Le Mâle in the Navy Jean Paul Gaultier 2018
8
Helpful Review
The scent isn't as salty as I thought... "For Fans"
As a Gaultier perfume enthusiast and "Le Mâle" die-hard fan, I couldn't help but get my hands on this edition as quickly as possible. Just on principle. :) Because I am genuinely excited about their original work, as well as some flankers. Most of all, I love "Le Mâle eau de Toilette," "Le Mâle Eau Fraîche Popeye Edition," "Fleur du Mâle," "Ultra Mâle," and "Le Mâle Terrible."
The scent, I find, doesn't really smell like the Le Mâle DNA for the first time. Well, it doesn't have to, as long as it's good... but what does it smell like then? Honestly, it's hard to say, as it is just SO weak. I'm not exaggerating... even with 20 sprays, you can only smell a very faint veil that soon disappears. Or is the nose just getting tired of it so quickly? Or both? Hm.
In any case, it smells somewhat fresh, salty, sweet. When I bury my nose in the spot on my T-shirt where I intentionally applied it for the "clothing test," it briefly reminds me of Coach for Men.
But the best description is this: It smells extremely similar to Dunhill Icon Racing, just a bit less sweet, fresher, and noticeably weaker. Since Icon Racing also draws parallels to Invictus, some who don't know Icon Racing might recognize this in it. But Icon Racing really hits the nail on the head... although I find the scent of Navy better and more pleasant, but without the performance, that unfortunately doesn't help much. During further testing, it also gave me brief "La Nuit de L'Homme Eau Electrique" moments.
I would say 70% Icon Racing + 30% Eau Electrique = In the Navy.
If I had to try to understand Gaultier, I could explain it like this: When you watch the commercials for "Le Mâle," where muscular guys spray themselves with 1000 sprays after sports... one would think Gaultier wants their fragrances to be applied generously.
Why?
-> Maybe because they think their rather maritime scents work better when applied during sports or in the summer heat, if applied in low concentration but generously and massively? Then you don't offend anyone, but the distribution of the scent aura on the body is more even / better.
-> Or, because they would like people to absorb the "spray effect," the experience *pff pff pff*, more into their consciousness and see it as part of their daily routine? Don't laugh at me!! The sound of a car door closing is meticulously crafted by scientists... for the premium car experience! ;)
-> Or is it simply because they believe they will sell more if people have to bathe in it to feel it?
Hmm... I can already guess how most of you will see this.. ;P Feel free to tell us in the replies!
I just hope this isn't a sign that PUIG is now completely sinking the Gaultier brand... -.-
I found the original Le Mâle so great because it made a statement. It was a bit edgy and provocative, almost intrusive with its spice blend, probably due to the tarragon, lavender, etc.; but it still had something attractive and appealed to most because the sweetness and freshness provided a veil over it all that softened it.
This contrasting interplay was also so strong in intensity, even with 1-2 sprays of the vintage version, that it added even more to the whole and made it even more distinctive. (And exhausting if someone overdid it excessively...)
And I would really find it a shame if the brand no longer tried to uphold this spirit in a worthy manner. I mean, is it so hard to dare a little more and step out of the comfort zone? I know there is quite a bit of affordable competition now, and it probably doesn't come from nowhere that Gaultier has sold out / been bought or something.
Where Le Mâle Terrible was a step in the right direction for me, although also already weaker in concentration but still good and daring, this is now a bit of an indictment. Not very independent anymore, and also weaker than usual. The Eau Fraîche Popeye Edition is very successful though! Was that before PUIG?
