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Invictus Aqua by Rabanne

Men 2016

Brand
Rabanne

Description

Invictus Aqua by Rabanne is a woody aquatic fragrance for men. Launched in 2016, this composition features top notes of yuzu, grapefruit, and pink pepper. The heart reveals sea water and violet leaves, while the base settles with ambergris, Amberwood, and guaiac wood.

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Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 3.3%
  • Spring 37%
  • Summer 51%
  • Autumn 8.6%
  • Day 78%
  • Night 22%

Key notes

Community

1,589 votes

  • Positive 82%
  • Negative 14%
  • Neutral 4.3%
positive reviews 1.6 k community votes
LongevityLong-lasting SillageModerate Best momentSummer CharacterMasculine

The olfactory pyramid

A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.

The community speaks

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In the collection

Leading answer I own it

4,564 votes

Season

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Leading answer Summer

1,532 votes

Time of day

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Leading answer Day

935 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About Invictus Aqua

Main accord citrus Year 2016 Gender Men

Invictus Aqua by Rabanne is a woody aquatic fragrance for men. Launched in 2016, this composition features top notes of yuzu, grapefruit, and pink pepper. The heart reveals sea water and violet leaves, while the base settles with ambergris, Amberwood, and guaiac wood.

Spices Green, herbal and fougère Musk, amber and animalic Resins and balsams Woods and mosses

How it wears

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Longevity

Leading answer Long-lasting

827 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Moderate

942 votes

Character

Leading answer Traditionally masculine

316 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Fair price

276 votes

Community reviews

28 reviews

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  1. Super sexy, the best in the entire Invictus line. What a shame they discontinued it. 9/10

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  2. Boyfrag26

    The aquatic version of this Invictus is much more intense than the 2018 one (which was sweet). The 2016 version has zero sweetness. It’s salty, acidic, super fresh, and smells completely different. None of the Freeze or Aqua versions come close. It deserves a 9.5/10. I’m talking about a 2016 bottle I managed to get again… they say the 2024 version isn’t as similar.

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  3. Watch out… it’s not the same as before… the biggest scam in history.

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  4. They brought it back, does anyone know if it’s the same as the 2016 version? The bottle is the same… but it doesn’t smell like the 2018 one.

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  5. Powerful, long-lasting, fresh, spectacular. Opens with citrus and aquatic notes, very clean. Good skin projection, lasts over 5 hours, works for day and night, very versatile. Compliments will start coming in immediately. It has something similar to Montblanc Legend Spirit.

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  6. An aquatic beast. One day, while browsing a perfume store where I usually shop, I looked up and saw boxes of white Invictus Aqua abandoned at the bottom of a shelf. Knowing the hype around this version, I grabbed the box to check the batch code and discovered it was the 2016 run. I didn’t hesitate to buy it. Regarding the fragrance, I can’t say more than what’s already known. Those who say it doesn’t last are talking about the current versions (bluish bottles), because this one is a beast in every sense. The aquatic notes stand out with citrus nuances, all over a base of ambergris (though it’s probably synthetic ambroxan). I feel its prime time is summer, but thanks to its freshness and body, it works year-round. Versatile for morning, afternoon, or night, just watch the sprays. Overall, people approve of the Invictus DNA and receive compliments, just like with the line. Despite that, the ‘ambergris’ in this version can be offensive to some, smelling very animalistic, like urine. It has long-lasting performance, over 10 or 12 hours on skin, with great projection for the first 3 or 4 hours. Then it recedes, but it’s still noticeable at medium distance. I think it’s a total hit; it’s not easy to find a fresh fragrance with that performance. If you see it and like Invictus, don’t hesitate to buy it (watch out for the white box). It deserves a spot on the podium and it’s sad they discontinued it. The current version isn’t bad, but the difference is noticeable, especially for those with experience in this. If you want something similar that isn’t discontinued, go for Legend Spirit. It doesn’t have the beastly performance, but it smells 85% the same and gets the job done. Cheers.

