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Today, I am going back to my youth and talking about one of my guilty pleasures, which is none other than the infamous Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male. I have been wearing this for the last few days, as I usually do before I write a review and what a treat it has been. For those who don’t know, Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male is considered an amber fougere and was released in 1995 by Francis Kurkdjian. It was and still is remarkably popular despite the recent reformulations it has gone through.

I am talking about the original in this review because there are now endless “Le Males” on the market. I will list some of the flankers below. 

It had been a while since I put my nose to this scent, and I was slightly worried about what might have become of it after all these years. I say this as too many old-school fragrances of the 80s and 90s are sadly now shadows of their former selves. Does this one still hold up, and is it still worth a purchase today? Well, here’s what I have found.

Appearance

So first up, the appearance of the bottle, we all know it, and it is what it is. It’s the most cheesy bottle of a men’s fragrance there ever was, but at the same time, it’s probably one of the most iconic. 

The bottle looks the same as I remember from the ’90s, and it comes in what looks like a tin can. The bottle, shaped like a man’s torso, is a bit cheeky and very much the style of Jean Paul Gaultier. It is playful, flamboyant and fun, much like the fragrance itself. It’s one of those bottles you instantly recognise and associate with the scent.

Price and where to buy

This stuff is costly, guys. It ranges from around £70 to £80, and I’ll talk about whether it is worth that money. I don’t remember it being that expensive back in the day, so they have hiked the price significantly over the years as its popularity has grown. 

On a side note, they also have supplement products such as shower gels, soaps and deodorants with the same scent, and as you can imagine, the price of these are ridiculous.

When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.

They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.

Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇

The notes

Top Notes – Lavender, Mint, Cardamom, Bergamot, Artemisia

Middle Notes – Cinnamon, Orange Blossom, Caraway

Base Notes – Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood, Cedar

My thoughts about the scent

The scent doesn’t change much throughout its lifecycle. It is a smooth, creamy scent heavy on vanilla and lavender. It has a sweetness, with hints of mint and cinnamon, and there is nothing quite like it (at least there wasn’t when it was first released).

It’s unique and one of those fragrances that most people of a certain age could recognise, even if they don’t know much about fragrances.

Is it a barbershop fragrance?

Your traditional barbershop fragrances tend to be sharper with bright citrus and soapy type notes, which I do not detect in Le Male. With its smooth blend of lavender, mint and vanilla, I would suggest Le Male is more of a contemporary take on a barbershop fragrance. 

If it is a traditional barbershop fragrance you are after, check out my reviews of CK Eternity or Clubman Pinaud.

Has it been reformulated?

Yes, it has, unfortunately. The scent is more or less the same but weaker and watered-down. If you’re like me and were a big fan of this scent back in the day and are feeling nostalgic, consider a vintage bottle to experience that beast mode it used to have. 

The current formulation is still good by modern standards, just not what it once was, sadly.

Who is this fragrance for?

When this fragrance was released in 1995, it was initially aimed at a younger crowd. It was widely adopted by those who were into the 90s and early 2000s clubbing scene, which was one of the main reasons for its enormous success. It was the Paco Rabanne One Million of its day without that over-sweet, bubble gum-type essence.

At its peak, every man and his dog had a bottle of this stuff, which became quite the phenomenon. Its flankers have now superseded it, and it is now more of a collector’s item for many men in their 30s and 40s (myself included). I recommend it purely for nostalgia for someone who knows Le Male from old and enjoyed it.

Ultra Male or Elixir are better options if you are entirely new to the Jean Paul Gaultier lineup. They are much more refined with better performance, but I’ll discuss them in another review.

Performance

I know it is a watered-down version of the original, but the performance is still up there. One thing you must remember about Le Male is that it was an absolute monster when it first came out. It was designed to make you stand out in the club, and it will still do that, just not like it used to. 

You’ll get a solid 8 hours of longevity at the least, which will project very well for most of that. As far as the performance goes, you shouldn’t have much of a problem with it. You will receive those compliments, especially from those unfamiliar with it. You will also get the nod of approval from those like me who remember the 90s and early 2000s well.

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Where to wear

Throughout most of my 20s, this fragrance was my signature scent and served me well. However, times have changed, and I was younger then. This is not a fragrance for the mature man, nor is it particularly masculine, so sadly, I have had to move on. 

I don’t think it would be a good signature scent for today’s man, but it would be acceptable for occasional use. It won’t let you down in the club and will do exactly what it says on the tin, which is funny because it does actually come in a tin.

When to wear 

You’ll want to avoid this in the warm weather, as it’s pretty heavy. Stick to the colder seasons for the best results.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Decent longevity and projection
• Good compliment puller
• Great for clubbing, nights out, etc
• Something a bit different from the norm
• Very addictive scent
• Great warm scent for cold weather
• 90s nostalgia

Cons

• Reformulation is not as good as the original
• Could be too sweet for some
• It is a little dated compared with more modern releases
• Could be overpowering if worn in the wrong setting

Should you buy it?

So there you have it, the original “club banger”, as it was known. I was never much of a clubber myself, but I was and still am a fan of this fragrance. It would be worth the money for people like me, who like to experience a little nostalgia now and then.

If you are a younger guy well into your Dior Sauvage and Bleu De Chanel, you may find this a little dated and would be better off looking elsewhere. If you don’t give a damn about all that, by all means, give it a shot, it’s a great scent and was popular for a reason.

As always, share your thoughts and memories about this fragrance in the comments below.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

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It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.