Le Mâle (1995)
by Jean Paul Gaultier

The sugar avalanche that descends as soon as I spray Le Mâle sends me running for shelter. Once the minty/synthetic-chemical top notes disappear I'm left with nothing but a spilled jar of vanilla extract.

Le Mâle may not occupy the same ninth-circle-of-the-inferno as A*Men, but it's not something I want to smell too often, either. Too bad for me, since every second guy you pass seems to be wearing it. In fact, Le Mâle is so overexposed I don't think I'd wear it even if I did like it. Not impressed with the gimmicky packaging either.

If you came from the future and had to try and replicate the smell of Caron's Pour Un Homme using only synthetic space age materials and were then told "oh yeah, and can you make it really strong?" the outcome would probably be this.

It is synthetic smelling and it is very strong. And very sweet. But I quite like it in a futuristic barbershoppy kind of way. Ultimately it's too loud for me to wear personally, but that doesn't mean it's not good. All I get is a pretty linear mint - powdered lavender - vanilla trajectory but it's longevity is applaudable. And the silage can only be described as "epic."
Possibly in the minority, but I like the bottle design and the atomiser is fantastic.

If you have a sweet tooth and a big personailty, give it a go.

Because of the popularity of this scent I was almost affraid to try it, I might like it, and thus have been purposly avoiding a masterpiece (I don't wear scents everyone already wears).
I had a tester so I could try this at home (sampling in a store doesnt always work for me 100%). When i sprayed it on it came off rather syntheticly. The next hour I kept on giving it quick sniffs, but as the time grew it seemed to get worse. There seems to be a note in there Gyvenchi's Pi also has, which I just can't stand.

After an hour it really started to give me a headache and I couldn't sleep from it! Luckily it came off pretty good when I got out of bed and washed it off with soap and covered it with a bit of Gucci PH.

So i'm glad to say: I don't like it, at all. But it raises one question for me: Why do a lot of people like this? Does everyone just have a bad taste?

Smells like John Varvatos by John Varvatos. It costs twice as much because of the reputation and the bottle. Varvatos has a classier scent without the toothpaste smell. Varvatos' bottle is a lot more stylish, and more masculine than opting for a male torso. Pay twice as much for Le Male if you're used to believing hype. Sample them both if you're smart. Nevertheless, I don't mind the Colgate, and only care about what women think about fragrances. The ladies love it, so it gets a positive.

I wore this for exactly three hours before I had to take a shower - and even then I swore I could still smell it under the soap. The base is so strong that it reminds me of what strippers seem to bathe in. And there is no "down" to the drydown; the initial assault just goes on and on. Even if this smelled better on my skin, it would be too strong for warm, humid climates.

I recommend trying this on your skin instead of paper. On my skin, a cloyingly thick basenote crept up that was completely innocuous on the card.

Question LE MALE users:

has Le Male been reformulated since its release? i used this cologne about 7 years ago and it smelled very strong and was potent. i just bought a new bottle from macy's, and it doesn't last very long (as compared to before).