Men
Black XS
Acordes principales
Descripción
Black XS by Rabanne is a woody oriental fragrance for men. Launched in 2005, this composition was created by Olivier Cresp, Rosendo Mateu, and Christian Dussoulier. The top notes unfold a vibrant citrus blend of lemon and tart lime, complemented by the freshness of sage. The heart reveals a warm and sweet mix of praline, cinnamon, balsam of Peru, and black cardamom. The base rests on a robust and sensual foundation of patchouli, Brazilian rosewood, and black amber.
Resumen rápido
Pirámide olfativa
Estructura completa de la fragancia: de la salida al fondo.
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Características
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Longevidad
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Estela
Suave
Moderada
Pesada
Enorme
Género
Femenino
Unisex femenino
Unisex
Unisex masculino
Masculino
Precio
Extremadamente costoso
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40 reseñas
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This is the representation of a woody fragrance with modern accords of unrestrained masculinity. It irritates my nostrils when I over-spray; usually, I apply 15 to 25 sprays, and it’s more than enough for 36 hours. It’s a semi-formal fragrance, goes well with any casual outfit. I would use it for a night party where there are open spaces, since its projection is intense and can become annoying; with 5 or 6 sprays it’s enough to make yourself noticed. Its aroma was mass-produced in the 2000s to 2006, as that olfactory masculinity is no longer common or habitual to find these days. Good fragrance, versatile, and economical, just don’t over-spray. Fixation: 7/10. Projection: 10/10. Masculinity: 10/10. Sensuality: 8.5/10. Total rating: 8.5/10.
My favorite.
Here we go with my first review. It’s a shame they took this marvel off the market. If you find it somewhere and you like sweet but not too potent perfumes, don’t think twice; it’s elegant and deeper in aroma than the current version. 100% recommended. I used it a lot in high school and got it online, remembering old moments. Let me tell you, it’s like the one they sell, but I don’t know if it seems more concentrated. It’s no beast, never was, but correct performance, good for all year, versatile. Cheers, friends.
With this Paco Rabanne fragrance, in 2009 I discovered what a perfume can convey and provoke. At 20 years old, this fragrance earned me endless compliments. Since women liked it so much, some ended up becoming my partners, and in confidence, they told me they liked it because of my wonderful fragrance, hehehe. Black XS was my signature for many years and always with the same results. Later, I started using other scents and brands, but none had the magic or made me feel as good as Black XS. I haven’t had the original version, the non-Puig one, for years. Although it’s possible to acquire it in perfume addict groups here in Mexico, the truth is I want to keep only that pleasant, positive, and magical memory of those youth years. I wouldn’t be disappointed if I bought it again, although the results won’t be the same now that I’m almost 40. I still like gourmands and warm spices, but none like Paco Rabanne Black XS.
