Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal – women's and men's versions, reviews

Few designer bottles raise as many smiles as Jean Paul Gaultier's Scandal – a pair of legs in the air, wearing stockings, with a gilded "head" pointing down. Behind the playfulness, however, lies a serious fragrance: honey, gardenia and patchouli, which since 2017 have grown into a whole family for women and men. In this article we look at the DNA of Scandal perfume and at each version in turn, and we answer the two most common questions – which one is the sweetest and which one lasts the longest.

What is the DNA of the Scandal fragrance

Scandal was released in 2017 as a women's Eau de Parfum, created by three perfumers – Daphné Bugey, Christophe Raynaud and Fabrice Pellegrin. Gaultier's idea was a Parisienne with a double life: a lady by day and a rebel by night. The fragrance translates this through the contrast between radiant honey and a darker, earthier base.

The three pillars you will find in every women's version are:

• Honey and beeswax – not clear but thick, slightly waxy honey that gives the "golden" effect and the characteristic sticky sweetness.
• Gardenia and orange blossom – white flowers that open the fragrance and give it femininity and creaminess.
• Patchouli – the earthy base that makes Scandal closer to a modern chypre than to a pure gourmand.

On top sit blood orange and mandarin, which give a juicy start in the first few minutes. The result is a fragrance many people describe as "honey on the skin" – warm, glossy and highly recognisable.

In the men's line the DNA is translated differently: instead of honey and gardenia, caramel and tonka bean take centre stage, while the freshness comes from clary sage. The connecting thread is the sweetness and the provocative, playful bottle – this time a male torso, again upside down.

Scandal perfume for women: the three versions

Scandal Eau de Parfum – the original

Notes: blood orange, mandarin, honey, gardenia, orange blossom, jasmine, peach, beeswax, patchouli. This is the most balanced version – floral and honeyed in equal measure. It can be worn all year round but blossoms best in the cooler months. It works for the office if you limit yourself to 1–2 sprays and is a classic choice for dinner out.

Scandal Le Parfum – more intense and sweeter

Le Parfum deepens the gourmand side: the honey is wrapped in a caramel, salty and vanilla effect, and the jasmine stays closer to the skin. The result is more velvety and sweeter than the original, with less citrus radiance at the start. If you like Scandal but find it too "sharp and honeyed", Le Parfum is the rounder option.

Scandal Elixir – the evening, most concentrated interpretation

Elixir adds dark berries (blackberry), pink pepper and cinnamon to the blood orange, while iris, ylang-ylang and gardenia sit in the heart. It smells fruitier, spicier and more dramatic than the others. This is the version for winter evenings and special occasions, when you want the fragrance to be noticed all night.

Scandal for men: Pour Homme, Le Parfum and Intense

The men's line launched in 2021 and quickly became one of the most sought-after sweet men's fragrances. Here is how the three versions we offer differ:

• Scandal Pour Homme (EDT) – mandarin, clary sage, caramel, tonka and vetiver. A fresh start and caramel that arrives very quickly. Affordable, easy to like, with good projection for an Eau de Toilette. Ideal for young men and for anyone just getting into sweet fougères.
• Scandal Man Le Parfum (EDP) – geranium, sage, bergamot, iris, caramel, vanilla, tonka and sandalwood. The iris and sandalwood make it more powdery and elegant, and the sweetness is creamier. This is the most "grown-up" and longest-lasting men's version.
• Scandal Intense (EDP) – sage, vetiver and leather. Here the sweetness is muted and the leather and vetiver come to the fore. It suits men who like the Scandal DNA but want a drier, more masculine finish.

If you are looking for Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal for men as a gift, the Scandal Pour Homme set is a practical choice – it contains the perfume plus extras in the same scent.

Comparison: sweetness, longevity and occasion

The table sums up our impressions from wearing them. Longevity depends on skin, season and quantity, so take it as a guide rather than a guarantee.

In other words: if your main question is "which is sweeter", the order for women is Le Parfum > EDP > Elixir, and for men Pour Homme > Le Parfum > Intense. If you want maximum longevity, go for Elixir or Man Le Parfum.

Scandal for women – reviews and real impressions

When customers ask us about reviews of Scandal for women, we usually hear the same themes – both positive and critical:

• Compliments – the honey and gardenia are easy to recognise and prompt the question "what perfume are you wearing?". This is one of the reasons Scandal is such a popular gift.
• "Too sweet" – some people find the honey accord heavy, especially in the heat. The solution is fewer sprays or a seasonal switch to a fresher fragrance.
• The honey "feels like wax" – this is a deliberate beeswax effect. On some skins it stands out more, on others it almost disappears.
• The bottle – almost everyone loves it as an object; it is part of the pleasure of giving it as a gift.

How to recognise original Scandal perfume

Scandal is among the most copied designer fragrances, so it is important to know what to look for in an original Scandal perfume:

1. The bottle – the original is heavy, with bubble-free glass and precise lines; the gilded base is solid, without scratches or uneven paint.
2. The box – sturdy cardboard, clean print, and a batch code that matches the code on the bottom of the bottle.
3. The development – genuine Scandal moves from citrus to honey and flowers and finishes with patchouli. Fakes often stay flatly sweet and fade quickly.
4. The price – a price that is too low is the first warning sign.

At Parfyum.bg we offer only 100% original perfumes, delivered by DPD in 3–6 working days for 10 €, with secure online card payment. You will find the whole line in the collection Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal, and the brand's other fragrances in Jean Paul Gaultier perfumes. If you like the honeyed direction, take a look at our selection of perfumes with honey.

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