The base note is vanilla; sweet, cosy and almost-edible, vanilla gives the fragrance its oriental classification. When vanilla warms on the skin, it creates a sensual mood; it’s a note that you’ll want to breathe in for hours on end.

The name gives it away; it’s marketed as a fragrance for men. And the first time I tried it, I thought, ‘I wouldn’t wear this; it’s way too powerful and masculine’. But as it developed, I grew to love it and I definitely think I could wear it (even as someone who tends to go for typically sweet, fruity or floral perfumes!). I think that’s down to the delicious vanilla base. And I asked my Mum what she thought, and she would happily wear it because she likes to go for bolder perfumes that she can rely on. I’ll go into more detail about each specific fragrance note next, but I want to first explain the mood of this Eau de Parfum. This fragrance review will cover everything you’ll want to know about this elegant scent – from the notes to longevity. But I’m going to start with the smell! Describe Le Male Parfum in more detail: “It’s very bold so you wouldn’t need to use much of it. For me, it has an aromatic tone. I think this is a fragrance for someone who is confident in themself.”

Where would you wear it? “It’s quite strong for me, but I can see men wearing it comfortably in the day and evening. However, I think it would be great for late afternoon and evening wear.” The top note is cardamom; this spice gives the Eau de Parfum its power and strength thanks to its hot, almost aromatic tone. You may be familiar with the original Le Male Eau de Toilette, whether you know it for its oriental-aromatic scent or its iconic bottle. 25 years later, Jean Paul Gaultier have added another full-bodied fragrance into the mix: Le Male Le Parfum. And it’s been given a bold, intense and woody-oriental revamp.

When you first spray Le Male Le Parfum, it feels very masculine and intense: it’s a fragrance that wants to be noticed. It’s warm, spicy and strong. But it reveals a more elegant and sophisticated tone as it develops – and somehow, it does so without losing its strength.A special mention has to go the perfumers, Quentin Bisch & Natalie Garcia-Cetto. You might recognise their names; they’re behind a number of Jean Paul Gaultier’s well-loved Le Male fragrances. Eau de Parfums generally last four to five hours. When I tested this fragrance out with my Mum and Dad, that was one thing they both took away from it: it’s very long-lasting. The longevity of a fragrance can admittedly vary from person to person, but we’ve certainly been impressed by it. It surpassed the four-hour test for me; when I wore it on my wrist, I could still smell a subdued, vanillary tone long after six hours. In fact, my Dad tried it at 2pm one afternoon and – after exercising and showering in the evening – could still smell it faintly on his wrist the next morning. What do you think it smells similar to? “I can’t think of a specific fragrance that it reminds me of. But because it’s so intense, it reminds me of a confident professional.” I’ve made it clear by now that my Mum and Dad have kindly agreed to help test Le Male. They’re both in their 50s and self-confessed fragrance novices, so I was intrigued to find out what they thought…

What do you think it smells similar to? “I can’t think of a perfume that it smells similar to. But it’s longevity reminds me of the moment when you step into a lift and someone’s wearing a confident perfume that fills the space – and you instantly want to know what it is!” And here at Escentual, we think it’s important that you choose a fragrance that suits you and makes you feel confident, regardless of what the perfumer intended. Describe Le Male Parfum in more detail:“It’s very bold at first but that’s what I like about it. Even though it’s supposed to be for men, I could see myself wearing it because I like strong perfumes. Plus, I think it mellows nicely, so it feels more elegant as it develops on your skin.”The heart notes are lavender and iris; this floral pairing adds a sense of vibrancy. Aromatic lavender is refreshed by iris, a powdery note that can be used to create a woody feel. If you know the original Le Male Eau de Toilette well, then you’ll notice a lot of the same notes – the bases both use vanilla. But where the 1995 edition offers a fresher start as it opens with mint, this fragrance opts for a hotter alternative and adds a dash of iris to revitalise the heart.