Paco Rabanne is a fragrance house we see everywhere. It’s one of the more popular houses with a bunch of amazing colognes under their name. But what are the best Paco Rabanne fragrances for men?
The House Of Paco Rabanne And Its Fragrances
Paco Rabanne is a household name in the fragrance world. Founded in 1966 by Francisco ‘Paco’ Rabaneda Cuervo, a Spanish fashion designer who fled to France, Paco Rabanne has gained massive success in the world of perfumery.
Its very first fragrance release dates back to 1969, 3 years after founding the house. The fragrance that was released is the now popular Calandre, a female perfume that is often seen as a true classic. Over the years, Paco Rabanne has released many more perfumes and colognes, and they rarely seem to miss with their creations.
Over the years, Paco Rabanne has released some of the most popular men’s colognes ever. Names like One Million, with its iconic gold bar-shaped bottle, and Invictus are unmissable in the fragrance world. But besides these two huge successes, Paco Rabanne has released many more. There are multiple flankers for both Invictus and One Million, and there are quite a few standalone colognes that are equally fantastic.
With over 100 fragrances to their name, it can be difficult to find the right Paco Rabanne fragrance for you. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best Paco Rabanne fragrances for men, in no particular order!
1. XS
Paco Rabanne’s XS is one of the true classics of the house, dating all the way back to 1994. With this fragrance, the perfumers Rosendo Mateu and Gerard Anthony created a fresh and aromatic scent that’s supported by a woody undertone.
- Top Notes: Bergamot, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon, Tarragon, and Mandarin.
- Middle Notes: Juniper, Rosewood, Sage, Geranium, and Coriander.
- Base Notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Amber, Oakmoss, Vanilla, Cedar, and Patchouli.
What Does Paco Rabanne XS Smell Like?
Paco Rabanne XS opens with a strong and smooth scent of several citrusy notes and aromatic notes. Vibrant hints of lemon and bergamot, paired with naturally fresh mint and rosemary create a stunningly refreshing opening that perfectly set the tone for the remainder of the fragrance.
Not long after the opening will a crisp scent of juniper reveal itself, perfectly adding to the overall refreshing scent. Along with the juniper are a few aromatic floral notes, all contributing to that refreshing scent. At this stage, the cologne does come across as a little synthetic, but not in a bad way. The synthetic feel also kind of gives this cologne an old-school vibe.
In the dry down, we’re greeted by a host of warmer notes. Hints of amber, several warm woody notes, and a smooth scent of vanilla are all present, ensuring this fragrance ends in something warm and rich, but also ensuring that the fresher notes have a solid base to thrive on. Paco Rabanne XS is an overall fresh, clean, and mature cologne.
With its fresher scent, XS is perfect for the warmer months but it will also do a great job during the fall as well. In those seasons, a cologne like this will always be a great choice, no matter the occasion. Whether you’re going to the office, having a fun day with friends, or you’re relaxing at home, Paco Rabanne XS will do the trick!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Occasion: Formal and Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
2. Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet is a rich and fresh cologne from the house of Paco Rabanne that isn’t really talked about. Made by Jacques Cavallier and launched in 2001, Ultraviolet has always been an underrated but amazing-smelling cologne from the house, definitely deserving of some attention.
- Top Notes: Mint and Amber.
- Middle Notes: Vetiver, Spices, and Pepper.
- Base Notes: Oakmoss and Vanilla.
What Does Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet Smell Like?
From the first spray, you’re greeted by a warm and aromatic scent of mint and amber. This is a combination that’s almost never used, but the aromatic and cooling mint, paired with the warm amber, creates a truly wonderful scent. The opening smells clean and fresh, but also warm and elegant.