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  7. Just to comment that this is my dad’s signature scent; he’s 69 and turns 70 this year. For those who say you need a certain age for a perfume, it suits him perfectly. His personality allows him to wear trendy fragrances; that’s just how he likes it. In the 80s it was Drakkar Noir, in the 90s Eternity, and so on for almost 20 years because he didn’t like the trend of 1 Million. Of course, that’s only if you’re the type to wear trendy scents, but they’re also used by season, for family, nose, brand, price, or taste.

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  8. A refreshing, very attractive, and personality-filled aroma; it doesn’t just smell fresh and clean, it has its own identity. I love it; the only issue is the longevity. Yes, if I over-apply a lot (15 to 20 sprays) it lasts 8 to 10 hours, but if I use the usual 5 or 7 sprays, it’s gone in 2, max 3 hours. Still, it’s a fragrance I always use in the heat or at the beach.

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  9. DoctorAndrade

    I bought it a few months ago; I like it a lot for daytime use and even nighttime if the outing is casual. It’s ideal for mornings. I live in Cartagena, Colombia, and the fragrance is suitable for my city’s climate, the coast, the sea, the beaches… Personal score 8 out of 10, mind you, 10 would be the perfect perfume. Its average longevity is a max of 3 to 4 hours on my skin, so I have to carry it with me if I want to keep projecting the scent.

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  10. LeanWalker

    I’ve had this perfume for a while now. I’m thinking of buying another one. In my experience, it seems very agreeable in scent, sweet and refreshing. I have dry or combination skin… and despite that, it lasts quite a bit. Around 8 hours, and if my body temperature rises, it feels like it starts projecting more.

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  11. A mix of citrus and sea air, a bit artificial but addictive, with a touch of ambergris and some florals. Sparkling, fresh, and very wearable. Basically, we swapped laurels for lemons.

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  12. Top fragrance, just like the previous one. They added violet leaves and swapped the sea for something saltier (some say it smells like hard-boiled egg, but it’s different). They removed patchouli to cut the sweetness; now it’s fresher, saltier, and more potent. Huge sillage and excellent longevity. The dry-down is a mystery, seems like amber or guaiac wood. Safe buy, though it’s already discontinued.

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  13. vanilla-lover

    Wow! This is definitely my favorite men’s scent for hot weather. Impressively sexy. I’m a woman and I love it when my husband wears it. Incredible longevity, about 24 hours, moderate but constant projection. Smells like the sea, breeze, salt, and subtle citrus. It’s nothing like the original, which I didn’t care for at all; this one is an absolute sexy bomb. Perfect for vacations and casual wear.

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  14. vanilla-lover

    Wow! This is, without a doubt, my favorite men’s scent for hot weather. It’s super sexy. I’m a woman, and I love it when my husband wears it. It has incredible longevity, about 24 hours, and projects consistently but moderately. It smells like the sea, salty breeze, and subtle citrus—very clean and beachy. It’s not common; the original didn’t appeal to me at all, but this is a sexy bomb. Perfect for vacations and casual daytime wear.

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  15. LUIS HEINSTEIN

    Girls really love this one; I always get compliments and so do my friends. It’s amazing, too bad it’s a limited edition. Highly recommended for hitting on someone. The 2018 version is about 80% similar but sweeter. PS: Very personal opinion.

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  16. andres orellana

    Excellent citrus and aquatic fragrance; this is what classic Invictus should have been. Good longevity and sillage. Perfect for the beach, gym, or hot days. For me, it’s the best in the trilogy. Rating: 8.5/10.

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  17. andres orellana

    Excellent citrus and aquatic fragrance; this is what classic Invictus should have been. Good longevity and sillage. Ideal for the beach, the gym, or hot weather. For me, it’s the best of the trilogy. I give it an 8.5/10.

