I’ve found the antidote to a hot August night, and it’s Revlon Jean Naté. This is how it works: Go to the drugstore and find the bath supplies. Look on the bottom shelf for the bottles of Jean Naté After Bath Splash, and buy one. It’s the tall plastic bottle with the round, black cap. “Jean Naté” is written up the side in black script. There’s a good chance it will be on sale.
When you get it home, put the bottle of Jean Naté in the door of the refrigerator. That night before bed, when you’re cursing your lack of air conditioning, and the pets are splayed over the floor like an ad for the boneless cat and dog farm, and your honey is staying on the other side of the bed because it’s too darn hot, take a warm bath. It will cool you down right away. Then get out the Jean Naté, pour some in your palm, and splash it over your chest and upper arms. Now you’ll be so cool you’ll reach for your bathrobe. Plus, you’ll smell great!
Jean Naté first came out in 1935 for the Jean Naté company, which was later bought by Revlon. Cruising the internet, I’ve seen lists of its notes including lavender, jasmine, rose, carnation, lily of the valley, cedar, tonka, musk, and sandalwood. What I smell, though, is a quick burst of plastic and alcohol followed by a delicious, fresh lemon verbena with lavender and faint vanilla. The scent stays close and burns off quickly. You could easily splash on Jean Naté after your morning shower, and by the time you’ve had coffee and read the daily posts at Now Smell This, you’d be able to get dressed and wear whatever perfume you want without worrying about it clashing.
I’m a convert to Jean Naté now, but I don’t really consider it part of my perfume collection. Instead it’s a household necessity, like a tot of whiskey in hot water to ward off a cold or sachets of dried lavender to tuck in coats while they wait in the hall closet for winter. Besides, I’m a sucker for classic design, and Jean Naté’s cylindrical bottle, slightly wider at the top, is gorgeous.
Has anyone noticed that Jean Naté has changed much over the years? I’m new to Jean Naté — in fact, until I wrote this review I thought it was first released in the early 1970s — and I only have one bottle’s experience with it. I’d love to hear the thoughts of longtime users.
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I've been meaning to pick some up for a week or two now, actually, lol. I had a flashback while driving home from work, where I could see the bottle, smell the scent, and remember what movies were popular when I wore it, but not remember the name. The matching scented powder was the giveaway that helped me find it on Google. I loved that powder for a nice, keep-cool finishing touch.
Wow, a psychic flash involving Jean Nate! You're destined to have a bottle.
It is going to be a cooker today, and, yes, my Jean Nate is chilling in the fridge. Once I'm home from my evening plans, I'm going straight to the basement, where it's cooler. Maybe I'll even set up the air mattress down there. Does your place stay cool?
p.s. I have a scar on my shoulder from bathing a cat!
What a fun review! I love Jean Nate and always keep exactly the huge plastic bottle you described in my bathroom. It absolutely is the most refreshing thing on a hot day. Plus, I have fond memories of it…my grandmother always had a bottle in her bathroom, as well as the matching dusting powder. Along with Shalimar (which Grammy kept for special occasions only), Jean Nate is the scent that started my love affair with fragrance. I remember my Grandmother letting me have a little dab behind my ears sometimes, and I felt sooooo grown up. I also remember going once to our local department store and buying some with her – this was in the late seventies, I couldn't have been more than five or six, but I have a clear memory of her asking the girl behind the counter for Jean Nate splash and powder. (This was in the days when Revlon still had counters at department stores, and was considered a “better brand”.) As I say, my memories of it are from when I was very young, but from what I recall, it still smells very true to the original. I'm sure the formula has changed somewhat over the years, but I don't think they've messed with it too much, from what I can tell. By the way – the dusting powder is fantastic, and -if you can find it, I occasionally see it in drugstores- the shower gel is the best!
Wow, what is going on with the weather? You're having a “cooker” and it's so cool here in DC I actually put on a *sweater* last night. Something very wrong with that picture…
My boyfriend's grandmother wore Jean Nate, so smelling it makes me happy. (She was a doll). I use 4711 in the manner you describe, though. I have a bottle in the fridge next to the white wine (also chilled for medicinal purposes.)
I'll be wearing a long-sleeved corduroy shirt while bathing the beasties…but my hands and throat will be exposed! My place stays cool if the heatwave does not last longer than two-three days…I'm near the water so that helps. Sleeping in the basement is a good idea…a nice COLD stone floor….