Shortly after the opening, you can start to pick up some soft spicy notes. These add a wonderful richness to the scent, making it more engaging and a little more interesting. The spices also fit in perfectly with the warm scent of amber and the aromatic mint. Along with the spices is a dry scent of vetiver, which keeps the fragrance grounded without taking away any of the warm and aromatic qualities.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, you can start to pick up a slightly warmer and sweeter scent. The note of vanilla is added, providing the cologne with a sweet and smooth scent, but the freshness of the mint also starts to fade away. In the end, you’re left with a warm scent of amber, spices, and vanilla, with just a touch of cooling mint in the background.
Ultraviolet is an amazing cologne that nicely balances warm and fresh notes, making this cologne perfect for the transitional seasons of fall and spring. Here, the temperatures are on the cooler side, which is perfect for a semi-warm cologne such as this. Of course, you can easily wear this one casually throughout the day or at night, but it will also do a great job formally as well.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Fall
- Occasion: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
3. One Million
One Million is without a doubt the most popular of the Paco Rabanne fragrances. Made in 2008 by three perfumers; Christophe Raynaud, Michel Girard, and Olivier Pescheux, this intensely sweet cologne has quickly become a fan favorite amongst the younger generations.
- Top Notes: Blood Mandarin, Grapefruit, and Mint.
- Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Rose, and Spices.
- Base Notes: Amber, Leather, Woody Notes, and Indian Patchouli.
What Does Paco Rabanne One Million Smell Like?
The opening of this cologne is intensely sweet with notes of cinnamon and amber at the front. These warmer notes are balanced out by a touch of fresh and fruity grapefruit and cooling mint. This makes for an absolutely amazing opening that 100% deserves all the attention and praise it gets. The opening will stick around for a while, but after some time, we can start to notice some changes in the scent.
A little while after the opening, the citrusy influences slowly fade away, leaving you with a primarily sweet and warm scent. Many describe the scent of One Million as being bubblegum sweet, and that’s definitely something I can stand behind. A bubblegum sweet scent, however, does not mean it’s bad or unpleasant. With One Million, the opposite is true!
As we continue on into the dry down, the cologne starts to smooth out. Hints of warm leather and sweet patchouli are present, but the warm spices still seem to be the main stars here. All the notes come together to create a truly stunning scent with a rather youthful and playful vibe. No wonder this one is so popular among the younger generation.
Interested in fragrances similar to Paco Rabanne One Million? Then you should read this article here!
With its intensely sweet scent, One Million is undoubtedly a cold-weather cologne. Its sweet scent is simply way too overpowering for a warm summer day. During the colder months, though, it’s amazing. The warm and sweet scent is welcoming and even a little seductive, making it perfect for nights out, dates, or just casual daytime wear.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter
- Occasion: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 10+ Hours
- Projection: Strong
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
4. Paco
Paco Rabanne’s Paco, launched in 1995, is the quintessential airport cologne. No matter what airport you go to, you will find a bottle of Paco here. Luckily, it also smells incredible. The perfumer Rosendo Mateu managed to make something fresh and easy-going.
- Top Notes: Lemon, Mandarin, Pine, and Coriander.
- Middle Notes: Tea, Jasmine, Lavender, and Cyclamen.
- Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar, Musk, and Tonka Bean.
What Does Paco Rabanne Paco Smell Like?
The opening of Paco is immediately fresh and aromatic with the citrusy notes and herbal notes at the front. Along with these fresher notes is the crisp note of pine, which gives off a cold, crisp, and aromatic feeling. The pine goes great with the fresh citruses, creating an overall clean and green opening.
Shortly after the opening, a very smooth and soothing scent of tea starts to appear. The tea gives the cologne a very relaxed and easy-going vibe, while also maintaining the original scent. Along with the tea are several floral notes, all adding a clean and natural scent. The note of lavender in particular gives off a fresh and aromatic scent.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, the scent becomes a little warmer and smoother. Some of the citruses start to fade away, while a few woody notes start to appear. There’s the creamy note of sandalwood, supported by a smooth and creamy scent of tonka bean, but there’s also the more rugged scent of cedarwood. All of these notes only make the cologne a little warmer and they’ll never fully overtake the clean and green scent from the opening.
