Jean Paul Gaultier: The Scents Of His Cologne

Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male is a men's cologne with a distinctive scent that has been described as aromatic, sweet, and...dated. It was first launched in 1995 and has since become a classic, with a provocative bottle design and lasting success. The cologne features top notes of lavender, mint, cardamom, bergamot and artemisia; middle notes of cinnamon, orange blossom and caraway; and base notes of vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood and cedar.

The cologne has an intense, masculine and spicy opening, with a strong cardamom note that gives it power and warmth. The heart notes add a floral, vibrant touch, while the base notes of vanilla and tonka bean provide a sweet, cosy and almost edible finish.

While the original Le Male has a fresher opening with mint, the 2020 version, Le Male Le Parfum, opts for a hotter alternative by adding iris to the heart notes, giving it a more intense and woody-oriental character.

Le Male has been described as an old-school and dated fragrance, with an aromatic composition that feels increasingly obsolete over time. However, it still has its fans, especially those with sentimental memories of the scent. It is best suited for mature men and is versatile for casual, date and office wear, although it is recommended to avoid spraying it in summer due to some deeper notes.

The scent is aromatic, sweet, and dated

The scent of Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male is aromatic, sweet, and dated. It is a strong, sweet, and spicy fragrance with a dense, manly base. The scent is built on contrasts: traditional and bold, fresh and mild, strong and sensual.

The cologne opens with a sharp, aromatic energy from the lavender, mint, and artemisia. The aromatics offer a green, slightly spicy, and softly floral aroma, with herbaceous undertones. The vanilla note, pulsating up from the base, provides a robust sweetness throughout.

As the fragrance progresses, the aromatics lose their vigour, and the cardamom becomes more pronounced, projecting a warm spiciness similar to Le Male's modern flanker, Le Male Le Parfum. The subdued amber and woody notes also contribute to the base, adding depth.

Overall, Le Male doesn't vary significantly from opening to close. It is aromatically potent at the start, with mellow woody nuances at the end. The scent is suitable for mature men, evoking an old-school, dated vibe. It is versatile and can be worn casually or on dates and is office-friendly.

It's long-lasting

Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male is a long-lasting fragrance. Its longevity has been described as "impressive", "very long-lasting", "beast mode", and "olfactory calamity". One tester was still able to faintly smell the fragrance on their wrist the morning after applying it. Another tester reported that they could still smell it on their skin after six hours.

However, some sources claim that the longevity of the fragrance has decreased over the years. One source states that the original formulation could last for 12+ hours, but the newer formulations only last for around seven hours. Another tester reported that they could no longer smell the fragrance after four hours.

It's only suitable for mature men

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier is a mature, classic fragrance that has been around since 1995. Its aromatic, sweet, and dated scent is well known due to its provocative bottle. The cologne contains notes of vanilla, lavender, mint, artemisia, cardamom, amber, and woods. It is suitable for men aged 35 or over and can be worn in any casual situation or on dates. However, due to its deeper notes, it is best to avoid spraying it in the summer.

The cologne's scent is intense, warm, spicy, and strong, but it reveals a more elegant and sophisticated tone as it develops. The top note is cardamom, which gives the cologne its power and strength. The heart notes are lavender and iris, adding a sense of vibrancy. The base note is vanilla, creating a sensual mood.

Le Male is an iconic cologne with a risque bottle that has been adored across the globe for decades. However, its aromatically sweet composition has become increasingly obsolete as time goes on, and there are better options for men without a nostalgic attachment to the fragrance.

It's versatile

Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male is a versatile fragrance that can be worn in any casual situation, on dates, or to the office. It is suitable for wear during any season except summer, and for any time of day or night.

The fragrance is described as aromatic, sweet, and dated, with notes of vanilla, lavender, mint, artemisia, cardamom, amber, and woods. It is long-lasting, with a robust sweetness that is persistent throughout. The scent is more aromatically potent at the start, with mellow woody nuances at the end.

The original formulation of Le Male was known for its beast mode performance, with 12+ hours of longevity and projection. However, reformulations over the years have reduced its performance, and it now offers closer to 7 hours of longevity and solid projection from the skin for the first 4 hours.

While the scent may be considered too old or dated by some, particularly those without a nostalgic attachment to it, it continues to be a versatile and well-loved fragrance by many. It has a strong association with the 90s and is often regarded as an old-school, classic, and iconic scent.

Le Male has a wide range of flankers that offer similar notes but with modern twists, such as Ultra Male, Le Male Le Parfum, and Le Male Elixir, which may appeal to those who find the original too outdated.

It's unisex

Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male is a unisex fragrance. While it is marketed for men, it has been described as having a delicious vanilla base that makes it appealing to women as well. One reviewer notes that the scent is reminiscent of a barbershop and old-fashioned talcum powders, pomades and aftershaves, with a sweet—but not cloying base. The vanilla base is complemented by top notes of mint, artemisia, and bergamot, and heart notes of lavender and orange blossom.

The fragrance is intense and powerful, with a strong sillage, and is best applied sparingly. It is long-lasting, with a longevity of around 7 hours.

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