Fragrances ReviewedWith a name like Ultra Male and a flamboyant male torso-shaped bottle this fragrance has a little surprise in store for you: It isn’t as masculine as you would think.
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Overview
Ultra Male is an oriental vanilla men’s fragrance released by Jean Paul Gaultier in 2015. It is the reinterpretation of the original Le Male released 20 years prior. The nose behind this one is Francis Kurkdjian, the same nose behind the original Le Male. It is an EDT and it comes in 40, 75, and 125 ml bottles which is a bit unusual as there is no 100 ml bottle despite the fact that 100 ml is the industry standard. Enough of my babbling, let’s get on to the ratings.
Presentation
JPG Ultra Male
The package and bottle on this one: awesome. That’s the only word to describe it. The theme here is the dark navy blue. The key word here is “navy”. The packaging: a barrel-shaped tin can in the likeness of cargo on a navy ship. The logo: an anchor. Once you open the barrel (the package) you are greeted with the masculine torso-shaped capless bottle that’s navy blue colored keeping along with the theme. It gets bonus points for style and creativity but especially for the fact that it’s solid and durable case acts as a carrying case that doesn’t take up a lot of space. Kudos to Jean Paul Gaultier for this one. Score: 10/10
Juice (Scent Composition)
The biggest shock about this one is the juice. Once you get past the name and the bottle, you expect to be hit by a loud, macho scent, something along the lines of Dior Fahrenheit. But no. What you get here is a sweet and warm explosion of pear, vanilla, lavendar,mint and cinnamon. It’s the very definition of contrast: Sweet (pear) but spicy (cinnamon). Cool (mint) but warm (vanilla).
It confuses you: one minute you are convinced that it’s a unisex fragrance. The next time you put your nose to it, you start to have doubts as you recognize the manly undertones in the accords.
The thoughts that are evoked when I smell it: “clean”, “sweet” “spicy”, “warm”, and “loud.”
If I were to describe it in Layman’s terms, I would say that it smells like Cinnamon Pears and a stick of solid fresh men’s deodorant.
This scent is amazing. The more you wear it, the more you love it.
Score: 9/10
Performance
Projection: Ultra Male boasts powerful projection the first 2 hours. Just two spritzes are enough to easily be noticed across the room. Headache inducing if applied to excess. 9/10
Longevity: This one is a longevity champ. Consistently hits the 9-10 hour range on your pulse points. 9/10
Impressions (Complement factor): I have to say that this one is a complement grabber. Ladies love it (some describe it as a lady killer). Be prepared because you will be asked what you are wearing with this one.
I actually have a weird story with this one: I went into Debenhams at a high end mall in the UAE and when I saw this one on sale, I made a comment to the sales associate that this one is extremely difficult to find here in the Middle East (I couldn’t even find it in the Dubai airport) and I was surprised that they were carrying it. He then told me that not too long back, a local Emirati man phoned the store to inquire about it and once he was told that they carry it, he instructed them to hold SEVEN of them for him as he would be there within the next hour to buy them. Yeah, wow. 10/10
Best Season: Fall and Winter (nights)
Best Occasion: Casual all the way
Recap and Score
Presentation:
Scent
Composition:
Projection:
Longevity:
Impression:
Overall Score:
Is it right for you?
What are your thoughts? Have you tried this one? I’d love to hear them down below.