As you can imagine, a clean and green cologne like this is best worn during the spring and summer. The refreshing and invigorating scent of Paco goes great with the high temperatures and is perfect for casual daytime wear. Whether you’re hanging out at home, going to the beach, or going to the gym, this cologne will be great. And on top of that, it will also function nicely in the office as well!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasion: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
5. One Million Lucky
One Million Lucky is one of the flankers of the original One Million. With this cologne, they took the original One Million DNA and pushed it into a more gourmand-like direction. Made by Nathalie Gracia-Cetto, this fragrance was released in 2018.
- Top Notes: Plum, Ozonic Notes, Grapefruit, and Bergamot.
- Middle Notes: Hazelnut, Honey, Cedar, Cashmere Wood, Jasmine, and Orange Blossom.
- Base Notes: Amberwood, Patchouli, Oakmoss, and Vetiver.
What Does Paco Rabanne One Million Lucky Smell Like?
The opening of One Million Lucky is soft and sweet with the notes of plum and hazelnut at the front. The hazelnut immediately introduces us to that gourmandy feel, but it also adds a nutty smoothness to the mix. The plum is a little dark and fruity, but this is all balanced out by the fresh ozonic notes and the citruses. This creates a somewhat similar scent to that of the original One Million, but this time, it has more of a nutty gourmand sweet scent.
Shortly after the opening, a few woody notes start to appear. Along with the woody notes are clean and fresh scents of jasmine and orange blossom, and in combination with the citruses from the opening, they create an almost aquatic-like undertone. Now, the gourmand sweetness is still present, but there’s also this aquatic undertone that beautifully balances out the initial sweetness.
In the dry down, warm hints of sticky honey and sweet patchouli start to appear, ensuring a rich and sweet ending; a true One Million classic. Overall, this is a slightly fresher variant on the One Million DNA, but it still possesses a similar level of youthfulness and playfulness. The sweetness is still here and it’s definitely the dominant scent is this cologne.
One Million Lucky is of course a cold-weather fragrance, but with the fresher edges, it’s great for not only the colder months but also for the spring. Here, it’s best worn casually throughout the day, or better yet, at night. With its gourmand sweetness, this cologne has a somewhat seductive and playful edge that makes it great for a night out or a date.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall, Winter, and Spring
- Occasion: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
6. Pour Homme
Paco Rabanne Pour Homme is one of the classic Paco Rabanne colognes. This is an extremely fresh and clean fragrance, made by Jean Martel, and it has been a popular men’s choice ever since its release in 1973.
- Top Notes: Rosemary, Clary Sage, and Rosewood.
- Middle Notes: Lavender, Geranium, and Tonka Bean.
- Base Notes: Oakmoss, Honey, Musk, and Amber.
What Does Paco Rabanne Pour Homme Smell Like?
Paco Rabanne Pour Homme opens with a clean and green scent of multiple herbal and aromatic notes. There’s the note of rosemary, adding a fresh and green touch to the scent, but there are also aromatic floral notes such as lavender and geranium. When you combine these notes, you’ll get a wonderfully fresh and clean scent that perfectly sets the tone for the remainder of the fragrance.
Shortly after the opening, the fresh, clean, and almost soapy scent is supported by a smooth scent of tonka bean. The tonka bean is a little sweet, but mostly green and creamy, tying in perfectly with the opening. From here, the clean scent will continue on for a long while, always ensuring you smell clean, fresh, and professional.
In the dry down, the fragrance suddenly becomes a little warmer. There’s the addition of sweet honey, as well as warm amber, and both of these notes take the scent in a richer direction. Still, the clean and fresh scent never really goes away. Instead, the opening and dry down beautifully contrast each other, making the overall scent interesting and complex, on top of smelling great.