I’ve had the fortune of reuniting with an old friend. We’re remembering old battles; we were together in many, although we drifted apart more due to my fault than his. After years, I remembered him because I met someone with the same name, but it was just that, a shared air. This is what happened to me with Black XS, the aged one, not the 2018 version. I managed to get two bottles, and I’m a person a little happier; small details that brighten life, one gets by with little. I’ve had the new 2018 version in the new format twice, and both times I refused it. The first time because I thought it was wrong or a defective batch, and the second time because I confirmed the worst fears: a format change is the same as talking about reformulation. It’s a perfume that can be misleading, as Paco Rabanne is characterized by opulent, sweet, loud, and synthetic perfumes for the novice public, with a certain erotic-festive inclination. This Black XS, probably along with Ultraviolet, were pioneers within the house of everything that has happened since, like the bomb of 1 Million, or the less famous Pure XS, Phantom… It’s a sweet perfume, yes, but not in the style we’re used to with current launches. It’s a moderate sweetness that allows for a lot of play. From the start, the praline note stands out, with flashes of milk chocolate and hazelnuts, but it’s tremendously well balanced with citrus and fruity notes. This perfume, although not declared, has a fruity note of pineapple or strawberry… who knows, but it’s clearly perceived and reduces the sweetness of the praline, giving a perfect balance. All this is supported by a very light spicy part of cinnamon, like the dusting on some desserts, giving it a touch without becoming cloying or heavy, and not obscuring the fruity/citrus praline note. The fragrance settles into woody environments, and there have even been days I noticed a very hidden rose, just like the gothic-style rose decorating the beautiful bottle. This slightly woody turn along with the initial fruity but moderate sweetness makes the aroma a sort of light syruped chocolate that dries into a soft wood impregnated with the initial notes. I think it’s very good, truly. And well, if it’s still on the market, what’s the difference compared to the current version? Simple. When we atomize it, we’ll notice the opening is a bit more citrusy, although it maintains the aroma practically unaltered compared to its original version. The problem, as you can imagine, is the strength and depth of the aroma. An aroma that fades very quickly. It’s not that the 2005 version was a bomb, for nothing, normal performance, neither good nor bad, with the first hour and three quarters clearly perceptible to linger afterwards in a bubble and close to the skin for 7 or 8 hours. The problem here is that in half an hour it’s already close to the skin with no push at all; even the little bit perceived in the dry-down feels sweeter, and honestly, the dry-down didn’t manage to be smelled because it disappears before. In any case, the aroma, although more citrusy at the start and a bit sweeter in the mid-phase, is still very good and can be tried without problem based on the olfactory experience, but knowing the performance is what it is. The original, the 2005 one, has a carefree use, but as I said, it offers a lot of versatility. Since it’s not overwhelmingly sweet, it allows for a happier use in almost all situations where we don’t want to convey formality; likewise, since it’s not loud and has a fruity and citrusy part that accompanies almost constantly, it can be used practically all year round except in intense heat. Those who have used or carefully tested it will know what I’m talking about if I say it’s a perfume with a lot of personality, with a recognizable aroma, and can be a signature fragrance perfectly, not just for younger people (I think there are better alternatives today) but also for adults. In my judgment, one of the best Paco Rabanne fragrances. What a pity both the loss of the bottle, which was comfortable, light, and had its own personality (the current XS line bottles are horrible and uncomfortable), as well as the original aroma and all the flankers they released, and it’s curious that I don’t remember a single one of them being bad, highlighting L’Excess, the Iggy Pop version, or L’Aphrodisiaque, each with its nuances but sharing the Black XS base, sharing the identity, something that should be the norm for all flankers. How many good things have these guys deprived us of with their cash-grabbing obsession… there are things that are incomprehensible, and it seems like those who should make the most decisions are the least qualified, crazy. Let’s enjoy it while they allow us.
It’s so easy to read the description and some reviews to find answers… friend @Josezapata, the perfume is the same, only in 2018 they changed the format to the current ’round and small’ one. If you look, they unified the bottles for the whole XS line. The scent is the same, maybe slightly less citrusy and a bit more balsamic than the classic elongated bottle, and the longevity is slightly better, but only a little. Anyway, it was never powerful enough to fill a room, so it’s not worth paying more for the classic format unless you want to collect it. Cheers, hope I solved your doubt.
I have just one question: are there 2 types of bottles for this Black XS? Because I see one small round one, and I have this bottle.
This perfume has always made me laugh because it reminds me so much of Calipo de lima. If you’re from Spain, you know what ice cream I’m talking about. Said that, it’s a delight, refreshing, citrusy, and fresh—brutal. It’s true the old version was more potent with that Calipo smell, and that’s where the body of the other background aromas shows more. I still prefer the old one, haha. I’m sure it’s a specific molecule that ruins the whole perfume; I’ll definitely look for it.
