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Le Beau is a series that has really been strong for Gaultier this decade. The original Le Beau EDT is well liked and it has spawned numerous flankers already. The most popular of which, is probably Le Beau Le Parfum.
In this post, I want to compare and contrast these two colognes, to see which one is superior. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the best one to buy?
Tale of the Tape: Le Beau vs. Le Beau Le Parfum
Le Beau EDT
Notes include: bergamot, coconut wood, tonka bean
Click here to try: Le Beau by JPG
Le Beau Le Parfum
Notes include: ginger, pineapple, sandalwood, ambergris, iris, cypress, coconut, tonka bean, woods
Click here to try: Le Beau Parfum
Read my full review: Le Parfum
Opening
Le Beau EDT starts off with its citrus and coconut wood blended together. It’s got a fresh and blue-ish tone to it, at this early stage. Not nearly as complex as, what you’re going to get with Le Parfum.
To me, this one really gets going once the tonka bean note has ramped up and the bergamot has settled. That’s when the creaminess of the fragrance unfolds.
With Le Parfum, I get a really tropical vibe with the pineapple coming out of the gate strong and the coconut note sitting underneath.
It’s juicy, creamy, and sweet with an added light spiciness from the ginger note. I like the addition of the ginger here.
The ginger will fall away and the pineapple will lose its prominence at the top. Coconut, tonka bean, amber, and a general set of woods will dry this one up and take away the juiciness of that tropical vibe, at least.
Which Gaultier is better? I’m giving the opening act to Le Parfum. The start of Le Beau EDT is my least favorite part of the cologne. The bergamot, coconut, coconut wood combination isn’t as good as the depth found in Le Parfum.
Edge: Le Parfum
Projection
Le Parfum beings with a good amount of power and projection. It’s not too heavy of a fragrance, but it will project itself off the skin and can fill a room early on with enough sprays.
But, that’ll temper down and the sillage here is basically above average.
Still, it’s definitely got more reach and intensity than Le Beau EDT.
Edge: Le Parfum
Longevity
Le Beau EDT isn’t a great performer. It’s pretty middle of the road, overall. For me, it’s the worst of the line with how long it lasts. 5-6.5 hours, is what I get out of this one. Even below what I get with Flower Edition, as lighter and fresher flanker.
Le Parfum is the longest lasting of the Le Beau series thus far for me. It will go for 9-10 hours, on my skin.
An easy win for Le Beau Le Parfum here.
Edge: Le Parfum
Versatility
Seasonally, both of these are best for spring and summer. Le Beau EDT might be better in summer than Le Parfum. But, I think Le Parfum extends its wear better into autumn than EDT.
I’d skip the winter with either.
Both are more of a casual to nightlife sort of cologne than anything. Not a formal or dressed up kind of cologne, in either case.
Not really an office wear or anything. Each is suited for younger guys, mainly. Likeable fragrances that are both already popular and are attractive in a fresh and sweet kind of way.
Edge: Push
Overall Scent
Overall, which of these Le Beau colognes do I like more?
Personally, I’m not a super fan of either of these scents. They’re more of fragrances that I enjoy and both have mass appeal.
With EDT, I’m not a big fan of the opening. It’s nothing too interesting and it’s kind of annoying to me. However, the middle and the dry down of this fragrance are really nice. I like the coconut, tonka bean, and the woodiness.
Creamy and has just the right amount of sweetness. The problem is that it’s not too strong at this point. Not completely weak, but I wish it had more power, by the time Le Beau EDT really gets into the best part.
I’ll pick Le Beau Le Parfum. The opening is better, this is more complex, has a stronger and longer lasting wear, and still does a lot of what the EDT brings to the table.
The trade off is that it is woodier and has an added amber, which makes the latter stages less enjoyable for me. Still likeable, just prevents it from being something I really want a bottle of.
So, neither is a love, but I’d lean more towards Le Parfum in this match up. If you want something simpler, easy to wear, and cheaper; Le Beau EDT can do a good job.
Winner: Le Beau Le Parfum
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides.