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A Guide to Jean Paul Gaultier Men’s Perfume – 2024

I’ve tested 8 fragrances by Jean Paul Gaultier so far. Here are my opinions about them.

Looking for a new scent can feel like being lost in a huge maze, especially with all the choices from Jean Paul Gaultier. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve tried out a bunch of their perfumes, figuring out which ones are just hype and which ones are truly awesome. In this guide, I’m not just listing perfumes. Instead, I’ll share my own experiences with them. Whether you’re already a fan or just curious about trying something new, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

1. Le Mâle

The classic

jean paul gaulier le male

Quick Facts:

  • THE white floral fragrance for men
  • Released in 1995
  • Suitable all-year around
  • Decent longevity

You have probably smelled the original Le Mâle already, many times over. Since it has been on the market for such a long time, many generations of men have worn it. It’s one of the very first white floral fragrances for men and remains modern to this day despite its age. Significant discounts can be found when shopping online.


2. Le Mâle Le Parfum

Sweet and overrated

Le Mâle Le Perfume perfume by Jean Paul Gaultier

Quick Facts:

  • Best in winter
  • Sweet
  • Good for dates
  • A bit too generic

Le Mâle Le Parfum is quite different from the original Le Mâle. While the classic from 1995 is a white floral fragrance with a woody base, Le Parfum centers around vanilla and cardamom. It’s very sweet, too. Its outstanding longevity cannot be denied, as it will last for many hours on your skin. It’s definitely best worn during the colder months and is a solid choice for dates and nights out.


3. Le Mâle Elixir

A mix of Le Mâle and Scandal pour Homme

Jean Paul Gaultier - Le Mâle Elixir

Quick Facts:

  • Very Sweet
  • Potent & long-lasting
  • Honey, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Tobacco
  • Almost unisex

When you already thought that Le Mâle Le Parfum is sweet than you probably haven’t tried the recently released Le Mâle Elixir. It has a fresh lavender-mint opening and a very sweet base compromised of Tobacco, Vanilla, Tonka Beans and Honey. It’s an interesting take on the established Le Mâle formula and most of the time sold out due to its popularity. If there is one fragrance on this list that deserves the label “beast mode”, then it would be Elixir. The performance is just outstanding.


4. Ultra Mâle

The king of parties

jean paul gaultier ultra male review

Quick Facts:

  • Nightlife
  • Long-lasting
  • Sweet and fruity
  • Sexy

Yes, in my humble opinion, Ultra Male is the best fragrance by Jean Paul Gaultier. It’s often cited as the king of party perfumes. What you get is a delicious, fruity pear note with a perfectly sweet tonka bean base. In short, it smells sexy. Beyond its fantastic scent, this perfume boasts great longevity and projection. Wear it on colder days to the nightclub, and you’ll be golden. Highly recommended.


5. Le Beau

The first of many Le Beau’s

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau

Quick Facts:

  • Fresh & sweet
  • Kind of generic
  • Summer fragrance
  • Youthful vibe

The original Le Beau is my least favorite from the line. It’s not that it’s bad, but it just doesn’t stand out. In three words, it’s sweet, fresh, and generic. If you like perfumes like Invictus by Paco Rabanne or Y by YSL, then you’ll probably like this one, too. It adds a certain tropical touch compared to the alternatives mentioned earlier. For everyone else, I highly recommend checking out the next entry on this list.


6. Le Beau Le Parfum

A Pina Colada made into a perfume

jean paul gaultier le beau

Quick Facts:

  • Smells like a Pina Colada (Pineapple + Coconut)
  • Screams summer
  • Sweet
  • Great performance

What do you get when you combine sweet pineapple with fresh coconut? The answer is a scent that reminds me of a delicious Piña Colada cocktail. Le Beau Le Parfum is an exceptional perfume that stands out for its uniqueness and the happy vibes it gives to everyone who smells it. Perfect for your next summer party, it marks a significant improvement over the original Le Beau, boasting great longevity, especially for a summer fragrance. Just be mindful that it’s very sweet.


7. Le Beau Paradise Garden

Le Beau with added coconut, mint and fig.

Le Beau Paradise Garden

Quick Facts:

  • Interesting twist on the Le Beau series
  • Sweet and fresh
  • Mint + Fig + Coconut
  • Artificial

The very first time I smelled Le Beau Paradise Garden, it didn’t exactly wow me. However, after wearing it a few times, my opinion started to shift for the better. It retains the sweet, fresh, and somewhat generic base DNA of the original Le Beau but introduces a tropical twist. This addition comes through as a slightly artificial-smelling mix of fig, mint, and coconut water. In conclusion, Paradise Garden isn’t as sweet as the other Le Beau fragrances and might suit those looking for an everyday wear option, though it still has a sweet profile.


8. Scandal pour Homme

Headache inducing sweet

Le Beau Paradise Garden

Quick Facts:

  • Not that interesting
  • Even sweeter than the other perfumes on the list
  • Winter
  • Party or Dating

Some say Scandal pour Homme is a quintessential Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance, criticizing it for being overly sweet and artificial. To be honest, I’ve only smelled Scandal pour Homme twice. It’s not for lack of opportunity—it’s available in almost every perfume store—but because it failed to capture my attention, feeling too generic. My verdict? It’s too sweet and lacks intrigue – skip.


Final Thoughts:

Jean Paul Gaultier is making a comeback! After a period of being somewhat overshadowed, this iconic fragrance brand is trending once again. While their perfumes took a back seat in the 2010s, the brand has returned stronger than ever. Many of their recent releases have been massive successes, especially Le Beau Le Parfum and Le Mâle Elixir. My personal, undeniable favorite is Ultra Male, which I consider one of the best perfumes available in the mid-range price category. I hope you found this list helpful!

Jean Paul Gaultier - A Guide to Jean Paul Gaultier Men's Perfume - 2024

Peter Krück

@olfactoryambition

Jean Paul Gaultier is making a comeback! After a period of being somewhat overshadowed, this iconic fragrance brand is trending once again. While their perfumes took a back seat in the 2010s, the brand has returned stronger than ever. Many of their recent releases have been massive successes, especially Le Beau Le Parfum and Le Mâle Elixir. My personal, undeniable favorite is Ultra Male, which I consider one of the best perfumes available in the mid-range price category. I hope you found this list helpful!

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