Reviews of Fleur du Male (2007)
by Jean Paul Gaultier

Fleur du Male has a very synthetic opening. I'd go as far as using the term cloying to describe the sweet chemical smell. This is quickly over and then much more is revealed.
Once it settles the floral heart comes to the fore and I find it to be a well balanced fragrance. As foetidus writes in his review it isn't overly sweet but manages to be quite unique. It does carry a "toned-down" version of the vanilla accord found in the original "Le Male" which agrees with my skin chemistry.
This is a "try before you buy" but thumbs up from me as I very much enjoy wearing it.

My definite summer fragrance, I get the notes i enjoy in le male yet with out it's over powering smell. Smells very clean and like baby powder to me too.

Orange blossom and vanilla. This is a cologne that lasts and last. I could still smell it the next day, wich is pretty amazing. Guys, don't worry about the name. You've probably smelled much more feminine contraptions before. This isn't a ground smashing gender breaking new perfume. No, this is a remodelation of the old le male. It's masculine and good smelling.

I was expecting not to like this one, but that didn’t happen. Fleur du Mâle is not nearly as floral or a sweet as I was expecting, and it has an interesting and unique take on the approach to a male floral fragrance. The uniqueness strikes me immediately upon application: The Petitgrain opening has, as zztopp says, a definite wood aspect to it… I find it a little startling, even – at any rate it forces me to drop my assumptions and to take notice of what is really happening. Besides the character of the Petitgrain, the opening is also influenced by the middle fern accord and the coumarin of the base. These three – Petitgrain, fern, and coumarin, along with the orange blossom floral – are responsible for the entire ambiance of the fragrance. It’s a simple fragrance and does lack complexity, but that is not a problem because its uniqueness, directness, and balance result in an interesting and enjoyable (even a bit compelling) masculine fragrance.

The bottle is too much. But I believe that its excessiveness is part of the business plan: I look at the bottle and I expect the fragrance to be crass, flamboyant, and over-the-edge vulgar, but it isn’t… the fragrance presents an admittedly edgy, though acceptable message: it is interesting, enjoyable, well put together, and not anywhere near the libertine that the bottle suggests. The florals don’t go overboard, the synthetics are manageable, the sweetness is disguised and likable. Certainly not a fragrance for me, but likely a good possibility for a young person with a spirit of adventure. Fleur du Mâle works...

I didn't like this at all at first sniff, waaaaaaaaaay too much. Then I discovered the "La Cologne" which is much lighter. NOw I understand this one. You really need to let this one settle as it is very floral and too much at first to get a true picture of it. I have to say I really don't get any synthetic smell from it at all. I am led to believe that Gaultier fragrances have, by todays designer standards, a rather high percentage of natural oils. Not for a hot humid day unless you want people to pass out around you ;o)

Initial beguiling burst of orange blossom that reminds me of spring in the Northern Cape Province in a small town on the Vaal River. The later notes are quite synthetic, but I think Fleur du Mâle is much more pleasant than Fahrenheit 32. I had to choose between FdM and Chanel's Antaeus. Antaeus won by a long shot and I haven't looked back. Thumbs Up based on the delightful orange blossom notes and ignoring the petrochemical base.

top notes: Petitgrain
Heart notes: Orange Blossom, Fern Accord
base note: Coumarin

I missed all the furore that followed the launch of Le Male and didn't really get the snarky sailor ads and that striped torso bottle. Having spent time playing (pun intended) with the Fleur du Male (FdM) bottle for the past couple of weeks, I can say without hesitation that the bottle is one of the oddest things I have felt up. A headless pale-white colored stud of a man with a prominent bulge and rounded buttocks, my little nephew who has quite a collection of Pokeman, Takara Transformers and other assorted figurines had a puzzled look on his face when I handed him the bottle. Apparently it appeals to neither of us, and it should be as well..its whats inside that counts. Does FdM sell poorly in the red states?

