday". This is a bit bold and heavy for spring/summer wear, unless you are in a place that still has a chill to the air in the day or evenings. This would be overly cloying in climates that are warmer and hot in the spring/summer/early fall.

When I first smelled this on a lady, it was around the Holidays -- I was fragrance modeling at a department store and a customer walked in wearing this. My first impression was --"who is THIS?" this perfume has an "it girl" quality about it, but is more for a mature career minded woman, this is BOLD -- not overly sweet and "girly" in the least. This is a feminine version of a man's cologne, almost -- you can smell that this is STRONG STUFF. I was expecting this to be a lady who was one of the top area attorneys, bankers, or a business maven (an entrepreneur that doesn't have to wear a particular perfume to fly under the radar at an office, this woman doesn't care what you think about the strength of the perfume... she's either wearing this while off duty or works for herself as an entrepreneur -- or holds so much power in the office that she doesn't give a fk about what you think). There is something in this mix that says "don't fk with me"... LOL... there is something about this perfume that is a little "bad @ss". This perfume resonates with the 80's/90's... when powerful women's perfumes were definitely En Vogue -- (although I can also see that this perfume holds its own with perfumes like Baccarat Rouge 540). It has ever bit as much power and substance as any perfume on the market. This is the antithesis of the overly sugary girly type cotton candy perfumes. (This smells "old school" -- "vintage", but not in a "dated" type way).

Chemistry is everything, particularly with a perfume such as this. Although there are a lot of positive reviews for this perfume, this is not an easy blind buy, sample first. This perfumes wears so heavily that it may be too much for a lot of people (I'm one of those people who really love some of the 1980's/early 90's type blends, but there are some perfumes that are almost a shade or two too bold and heavy -- even for me). You really need to try this before buying it. (Chemistry is everything -- you'll know within the first 3-4 hours of wear if this is something that works for you and your chemistry).

Upon first spray, this wears so close to the skin where it almost melds into the skin, becoming one. I can barely even smell the individual notes on me. (Normally, that's a good sign. Some of my most complimented fragrances of all time have had this quality.) This fragrance starts developing in the dry down. This is where this begins to shine.

After exploring Jil Sander No. 4 a few days:
On my skin, at first spray --
Jil Sander sits a bit too heavy and the ingredients blend so closely together that I can't discern a "lift" to the notes. This sits heavier than most of the fragrances that I gravitate to. It is almost like the ingredients are such a low chord that nothing lifts from the skin, especially the first half hour of spraying this. This is like a painting that has left out any highlights or a focal point. Rembrandt's self portrait at the Frick Museum in NYC comes to mind. There is a pensive, heavy feeling about this painting -- the self portrait is exquisite, but sets a mood for something too heavy to contemplate long. Without many highlights and something to lift the fragrance up a bit, it seems to just blend into the background, there are no notes that really sing out and give this fragrance a lift of optimism.
It becomes fairly monotone on my skin.

The depth of notes here could make this fragrance unisex, I could easily see men wearing this, but it could also be a strong business minded fragrance for a woman who needs to show strength and a sense of grounding, sure footedness. There is a seriousness with this fragrance that makes it feel as if it would be a great fragrance for business meetings, possibly evening wear or casual - depending on who would wear this.

This is the opposite of the dainty, girl-y, frivolous fragrances that may be charming and fun...they may be whimsical and light-hearted, but don't hold much depth for being taken seriously in business.

This is a good point to make in having more than one fragrance in your wardrobe. Moods change, clothing changes, seasons change...what works well in a casual fun vacation setting - may not work well for a business meeting. What works for one outfit and mood, may not work well for other occasions and presentations.

This fragrance has a depth reserved for seriousness.
It comes across grounded, attractive but not prey.
There is something about this perfume that holds its own.
This fragrance commands respect, admiration, but most definitely -- holds its own.

My mother's Youth Dew had a similar effect.
You knew not to test her when she had spritzed herself with the strongest of perfumes! LOL...

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I remember smelling this on a few women shortly after this first launched - and it was a spectacular perfume that I remember asking about and made a note of it in my head that I still remember 20 years after the fact, so it certainly left quite an impression on me.

I'm trying this in the summer, so it is really the wrong season to sample this one, fully. I see this as more of a fall/winter fragrance, just because of the depth of this. I would probably only wear Jil Sander in the coldest part of the winter because it is slightly too heavy for me, personally -- although the longer I wear this, the more I fall in love with the tobacco base. I think this may be one of those that I grow to love, over time.

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Now - I'm comparing this to Bijan, which I have worn since 1982 - and Quintessential Dare.

At first spray, Jil Sander No. 4 is the strongest, wears the heaviest and closest to the skin. About an hour into wear, this begins softening in intensity and depth - and trading places with Bijan. Bijan now has more depth and wears closer to the skin.

Bijan starts off wearing in the mid-range between Jil Sander No. 4 and Quintessential Dare. Bijan hits a few notes higher, but in the same alto range chord. There is more breathing room in Bijan, in the first hour of wear. You can smell more notes lifting from the skin.

Quintessential Dare - has the most light and air in its composition. It seems to have a similar range of ingredients - as Jil Sander No. 4, but there is a lot more of a lift to the notes. I can smell the tobacco in this. Q. Dare has notes in it similar to Jil Sander No. 4 -- but is not as deep of a chord, Dare has more breathing room, it appears lighter and brighter than Jil Sander No. 4.


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Fragrantica Blurb on No. 4 -
The Jil Sander No 4 perfume was created in 1990. Composition opens in roses along with floral notes of geranium, fresh fruity peach, plum and bergamot notes interlaced with air anise. Heart is floral due to the notes of rose, violet, jasmine, tuberose, heliotrope and ylang-ylang; aromatic due to tarragon, myrrh and nutmeg. The rich base is also made out of various components: amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, patchouli, vanilla, musk, coriander, civet, cedar and tonka bean. Schmidt Studio designed the bottle of this fragrance. The nose behind this fragrance is Michel Almairac.

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Update:

I think this would wear better perhaps without the civet notes. This is the note that goes a bit "skank" on the skin.

If they were going to modernize and update this fragrance, I would leave out the civet notes altogether. I think this is the note that I am smelling which makes this perfume go a shade or two in the direction of "over bearing". This perfume is ok in the cooler parts of the fall/winter - but this would be extremely cloying on a warmer day.

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IMO - this perfume is not in the same range as Christian Dior Poison. They are two separate perfumes, all together! Jil Sander No. 4 and Poison - are two completely different fragrance profiles... although they are both dark, deep -- and have their own strengths. They are both VERY DIFFERENT ANIMALS!