I see Marchlion has anticipated my standard Jean Nate line: “It's the American 4711.” My mom shared with me the “trick” of refrigerating a bottle many moons ago; I'll ask her if she learned that from a peer or a “mentor.”
A few weeks ago, Walgreen's had 30oz of splash or lotion, 2/$15. Such a deal! I indulged, and am full of ammo for the hot months.
You're right, Angela…you can use this at the start of your day, and apply other scent later without ill effect. I agree with Kiki about the powder, too.
Keep that shirt buttoned up tight!
The t.v. is down in the basement, too. Maybe I'll watch a movie about arctic exploration or something like that.
It sounds like Jean Nate has lots of great memories for you! Strangely, I can imagine it blending really well with Shalimar.
I'll look for the dusting powder and shower gel.
Apparently, the late part of last week (I wasn't here, so I didn't see it firsthand) was unseasonably cool here. Now the weather is making up for it, and most Portlanders (me included) don't have air conditioning, even in their cars.
My Jean Nate is next to the vermouth, which is especially medicinal shaken with gin. We must have the same doctor.
What a steal! Right now I could use a chilled swimming pool of the stuff.
Jean Nate is one of my favorite things. I really don't consider it a “fragrance” even though they do make an EDT spray, I consider it a bathing necessity. It is fresh lemon verbana, lavender, vanilla just like you described.
I just moved to the Pacific Northwest/Seattle about two months ago from the Southeast. I thought everybody I met was so wussy about the weather. I left in May at was 98 during the move. Now it's getting hot and I didn't realize we had no a/c! Pulling out the air mattress into the basement (where our tv is too), watch Netflix, sip sangria and wear Jean Nate. I put mine in a “spritzer” bottle, chilled, it is so nice.
It sounds we have the same evening planned!
When I was growing up in the '70s and '80s, my mom always had some Jean Nate on hand for after her bath. Sometimes if I begged she'd splash some on me too and I felt “grown-up”, LOL. You've got me intrigued about trying some again! Great review.
I think I lot of women have had the same experience. I'd be interested in knowing what you think of it when you try it again.
I like the powder, too. I remember buying a bottle of the bath splash when I was in high school. It was behind the counter at the drugstore and was called *friction pour le bain.* I did my best to pronounce it with my second year French accent but the killjoy saleslady just called it friction lotion. I'll have to pick up a bottle this weekend at Walmart, while I'm buying my Coty Vanilla Musk.
Funny…just after the Jean Nate, my best friend went to Germany on vacation, and she brought me back a bottle of 4711. Now I *really* need to go out and restock both.
“Friction Lotion” sounds like something you have to buy at an …ahem… *adult* “novelty boutique”. LOL!
I have loved and used Jean Nate since my aunt wore it in the 60's. It is a wonderful hot-weather fragrance. I frequently layer my perfume over it but if I perspire, I smell only of fresh Jean Nate. I was surprised that I learned many people looked down on it because it is a drugstore item but to me it has and is a favorite.
I wore the Jean Nate splash and dusting powder in the late 70's to early 80's—–layered with Coty Wild Musk
I haven't smelled JN for a long time, but I remember it being pleasantly sweet and fresh. I hope it hasn't changed, either. Coty Wild Musk has suffered terribly since those days, probably due to nitro musk prohibition.
R, I love “friction lotion”! Now that's what I'll call it all the time.
Hmm….
Hurray! That's how I feel about it, too. It's a hot night tonight, and I'm resplendently fresh in Jean Nate.
I still haven't tried Coty Wild Musk, but I want to. I like the idea of it layered with Jean Nate. Too bad the Wild Musk isn't what it used to be.
Angela, I love your reviews of these 'golden oldies' and it is especially nice since most of them are not expensive at all
Charlie, Vanilla Fields and others…I've smelled them long time ago and remember how well they sold in The Netherlands.
Was just in the Walgreens in the Big Town last night and they had ginormous bottles of JN on sale, along with what looked like actual body lotion – that would be a bit much for me but I luuuuurve the splash! Right now it's pretty chilly here – dipping into the low 60s as the sun goes down and not overhot in the day, so JN isn't the necessity it is in the hotter months.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the 60s commercials! Remember the ones where you see a woman splash some on her torso and the next frame she's jockeying a horse in some race? Every time I see a bottle of JN that commercial comes roaring back in my mind!