Black XS Pour Homme: I agree it was never a powerhouse meant to fill a room; rather, it’s discreet. I bought it because the opening felt so different. I wore it, and nope, it never bored me. What I always loved was the gourmand accord of praline, tolu, and cinnamon, wrapped in a great amber coverage. They say black amber, but to me it’s pure ambroxan. The success of its fresh citrus opening with cardamom is the hook that quickly gets wrapped by the gourmand. The tolu gives it that medicinal cough syrup touch, but maybe that’s just for exquisite noses. I still love this scent, and along with Rochas Man, they are my favorite gourmand fragrances I can tolerate.
My youth perfume… I used it during my clubbing and party days. I went through at least 10 bottles. I don’t recall anyone else in my circle using it; they always asked what it was, and I never told them, haha. That sweet, almost unisex scent was my favorite; for me, the best Paco Rabanne ever. All the women loved it. I don’t know how it smells now or if they reformulated it, so I’m actually going to buy a new bottle to remember those times.
Hello perfumers. A delightful fragrance, but as far as I remember, the old bottle was discontinued. What happened is that the other day I saw it online on a trusted site for 57€ for 100ml and I took it. For me, it still seems to be the same composition as the old formula, although I’m not an expert by any means. Whatever the formula is, it still smells delicious.
Excellent fragrance, sweet, soft, very personal, and pleasant.
I love this perfume; it has an exotic and exquisite aroma, also addictive. I gave it to my husband as a kind of self-gift for myself, haha, I love smelling it on him.
I bought this fragrance yesterday; apparently, it’s a pre-reformulation sample from Puig. It’s worth noting that this was my first fragrance back in college; I remember going to Suburbia in 2009 and spraying it from the tester: ‘WOW!’ I thought, ‘This is crazy, this is the scent I can always ask for in a fragrance.’ At that time, I didn’t know about synthetic, natural, niche, or commercial aromas… Black XS was a gem that stayed in the first decade of the 2000s. Tragically, I could only buy one, and that ended my relationship with it. As some comments say, I’m left with the memory of that sharp, sweet, and invasive scent that was so enjoyed by me and others. After almost 10 years, I bought one, and the scent isn’t what I remembered; it has something, but it’s not what dazzled me and shone everywhere. Hopefully, this vintage version I got is what I hope for and not an illusion of what I held in my hands over 10 years ago.
This scent is a gem. I have two well-vintage bottles that I hope will last me forever, and a sealed one I’m not sure dates to 2019-2020 but with the old Zippo-style bottle. I have it for sale, interested parties via private message.
I just got the plastic version (this one); I already had the glass one and I’m saying again that it’s my favorite perfume or in my top 3, one of my signatures. It can never be missing from my collection; I have this one, the glass one, and the Zara Gold from over 10 years ago which is an imitation of Black XS but smells 90% the same and very intense, another gem. For Black XS, I always need two bottles and I don’t want them to ever run out; it’s one of the best perfumes they’ve ever released for me. I like it for everything, it works for everything and in all seasons. And it never gets old on me, I love smelling this delicious aroma. The only thing that bugs me is that it’s not available in more than 100ml. Scent: 10, Sillage: 8, Longevity: 7.5 (depends on sprays, can last much longer).
I remember Iggy Pop doing the ad for this gem. It’s an exceptional and versatile perfume, the best from Paco Rabanne in recent years. It has good projection and longevity that can be overwhelming if you overdo it, something newer creations lack. The perfect balance of its notes has created a timeless, refined, and authentic vanguard; a scent that only generates good memories. Cheers.
At first, I didn’t like it much, but little by little I understood it and now it’s in my collection. Based on the bottle, the name, the color, and those rose drawings, it gives off a rose and chocolate vibe, but in a masculine way. Why does Moschino have a Toy Boy that smells like a rose until it wilts and makes me gag? It’s too detailed, without adornments, and suddenly I confused it with a bath towel (kotek) and damn it, walking around smelling like that isn’t for me, haha.
I bought the set when it was new and it was a beautiful, special experience. An aroma that surprised me, like several others in the set. Totally recommended.