With such a contrasting scent that consists of both warm and fresh notes comes great versatility. This cologne can easily be worn all year long, but it does lean slightly more towards the warmer months. Throughout the year, there also aren’t really any restrictions to this fragrance; it is clean and inoffensive enough to wear to the office, but it does just as great a job in a casual setting.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
- Occasion: Formal and Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
7. Pure XS
Pure XS is originally a flanker of Paco Rabanne XS, but the two colognes really don’t have anything in common. This is a much sweeter and more youthful fragrance and it was released a long while after the original. There are three perfumers behind this cologne; Anne Flipo, Bruno Jovanovic, and Caroline Dumur, and the fragrance was released in 2017.
- Top Notes: Ginger, Thyme, Grapefruit, Bergamot, and Green Accords.
- Middle Notes: Vanilla, Liquor, Cinnamon, Leather, and Apple.
- Base Notes: Myrrh, Sugar, Cedar, Cashmeran, Patchouli, and Woody Notes.
What Does Paco Rabanne Pure XS Smell Like?
Pure XS opens intensely sweet and smooth with the note of vanilla at the front. Along with the vanilla are some fresh citrusy notes and some spices. The citruses add a nice freshness to the mix, whereas the spices provide the cologne with a warm scent. Despite the many different notes, the opening seems to be vanilla-dominated, but in a very good way.
A little while after the opening, the spicy notes start to become more pronounced. There’s a rich and warm influence of cinnamon present, which blends in perfectly with the vanilla. Alongside these two notes, there’s a dark and boozy undertone of liquor present. This adds a dark and rich feel to the cologne, giving the vanilla a much deeper scent.
As the fragrance dries down, the fragrance goes in a sweeter direction. This is done by the several resinous notes used, and these resinous notes make the cologne warmer, richer, and sweeter. The vanilla and cinnamon are still present, and the cologne itself is still smooth, but it does become a little more rugged near the dry down.
Overall, Pure XS is an amazing cologne that’s perfect for the colder seasons. With its sweet and smooth scent, this fragrance is great for casual daytime wear, but it will work even better at night. Wear this one on a date or a night out in the club and you’ll be all set. Pure XS is a little youthful, so it might be best for the younger generations, but honestly, anyone who likes this cologne can wear it!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter
- Occasion: Casual
- Time of day: Nighttime and Daytime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
8. Paco Energy
Paco Energy is a flanker of the earlier mentioned Paco; this time, the cologne is more focused on citrusy notes and white floral notes. Made by the same perfumer, Rosendo Mateu, Paco Energy was released in 1998.
- Top Notes: Mandarin, Lemon, Aldehydes, and Lavender.
- Middle Notes: Jasmine and Lily Of The Valley.
- Base Notes: Musk, Cedar, Amber, and Oakmoss.
What Does Paco Rabanne Paco Energy Smell Like?
Paco Energy opens with a fresh and aromatic scent of several citrusy notes and lavender. The citruses are bright and zesty, giving the cologne a summery feel. Alongside the citruses is a fresh, spicy, and aromatic scent of lavender. The lavender is powerful, but not in an offensive way. Together with the citruses, you’re left with a bright and fresh opening.
Shortly after the opening, a few white floral notes start to appear. The note of jasmine seems to be the strongest, giving off a clean and natural scent. Along with the jasmine is the note of lily, but this kind of hoovers in the background. The lavender slowly takes a backseat, leaving you with a bright and natural scent of citruses and white florals.
This scent of citruses and white florals will continue on into the dry down, where it’s accompanied by a few woody notes. These woody notes add a warm undertone to the cologne, but they never overtake the freshness. This fragrance really is all about the citruses and white florals, which are there from the opening all the way into the dry down.
