XS by Rabanne

I absolutely loved this in high school around 2010 and now I want to wear it again at the office. I’ve read they reformulated it; I just hope it stays the same.

Delightfully charming; it’s in my top 5. Fresh, herbal, woody, and elegant—a sublime fragrance for men, surely the English Gentleman’s choice. Perfect for the office in mild climates with a subtle, soft sillage. On my skin, I need to reapply after noon. It’s been a lifelong companion since I was born; I got it in 1995. Cheers.

Another timeless classic, on par with Zino or Cool Water. Those 90s perfumes nailed it and are still alive, proving that the golden age of designers is long gone. Fresh, herbal, and very aromatic, ideal for sunny days; in intense cold, it loses a bit of its shine. The dry-down is delicious, with that slightly sweet oakmoss and patchouli. It brings a good vibe and a sense of cleanliness. Don’t be afraid—it’s a must-have, especially the old version which is running out. Recommended to buy blind, no regrets.

What a journey… As a kid, I remember my grandfather wearing Brummel, my father wearing Puig Lavender or occasionally Eau de Sauvage. Those were the scents of an era. My 16-year-old friend used Adolfo Domínguez on Fridays to hang out with his friends; I’ve always associated this fragrance with him and his youth. I never thought it was a mature scent, because the mature ones were the ones my family wore. Years passed, and I started looking for something ‘expensive’ for weekends to move away from Massimo Dutti. When I smelled this XS by Paco Rabanne, I was transported back to my friend’s house. It was incredibly similar to Adolfo’s—I even went out of my way to get one; they’re very similar, not identical, but Paco clearly took inspiration. It’s a pity both have such a sad ending. I don’t know if the current version is the same, but this one is wonderful. You won’t stand out or be the center of attention; it’s for your own enjoyment, to feel in harmony. It conveys serenity and peace; in fact, I use Adolfo’s Agua Fresca to sleep when I’m stressed. To the younger generation: NEVER stop wearing fragrances, regardless of age or gender. Scents don’t age or have genitals to be sexualized. Don’t let anyone tell you ‘you smell old.’ Smell and enjoy; that’s how you’ll discover true wonders like this.

I have a bottle my father bought in 1997 when I was born and gifted to me. Honestly, it’s very fresh and I think it’s great for daily wear. Personally, I love men’s fragrances with mint and citrus. <3

It’s very similar to Carolina Herrera, though this one is heavier on the opening. The CH is better crafted, meaning its notes and ingredients are well balanced. Logically, CH came out first, so it could be summarized that they tried to clone it.

The XS, launched in 1994, is a timeless olfactory masterpiece. I used the whole collection until only the miniature remained. For me, the XS is a super-fresh fragrance with a core of coriander and rosewood, accented with juniper berries and tarragon nuances, leading to a warm heart of vanilla and woods.

I have the original, pre-reformulation version, which even came with a color change that would stain the shirt collar if it dripped. The original was great; the reformulation lost some power but kept the spirit.

Memories flood my mind just by remembering the XS bottle. When I first bought it right after its 1994 launch, it had excellent longevity and a great scent. Different from what we were used to at the time, with a citrus-mint explosion that characterized it and a heart of vivid, almost sparkling woods, with an animal touch that made it undeniably passionate. If only XS could speak! Over time, that strength degraded due to reformulations, until I stopped using it in 1998 due to the loss of its essence. I can’t even imagine how it would have been distorted in subsequent reformulations. Unfortunately, that’s happened with the vast majority of perfumes. Still, a beautiful memory.

It was my first designer fragrance back in 1996. My sister used to steal it to go to school. Very citrusy on the opening and woody in the dry down. Truly exquisite, elegant, and seductive. Over the years, I think it has lost some quality. However, I’m not sure I’m being objective since it was my first love.

Paco Rabanne fragrances last me more than 12 hours; vanilla is the key. I like this one from morning until mid-afternoon; it’s perfect for daytime, not really for night. It feels mature but not old, a well-balanced vibe. Highly recommended, I’d give it a 7.

A singular, unique, and incomparable fragrance. Those are the only words I need to summarize it. The only thing that disappoints me is its performance after the reformulations; in the 90s, it was a beast in terms of longevity.

The combination of notes gives a fresh, spicy fragrance, fundamentally musky, floral, and fern-like. It’s pleasant, easy to wear, and has a mature yet youthful sensuality, with class and elegance. The bottle was a find back in the day, with those golden initials hinting at sex and excess. An interesting option, clean, and a bit old school.

To face spring-summer in my country, I made an effort and equipped my wardrobe with three fragrances: Dior Sauvage, Versace Eau Fraîche, and this XS by Paco Rabanne. The latter is an icon alongside Pour Homme. Its bottle represents a Zippo lighter and plays with the name XS, understanding ‘excess’ through its English letters read backward as ‘Sex.’ It’s a solid fragrance that provides freshness all the time, even at the end thanks to the mint. Very masculine without feeling classic; in my opinion, it’s timeless, with better performance in summer and perfect for a young man today. It works well in the office because it’s not intrusive; it’s very versatile. I’d wear it on summer nights with a shirt and jeans, and thanks to its aromatic green notes, I wouldn’t rule it out for a date. Sillage and longevity are moderate on my skin: the first 3 hours it projects, then it fades until it’s skin-scent by around 6 to 8 hours.

It was a great perfume, because the current one lasts less than a breath from a teenage lover. The opening is herbal, aromatic, exquisite, with just the right touch of sweetness, but after 20 minutes, it goes into freefall toward a rough, synthetic residual scent that has nothing to do with the magnificent opening. I bought it because I read the rosemary note was very present. Lies! The rosemary is barely noticeable, and I love that mentholated aroma and that very green pine note the rosemary gives. The good thing is it wasn’t expensive, around $35, and I’ll use it as an aftershave (I have to start doing something with my numerous EDTs that have become aftershaves).