Poison - brings out the notes of the siren, it has a raw "come hither to" type sexiness that is just in the DNA of the woods and the way that the blend entices. This is more of the enchantress, someone who is so beautiful and alluring that men can't help but fall for. However, the strength of this perfume will cause some to find this too off putting, too "over the top". The strength of this is polarizing - people will either love this or hate it -- they will be drawn to this or repulsed. It definitely makes a statement.

Jill Sander No. 4 is not as blatantly sexy - although some people may associate this with a "power play". It is very powerful, but more like someone who is really good with business, on top of their game... the expert. This is someone who knows their craft and is so good with it that they are definitely cream of the crop and on top of their game. Jil Sander No. 4 - on me, doesn't really have much of a sex appeal -- it is more all business. This is a smell of respect, admiration - it commands attention in a powerful way, but doesn't necessarily have an overt sexy type air about it. Some may find it sexy though -- I find it more of a power play.

The civet note is the one thing that I would definitely change. I don't wear this perfume very much, but there are days that I find that this is really nice. I think this would be an amazing perfume without the civet notes, I would wear this much more .

(I have the Vintage version).

My fan Lanka: I wear it. So far this year only once but I do wear it.

smells like Dove fine silk hand wash, love it!

The opening is very rich and I agree with other reviewers that it smells better when you give it some space (do not sniff directly at your wrist or wherever). Sure, it is sexy and feminine, but in a (Linda Evangelista) fun way. Warm and charming. I do not think this smells dirty. Very long lasting. If you decide to wear this in 2020, I am without a doubt your fan :)

Is Jil Sander No. 4 a well-made and complex perfume? - It is. I actually think it smells like niche.

Does it (at least in the vintage version) have nuclear strength in sillage and longevity? - Yes, it does. 

What does it remind me of? - Several heavy hitters with a prominent civet note from the 80's/90's: Obsession, P. Picasso, Ysatis, Boucheron Boucheron, and Joop Femme. People who like these, will probably like Sander's No. 4 too.

Do I like it? - Hm, I almost do. I love how well-made it is and the strong tuberose. But civet is simply not a note I enjoy. And it is really strong here!  

Jil Sander No. 4 is a fragrance I know well, I sold it when I worked retail in the 90s and got my mom a bottle back in the day. Today I purchased a brand new reformulated EDP (a 1 oz spray for $21 on line) and I decided to compare it with the vintage pure perfume. The difference (unsurprisingly) is obvious. The original is deep, woody, and sweet in its complexity. It's rich and bold enough where a man can pull it off, in spite of its spicy flowery nature. It's like a heady nectar made of wood, flowers, fruit and musk that is timeless and classic. I've always loved the way No. 4 smells on a person. The latest version smells enough like it in the initial spray, but one it settles on skin its all down hill. Just a flat flowery two dimensional smell that pales in comparison. Within a few hours it's completely gone. For those who don't know No.4 well, do yourself a favor and hunt for a vintage bottle, there are lots out there and can be had for reasonable prices. Avoid bottles made by Coty and look for the stuff made by Lancaster. Once again one of the greats ruined by a cheapie reformulation.

Jil Sander No. 4 smells very similar to Ysatis and Quintessence Dare on me - has anybody else noticed this? Y and No. 4 share many of the same notes, including bergamot, rose, ylang, sandalwood, myrrh, civet, musk, patchouli, coriander, jasmine, and most prominently, tuberose. On me, No. 4 is, like Ysatis, a wonderful but heavy scent that is really only suited to winter. I love it, but I already have a large bottle of Y that I need to use up. Anybody interested in a trade for a bottle of No. 4?

Update: I've found a taker for the bottle.

I'm not sure about this one. It certainly seems busy. Maybe too busy. Reminds me of Joop in that department. Right now, I'm debating whether to scrub it off or not. Wait, wait, wait...that's what I keep telling myself; but it is soooo strong it is starting to annoy me - and I only used one spray on my wrist to test after my shower tonight. I know it's not fair to judge so quickly, but I think this just may be too much for me. It's such a contrast to the lovely light floral I wore earlier today. That was heavenly. This is sharp and screechy. I have a recent formulation so maybe that's the problem. I really have to be more patient, but something tells me this is going to be a scrubber. Fortunately, fragrancenet accepts returns.

Edit - Did return it in the end, though I was not happy about it because I was sure this was one I would love as much as I love others from this house. This is a strong fragrance with aldehydes that seem to go on forever on me. And that seemed to be the problem, it just never seemed to soften/lighten up, or change, staying at that opening stage to the point where I almost felt like I was being suffocated by it. It really must have something to do with reformulation and my chemistry. It just did not work for me.

This is not the type of fragrance I would normally go for, I listened to the reviews on this site and took a chance and purchased it. It is really good. It is not original to me, but it is something I can wear to work.

Certain perfumes come highly recommended, and JS N.4 is one of them. While I've been disappointed by some of the hyped frags No.4 really is that good. It's a honey smooth scent without honey, a rich floral without harsh or overwhelming notes. The scent is beautifully blended and so far my favorite of the JS line.
Sillage and lasting power are modest, making this beauty work safe. No.4 is a womens perfume but it trends fairly unisex. Why deny the guys something this lovely?
It took me a while to get a bottle of No. 4, and I'm in love already. The perfume reminds me a lot of Anne Klein's beautiful fragrance, another honeyed scent. Both are smooth and comforting, like a hot cup of tea with honey on a cold day.

The most delightful and enchanting tuberose I´ve ever smelled. The plum note "saves" this frag so it does not smell too old-fashioned or retro. This is a grown-up, stylish and rich composition. One of a kind amazing fragrance!

I have 2 separate cabinet shelves where I store my perfumes, 1 for designer and niche, the other for more affordable fragrances and dupes. I have different habits of using these perfumes, including the amount of one could safely spray. I never categorized Jil Sander as shelve no.2, but its structure and performance grouped it under there. This may be technically fair for an affordable Coty fragrance but... Jil Sander No.4 was not it. It was an incredibly rich fragrance (as seen by the notes listed), but today it's only a flat, dry, soapy dupe of Dior Poison. And she is not alone in suffering this fate. The club reformulations excluded none. All the while my shelve No.1 is getting smaller and smaller...

Hey guys, you should try this out.
As a man it took me years to appreciate Iris based fragrances like Dior Homme, for being to feminine. It reminds me of my mothers powder box.
Recently I have started writting on my FB page about Classic old fragrances, mainly for man but could not ignore Chanel no 5 and Guerlain Shalimar.
Attracted by the beautiful leather on Shalimar I decided to buy it. My first female fragrance.

