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03/09/2023
GeorgeReid
37 Reviews
GeorgeReid
Helpful Review
7
Definitely Sweet and Bold … but Was it Worth the Hype?
Last summer, I embarked on a fragrance journey exploring scents at the Macy's flagship store in New York City. Among the vast array of fragrances, a few stood out among the various fragrances that were offered as samples. Jean Paul Gaultier's Ultra Male was one of them.
As the hype surrounding this fragrance has died down since its release in 2015, this presents the perfect opportunity to assess whether Ultra Male truly lived up to its earlier acclaim.
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Ultra Male's opening is a familiar blend of mint and lavender that is reminiscent of the original Le Male fragrance, but it comes with an added twist. The infusion of a juicy pear note adds a fruity touch to the fresh introduction that is impossible to ignore. It is a surprising, yet welcome shift.
During the dry down, Ultra Male ditches the freshness for a sweet and gourmand profile because of the cinnamon and vanilla notes. The presence of lingering amber notes adds to the fragrance's overall sweetness. None of this is a surprise, as this is also present in the original Le Male.
Overall, Ultra Male attempts to be a daringly sweeter adaptation of the iconic Le Male scent, and it succeeds beyond expectations. Whether you are a lady or a gentleman, if you have an affinity for sweet fragrances, this scent will leave you absolutely enamored. Conversely, if sweet scents annoy you, encountering Ultra Male can be a nightmare.
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It is hard to discuss the Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male bottle design (and by extension, every Le Male bottle) without bringing up the iconic mannequin bottles with their distinct crotch bulge. I do not have strong feelings about the bottle design, but it is notably divisive. Some individuals love the unique shape that differentiates itself from other bottles. For others, the bottle design is enough to turn them away from the fragrance. At least the midnight blue opaque coloring is a pleasant touch.
That being said, the functionality of the bottle takes precedence over its aesthetics. With Ultra Male, simply pulling the pin and pressing the nozzle produces a satisfactory mist with minimal effort.
Ultimately, while the bottle design may not have universal appeal, the functionality of the spray mechanism is commendable.
----
For performance, Ultra Male is a standout among designer fragrances currently available on the market. With just two sprays, this scent projects throughout a moderate-sized room for 4-6 hours, leaving behind an impressive sillage trail that lingers for at least 15 minutes after the wearer has left the area.
Also, Ultra Male's longevity is simply unmatched, lasting on the skin for an impressive 12 hours - enough to see you through an entire night with ease.
On one hand, if someone seeks a subtle fragrance, Ultra Male is NOT that scent. However, for the attention seeker, it delivers a powerful performance and is sure to leave an impression (positive or negative) on those who experience the potent projection and remarkable longevity.
----
With seasonal use, Ultra Male presents an interesting dichotomy. The scent profile is a fascinating blend of sweet and fresh notes should make it a versatile fragrance across different seasons, but that is not the full story.
Its strength and intensity make it ideal for cold weather, and it works exceptionally well in winter. However, the fresh and fruity aroma of Ultra Male also makes it an excellent choice for spring or during summer nights, where it can add a touch of sweetness to the warm weather.
That said, Ultra Male's sweetness can be overpowering and cloying when worn during the summer daytime when it is hottest. Similarly, the fresh scent can work in the fall, but even as a sweet scent, it can feel somewhat out of place with the autumnal atmosphere.
While using a strong fragrance like Ultra Male in certain social situations such as the office or the gym might not be the brightest idea because of the strong sillage, it truly comes into its own in other settings. For instance, during leisure time spent outdoors or at a large indoor party, this fragrance is an absolute showstopper that draws attention and helps create a vibrant atmosphere. Perfect for people who want to stand out.
And while Ultra Male might not always be a surefire hit on a date night. It is a winner if your partner loves sweet fragrances. (If not, well, you have a charming personality, right?)
----
I must note that the fragrance world is currently moving towards fresher, more subtle scents, which is why Ultra Male fell to the wayside. However, in my opinion, the hype behind the fragrance was genuine.
However, the hype is meaningless if you are not a fan of sweet fragrances, or you seek a scent that is more intimate than attention-grabbing. In these instances, Ultra Male is not the right scent for you.