Never has the label "For Fans" fit so well... because anyone who is not an idealist and lover of the brand, or has a screw loose like me, or both, is really well advised to get Dunhill Icon Racing for a fraction of the price, and thus already celebrate the intense version of "In the Navy," which will only be available in Austria in March. (:
EDIT: We're reporting live from the testing ground! I just applied a massive dose again, 2x underarms, 4x under the shirt, 2x on the neck, and 3x on the arms... In this dose, the salty scent comes across almost citrusy. And yes, now it's really good. Let's see how long haha ^^
The scent, I find, doesn't really smell like the Le Mâle DNA for the first time. Well, it doesn't have to, as long as it's good... but what does it smell like then? Honestly, it's hard to say, as it is just SO weak. I'm not exaggerating... even with 20 sprays, you can only smell a very faint veil that soon disappears. Or is the nose just getting tired of it so quickly? Or both? Hm.
In any case, it smells somewhat fresh, salty, sweet. When I bury my nose in the spot on my T-shirt where I intentionally applied it for the "clothing test," it briefly reminds me of Coach for Men.
But the best description is this: It smells extremely similar to Dunhill Icon Racing, just a bit less sweet, fresher, and noticeably weaker. Since Icon Racing also draws parallels to Invictus, some who don't know Icon Racing might recognize this in it. But Icon Racing really hits the nail on the head... although I find the scent of Navy better and more pleasant, but without the performance, that unfortunately doesn't help much. During further testing, it also gave me brief "La Nuit de L'Homme Eau Electrique" moments.
I would say 70% Icon Racing + 30% Eau Electrique = In the Navy.
If I had to try to understand Gaultier, I could explain it like this: When you watch the commercials for "Le Mâle," where muscular guys spray themselves with 1000 sprays after sports... one would think Gaultier wants their fragrances to be applied generously.
Why?
-> Maybe because they think their rather maritime scents work better when applied during sports or in the summer heat, if applied in low concentration but generously and massively? Then you don't offend anyone, but the distribution of the scent aura on the body is more even / better.
-> Or, because they would like people to absorb the "spray effect," the experience *pff pff pff*, more into their consciousness and see it as part of their daily routine? Don't laugh at me!! The sound of a car door closing is meticulously crafted by scientists... for the premium car experience! ;)
-> Or is it simply because they believe they will sell more if people have to bathe in it to feel it?
Hmm... I can already guess how most of you will see this.. ;P Feel free to tell us in the replies!
I just hope this isn't a sign that PUIG is now completely sinking the Gaultier brand... -.-
I found the original Le Mâle so great because it made a statement. It was a bit edgy and provocative, almost intrusive with its spice blend, probably due to the tarragon, lavender, etc.; but it still had something attractive and appealed to most because the sweetness and freshness provided a veil over it all that softened it.
This contrasting interplay was also so strong in intensity, even with 1-2 sprays of the vintage version, that it added even more to the whole and made it even more distinctive. (And exhausting if someone overdid it excessively...)
And I would really find it a shame if the brand no longer tried to uphold this spirit in a worthy manner. I mean, is it so hard to dare a little more and step out of the comfort zone? I know there is quite a bit of affordable competition now, and it probably doesn't come from nowhere that Gaultier has sold out / been bought or something.
Where Le Mâle Terrible was a step in the right direction for me, although also already weaker in concentration but still good and daring, this is now a bit of an indictment. Not very independent anymore, and also weaker than usual. The Eau Fraîche Popeye Edition is very successful though! Was that before PUIG?
Never has the label "For Fans" fit so well... because anyone who is not an idealist and lover of the brand, or has a screw loose like me, or both, is really well advised to get Dunhill Icon Racing for a fraction of the price, and thus already celebrate the intense version of "In the Navy," which will only be available in Austria in March. (:
EDIT: We're reporting live from the testing ground! I just applied a massive dose again, 2x underarms, 4x under the shirt, 2x on the neck, and 3x on the arms... In this dose, the salty scent comes across almost citrusy. And yes, now it's really good. Let's see how long haha ^^
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4 Comments
Le Male - In the Navy.
I'm a big fan of JPG men's fragrances myself,
and I couldn't find the scent anywhere locally,
but then I stumbled upon it as a "bargain" on eBay.
So I bought it almost blindly, relying on your description.
I've worn the scent about 4 times now...
At first, I actually find it quite salty & almost chemical,
but later on, a light vanilla note lingers.