2 days ago I was with my wife in a parfum shop and advised her to try Jil Sander no 4. We spraid it on a paper strip and I was flabbergasted. The topnotes remind me of Shalimar opening. A bit skanky for sure. But also soapy. I really love soapy fragrances. My wife also liked it but not necessarely on her (???)
As we were on holidays crossing 5 European countries I took the opportunity to try lots of fragrances that I didn't know. Including niche and expensive ones. I bought 3 all designers and my wife 2. Today, back home I bought this cheappy (No 4) for MYSELF.

Here's my take and Im no pro at writing about perfume... This is a really beautiful, complex scent. It has so many personalities with it's "layers". It goes through so many scent stages. I don't wear this every day or that often because of how obvious this perfume can be, it may be too sexy in some situations & and its not for every occasion by any means - but boy when I do wear it, it instantaneously turns my mood into a sultry bombshell type of feeling... Sexy, check. Confident, check. Aware and feeling happy & bold, YES.
I last wore this in the early cool spring; put it on in the morning before work... not too much, just a small spray... Had about 30 mins for the drydown before leaving the house. Put a coat and a scarf on. Got on the subway and the air conditioner was blowing in the subway car... Let me tell you: I noticed that every man within a 15 foot radius slowly noticed a scent in the air, they may have been reading or listening to music what have you... I could see some were sniffing and figuring out what that scent was. They all slowly turned their heads trying to figure out who it was - in a GOOD way. Not the "OMG, who's wearing that disgusting perfume that's too much or making me sick" type of look. Its was a curious type of slowly noticing and then hypnotic look of trying to figure out what they were smelling... it was all the layers and phases of this scent. It certainly put a smirk on my face.
Not sure if its just my chemistry or not but I do love this as it works for me. Call it 80's or whatever... I do not think this is a perfume that can be worn by everyone; someone very young may not be able to pull this off but if you can go for it!

This scent is a bit masculine, but not enough to be a unisex scent. The opening reminds me of Old Spice. The drydown sort of reminds me of Irish Spring soap.

I read a bunch of rave reviews, so I just had to try it. I got a bottle at a reasonable price, thankfully, because this was just horrible. It stunk! Worse yet, when I tried to scrub it off, IT STAYED...FOR HOURS! It was synthetic, medicinal, and old fashioned without the charm.

I hate the opening of this so much, just absolutely hate it. Giant late '80s smelling jasmine, just completely yuck. I was so disappointed.

But!
With this fragrance you really have to give it a chance - don't scrub it off - wait for the drydown. And the drydown comes within 30 minutes or so. At least on me.
Rich, complicated, plummy, deep, spicy, intriguing, and certainly not cookie-cutter at all.
The drydown is completely different from the opening. And I'm so happy about that!

This does seem a bit "vintage" or at least nostalgic but only in the way that it makes me think of the way that I thought powerful, beautiful women smelled growing up. Complicated and lovely. Not sugary sweet. I love this for having so many notes & using them so well.
It still works.
Makes me think of a woman driving a convertible away from her divorce lawyer's office who's about to go on and start a Fortune 500 company.

Edited to add: damn, the drydown just gets nicer. Ends up a little animalic/skanky - but just slightly. Still sophisticated. The civet and tuberose are what I smell most at this point a few hours in.
I really wish I got more nutmeg - the nutmeg was the reason I took the plunge on this blind buy and I don't particularly smell it. I like the perfume though, so that's ok.

Edited once again to add:
Had to remove this one from my collection - I struggle with civet as it tends to smell, at best "off" on me, and at worst, slightly poopy in an unpleasant way. The civet really sticks around here, and so I can't deal. Oh well.

I was looking for a vintage fragrance that was new to me, I blind bought this as a result of the reviews. It arrived today and I couldn't wait to try it. Wow, its sweet and strong but not in a bad way. Initial spray makes me think it's definitely an 80's powerhouse fragrance and to me its a lot like Tabu but with a softer amber note. The dry down is soft tuberose on me and has now morphed into Youth Dews sister. I really like it..it's like several of my faves all rolled into one. I am a happy girl : )

This is very sophisticated and gorgeously made.

Tuberose, plum, and carnation stand out boldly, and the civet and ylang waft in and out so beautifully. The base is rich and ambery, with the myrrh adding a beautiful layer of complexity.

Beautiful gem, definitely must purchase.

I've been trying out all kinds of "tuberosy" perfumes, which is why I bought this. The initial spray is a jasmine blast that reminds me of Alfred Sung and maybe DVF Tatiana. Then, No. 4 settles down into a warm, rich floral. And the drydown, as several reviewers here have noted, is really beautiful. I'm not good at distinguishing notes; all I know is that the drydown has the same distinctive fragrance that I remember from "Fame" by Corday. Very long-lasting on my skin.

Without doubt one of the most beautiful scents ever. This lush and comfortable perfume opens with a little blast of peach, and right away I can smell the jasmine, tuberose, and ylang ylang. This fragrance then gives way to plum, a very rich and jammy plum, sweet throughout. While there is a bit of spiciness to this scent, those notes stay on the perimeter, allowing the wearer to catch a hint of myrrh and nutmeg throughout. Yes, this is certainly a winter scent for colder days but I would even wear it during the early spring. As one reviewer noted below, Jil Sander No 4 has a very distinctive and very beautiful dry down...dare I say the best ever? I was thinking the exact same thing before I even read her comment. Yes, it is that good. This is a feel good fragrance, one spray and you feel like class and elegance, but in a comfortable way. I love it.

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,


update:
it has been a little while before i first tried it and about month ago, I used it in the morning and keep smelling this very pleasant tuberose on my way to work, i can still smell it when I got home. It has a great lasting power. I guess i accidently sprayed a little on the neck of my dress. I did not use it very day but I started to sniff it very often, from the bottle and I got used to the smell. I do not smell and the mind the " old fashion" anymore, beautiful things are beautiful, age does not really matter that much. Then I decided to hunt down a vintage bottle that was produced before" COTY" get the finger on this perfume, I just got the vintage version couple days ago and will try it tonight by spraying it on my pillow that I hugs when I sleep. I think I will love it because the vintage one is even better than the coty new version. I will update soon to provide my thought about the vintage No.4

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

*Migraine sufferers should be careful.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vintage No. 4 is quite similar to vintage Poison - sweet plums 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 sweet plum jam, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 :)

Une cousine très proche du merveilleux Ysatis de Givenchy : capiteux, boisé et racé.

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Lots of greengages.
Color: bittersweet

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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, it smells more like a perfume.

I imagine an older Spanish lady to smell like this perfume.