I don't understand all these "its too feminine for me!" comments here regarding FdM. A little insecure are we? FdM isn't half as sweet or floral as some of the more disingenious men's juices out there. Opening with a burst of well rendered and juicy neroli, perhaps because of budget limitations, composer Kurkdjian instills a woody petitgrain facet almost immediately ...this makes the opening more woody, and ironically, more masculine. The woodier aspect grows and growns before it touches base with the oh-so-familiar-but-so-sexy smooth vanillic coumarin and fern accord. Wheres the middle notes phase? Dont know...FdM skips the dinner and heads straight for third base. This signature le male accord is also more well behaved and less ravaging in this incarnation. While FdM appears to be more presentable and wearable, it comes off as less complex than le Male, with fewer notes bouncing off each other and less dynamic movement between the notes phases.

Le Male's signature accord was always a hit with the women and now FdM adds a very pleasing (also to women!) woody-neroli top note to this base. There are 15-17 year olds who complain about FdM not being manly enough for them (and these are the same hormonal teens who spend weeks growing a decent moustache amidst a plethora of facial pimples to get a date). Little do these hormonal teens know that the neroli top married to the le Male base works magic on women. Le Male, and now FdM are also (apparently) big in gay circles. Hundreds of years ago, neroli essential oil was used by Kings as an invigorating and relaxing tonic; now queens can join in the fun as well!

Rating: 7.5/10

A very light and refined fragrance. One of the most interesting male florals, it is a good choice almost anytime, anywhere. It lacks the depth and complexity of other florals, such as Ungaro III, yet I don't think it was designed to compete with them. This is easy, straight forward, with no shades at all. It was meant to be as simple as possible, yet refined enough to make a difference. It's a morale booster, a joyful scent, just like the one who wears it.

i am surprised that nobody mentions the similarities between 'fleur du male' and 'eden by cacharel'. (i had a sample of eden edp and i just recognised why fleur du male seemes so familiar). these two fragrances are very, very similar!
just try!
fleur du male should have been called 'eden pour homme' :) (it's justa little bit more masculine)
i like the scent anyway, 'coz i like eden as well.

I got this perfume as a gift. After reading the reviews on Basenotes, I didn't know whether I would like it or hate it (the chances of me being neutral about it was remote; at least that's the impression I got from the reviews). So, having received the gift, I decided to open it and smell it.

I had seen pictures of the bottle a number of times on various websites and I knew the bottle looked good. But, when I opened the white outer can and saw the bottle, I was mesmerized by the beauty of that bottle. To me, the bottle is an absolute work of art.

Now came my turn to spray it on me and smell it. I sprayed a very small amount on my wrist, and immediately could smell the orange blossom right away. As the scent of the orange blossom settled down, I could notice a distinct powdery smell. I cannot describe the smell, but I am absolutely in love with it. The longevity is definitely a plus for me as most perfumes don't last too long on my skin. All in all, I would say that FDM is a must buy for any man who wants to stay away from the humdrum fragrances and stand out in a crowd.

The world was note prepared to smell this... This may be appreciated by some basnoters but in general it is seen as "way too Floral". IMO, this is an excellent scent, just some years ahead of its time.

Gaultier has really stepped up to the challenge of creating a 'masculine' floral fragrance. "Le Fleur du Male" is a triumph where this is concerned. Where some would suggest it is 'too' similar to 'Le Male', I would disagree... 'LFDM' is as groundbreaking in 2007 as LM was in 1995, yet the two are stikingly different.
Gone are the sweet notes of mint and vanilla present in its predicessor, instead LFDM is a bold bouquet of sharp dry floral accords and spiciness that hit the back of the nose. Its drydown is fresh, yet profound.
'Le Fleur du Male' promises to deliver longevity and memorable impact when worn. Not for the faint-hearted, or those who prefer lightweight 'lollywater' scents. Pity this wasn't released by a less-commercial niche fragrance house... I would have regarded this as a 'best-kept secret'!

