Whether producing ready-to-wear clothing, runway fashion, or fragrances, Gaultier’s style has always dazzled and dared to be different. The best Jean Paul Gaultier perfumes are sensual, provocative, and unashamedly sexy.
The first Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance, Classique Eau de Toilette, was launched in 1993 and since then his fragrances have been a mainstay of high-end perfumery. While much of his fashion blurs the lines between the masculine and feminine, his fragrances accentuate the extremes.
The 7 Best Jean Paul Gaultier Perfumes for Women
Known for his unconventional and challenging designs, we have chosen 7 of the best Jean Paul Gaultier perfumes for women by this world-renowned designer.
1. Classique Eau de Toilette
Review
Launched in 1993, Classique Eau de Toilette is an unashamedly sweet and feminine fragrance that is as popular today as it was in the mid-90s. The iconic bottle is just part of the appeal and looks beautiful on a dressing table.
Sweet and warm by turns, it begins with a classically feminine note; rose, followed by sensual notes of ginger, orange blossom, and vanilla. The base of amber is musky and slightly powdery, but the fruity and spicy notes keep it invigorating and fresh.
The overall effect is a seductive and sensual evening fragrance. Classique Eau de Toilette is best for autumn and winter.
With moderate sillage, it’s relatively non-offensive to sensitive noses; however, despite this, it’s a durable scent which can last most of the day without reapplication with longevity of 6+ hours.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Rose, Pear, Orange blossom, Star anise, Mandarin
Mid Notes:
Ylang-ylang, Tuberose, Orchid, Iris, Blackcurrant, Ginger
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Musk, Amber
Price & Reviews
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2. Le Classique Eau de Parfum
Review
Launched in 1995, just two years after the original, Classique Eau de Parfum is a little more bold and brassy than its sweeter and more sophisticated counterpart. While Classique was all about classic, feminine allure, Classique Eau de Parfum is a bit vampy, right down to the bottle.
While the original was powdery and warm, this iteration is balsamic and evokes the image of late-night seduction. Like the original, it leads with rose, but quickly diverts and makes use of more unusual notes like daffodil and rum.
The base is mostly rich, sweet vanilla that is supported by hints of sandalwood, tonka bean, and warm amber. Very classy.
Like its predecessor, Classique Eau de Parfum seems to be a cold-weather evening perfume. However, wearing it on spring days is the best choice for those who wish to make a statement. Longevity is 6+ hours.
Top Notes:
Rum, Rose
Mid Notes:
Vanilla, Orchid, Daffodil
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Tonka bean, Amber, Vanilla
Price & Reviews
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3. La Belle Eau de Parfum
Review
La Belle Eau de Parfum is all about opulence and luxury in the classic, Jean Paul Gaultier style. This fruity/vanilla fragrance is a compliment magnet.
This oriental perfume leads with sweet notes of vanilla and delicious pear mixed with zesty bergamot. The light woody vetiver base gives it a slightly harder edge than is usual for a Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance.
Perfect for autumnal days, this is both fresh and reserved, balancing sweetness and smokiness in a truly moreish way.
Moderate in both sillage and longevity of 5+ hours, this is a bold but reserved perfume which is a little less racy than the average Jean Paul Gaultier offering, but it works for, rather than against, it.
Top Notes:
Pear & Bergamot
Mid Notes:
Vanilla
Base Notes:
Vetiver
Price & Reviews
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4. Scandal Eau De Parfum
Review
Scandal Eau De Parfum is an alluringly irresistible chypre floral fragrance that blends sweet and spice launched in 2017.
The scent opens with rich honey, and its natural, earthy sweetness sets the tone for Scandal. The slightly sour note of blood orange and the smokiness of patchouli come through as the fragrance evolves.
Scandal is a complex and warming perfume that settles to dark and earthy notes of honey and patchouli with white florals adding vibrancy.
A balanced day to night scent, this perfume blooms best in cold weather and so fall to winter is the best season for wear.
With strong sillage and projection, this is an incredibly long-lasting fragrance at 6+ hours which will keep up with you, no matter what.
Top Notes:
Blood orange
Mid Notes:
Peach, Honey, Jasmine, Gardenia
Base Notes:
Caramel, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tonkabean
Price & Reviews
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5. Scandal by Night Eau De Parfum
Review
Scandal by Night Eau de Parfum is a love letter to the original Scandal fragrance.
Keeping the notes of honey and sweet-sour citrus as its opening note, Scandal by Night follows up with hints of cherry, pear, and a touch of rose to soften the sharp edges.
Sweet vanilla dominates the base, with hints of wood and smoke that seeps through to carry an air of mystique. Settles to a sweet vanilla/cherry combo with a sensual honey note.
More than this, they anchor the fragrance and make it incredibly durable with longevity of 7+ hours. This perfume will keep up with you no matter what you do. This fragrance has excellent sillage and best worn on fall and winter nights.
Top Notes:
Honey, Citrus notes, Bitter orange
Mid Notes:
Pear, Orange blossom, Cherry, Tuberose, Jatamansi
Base Notes:
Musk, Tonka bean, Patchouli, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Amberwood
Price & Reviews
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6. Scandal a Paris Eau de Parfum
Review
Scandal a Paris Eau de Parfum exudes the delicate bold femininity that Parisian women are renowned for, with this interaction of Scandal being more of a lighter, everyday version.
Following the other Scandal fragrances, this scent holds honey close to its heart and lightens it with fruity and floral notes. In this case, they are pear, which is most evident at first application, and jasmine, which brings fresh, floral notes to bear.
Overwhelmingly suited to daytime wear, this is a versatile fragrance that works well in every season, though it’s perhaps least suited to winter as lacks depth.
Relatively durable considering its delicate nature, this perfume does not last as well as the other Scandal editions; longevity is 4+ hours with moderate sillage and projection.
Top Notes:
Pear
Mid Notes:
Jasmine
Base Notes:
Honey
Price & Reviews
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7. So Scandal! Eau de Parfum
Review
Jean Paul Gaultier So Scandal! Eau de Parfum is a very different fragrance from the others in the Scandal collection. Released in 2020, it’s almost not a flanker at all.
This fragrance opens as a well-balanced fruity floral combination of orange blossom and raspberry that is not too sweet. Jasmine and tuberose bloom nicely in the heart to add some beautiful flowers.
Dry-down reveals a milky note that soothes the initial fruits and flowers, but never overpowers. Settles to a pretty white floral fragrance with sensual fruits with creamy edges.
For me, this is an any-season fragrance that smells classy and refined. It leans more to daytime wear would work well for both dressy and casual occasions.
You can expect 5+ hours of performance with good sillage and projection.
Top Notes:
Orange Blossom, Raspberry
Mid Notes:
Tuberose & Jasmine
Base Notes:
Milky note
Price & Reviews
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Conclusion
The French couturier is, without a doubt, one of the most renowned and influential designers in the world today. He founded his iconic fashion house in 1982 as the fruition of a lifelong love of fashion and beauty.
Throughout his career, Jean Paul Gaultier has redefined fashion and beauty standards at the highest level over and over again. His championing of skirts on men, especially kilts, in 1985 is just one example of how he challenged existing notions of gender and style in the fashion industry.
Today, there is a multitude of exciting perfumes in the John Paul Gaultier portfolio, and there is a fragrance for everyone. All you have to do is experiment with your options and keep an open mind! After all, if you can’t choose a perfume based solely on your personal preferences – what can you do?
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, designer handbags, luxury accessories and more.