Well just received one of my jil sander #4 purchases from ebay, well the previous one I bought was made in france, dist. through Paris by way of new york, the one that came today was made in germany by way of new york, I believe the latter is the original and it is too old, doesn't even smell as good as the reformulation that I had been using but getting low. whats a perfumistagirl to do! I'll just suck it up and move on! Don't give up when you get a dud, keep frags alive my fellow fragranticans. thanks for letting me blow off a little steam, I knew you guys would understand, thank goodness I have other special fragrances to keep me cool!

homeirart, I believe it's the dark rich plum fruit thats making it smell like it belongs in the flowoodmusk category, but until I saw it in this floral fruit list I started recognizing it cuz I thought it would be fwm also because of the richness, but I think it's a more mature floral fruit than (we) are actually used to smelling these days, and then too, its considered a vintage 1990's frag. nowadays floral fruity is something like a carribbean carnival, not that its bad, just to kiddy for my taste, where back in the day the florals were really heady and if it weren't for the plum it would probably be a too serious fwm. hope that doesn't turn you off from enjoying its beautiful scent as it is a wonderful fragrance and the lotion is divine! love it.
enjoy.

Dear Fragrantica, this fragrance should be categorized in the category Oriental Floral or Floral woody musk. I don't understand why it is now in the categry Floral Fruity!!

I'm not a floral type but I can imagine that this one can be very populair for poeple who love flowers. The Tuberose is very dominant here which is not a bad thing. Then I smell sandelwood and many spices. Very strong, long lasting and classy. I can imagine a woman who is sexy but also sophisticated in front of me, in a black dress and high hills wearing this scent. Classic and timeless. Not suitalble for very young girls or at the office!

This fragrance is just delicious! Don't be fooled by the fruity floral label is is a rich rich floral with warm sensual fruit that is soo lovely. My new favorite, I have plenty of frags I love but this is really gorgeous, I will wear this everyday. I don't know if it's a summer scent yet but I definitely won't mind trying it out to see! No age perameters, really don't believe in that, it's just gotta be your style of fragrance, but I believe it's really something for everyone. It's a cool blast in 60's weather too!
Enjoy my fair fragrantigans!

Ahhhhh! Beautiful fragrance! Wore this in the 90s in my mid twenties and absolutely loved it and decided to give it a try. Just as lovely as i remember but even better now that im more mature. Strong, lady like, amazing dry down, sweet, sensual, warm, ambery but with a touch of fruit in the middle. Drydown sandalwoody, ambery with a tinge of leather. Just a really gorgeous-well put together fragrance to be made in 1990. Grown up but anyone who likes the 80s and 90s frags would love this warm flowery juice and its long lasting but I believe it's a good 5-6 hour scent, but dries down on your skin like a best friend who loves you till the end, its powerful at first spray and the sillage has got to be great, i heard my husband only when I first put it on saying " what have you put on now?" He doesn't know this is one of my pleasures in life, to buy, sniff and review!!!

When I smelled Jil Sander for the first time I thought it smelled as Poison. I am comparing Jil Sander 4 and Poison right now, side by side. Sillage is heavy, really heavy. I smell the plum in both. They are sweet and complex with layers that keeps changing emerging and disapearing. They have smoke in the background and lots and lots of plum. In the first minutes I do prefer Jil Sander because of the almost soapy floral and honey notes. Honey is not mentioned, maybe the ylang ylang. After the first minutes they take different directions. Jil Sander is now more floral with a beautiful rose and amber as in Calligraphy Rose. Poison is plummy with a burned Sugar note and this note is a constant one. I smell no civet. They do have simmilarities. Jil Sander goes from fruity, to floral to woody. Poison is linear and doesn't change much but gets a bit softer. I would say Poison has a moderner vibe. Half hour has passed and so far they stay the same as 15 minutes ago. I think Poison is a party scent and Jil Sander a dinner scent. I still prefer Jil Sander 4.

It says fruity floral, but this is not a teen girl kind of fruity. Its very sweet and soft, but in a grown up way. It has just a touch of spice to it as well. I don't smell any civet, which is a good thing! :)

First time I tried no 4 it didn't work out with my skin at all. I gave it a new try and now its just wow. Warm, female, and superlonglasting. My boyfriend loves no 4 on my skin, so no 4 has turned out to be a favourite.

Förra gången jag provade no 4 funkade den inte als med min hud. Gav den en ny chans och nu är den ljuvlig. varm, kvinnlig och otroligt hållbar. Min kille älskar no 4 på mig, då den har blivit en favorit.

@Mariann79
You wrote this review to Jil Sander No 4 :)

This perfume is so beautiful, classy and sophisticated. It reminds me very much of White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor. The two have no less than 8 tones in them that are exactly the same ;)

Jil Sander No.4. This is a favorite of mine.
Classy, elegant, sophisticated.

I'm not sure I can add anything that hasn't already been said. It is for me a lighter version of poison (vintage) and it does have the same extraordinary sillage and longevity. Had it not been for the reviews on here I would never have tried this and now I have it, I don't think I would categorise it as floral fruity. Beautiful woods and florals. The civet is sour on me for about 10 minutes and then blends perfectly. I can get the plum but not as much as others seem to and it's also a little spicy on me. floral, spicy, woody. It's made for a confident woman. It's spellbinding.

Based on the fruity floral category I would have never tried this. I'm happy that I did though. Bombshell with perfect balance. Does remind me to Poison and Cabotine but a bit less loud than Poison and a bit more complex than Cabotine. Just powdery enough to give a vintage feel, this old-fashioned facet makes it erotic for me. While I have smelled scents like this before, it is much better than what I smell in today's world every day.

Update: it just reached the drydown, which is exquisite! A wonderful blend.

I can't recommend enough this beauty! One of the most elegant juices I have ever tried, deep, resinous, sweet. It starts spicy and animalic, and goes on to develop into a bitter/sweet animalic fruity sensation, galbanum is strong but sweetened moderately by plum and myrrh which is present throughout, ever so faintly, jasmine a touch indolic but freshened by oakmoss, like a gentle kiss on a cheek, the peach very prominent but never too strong to take it into fruity territory, it seems like a harmonious coexistence among Peach, Resins and Wood with a faint touch of Tuberose and Jasmin! What I love about it are the gentle nuances of coriander, nutmeg and carnation, the last one particularly strong in early and middle phase of the scent. This is beautifully complex yet straightforward, a mix of fresh and oriental notes, with a bold play of resins and fruit! ELEGANT! SOPHISTICATED and unique! There are similarities to Bijan but I find Jil Sanders 4 more complex, if that was possible! This is a chic fume for a woman, deep, complex and sensational, a certain MUST for any wardrobe!