This is what Le Mâle SHOULD have been -- COULD have been, even. Glorious use of neroli, and proof positive that white florals for men can and do work.

I've no doubt that Fleur du Mâle is chock-a-block full of synthetics, and frankly I don't give a crap -- it WORKS. I especially like the sexy use of vanilla here, and (again) can't stop thinking about the clever way in which neroli is used in it, either.

I get tons of compliments when I don this one, and also feel very sexy and confident after having put it on. At the very least, I have to say that everyone should at least try this one once.

Hmm
august of last year, I was seeking to try le mâle (the original) store a frag store in France, i decided to also try the new fleur du mâle on the other wrist...walked away and i couldn,t stop to smelling my wrist on the way back. I thought that FDM was powdery-neroli-soft-delicate-sexy that and the original; sweetnspicy-cool-soapy-cheap-plastic-o-vanilic-sensual-musky. So it meant in my language that I liked FDM better than le mâle original.
In the mean time...
I decided to do the same operation at the airport fragrance shak to make sure what i was going to buy, but there were no more original la mâle testers..too bad!
Again, I walked away and couldn't stop smelling my wrist in the airplain (but for other reasons). This time,Fleur du mâle felt too sweet, too powdery, to opulently feminine and nauseatingly plastified, in on word: too much!
still: I give it a thumb up for being so strikingly diffrent and daring for a new release and JPG and kurkidjian for being so innovative... by the way: ladies, don't be scared of the name le Mâle (the male) to try this one out :)

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew...<br>Sweet, at first whiff. Didn't even move my head near the back of my wrist where I sprayed before sweeet Orange Blossom and Floral Accord permeated my nostrils. I think of Purple when I smell this one..the color that is.<br><br>As far as its function...<br>Perform FDM on a HOT summer day near the ocean. The breeze will carry a drydown YOU CAN'T RESIST. Its quite the 'powder persona', I'll admit. Some of the original Le Male stands behind it though.....<br><br>Fleur du Male is pure novelty ladies.<br><br>Gentlemen, I hope you are the confident-masculine type. This one is PH balanced for a Man and can suit some Women!<br><br>Apply FDM approx 20 minutes prior to stepping out. The drydown will have already kicked in, and people won't wrinkle their noses.

NOW THIS RIGHT HERE IS DEF MY STYLE! I dont know why all the bad reviews... but i can say this.. @ first i could not get with the smell it was 2 much 4 me.. but give it 5-10 minutes & u will luv it! its a nice warm smell.. i smell the orange immeaditly! & i also smell the vanilla! & the fern rounds it out. but this is my top romantic fragrance! thank u Jean Paul Gaultier! i will b looking 2 purchase the deoderant 4 this!

Love this scent. In my opinion, I think I like this a tad-bit better than Le Male

Smells exaktly like JoMalone Orange & Flowers. A very noble unisex scent.

Francis Kurkdjian has made some of my favorite scents of late. This stuff is nauseatingly stuffy right out of the bottle. It almost seems like someone sprayed it on cotton balls and them shoved them up your nose.

But....if you can get past that, the drydown will last for hours, and the scent seems more manly. I am amazed that Kurkdjian could make this scent, followed by Narciso Rodriguez. Rodriguez screams, "I am here and I am a sweaty man." Fleur du Male screams, "I am here, but I might be gay." ---but if you are confident in your masculinity, you can pull off either one.

WOW!
FDM is AMAZING! Very sexy and special. Floral notes in the beginning, then it dries down to a seductive alluring love magnet. Good sillage and longevity also.
Wear FDM and get ready for passion!

I bought this blind...the reviews and shock as a result of creating an obviously floral-based scent for men, not in the way the market would expect a floral for men to be done--subdued, hidden, transparent. Nope, not Fleur du Male thank goodness. The neroli in this scent is forceful, enveloping. It's all about neroli at first, it's spicy sweet, almost candied with the caramelized vanilla at the base already giving its support. As the Neroli eases up, the fern accord emerges, tempering the carnal qualities at the base. And finally, as the fern subsides, an addictive, sensual musk emerges. Not subtle, but like raw sexual energy--heat, sweat, adrenaline, heightened sensitivity. Longevity is excellent, it refuses to bog down.