Paco Energy is a bright and vibrant cologne that’s perfect for the spring and summer. During these warmer seasons, this fragrance would be perfect for a fun day out, but it’s also clean and professional enough to be worn formally. This might even be inoffensive enough to wear while working out! An overall amazing fragrance with a rather versatile scent!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasion: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
9. Invictus
Invictus is another one of Paco Rabanne’s most popular colognes. This fragrance is both fresh and sweet at the same time, and on top of that, it has an extremely likable scent. Invictus was made by Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion, Olivier Polge, and Veronique Nyberg and was released in 2013.
- Top Notes: Sea Notes, Grapefruit, and Mandarin.
- Middle Notes: Bay Leaves and Jasmine.
- Base Notes: Ambergris, Guaiac Wood, Oakmoss, and Patchouli.
What Does Paco Rabanne Invictus Smell Like?
Invictus opens with a strong aquatic scent, supported by several citrusy notes. Of the citrusy notes, the note of grapefruit is the strongest, giving off a juicy and vibrant scent. The opening does smell a little synthetic, but not in an obtrusive way. Instead, it almosts highlights the aquatic feeling, making it feel a little richer without taking away the freshness.
Shortly after the opening, the scent turns a little sweeter. This sweetness comes from the several woody notes that are present, but also from the note of jasmine. Although the cologne becomes a little sweeter, the aquatic freshness is still present as well. Together, they create a wonderful scent that’s typically Paco Rabanne (at least, compared to the likes of One Million).
In the dry down, you’ll notice that there’s not that much that will change anymore. This leaves you with an overall pleasant and youthful cologne that radiates fun and playfulness. The scent itself is fresh and vibrant, but also a little warm and sweet. From the first sniff, all the way into the dry down, we can see why this is a popular cologne.
With its fresh scent, Invictus is perfect for the spring and summer, but thanks to the sweet undertones, it will also do a great job in the fall. During these seasons, this cologne is best worn casually. It is a little too playful and youthful for a formal occasion, but casually, it’s all the better. You can wear it either during the day, but it’s also fantastic on a warm summer night.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Occasion: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
10. Tenere
Paco Rabanne launched Tenere all the way back in 1988. Back in the old days, most fragrances smelled very different from how they’re created now. With Tenere, you can really smell that bold, old-school-like scent. Made by Pierre Wargnye and Rosendo Mateu, Tenere is a true classic, perfect for a mature man.
- Top Notes: Lavender, Rosemary, Cassia, Green Notes, Bergamot, Lemon, and Grapefruit.
- Middle Notes: Honey, Rose, Carnation, Jasmine, Artemisia, Orris Root, Tarragon, Anise, Lily Of The Valley, and Cinnamon.
- Base Notes: Leather, Patchouli, Musk, Vetiver, Amber, and Cedar.
What Does Paco Rabanne Tenere Smell Like?
Tenere opens with a strong scent of many different floral notes, citrusy notes, and herbal notes. The combination of all these fresh and aromatic notes immediately introduces us to that classic and old-school feel. Out of all the notes, the many different floral notes seem to be the strongest, but none are really distinct; all are blended together to create one coherent scent.
After some time, the fresh and aromatic notes are accompanied by a few sweeter notes such as honey and patchouli. These add a rich undertone to the scent, making it appear warmer and sweeter without taking away from the freshness. These sweeter notes once again strengthen that old-school feel.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, a nice and smooth scent of leather starts to appear. The leather is quite strong and adds a rich feel to the composition. What you’re left with is an overall masculine scent that’s primarily focused on floral notes and heavily backed by warm spices and leather. A truly old-fashioned cologne that radiates masculinity and maturity.
Due to the heavy yet fresh scent of Tenere, you can actually wear this cologne all year long. It’s strong enough for the colder months but fresh enough to wear during the warmer months. And thanks to the mature and masculine feel, there really aren’t any restrictions to it either. Whether you want to wear it formally or casually, Tenere will do an amazing job.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
- Occasion: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Strong
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
11. One Million Prive
One Million Prive is another flanker of the original One Million; this time, it’s a warmer, slightly spicier cologne with undertones of tobacco. Made by Christophe Raynaud, this cologne was released in 2016.