I recieved a bottle of Jil Sander no.4 today. It was a complete blind buy as I have never had this perfume before. As it turns out this perfume is almost identical to the original Bijan fragrance for women, which I already have.
Very warm, classy and reminiscent of the 80's.

A few weeks ago I bought the 30 ml for €18,-
I love Jil Sander perfumes so bought this one blind due to the low price.

Very strong, very heavy floral but beautifull!
Oh and longlasting! Up to 12 hours and more.
The tuberose and sandalwood are great in this one.

Today I take the time to try to pick out the notes and then I give you an update.

Edit: 19/1
Jasmine and tuberose all the way for me.
I find it sexy but clean. It's heavy but crisp.
Can be uplifting on a grey and misty day like today.
Will try it in summer very curious what that will bring.

A classy, elegant, "uppity" perfume every Grande Dame should own!

Sweet, spicy, heavy, cosy, feminine. To my nose it starts out elegant and then gets sweeter, as if the top-heart-base-notes were reversed. My husband finds it too sweet. He says he smells mainly vanilla, but I don't agree. With regard to sillage and longevity it beats all my other perfumes. I like it very much and would recommend it for the cold seasons.
Edit:
This has been my workplace perfume for the last few months. I find the scent very warm and comforting. It's important however to apply very little, only a dab at the back of your neck just below the hairline. I can smell Jil Sander No4 on the collars of my winter coats and cardigans now, that's really nice.

I bought this blindly based on the reviews and the notes. It all sounded promising and I do love tuberose so I was convinced it was a safe bet. It was not! The floral notes are wonderful but the civet ruins it for me. I have a skin chemistry that amplifies this weird sour note. The first time I wore this to work the woman sitting at the desk next to me shouted in horror:"oh my what a stench!". So you can imagine how I felt, and believe me my colleagues are used to my perfume experiments! This was just too much.
I gave my bottle to my mother and when she wears it none of the civet is prominent, amazing floral notes, yes. It smells divine on her.

Edit: I just repurchase it because after all it's a perfect perfume for autumn.
That co-worker who hated it and insulted me... she's retired!

Undescribably complex, old-fashioned in a good way, VERY potent and longlasting.

Best creation in perfumery as we know it today!

What a potent elegant potion! Exceeds even silage of Poeme and Van Cleef Van Cleef!
I wanted to buy it for more than 5 years – without even testing before, as note-wise it was obviously a masterpiece to me but I truly imagined its plummy more than anything. Yet I must say that once I applied it I just closed my eyes...so good...And its musty flowers, not a fruit-garden at the beginning...Its like a bright yellow dandelion fields where we being kids loved to play so much, admiring those first warm steps of spring...all our clothes and hands were marked by those dandelions stalks, we were wearing yellow circlets on our heads like a pagan tribe...Felt poisoned by nature and carelessness.
On the drydown you really get plum more and nutmeg with civet. Chic brightness is flowing into undeniable elegant heart of rose and heliotrope, and the base is sooo solid and earthy and rich.
And its lasts and lasts and lasts..What can be better in cold seasons, - I don't know.

I would seriously consider to rename it, at least for myself, after Bradburys “Dandelion Wine” - would suit 100%

P.S. Absolutely not similar with Fath de Fath.

Just received this from the postal man.....Could not wait to lift the lid to spray.
This is absolutely GORGEOUS!!
Classy. Sophisticated. A floral honeyed depth.But the fruits keep it from being too stiff or serious....a kind of 'playful' sophistication.
I love.

My first Sander Fragrance.
Jill Sander no. 4 - refinement and elegance. A thing to remember: less is more. For me it is an autumn/fall fragrance. The honey amber quality and of course the spices and fruits can brighten a gloomy day, or the golden tone captured in the fragrance is also so well suited to the bright burnished shades of autumn with its sounds and texture in dry leaves. There is something dry and so sophisticated about this masterpiece. I am going to use my bottle sparingly as I here it's being discontinued. Oh let this not be true.

A fragrance that sums up 1990 very well and the last of I think of the greats in florientals. As we started to move into the new decade we would see light ocean marine type scents take center. This and Feel Man by Jil Sander is best from this house.

I <3 !!!!!!!!!!!
#JILSANDER4
4EVER

A surprise blind buy for me and I am so glad that I bought this. A beautiful fruity floral that lasts. I do get the similarity with Poison but this is so much better. It is a heavy perfume but not in a bad way. I feel very elegant and feminine when I wear this and it is going to be a favourite in the coming colder months ahead. If you are a lover of classic perfumes then I am sure this will not disappoint. Sillage and longevity are very good, unlike some perfumes that I have, this one stays for hours. Beautiful amazing perfume, try it if you can before it disappears forever.

Oriental fruity-floral, strong, opulent and intoxicating. Happy and safe buy, very lasting and recommended.

Jil Sander n°4 is a very heavy , warm , spicy and enveloping fragrance. It is not cloying-sweet, the sort of "light sweetness" it develops only has the effect of rounding off the scent and to avoid the scratchiness of the vivid spicy notes.

Overall, no. 4 a typical Floriental , the "beginning of the 90s mood" is well recognisable in its time of origin.

It should be dosed very sparingly and is probably a fume for the evening. For an office and everyday use is in my view rather inappropriate for it also exudes a certain eroticism.
I noticed that this scent needs a sort of "mandatory body heat" to develop nicely . Dont't spray it in the hair. I did it only one time, with relatively cooler temperature and the perfume has developed an urinous, uncomfortably sharp note. Maybe civet... don't know. So always spray it on your skin!

I owned a small bottle many years ago and I still own a big sample from those years: perfect!
This was real perfume. Did they reformulate it? I smelled it again at a duty-free in Germany, it seemd changed, but I was in an overwhelm of perfumes.
I cannot find it where i live.
My sample is glorious. It smells fresh as ever.
This is a real floral-oriental with amber. And it's complex, multi-nuanced, feminine all the way, full of armonics.
All modern fall flat on their face compared to this one.
I could not understand the real value of this gem at that time, but I never thrown it away, because... I cannot explain exactly. I gave away lots of perfumes and samples, but some of my stash never goes. It seems that they want to stay with me and tell me: "Wait! Don't discard me now, you'll regret!"
Yes, but why don't you wake me up before you get discontinued or badly reformulated??
Now that single sampl I own almost makes me cry for its beauty. There is a chance it's just a memory thing, but in any case this used to be a memorable perfume and very high quality.