Neroli has become one of my favorite notes. I love L'Occitane's Neroli EdP, with a woodsy quality with a vanilla drydown. There's definitely a kinship of FdM with Le Male and Gaultier2 with its warm, ambery and musky qualities.

I'm happy that florals for men are emerging into the market. It's ludicrous to think that florals are taboo for men. FdM is not for everyone, but definitely a choice for men who want scents with a floral nature.

Thumbs way up for this one!

This one seems to have evoked some very strong opinions! I tried Fleur du Male the other day and I find it to be lovely. I found it to be very feminine but I could definitely see a man who is very sure of himself pulling it off with ease. I myself would love to have a bottle and even contemplated buying it for the hubby but I new he would see right through my plotting!

What an interesting orange blossom! Neither Turkish delight nor cleaning fluid, but a third face I haven't encountered before. It's powdery, but without all the usual gourmandy sweetness, and the result is dry and smoky. It reminds me of leather and lapsang souchong tea, but the scent is still firmly dominated by orange blossom, just an orange blossom with leathery and smoky qualities. I even get a dry feeling in my nose when inhaling it, like inhaling dust or smoke, but it's not unpleasant. The ad with the dude bathing in that disgusting white fluid is all wrong, he should be rolling around in a pile of white powder instead!

I confess that I'm seduced by the Baudelaire name and the über-kitsch white torso bottle though. I might not have liked the scent so much otherwise.

My first reaction was, "This is a MEN'S fragrance??". It's incredibly feminine. I like it, and might just purchase some for myself! I'm a woman, by the way... ;-)

Fleur Du Male…It’s heaven…I love it…
To me its is amazing…so lovely and yes it actually smells masculine…To me this perfume is falling in love…every time I smell it…it lefts me up…its amazing…It will take time for people to get to used to it…but when it does…it will be as successful as Le Male…
Lets face it nothing out there smells like it…not even Le Male!
I’m also falling in love with the color white…I never noticed how nice it really is…until this bottle came out…
I love it…I love it …I love it….I’m Lovin it! Fleur du Male...can't get over it...love at the third smell.

P.S…Its soo worth the cash!

I think the advertisement definitely tells everything about fregnance to you. Once you spray it on you gives you the feeling of coming out of milk-bath full of flowers. Exactly the way ad is. Don't you think so.
I am so buying it...

well. after expecting for it to finally arrive, i tried it and got...this very funny impression, like the lady has given me Gucci eau de parfum I, insteand of the new jpg for men...=))
yes, folks. this is the mighty Gucci Eau de Parfum I, only for men. The opening is orange blossom,only it smells like something you'd use to spray mosquitos away. i love bug-spray fragrances,i just never found one suitable for men. now i found it =)).
seriously, a very well blended floral-oriental vanilla-based scent for men. it's fresh enough though. the bottle and the opening is somewhat similar to the new Fahrenheit 32.i'm noticing a trend here for 2007...i like where things are going..

It is, firstly, a most DEFINITE try before you buy!

I had a big problem with all the posts on here, nothing gave me a good idea of what it smelled like. Gaultier's new creation is wonderful! It is a masterpiece and there is NOTHING else like it! It starts out with a BLAST of floral with Le Male lingering somewhere between the powdery smell. I wouldn't be surprised if all of the middle or base notes were Mint, Lavender, and Vanilla!

If you want a GREAT idea of what Fleur du Male smells like. Thing of Le Male with baby powder over it. Its soft, floral, and talcy! I love it--
I bought a bottle once i smelled it!

i love this, i recently got it and it has a flowery feminine yet masculine feel to it, very edgy it's among my favorites.