- Top Notes: Cinnamon and Blood Orange.
- Middle Notes: Tobacco and Myrrh.
- Base Notes: Tonka Bean and Patchoui.
What Does Paco Rabanne One Million Prive Smell Like?
One Million Prive opens with a gorgeously sweet scent of cinnamon and blood orange; pretty comparable to the original One Million, actually. However, added to this cologne is a sweet and resinous undertone that adds a lot of warmth to the mix. Whereas the original was more focused on a sweet scent, the Prive version is more spice-based.
Not long after the opening will the cologne start to become a little creamier and sweeter. This isn’t that bubblegum-like sweetness, but instead more of a vanilla-like sweetness. This scent is mainly coming from the tonka bean but is supported by a sweet touch of myrrh. This makes for a rather mature sweetness when compared to that of the original.
In the dry down, a subtle undertone of tobacco presents itself. The tobacco once again adds a somewhat mature vibe to the cologne, but it also adds a warm sweetness. Tobacco can also come across as a little spicy, so it perfectly ties into every other note that’s present.
With its warm and spicy scent, One Million Prive is an amazing cold-weather fragrance. And unlike the other One Million variants, this one will also do a great job in a formal setting. Of course, it’s also perfect for dates, nights out, or casual daytime wear, but thanks to the mature feel, it will also work nicely in the office or any other formal occasion.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter
- Occasion: Formal and Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
12. Invictus Aqua
Invictus Aqua is a popular flanker of the original Invictus; this time it’s a much fresher and more aquatic-heavy cologne. Made by Juliette Karagueuzoglou and Nicolas Beaulieuu, this fragrance was released in 2016, after which it was briefly discontinued and then rereleased in 2018.
- Top Notes: Grapefruit and Violet Leaves.
- Middle Notes: Sea Notes, Violet, Woody Notes, and Rosewood.
- Base Notes: Ambergris and Amberwood.
What Does Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua Smell Like?
Invictus Aqua opens with that typical Invictus scent; a refreshingly aquatic scent with a synthetic sweetness. However, this cologne is more focused on the fresh and aquatic aspects, making for a much fresher and lighter composition. The note of grapefruit is also present, giving off a refreshingly juicy scent that just blends in wonderfully with the aquatic opening.
Not long after the opening, the synthetic sweetness will start to slowly fade away. There will always be a sweet undertone present, but the bulk of the sweetness is pushed into the background. This gives the cologne a light and airy feel that almost makes it smell like a fresh ocean breeze. Of course, there’s still that playful edge, making for an overall interesting and easy-to-like scent.
In the dry down, there isn’t that much that changes. The refreshing scent of aquatic notes and grapefruit are at the forefront with a synthetic and slightly woody sweetness in the background. The woody notes do start to become a little more pronounced, but they mainly serve as a solid base for the fresher notes to thrive on.
Overall, Invictus Aqua is a fresher version of the popular Invictus. With its fresh scent, this cologne is perfect for the warm spring and summer months. The aquatic scent will fit in perfectly with the warmer temperatures and it can be worn pretty much all the time. This fragrance still has that playfulness to it that makes it excel in a casual setting, but thanks to the lighter scent, it will also do a nice job in a formal setting!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasion: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
13. Black XS
Black XS, launched in 2005, is a gorgeous fragrance with a sweet and spicy scent. The perfumers Olivier Cresp and Rosendo Mateu created a cologne that smells both masculine and gourmand-sweet at the same time.
- Top Notes: Lemon and Sage.
- Middle Notes: Praline, Cinnamon, Tolu Balsam, and Black Cardamom.
- Base Notes: Rosewood, Patchouli, and Black Amber.
What Does Paco Rabanne Black XS Smell Like?