4711 has a slightly crisper smell, to my nose, and is the ONLY thing to wear when it hits over 95F!
I'm glad you've enjoyed the reviews!
Jean Nate does have a little sweetness that 4711 doesn't.
The commercial sounds really funny! Like a splash of cologne could transport you immediately to the Kentucky Derby!
Love these reviews, Angela. Your line “pets splayed over the floor like an ad for the boneless cat and dog farm” reminds me of the Far Side cartoon by Gary Larson of the “boneless chicken ranch” (http://tinyurl.com/5nzx62). 100 degrees in Portland! Mon dieu! I'm so happy I live where I do.
Not sure I'd know the scent of Jean Nate, but I can't begin to imagine how much money it must have made — wasn't there a time when bottles (coated with a thick layer of dust) graced the bathroom of everyone's auntie and grandma (right next to a crocheted toilet roll cover)?
Gosh, I was looking at the bottles of 4711 just last week at the drug store and I think I really need to pick one up. I'm hoping Kevin does a review soon (hello… Kevin…?)
I think my grandma had one of those crocheted toilet paper holders–this one had a doll's torso stitched into it so that the roll looked like a hoop skirt. Very elegant.
Boy you are outcha mind! Kitty baths? Good luck…lol. My boys bathe themselves.
Oh, too bad! Fresh Musk sounds so promising, too.
well, this is a bit off-topic, but as long as we're discussing “refreshing splashes”…
Back when I had cats, I used to rub them down with paper towells saturated with Listerine. They didn't like it, but it removed loose hair, disinfected their coats, and left them nice and shiny. And it was way easier than sticking them in water!
And they probably had really fresh breath after they cleaned themselves!
I has been many many years since I used Jean Nate, but I remember enjoying that lemony scent. Now with this glowing review, I'm going to have to try it again.
At least it won't set you back much financially to try it. I hope you like it!
I love the shower gel, and although the spray doesn't work with my chemistry, it smells like a lovely green citrus/chypre on my aunt. She gets tons of compliments on it.
I really want to try the shower gel–it sounds nice.
This sounds wonderful. I will look for a bottle soon. Thanks for taking on the task of reviewing all these golden oldies – all in the interests of science…
I hope your weather cools down soon, for your sake and for the sake of those poor, boneless animals. It's lovely here in the Mid-Atlantic, which makes no sense for August.
You're welcome, of course.
Lucky for me and my animals, we had a big thunderstorm this morning that cleared the air and brought the temperature down at least 20 degrees. Heaven!
Had to interject – any cat owners considering doing this, PLEASE doublecheck the ingredients list of your mouthwash/disinfectant before doing this. I don't know about Listerine but there are certain products of this type, most commonly Dettol, that contain chemicals that are highly, highly toxic to cats and should never be applied to their coats or anything they might lick.
As a very happy of three lovely cats, all orange brothers, I too thank you for putting this info. on here. I’m sure if someone googles listerine and cats your post will come up! As a rule, I do not use ANYTHING on my cats or horses that are not specifically labeled for use on them.
Love Jean Nate, and I love the idea of putting it in the fridge in a spray bottle in the summer; how bout using one of those bottles that have the little fans attached to them that you can use in the summer to spray a light spray of water on you? That would work I think, and I LOVE the Coty Wild Musk. My alltime fav. cologne. Although I did post that alot of the Coty celeb colognes have a terrible chemical base to them, the Wild Musk is the one that works on me, I have used it for 20 years, and will use it for as long as they make it. Be sure to get the CONCENTRATED Cologne Spray, not the regular strength one. Alot of ladies do not know they make the concentrated strength one and it is so incredible and still does not cost that much!
Thanks for the tip on concentrated Coty Musk! I wouldn’t have thought to look for the difference.
Kiss those orange tabbies for me…
Thanks for the warning. As an animal lover, I appreciate it.
It really was nice. I've just put on some AG Heure Exquise… and if you just sniff at the surface, it is very similar.
A once upon a long time user – first saw it in a department store in 1968 – I was young and liked the lightness – it was as I remember, alot more expensive then – and it took off – there was a pyramid of bottles stacked next to the display of resort wear – it was January and people were dying for sun – later I quit using it at all as it became a drugstore scent, ordinary and uninteresting.
I’m still a big fan, although the first few minutes do smell a bit like melted plastic wrap. But such a cooling citrus! And a nice ambery dry down. I keep a plastic bottle of it in the refrigerator.