I think this is the most well-made perfume in the world, I also think that it is the most underrated in the world. Because this masterpiece contains natural extracts, and the nose has signed it (Michel Almairac) is one of the biggest noses of all time.
Impossible not to love him, even for a man like me.
I think Jil Sander # 4 is GREAT.

At the beginning i didint like it at all. I tried it several times, but all i could feel was too much of a weird parfume i couldnt take. Than i got to Poison. I smelled it in a shop and i kind of liked it. So i looked at it on Fragrantica and saw, that some compare it to my Jil sample. I tried again and smelled the same tuberose. And sudenly something broke inside of me and i could understand. There is something wild and sweet in this perfume. I am waiting to get my full bottle and than i can ttry it properly.

A true classic masterpiece! I finally got another bottle
of this excellent perfume. It's really a scent of the nineties. It's heavy and soft in the same time. It's not a sweet scent at all more a deep woody and little bit oriental without any sweetness. It will stay 8 hours minimum on your skin. I love this one very much because it stands out in the crowd. No. 4 is definitely not an ordinair perfume.

Lovely, classy, beautifully-blended fragrance. It smells of top-quality ingredients and a master pefumer's hand (do we know who did it?)

BUT, it's heavy on the tuberose, so if you don't like tuberose it probably isn't the one for you.

Use to love that one. Super classy!!!! Amazing scent!!!

Because of all the positive reviews and cause I love a few other Sander's scents I recently blind bought a body lotion of n. 4 since at my local store there was no tester.
I applyied the lotion this morning after showering and a new wonderful world opened its doors to me.
This is one of the most delightful scent I have ever smelled! Rich and gorgeous tuberouse, a bit heady but in a very positive way.On my skin it developed so beautifully I can still smell it after about 12 hours my skin is now scented with vanilla and musk but you can detect other notes so cleverly blended in this glorious fragrance.
I have been sniffing my forearm all day trying to find out what n.4 reminded of and finally I got it.
N.4 is in the same mood and headiness of the gorgeous Black Orchid Voile the Fleur.Both immensely sensual and feminine.

This is an all time favorite of mine.Very sweet and feminine. I always receive compliments when wearing it. Sadly, since it has been discontinued, the price it brings on E-bay is way out of line for me. I've found that Cabotine Gres is a wonderful substitute...very similar in scent, notes, and silage...also very affordable!

I treasure a 30ml bottle of this perfectly blended perfume. I like it much more than other celebrated tuberose scents. I can't figure why isn't this one so popular I suppose it's too seriously complex for many.

The opening is already telling the constant mix of spices and flowers the composition is. It includes noticiable bergamot, dark fleshy fruity notes in addition to carnation and geranium, anise and wonderful galbanum. What a beggining, nothing like this in my memory. The good quality flowers in the middle notes are kept from being too sweet and overwhelming by the inclusion of myrth's depth and tasty nutmeg. It has a perfect woody spicy base that makes the dry down not only last long, but shine in an old school elegant way. I'm happy both civet and vanilla notes are not too big.

Sillage isn't too heavy if you properly dose in application.

A delighting perfume. Best Jil Sander's.

I found this in my mom´s dresser when I was home visiting and sniffed it. I´m in my mid twenties and was thrown back to my childhood when mom was wearing it in the 90s. For me it´s such a nice scent, I always loved when mom was wearing this parfume. Very warm and feminine. Mom told me she dind´t use it anymore so I could get what was left. I don´t wear it when I go out, even though it´s really a nice scent it doesn´t feel overly modern to me. Insted I put some on when I´m home from work shilling and I get that safe, nice feeling and smell wonderful at the same time!

I was surprised to see that this came out in the '90s, as it reminds me quite a bit of the '80s. It's very big and "classic"--a perfume with a capital "P".

It smells like strong, sweet tuberose and mini shell-shaped hand soaps. I like it quite a lot and it performs a lot better on my skin than other florals, but would not buy a bottle, as it doesn't suit my style. It's very formal. Well, I do like it quite a bit...maybe I'd just use it for more formal occasions.

At 15 or 16 this one of two scents my mother and I found for me one summer that both suited me and did not set off any of her allergies. It was a splendid display love to see my mother put herself through that hell of reactions so I could find my first grown-up scent. For the next 13 or 14 years, this and Gucci Accenti were the only scents I wore. Despite the ... explosion of purchases I've made over the last two or three years, this is STILL my signature. When I was a teenager and in my early 20s, this inspired confidence and poise in me at some of the most opportune moments; it still does this, but now it also makes me smile with the familiarity and memories it can evoke.

A word of warning though, this is as strong as anything I've tried and lasts. If I am going out, I walk into one air shot and I am set. If I am staying in and want it to be a bit stronger a single spray to a wrist that is dabbed to the other and neck suffices. Within a half hour the dry down has begun and I am in an olfactory heaven. Happily, though listed as a fruity-floral with a sweet component, this is NOT one of the sickly sweet fruty-florals that I find have been inundating new releases, but substantial and with a great depth that blends many notes exceptionally well. The balance of notes is perfect and the dry down is an epitome of luxury for me.

An overwhelming experience to say the least. First of all the smell of urine and then the smell of flowers/urine. Not joking! Finally, an odor of a lipstick that has been forgotten in your handbag for years.
Awful! Probably my skin chemistry. I guess it is the civet that ruins everything that could have been pleasant. I am sure this is very good on the right skin, skin that can handle this amount of civet. I mean, just read all the positive reviews here....Those speak for themselves...

A gorgeous satiny scent that I love for fall and Winter. It is alluring, mysterious, well rounded, warm and cozy to boot! It's sillage is quite noticeable I find and its longevity is hard to beat. Mine is vintage yet I wear it on special occasions . Some compare it to Poison : true, it does have this plummy-grape yumminess and the muskiness is alike yet it is more refreshing and sparkling than the other. Shall be sporting this one this Fall!

I would sacrifice a dinner out to buy this one. Just waitin' on an ulta coupon before I buy! Heavenly and oh so grown up. This one makes me want to put shoulder pads in all my fall/winter clothes and rock it, Angela Bower style. (for all the twenty-somethings on fragrantica, this is a reference to "who's the boss"; a sitcom from the 80's).

I had forgotten all about this one, haven't seen it in stores here (British Columbia, Canada) for years. Used to be my old clubbing perfume!!! One night at a club a girl came in to the restroom "glowing" and asked if anyone had any perfume she could borrow. I happened to have my trusty Jil and handed it to her. While warning her of its strength, she proceeded to cover herself in 6 sprays of it. Yikes! I bet she can still smell it, ha ha! Anyway I really liked it then, although I agree it had its special timeframe, don't think it would be relevant or very modern smelling now. But it were pretty, it were. And I'll admit if I found it somewhere at a reasonable price I might be tempted just for the nostalgia factor.

awful, stinky, heavy..