WOW.. You either like it or not. I love it. I own the classic and have had the Gaultier 2. But this one, I heard about on here, it took a while to be released. I received a sample the other day. Initially I wasnt sure what to make of it, but after walking around and taking sniffs. I found myself loving it and went back to get a bottle. Its very subtle, yet powerful and I have gotten nothing but compliments from people who have gotten a whif as I passed by them. Worth trying to see if its for you or not, but for me, Gaultier has another hit as this and the classic are very different blends and not to forget the gaultier 2, which is a different blend as well and depends very heavily on your skin chemistry

At first I really did not like this fragrance. It smelled too flowery for a mens fragrance and for me, even though I am usually a big fan of the more feminine male scents. But about an hour later when I took a big whiff of it again, I could much easier smell the Le Male basenotes and began to really like this. I reaaaaaaally like this scents drydown.

Excellent modern oriental take on orange blossom.
Classic Gaultier level of exuberance and lavishness. Therefore perhaps not best suited for high level board meetings or office use. Instead, wear this to a fun summernight out with good friends.

Although it certainly shares some basenotes with the original, FdM had plenty of merit of it´s own. It´s warm and spicy but also has a certain "cool" that makes it perfectly wearable in hot weather. Less projection than Le Male, but equal stellar longevity, stays on your skin until you wash it off.

A modern, eccentric, self confident neroli for urban hipsters - good stuff.

Totally different scent for man. I love it. I think, it will be big hit in UK. But - try before you buy :)

I sampled this the other day and I must say I do like it. It last very well, however, it appears to be a combination of the original le male and gaultier2. The result is a nice juice that is now my JPG scent of choice, but it still has the femme thing going on and just plain suggestive of homosexuality.

It is a tad feminine, but I fell hard for that orange blossom so I bought it immediately after my first sniff. It reminds me of a softer Fleur's d Oranger OR even the Caron's Narcisse Noir. They are my favourite scents. I will pread the words and tell my female friends to get this.

I bought this today, really enjoyed it. To me it's nothing like Le Male, i'm sure they may share the same base but on the whole it's quite a different scent. The first spray is like a big whiff of pollen, which I think some people aren't going to like, the only other thing I really smell is tyres. Very odd, but on the whole a very interesting fragrance.

Fleur du Male is all about neroli and I love it. I am particularly keen on florals (and Baudelaire). It was different than what I was expecting. It is not a "white" floral, like jasmine or carnation. There is an earthy, mossy, base accord that is very grounding and expertly extends the potent ethereal/earthy, dualistic character of the neroli. If jasmine sambac is the masculine version of jasmine, then FDM is the masculine version of neroli. The juice is very linear but not problematically so, due to its expansive uniqueness. There is a slightly synthetic note that is somewhat distracting but it seems to make the neroli more tenacious, which in the end is what it's all about. It definitely leans toward the sweet side of the spectrum but not near the vanilla/benzoin end (thank goodness). The sillage is adequate. The overall tenacity is somewhat limited, but not enough to steer me away from this super-sexy, esoteric, modern fragrance marvel. Like a hands-all-over-the-place romp in a flowering orange grove. oh la la!

This comes on strong at first as a feminine floral, but the drydown is noticeably more masculine. I was, admittedly, hesitant to spray this on when taking a whiff of it from the bottle because its top notes are quite feminine-smelling. But, I braved it and gave it a try. Very nice and very unique (to me at least). Later in the evening, I felt more comfortable wearing it because it turned more masculine as it reached its fern accord. Very long lasting....applied it at 6:30pm one evening and I could still detect its satisfying aroma the following morning before the shower. If you're comfortable and self-assured in your masculinity and who you are, you'll have no problem with this new, beautiful and unique fragrance from Gaultier.

In general florals are not for me, but as probably Gaultier wants to illustrate that men are also sensitive and sexy, why not giving it a try?It should be more delicate than the original anyway but hopefully with no lily of the valley, rose or citrusy notes.