That said, if you are in the market for a year-round sweet and fresh evening fragrance that will turn heads when you enter a room, then Ultra Male may be just what you are looking for. Those who appreciate this bold, attention-grabbing scent are sure to be equally impressed by its longevity and impressive performance.
As the hype surrounding this fragrance has died down since its release in 2015, this presents the perfect opportunity to assess whether Ultra Male truly lived up to its earlier acclaim.
----
Ultra Male's opening is a familiar blend of mint and lavender that is reminiscent of the original Le Male fragrance, but it comes with an added twist. The infusion of a juicy pear note adds a fruity touch to the fresh introduction that is impossible to ignore. It is a surprising, yet welcome shift.
During the dry down, Ultra Male ditches the freshness for a sweet and gourmand profile because of the cinnamon and vanilla notes. The presence of lingering amber notes adds to the fragrance's overall sweetness. None of this is a surprise, as this is also present in the original Le Male.
Overall, Ultra Male attempts to be a daringly sweeter adaptation of the iconic Le Male scent, and it succeeds beyond expectations. Whether you are a lady or a gentleman, if you have an affinity for sweet fragrances, this scent will leave you absolutely enamored. Conversely, if sweet scents annoy you, encountering Ultra Male can be a nightmare.
----
It is hard to discuss the Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male bottle design (and by extension, every Le Male bottle) without bringing up the iconic mannequin bottles with their distinct crotch bulge. I do not have strong feelings about the bottle design, but it is notably divisive. Some individuals love the unique shape that differentiates itself from other bottles. For others, the bottle design is enough to turn them away from the fragrance. At least the midnight blue opaque coloring is a pleasant touch.
That being said, the functionality of the bottle takes precedence over its aesthetics. With Ultra Male, simply pulling the pin and pressing the nozzle produces a satisfactory mist with minimal effort.
Ultimately, while the bottle design may not have universal appeal, the functionality of the spray mechanism is commendable.
----
For performance, Ultra Male is a standout among designer fragrances currently available on the market. With just two sprays, this scent projects throughout a moderate-sized room for 4-6 hours, leaving behind an impressive sillage trail that lingers for at least 15 minutes after the wearer has left the area.
Also, Ultra Male's longevity is simply unmatched, lasting on the skin for an impressive 12 hours - enough to see you through an entire night with ease.
On one hand, if someone seeks a subtle fragrance, Ultra Male is NOT that scent. However, for the attention seeker, it delivers a powerful performance and is sure to leave an impression (positive or negative) on those who experience the potent projection and remarkable longevity.
----
With seasonal use, Ultra Male presents an interesting dichotomy. The scent profile is a fascinating blend of sweet and fresh notes should make it a versatile fragrance across different seasons, but that is not the full story.
Its strength and intensity make it ideal for cold weather, and it works exceptionally well in winter. However, the fresh and fruity aroma of Ultra Male also makes it an excellent choice for spring or during summer nights, where it can add a touch of sweetness to the warm weather.
That said, Ultra Male's sweetness can be overpowering and cloying when worn during the summer daytime when it is hottest. Similarly, the fresh scent can work in the fall, but even as a sweet scent, it can feel somewhat out of place with the autumnal atmosphere.
While using a strong fragrance like Ultra Male in certain social situations such as the office or the gym might not be the brightest idea because of the strong sillage, it truly comes into its own in other settings. For instance, during leisure time spent outdoors or at a large indoor party, this fragrance is an absolute showstopper that draws attention and helps create a vibrant atmosphere. Perfect for people who want to stand out.
And while Ultra Male might not always be a surefire hit on a date night. It is a winner if your partner loves sweet fragrances. (If not, well, you have a charming personality, right?)
----
I must note that the fragrance world is currently moving towards fresher, more subtle scents, which is why Ultra Male fell to the wayside. However, in my opinion, the hype behind the fragrance was genuine.
However, the hype is meaningless if you are not a fan of sweet fragrances, or you seek a scent that is more intimate than attention-grabbing. In these instances, Ultra Male is not the right scent for you.
That said, if you are in the market for a year-round sweet and fresh evening fragrance that will turn heads when you enter a room, then Ultra Male may be just what you are looking for. Those who appreciate this bold, attention-grabbing scent are sure to be equally impressed by its longevity and impressive performance.
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