Many thanks for all the reads, rates and comments - all are appreciated. An accountant by day and a ...
Many thanks for all the reads, rates and comments - all are appreciated. An accountant by day and a random reviewer by night I am not a professional writer, nor do I have any ambitions to be I guess I am just opinionated.
Member since:07.03.2007
Reviews:239
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Jean Paul Gautiere Le Male (“JPG”) is one of my favourite fragrances of all time. I was first made aware back at college after being offered a tester in a hypermarche on an excursion to France. As soon as I got back to England I had to buy some and I have not looked back since.
****Packaging****
JPG has the funkiest bottle of all time. Forget about Hugo Boss and the spherical bottle (the actual name escapes me), forget about the special edition Issey Miyake Summer this is the best bottle of them all.
The bottle is a man’s torso and thighs, minus the arms. The pecs are a bit too large and look like ‘moobs’ and there really is no need to include a codpiece. It adds absolutely nothing to the bottle but then I suppose that it wouldn’t be Jean Paul if this part of the bottle is missing (he did co-host Euro Trash after all). There is even a well toned butt on the back.
The bottle is blue striped, most fragrance bottles are clear, therefore
it also bucks the trend in this respect.
The bottle is so recognisable that anyone who knows the JPG brand will instantly recognise it. The bottle doesn’t even state what it is on it because it is so distinctive.
JPG bottles are available in 75ml and 125ml bottles.
The bottles are bought in a cylindrical tin can, a bit like a baked bean can without the label, that is accessed from the bottom (no tin can openers are required here). Whilst a novelty I think that it is totally unnecessary and it adds nothing to the overall product. Once the product has been purchased this additional box is likely to end up in landfill somewhere since I cannot think of that many uses for it.
****Scent and durability****
Fragrance Direct states “Le male is a woody, oriental fragrance, blending aromatic woods with fresh mint, orange blossom, lavender and wood”.
I was surprised when I read what went in to this fragrance since not one of the single ingredients is easily identifiable. Mint and orange are common odours and are usually easy to spot but I cannot identify them in JPG.
The ingredients really do compliment each other and result in a unique smell. Most modern aftershaves on the market are feminine smelling and JPG is no exception, however, this smells a lot more feminine than most. It is a scent that a woman could wear and actually get away with without being labelled butch.
It is a light and fresh smell and whilst you can tell that you’re wearing JPG it is not over powering in any way.
I find that JPG will last all day on me and requires no re-application. Whilst this is quite impressive I must stress that I work in an air-conditioned office so I cannot really test it out. I cannot comment on how long it would last on a manual worker that has been grafting on an August summer’s day for 8 hours.
****Target audience****
When you take in to account the scent, the bottle and the advertising campaign this scent is not aimed at your typical hairy arsed alpha male. It is not the scent of a ‘man’ as you will need Brut or Old Spice for that and JPG is the other end of the spectrum. It is the furthest you can get away from Brut or Old Spice.
JPG is centred round the gay community. It is created by a gay designer, shows the token gay icon sailors in the advert and has a male’s body as a bottle. It literally screams homosexuality.
Despite the above, I think that this is the scent of a modern man, one that is in touch with his feminine side, one that is not afraid to express his feelings and one that is either gay or heterosexual and comfortable with his sexuality.
****Application****
I have only seen JPG in Eau de toilette (i.e. the one with a spray applicator). I am unsure whether it is available as an aftershave, but I am not overly bothered whether it is or whether it is not.
I find the spray application helps to limit how much is used since it is all too easy to pour too much fragrance on your hands when using an aftershave. I find that aftershave also makes your hands smell of the fragrance which is not too bad but it doesn’t taste too good if you are eating a piece of fruit for example.
I find that three sprays around my neck and one on each wrist is sufficient to last me all day without the need for re-application.
****Experience****
Fragrances are a personal thing and what one person really likes there will be plenty that do not, however I have never found this to be the case with JPG. Everyone I know who has smelled it likes it.
On a night out my mates and I ensure that none of us wear the same fragrance for the fear of wearing matching ‘his and hers’ and it is always a fight to see who gets to done the JPG and this is always settled via the only way – Rock/Paper/Scissors.
I find that when I am wearing it I get quite a lot of comments about how nice it is. Women absolutely love it (I am unsure whether it is because this fragrance is quite feminine or maybe it is loaded with pheromones) and it is a great icebreaker if you are out on the pull since women actually start the conversation off for you. If only I knew about this fragrance when I was single although it does boost the ego a bit on a night out.
Due to its unique odour it is distinguishable and memorable and once you have smelled it you will instantly recognise it.
****Cost and availability****
JPG is available from loads of offline and online retailers. At the time of writing a 125ml bottle will set you back £27.95 (excluding P&P) from Pharmacy4u.com. Whilst it is quite expensive it is well worth the money.
Before you buy it is well worth shopping around for the best price since there are loads of places to buy JPG.
If buying from Ebay or some other auction site then care should be taken since there is a possibility you may buy some fake JPG at what seems like a ‘bargain’ price. Fake fragrance can be bought from many holiday destinations and I was offered a carrier bag full in Turkey for the equivalent of around £11.50 and that included some JPG that looked quite authentic.
****Conclusion****
JPG is a necessity in any man’s fragrance collection. Everything about the product is feminine, from the bottle to the scent, but it is a unique and trendy fragrance that is easily recognisable and long lasting.
It attracts a lot of attention, which is good for both singletons (it serves as an ice breaker) and attached people (it is a great ego boost) alike.
Whilst it is quite expensive it is well worth buying and is a must have. My daily usage is 5 squirts (3 around my neck and one on each wrist) and a 125ml bottle lasts me for nearly 4 months so it actually doesn’t cost that much per spray.
(Originally posted on Dooyoo under the name of Yackers1)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Since Jean Paul Gaultier's first men's collection, he has shown men that they can indulge more
in the forbidden, and that a kilt or dress can be worn with virility. A reminder to them that nothing in life is totally black or white but always a blend. Just as he made the woman in a corset as the symbol and bottle of his feminine fragrance, Jean Paul Gaultier now transforms the man in a sailor's T-shirt into both the symbol and bottle of Le Male. Notes include Wormwood, Bergamot, Cardamom, Lavender, Orange Blossom, Cinnamon, Cumin, Wood, Musk, Amber, Vanilla, Tonka Bean.
Since Jean Paul Gaultier's first men's collection, he has shown men that they can indulge more
in the forbidden, and that a kilt or dress can be worn with virility. A reminder to them that nothing in life is totally black or white but always a blend. Just as he made the woman in a corset as the symbol and bottle of his feminine fragrance, Jean Paul Gaultier now transforms the man in a sailor's T-shirt into both the symbol and bottle of Le Male. Notes include Wormwood, Bergamot, Cardamom, Lavender, Orange Blossom, Cinnamon, Cumin, Wood, Musk, Amber, Vanilla, Tonka Bean.
Mar 2nd, 2009
exceptional by (21%):
very helpful by (79%):
