It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte used eight quarts of cologne every month. If you have similar cologne appetites, then 4711 will make it easy, since it’s one of the least expensive perfumes you can find on the market. It has a citrus standard lasting power, but since it is a fragrance that has a functional role–wake up, uplift, refresh, a couple of hours are plenty for me. 4711 also makes a great cologne bath (fill up a bath and add a few generous splashes of cologne), my favorite way to relax and wind down after a stressful day. Napoleon was definitely onto something.

I find this uplifting in the wintertime, and decently longer lasting on skin in the colder weather as well. If this were priced higher, I would gripe, but since it's so affordable I think it's totally fair to just have fleeting refreshment in a bottle for hot days! It's quite warm outside currently, and it is indeed a literal breath of fresh air. Straight down the line as truly unisex (who cares anyway, wear what you like). In the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote, the famed lead character Holly Golightly uses 4711. [14] [15]Got this out of curiosity for its history. It's a nice citrus/herb blend with a slight muskiness. It smells similar to a lot of other citrus colognes- you can definitely see its influence. But these days there are so many other fragrances with the same function as this, that have built from it and are stronger and more complex. It's nice to spritz or splash on a hot day, after bathing etc. Very refreshing, but not much strength or power (but I think the manufacturers know that since they sell such large bottles at a low price.) Relies a lot on its history and sentimentality, but at least it's cheap. I am getting a vintage bottle to see if there is any difference. I'm writing this review a little differently than normally, because apparently this will have poor longevity. overall it does sit very close to the skin and goes away in an hour or so but still great for the price if you wanna smell like neroli. Despite the fact that reapplying is extremely pleasant and I think it will be a very refreshing gesture for the summer, I don't think I'll replace it when it's finished because I've been finding other options with better performance. Or maybe yes... Maybe this classic should always remain in any collection... In any case, if you have the opportunity to travel to Cologne (Köln), don't hesitate to visit the brand's stores and get this olfactory souvenir, that's how entered my collection for the first time. Due to the cologne's usage as a surrogate alcohol, 4711 was the original telephone number of the Finnish Poison Information Centre. [17] Currently, the number directs to the branch exchange of Helsinki University Hospital.

I came upon 4711 a few years ago, looking for something Neroli-Portofino-Esque. TOO MANY people name this as a suitably similar bargain option and I firmly disagree. If that's what you're looking for, I highly suggest getting a dupe fragrance oil instead. There are some really great ones available, with longevity that puts Tom Ford to shame. But I digress. Citrus and herbs! That’s what it smells like. It’s smells nice. Very pleasant. Old skool, like visiting a vintage barbershop for a shave and a haircut, and this is what the barber splashes on you before you leave. It’s only flaw? This does not last!!!Original Eau de Cologne, launched in 1792, is apparently the cologne of all colognes - it's the one that started it all. I also spray it on my hands and inhale as indicated on the box and it's a just a simple luxurious treat! I feel more positive and energized and inspired. Considering it's so damn light that one has to re-apply every 30min, I think the price value is just fine. I got a 800ml bottle and use it when doing sports in summer, or as mosquito-repellent (likely not working) and room fragrance. Edit: I love this so much, and can't believe it was sitting *right under my nose* in the local pharmacy MY WHOLE LIFE. It's refreshing, soothing, uplifting, and clean. What I want when the weather is oppressively humid or hot, when I have olfactory fatigue, or when my tummy hurts! Like alka-seltzer for my nose. Leans slightly masculine but anyone can wear it, even a child I daresay. I find the "old lady" connotation comical, that must be a European thing. In America, we have Jean Nate. Both are in an old class of scents that were used as "bath splash," the kind of thing you might wear if you are cleaning up but not going anywhere that requires a formal perfume. (P.S.--I love Jean Nate, you can pry it out of my cold, dead, hands and I'm 38! It's a lifestyle. One that takes baths and uses fancy perfumed dusting powder.) The longevity on me seems about 6 hours (almost imperceptible at that point but still there--I apply fairly heavily when I want a long wear--cologne by its nature isn't meant to last a long time, so complaints on this aspect baffle me a bit.) RWWA Abt.33 Kölner Adressbücher.Economic Archive of Rhine Westphalia, section 33, Cologne Street Indexes