I bought this last week for my mother (its still at the stores so I am not sure if it discontinues?)she is a fan of this house, so I bought it without sniffing. When she opened the bottle I put it also on my wrist and OMG how stupid I am..the price was so low at the airport and I should definitely bought one more for myself..
The combination is just lovely and I can smell every single note from the opening. Its a floral-fruity and for this reason I didnt even expect that I would like it so much..I have really respect to this house..they definitely know what they do and have a style out of the ordinary which they keep during the years. Jil Sander perfumes make me just think about simple, modern and strong women who know what they want :)

Edit: its not for everyone, but someone who loves well-blended flowers and fruits in an oriental and kind of old-school way would love No 4 for sure..

Big, powerhouse, and really amazingly lovely. For me, this wouldn't be an everyday scent. This also won't be something that everyone will love. On the right person its amazing (I do love this on myself) But I can see where it could get out of hand very very quickly if over applied.

Personally I think its a shame its been discontinued. This perfume really does seem to last quite a long time (on me its been going strong for now 8 hours)

It does have a powdery element but its not so much that its overwhelming. The rose and carnation help to temper this very well and keep it to a minimum.

I would seriously doubt I could (or would want to) wear this is warm weather, so for me it will be a definite winter treat.

This was a gift to me some years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was always perplexed as to what I did smell, it seamed so simple but was so complex. Until today I never discovered the notes. Now, I understand how I could not discern.

I must say I found the bottle a glorious weight to hold and the cap that sat atop to be quite beautiful and fine on its own.

I'm probably going to get my ass kicked for this, but I immediately thought of Poison when I smelled No 4. Wait, lemme explain!

If you hanker for the glory of vintage Poison (in the oval bottle), but don't feel like tracking a bottle down, No 4 is a good substitute. No 4 is a close match to Poison in all of her piercing, honeyed tuberose glory. All the same, I have a bottle of vintage Poison, so I needn't bother with this.

If you like tuberose, or Poison for that matter, try this.

This is such a beautiful perfume. It's one of the few that I could describe with such contradictory terms - complex and simple, deep and fresh, floral and sexual. I think Sander came close to creating a scent that is truly chameleon-like depending on the woman who wears it.

The coeur-note of tuberose really shines here - I think the combination of tuberose and fruit is a wonderful mix, taking off some of the syrup of the former and freshening it with the latter. The base is SO rich and diverse; the civet and patchouli are very warm, the coriander and ambergris counteract this and cool it down.

This is also one of those rare scents that truly doesn't smell like anything else. When I try to pair it with a more famous and older scent, I'm at a loss. Number 4 is its own woman.

This was my signature scent for ten years! I got stopped almost every time I wore it. I believe it is out of production now & I would love to find something with the same scent. (2011)

This is the perfume I pull out of my stash when the first chill strikes in the beginning of autumn. The scent feels as glowing as its color. Nothing beats a dose of peach and ylang to brighten a grey morning at work. The heart is balanced by geranium and moss to keep it from tipping over to the too sweet side. Warm nutmeg and tonka in the sensual honeylike drydown is perfect company for an autumn evening. My partner finds this one attractive, I actually find the whole world more attractive when I'm wearing Jil Sander no4. Moderate sillage, good lasting power.

great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Joanna! You are right, there is a sure resemblance with Red. That one is really sophisticated too! Two great polished perfumes!!

I bought JS No. 4, just some days ago, in a Duty Free Shop in an Airport. I liked it all at once! It reminds me so much Red of Giorgio Beverly Hills. And when I checked the components of them, there were more half the same. JS No. 4 is a classical perfume that awakes the nostalgy of the serious smells of the ninetees. The latest makes part of my favorite perfumes.

I like most of the Jil Sander scents but this one is too heavy and old-fashioned for me. It smells like a classic and fits well into the "early 90s area". Today I'm not wearing these kinds of scents anymore - also because most often they give me headaches. So No.4 is not a buy for me.

Green spiced honey. Mostly honey. Mature serious honey made by assiduous bees who at the end of the day don't care about you. Something self-contained about it. Intelligent interesting scent but it's somehow not friendly? Perhaps it's just me :/

EDP REVIEW-

My very first Jil Sander scent ever *Thanks Weegee* and I see now what all the hubbub was about. This perfume borders on magnificent...

One vial cap lid full was enough to make a pool on my wrist, which I quickly touched to the other wrist and smoothed on both sides of my neck! It is hard to type this review, as I cannot stop sniffing myself!!

A perfectly balanced opening of powdery spiciness (galbanum and anise) along with luscious fruits (plum and nectarine) and a twist of citrus blended with dry geranium and roses grabs you. God is this gorgeous...and this is just the beginning?! This is something that is rich and classy but not overpowering or cloying. I must have a full bottle of this! Flowers, flowers, flowers arranged perfectly with just enough sharp greens and dry warmth, yet they do not "wilt" but seem magnified somehow. No.4 is an absolutely flawless combination of stunning beauty! To even begin to try and pick out the seperate floral notes would insult this divine creature; you must just adore her as she is, with no in-depth analysis, and be lucky you have even been fortunate enough to be near Her! My "perfect perfume" has dark florals (check), rich not saccharine fruits (check), some spiciness (check), and a woody incensy oriental drydown (check check check)...Ladies and Gentleman: THIS may be the most perfect perfume I have EVER sniffed! Repeated sniffs of my wrist have brought on what I can only call a "rush" to my brain, my heart and my spirit!! The drydown is earthy, woody, warm, and musky; ever so slightly dry (but dripping with elegance) and just raw enough to be sexy and polished enough to be classy. I could go on and on...but I think you get the picture here!

Sillage: Great
Longevity: very good
Overall: 5/5 *I am in AWE...*

Jil Sander No. 4 is simply perfect, the only thing I might have asked for in the "perfect" frag was a bit of smokiness or a hint of leather; but this is something I would NEVER want to see messed with, and an overly smoky or leathery feel would tip this in a direction It was never meant to go. I would sell some body part I had two of, just to own a full bottle of this juice!! I only hope that the men's scents are as awesome! Part of me is actually afraid to sniff other Jil Sander scents, as they may not live up to this one...I imagine the No. 4 Parfum is out of this world!

*buries nose in both wrists, inhales deeply, swoons*

Wauw Passionata, GREAT selection of perfumes I consider members of the same family!! You should add some recommendations for us Fragrantican's in the Fragrance Families Thread!!

