As a German, I grew up with the scent of 4711 eau de cologne, and I missed it when I moved to the UK twenty years ago.
Fortunately, it is now widely available over here.
It is perhaps the most classic, most popular scent of all times: Light but long lasting, unobtrusive, refreshing, uplifting, stimulating, wakening.
What it doesn't offer is erotic or sensuous mood, and it just seems too light for an evenign scent.
However, I find it the perfect perfume for the daytime.
When I feel sticky and sweaty, it quickly freshens me up. When I feel tired and lethargic, a splash of 4711 and I'm instantly awake. When I'm low and depressed (happens often, because I suffer from severe chronic clinical depression), 4711 cheers me up.
It even eases a headache.
How does it achieve
that? The precise recipe is a closely guarded secret, but it is known that the ingredients are natural essential oils, including bergamot.
Small wonder, then, that we're getting an 'aromathepy healing effect'.
I find it amazing that the use of this effective 'aromatherapy' eau de cologne has its origins centuries ago. The name 4711 is the house number of the building where it used to be produced in the German city of Koeln (Cologne).
Even more amazing is that its popularity has never waned. In Victorian days, used to win 'best product' awards at all the major international exhibitions. It was as popular then as it is now.
Interestingly, perhaps because it is neither 'erotic' nor 'sweet', it also works nicely as a cologne for men. It's a real unisex product.
I have never yet met anyone who does not like it, though I'm sure there are people. The only drawback is, perhaps, its over-popularity. When I was a child, every woman seemed to wear 4711, so it doesn't have the appeal of something rare, special and individual.
Like so many cosmetics companies, the producers have obviously resolved to go more upmarket, which means it is no longer cheap. However, it is still in the lower price range and affordable.
Boots have special offers from time to time.
4711 comes in many sizes, from the tiniest flacon to the biggest bottle.
The design of the product has changed little, if it all, in over 100 years. The bottle shape is still the same - except for more recent products, such as vapourisers. The label is intense turquoise and gold, depicting all those medals won at international exhibitions two centuries ago. That's perhaps taking traditionalism a bit too far, I think.
In addition to the perfume, there are all kinds of body-care items with the 4711 scent: soaps, roll-ons, talcum powder and so on.
The ones I use most are the eau de cologne and the fragrant wipes. A packet of those 4711 wipes in sealed sachets in the handbag comes in handy on many occasions. Shame they're not cheaper, I would use them more often then.
My favourite source for 4711 products is Ebay. People sell their unwanted cosmetic gifts there, and I have been able to get amazing bargains, including a 300ml bottle for £9.99 plus postage, which is less than a third of what I'd pay in the shops.
However, if you bid for 4711 on Ebay, make sure you get a *full* bottle. Lots of perfume bottle collectors sell bottles in the 'vintage' category, and they don't bother to state that they're empty, so if you use 4711 as a searchword, exclude items in that category.
I also advise against partially used perfumes. These are very cheap, but although 4711 is quite long lasting, it does change over time. Some people clear out their grandmother's attics and will sell anything, totally oblivious to the fact that granny first opened that bottle on her wedding day.
I once bought a bottle which was advertised as 'new and unused'. Fortunately I know what it's supposed to smell like, so I realised at once that something was wrong. It wasn't unpleasant, but not the way 4711 should be. Closer examination showed that the tiny red seal was missing. The seller hadn't mislead me deliberately; she really thought she had a new bottle. She agreed to refund the price, take the product back, and sell it instead as an empty bottle in the 'vintage' category.
4711 also has a website that is supposed to guide the viewer through the 'virtual' 4711 house. Alas, I've tried it several times; each page takes ages to load and still doesn't work. Maybe you have more luck than I.
I hope you find this review interesting and helpful.
I'm pleased with myself for having written it; so I'm going to reward myself with a generous splash of 4711. Aaaah!
by (2%):
by (4%):
05.01.2008 22:58
Great review
23.01.2006 15:33
Well thats definately made my mind up, I do need some of this. I love Eau de Cologne so I'm looking forward to getting a bottle of the one that started it!
15.01.2005 00:48
Interesting indeed... especially the fact that it eases headaches.