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  18. Sergio Varela

    The best version of Invictus. Fresh and easy to wear anywhere. It’s about 75% Invictus and 25% Acqua Di Gio. Opens with a delicious, super refreshing yuzu. Lots of compliments. Longevity: 8 to 10 hours. Projection: moderate. Versatility: useful at any time.

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  19. Sergio Varela

    The best version of Invictus. Fresh, easy to wear anytime. It’s about 75% Invictus and 25% Acqua Di Gio. It opens with a delicious, super refreshing yuzu. Performance: solid. Longevity: 8 to 10 hours. Projection: moderate. Versatility: useful for any occasion.

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  20. Andresz0711

    LOL Just like the Acqua di Gio Essenza, this smells like a raw egg XD. Seriously, I love Bulgari’s fresh perfumes like Aqva, Starwalker, Blue Lacoste, Nautica, etc. I also adore Thierry Mugler A Man’s unique scents, which aren’t for everyone. I was disappointed by both Acqua di Gio Essenza and Invictus Aqua; I thought they’d be my favorites, but both gave me that egg smell that ruins the experience. At first, on paper and skin, they seemed fresh and deliciously citrusy, but after a few minutes, they smelled like eggs. I’m sorry I can’t appreciate such an expensive fragrance.

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  21. I don’t understand why people misjudge this perfume. While it doesn’t bring anything revolutionary to perfumery, it’s made to be liked. Those who say it smells like cooked egg will love it because it’s a scent that captivates all women, from teens to those over 30. Everyone is responsible for what they wear, but if you’re looking for a fragrance that women adore and always ask about, this is a top choice. Its sillage and longevity are impeccable—perfect for day and semi-formal night. Recommended.

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  22. Carloszavaz

    I don’t know why people misunderstand this perfume. While it doesn’t bring anything extraordinary to perfumery, it’s made to please and for those who think it smells like ‘boiled egg’—turns out that scent is what all women love, from young girls to those over 30. Everyone is responsible for what they wear, but if you want a fragrance that women adore and always ask about, this should be a top choice. Sillage and longevity are impeccable, perfect for daily wear and semi-formal nights. Recommended.

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  23. Mmm, I really have bad luck… It smells like an egg. The same thing happened with Acqua di Gio Essenza, which also smells like an egg. I had high hopes for both. Well, I’ll wait for the third perfume to disappoint me.

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  24. beto_ruiz

    Invictus Aqua, like its father, tries to please everyone without differentiating much from rivals in the fresh, aquatic world. The scent is pleasant, with standout citrus, marine notes, and violet, drying down to a woody finish. It’s perfect for hot climates, suitable for all ages, and nothing heavy or intrusive. It has a bit of its mother’s vibe—that slightly unnatural feel—but it’s less sweet. I’m surprised some people smell cooked egg; I never noticed it, more like sulfur. If you liked the original, this will suit you too; if not, this might be more wearable.

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  25. beto_ruiz

    Invictus Aqua, like its predecessor, is created to please the general public without any unique contributions, mainly to compete in the fresh aquatic segment. The scent is pleasant, highlighting citrus, sea notes, and violet leaves with a woody dry down. Ideal for warm climates, suitable for any age from young to older, as it’s neither heavy nor intrusive. It has some characteristics of the original, including a slightly unnatural feel, but it’s less sweet. I’m curious about the boiled egg smell; I never noticed it, as if it were present, it would be close to sulfur. Anyway, if you liked the first version, you’ll like this one too; if not, this might be more wearable.

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  26. Gina Salcido

    The dry down gave me major pause; it literally smells like freshly cooked egg.

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  27. I arrived with sky-high expectations thanks to its older brother’s success. At first, it seemed fresh and pleasant, but this Aqua version leaves a nasty trail of cooked egg that I absolutely hated. I expected something more aquatic, invigorating, and youthful… what a disappointment! The longevity and sillage are top-notch, and the citrus is strong—maybe it works better for others—but for me, it’s a no.

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