When i tried it today i instantly knew that this one is in my favorite group of fragrances along with Guy Larocheś "Clandestine" and Valentino´s "Vendetta". It reminds me more of "Vendetta".
Really nice and sweet scent in my favorite combination: peach, plum, rose, carnation... when i see all the ingredients i already like it, but when i apply it i like it even more.
One minus to this one is that compared to "Clandestine" or "Vendetta" this one in EDP concentration lasts less than those both two. After some time i have to sniff really close to my skin to feel it. Yet this is really delicious in any way.
I don´t see any age group positioning, i think it´s for any age. You just have to be in a right mood for it and have a proper weather: spring autumn, chilly summer, winter... This is more for chillier type of weather IMO.
My verdict: the first fragrance among other Jil Sander´s that i have already tried or owned that i REALLY like!

Woods and spice dominate this scent on me in a very masculine way. Are you sure this is floral fruity? Smells more like Chypre Floral, or Woody Chypre. Anyway, it doesn't work on me. But I think my husband could carry this just fine.


Thanks to weegee for the sample.

like few of the reviewers before me, i got this one from the airport duty free for a ridiculous price.

it is a lovely warm fragrance (and i can also say, it is more for women than for girls)

it starts off pretty spicy then with time passing it becomes very ambery with a caramel hint, which i truly adore. Long lasting enough, not too much of sillage though. Well articulated carnation.

If you like grown-up feminine fragrances that are fairly balanced among several dimensions (like femininity vs. confidence, subtlety vs power and also the notes) and want a sexy frag without screaming 'hey i wanna hook up with someone no matter what' then this could be for you.

I second Action! I was around 17 when I started wearing JS no 4 and absolutely loved wearing it. My mum's best friend had brought it for me from her trip to America, she had given this to me with a soap and a mini shower gel. For me it's a sophisticated and complicated scent with a great silage and longevity.

The notes of this scent manage to blend harmoniously into an orchestra of warmth. I would recommend it for wearing by the woman in her fifties, perhaps a teacher or counselor. This fragrance smells more intriguing in the bottle than on, being a bit lackluster. It comes off as a somewhat generic woodsy fragrance, neither too sweet nor astringent and surprisingly listed as a fruity floral. It's nice and warm but just doesn't say anything in particular. If I picked a place to wear it, it would be on the beach... it makes me think of warm golden sunlight hitting the sand, salty skin and pure relaxation, perhaps even a sleepy kiss on a blanket.

This tastes like a perfectly prepared steak with an unsual expertly blended cocktail!It is the EPITOME of a great well rounded fume.Something for all.Fruity,floral and the dry down notes that r the somewhat odd but,lovely like the perfect kiss at the end of a beautiful date.I cant imagine anyone not loving this

Wauw, there are actually people that DO NOT like this???????
It is GORGEOUS!!!!!!
Action

It's still one of my perfumes I get the most compliments on, and some people react surprised when I tell them its Jil no 4.It seems to be softer at my skin than normally.
My husband loooooves it when I wear it!!

While I am drawn to the sticky-sweet quality of this scent, and I love the earthy base, there is something in the composition that gives me a headache and occasionally makes me nauseated. Still I feel compelled to sniff my wrist and reminisce about the summer I spent wearing it. I used to have the same physical reaction to it back then, too. What is it about this scent that draws me to it, yet pushes me away?

I got a bottle of this very cheaply at the airport, and to be absolutely honest, it was in a "buy two for £15" deal, and this one was merely to make up the numbers.

My other choice was a safe one - Casmir, which I'm nearly out of. THIS one I had never even smelled it before and couldn't remember any of the notes... All did not bode well. And yet I really quite like it.

There's something vaguely off-putting yet alluring about the opening notes for me. I was half-sick with momentary rage as I regretted my hasty purchase, but I should really learn from the past to be patient. I get a faint, almost masculinised note of neroli somehow, balanced with orangeflower and orris... yet mysteriously none of these are actually listed notes, Bizarre, as they seem quite distinctive to me.

In the middle we have a definite plummy rose with a very complicated collection of notes that seem older than they actually are. I don't quite get Poison, but I DO get a strong whiff of the early 1980's about the whole scent. This obviously came a decade too late or somehow stands in a time of its own.

This reminds me of another perfume I really like (but don't adore) - Mauboussin. It's the rose, plummy amber and background of incense that triggers a false memory. I keep waiting for that perfume's chocolatey notes to drift in, but of course they never come.

I shall wear this on days I want to feel sophisticated, warm and subtly sexy - in the way a well dressed business woman who knows her own worth is sexy. A subdued power.

I'm not sure I shall ever fall in love with it, but I am pleased to add it to my collection all the same.

I agree with tasha0705. It's an unusual, attractive and sexig perfume

I really was not expecting to like this scent; I had read the reviews and wasn't impressed. I also don't care for Poison,(I believe I overdosed on it in the 80's!) so the references to that scent made this one even less appealing. So it was with some trepidation that I tested #4; hmm....ok, I get the Poison reference, there is a heavy fruit thing going on here that does remind me of Poison. But #4 is much more refined and complex. The multitude of notes could be dizzying, but for me at least, they balance perfectly to create an aura of rich sophistication, confidence and yes, even happiness. A little goes a long way, sillage and longevity are excellent; I could still detect plummy flowers on my wrist the next morning!

While I love this scent, everyone seems to agree (at least in my life) that it is a bit mature.

I disagree, I feel the scent combo of plum, civet, and carnations, makes for a grape-wine like note... and that naturally has it's associations (at least for a younger audience) of more sophisticated/mature women.

Anyway it's precisely this grape tonality that I love about this fragrance. I think it's beautiful and gets ones heart pumping... at least if you are a girl like me. I love when I smell it and immediately think of painting and sweet tranquility.

Still... don't expect your boyfriend to love it.

Looking for an interesting clone of Poison, I tried this one, which I was told slightly resembles the latter. The top notes are not too bad - tingling and bittersweet, just what I usually like (and it really reminded me of Poison, just a bit though) - but then it starts to fall apart, like a child`s blocks tower - without even fully making it to the heart notes...It is probably just my skin chemistry. If you`re into bold, manifesto, strong florals, give it a try.

this is one of the most unusual perfumes, not everybody likes it and that's why I especially like it! I is a beautiful mixture, very intriguing, sweet,strong, one spray of it on your neck or your hand is enough to last you at least 4 hours, and more. It changes through time, so you fell as if you are wearing two or three different perfumes. Ideal for colder days, because it is a bit heavy, but it doesn't have that bitter note that stays in your nose and throat after you smell it, on the contrary! I would recommend this scent to those who wish to emanate an unusual,attractive and sexy aura