Black XS opens with a blast of citrusy notes, paired with a scent that smells a lot like chocolate. These two notes make up for the majority of the opening, creating a sweet and fruity scent. The main citrusy note used is the note of lemon, and lemon has a fresh scent to it, but also a candy-like sweetness. Together with the chocolaty scent, the two notes produce a scent that’s best described as delicious.
Not long after the opening, a bunch more gourmand notes start to appear. There’s the nutty scent of praline, which was also partly responsible for the chocolatey scent, and there are a few spicy and resinous notes. These all add to the warm, sweet, and overall delicious scent.
As the fragrance dries down, the scent of lemon completely fades away and is replaced by the warm scent of amber, Along with the amber is the note of patchouli, a sweet and spicy note, and when combined with the scent from the opening, you get something truly wonderful. This cologne is not only sweet and delicious, but it’s also extremely seductive.
Black XS is the perfect cold-weather fragrance, especially if you’re looking for a cologne to just wear casually. This fragrance has such an easy-going vibe around it that makes it perfect for a relaxed day at home or out with friends. On the other hand, there’s this seductiveness to it that makes it perfect for nights out or dates. Whenever you decide to wear this one, just know that this will be a head-turner!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter
- Occasion: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
14. Invictus Legend
Whereas Invictus Aqua is a fresher version of Invictus, Invictus Legend seems to be a stronger variant of the original cologne. Made by Domitille Michalon Bertier and Nicolas Beaulieuu, this fragrnace was released in 2019.
- Top Notes: Sea Notes, Sea Salt, and Grapefruit.
- Middle Notes: Bay Leaves, Geranium, and Spices.
- Base Notes: Red Amber and Guaiac Wood.
What Does Paco Rabanne Invictus Legend Smell Like?
Invictus Legend opens kind of like the original Invictus with a salty aquatic scent that’s supported by grapefruit. However, almost immediately after the initial sprays, the cologne takes a much richer turn. Hints of aromatic geranium are present, which has a fresh and somewhat spicy scent, but there are also a few actual spicy notes.
All of these add a warm feeling to the cologne, making it appear much richer than the original. Still, that aquatic freshness is present, making for an interesting mix of warmer notes and fresh aquatic and citrusy notes. This cologne is also a little synthetic, just like the original Invictus, once again strengthening that aquatic feeling.
In the dry down, we’re greeted by a warm scent of amber. The amber ties up the fragrance nicely, giving it a warm finish. Overall, Invictus Legend shares a lot of similarities with the original Invictus to the point that it isn’t really worth it to own both. But if you’re looking for something a little warmer than the original, this would be your best pick.
With its slightly warmer scent, Invictus Legend is best worn during the fall and spring. During these transitional seasons, the temperatures are on the cooler side, which is perfect for a cologne that balances warm and fresh notes. It still is a definite casual cologne, and it can be worn either during the day or at night!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Fall
- Occasion: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime
- Longevity: 8+ Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
Are Paco Rabanne Fragrances Worth It?
Paco Rabanne is one of those fragrance houses that you just cannot miss. With multiple amazing colognes under their name, pretty much any store that sells fragrances has Paco Rabanne fragrances to offer. But are they actually worth it?
Paco Rabanne offers great-smelling fragrances for fair prices. The average Paco Rabanne fragrance is about 25% cheaper than your typical designer brand. The quality of a Paco Rabanne fragrance is also great, resulting in long-lasting and great-smelling fragrances for fair and affordable prices.
Chances are you or people close to you already own a Paco Rabanne fragrance. One Million and Invictus are particularly popular and have a spot on many shelves. But the house has much more to offer, as shown with this list. With all of these great fragrances, I’d say Paco Rabanne is definitely worth it.
And aside from great-smelling fragrances that always seem to be head-turners, they also offer these fragrances for amazing prices. When compared to most designer brands (Giorgio Armani or Christian Dior, for example), Paco Rabanne is almost always the most affordable of the bunch.
Overall, a Paco Rabanne fragrance is definitely worth it and there’s bound to be one you love!