I picked up a Fugazzi that smells 90% like the original Black XS (not the current version), just like the Sugardaddy. Based on the name, I tried it and my brain said: ‘That’s him!’ I’d been smelling this scent for years, so there might be nuances, but to me, it’s identical. It’s one of the most brutal sweet fragrances for men I’ve ever heard; a resurrection of a classic, wish it happened more often.
I was able to try the old version, and it’s a great perfume: sweet but not gourmand. It has a very refreshing opening, feels very masculine, and has excellent performance. Quite versatile in my humble opinion, preferably for shoulder seasons, day or night (though it’s here, in the evening, where I think it shines best). Rating: 8.5/10
As far as I know, it’s very different from the current Black XS, which is fruitier and sweeter. This original version is more cinnamon-like, with praline and warm, gourmand, sexy, and slightly dark bad boy vibes. I love it. I had the early versions back in 2004 and loved them then. I bought this older version again now.
Hi friends, let me tell you, I went to a small-town pharmacy to buy aspirin and spotted the heavenly image of an XS Black in the 2005 Zippo-style bottle in the window. Obviously, I was hooked and emptied my wallet to buy it. The excitement of opening it and seeing the 50ml bottle—slim, elegant, textured—was incredible. Even more exciting was spraying it three times until that expected explosion of liquid. The batch number corresponded to November 2022, impossible!!! But then I read that that number repeats every 10 years, meaning it has 11 orbits around the sun… But it’s fantastic: sweet, fruity, caramel, and woody. The praline from back then and the wonderful patchouli. The 2018 bottle adds three more notes: carnation, citrus, and ebony, making it more citrusy and woody, less sweet. A marvelous find and it wasn’t cheap, almost as much as the current one, but it was worth it.
A rich fragrance, perfect for teenage bad boys. It’s not for adults; it was a great scent in my youth, very complex.
What can I say about this fragrance? It’s spectacular, one of the best Paco Rabanne scents I’ve tried. The smell is hard to describe—a well-balanced mix of citrus and sweet. I think it’s perfect for a first date; I guarantee you’ll make a great impression wearing this. I had the first batch made in France, bought it in 2006, and it lasted a long time because I only wore it for special occasions. Recently, I stumbled upon one at a local perfumery; it was the last one left despite the price being a bit high compared to some online stores. I bought it without hesitation. It turned out to be a 2011 batch manufactured by Puig in Spain. As for the scent, it’s identical to the first one I had. The only difference I notice, though it might just be my perception, is that the French batch projected more. I feel the longevity is the same, but the Spanish one fades closer to the skin in the last few hours. I haven’t tried the 2018 version; based on comments, it seems similar to Black XS L’Excess, which I’ve never tried. This was a blind buy 100%; I don’t think there’s anyone who wouldn’t like this aroma.
One of my favorite Paco Rabanne fragrances.
One of the best sweet perfumes I’ve ever had. It had power, longevity, and sillage… and a scent that earned me so many compliments. It’s a shame they reformulated it; now it’s not worth buying. It doesn’t even have half the longevity or projection 😡
A blue fragrance with a sweet touch thanks to the praline. It’s fresh… not a heavy, cloying perfume!
Don’t get fooled, lol, Paco Rabanne released the vintage-style bottle around 2020-2022, xd. They aren’t old batches. Those are gone! 🤡🤙
If you bought the 2018 version in the new bottle, please review that one instead, because the one in the black bottle has nothing to do with the current formula. The scent doesn’t even come close, although the longevity might be similar. It starts with a zesty lemon, then moves to sweet and spicy notes, with a praline base that’s very chocolatey, patchouli (that classic 90s vibe), and black amber. It’s nothing like the grey icon; there’s no marine or aquatic notes here—just dark resins like balsam and incense. This is a beast for night outs and parties, not for these cool evenings we have now, but for those freezing zero-degree nights I remember from 2009. It’s a shame what they did to it (conceptually similar to Axe Dark Temptation), but Perfumes Europeos in Mexico and LatAm already has an excellent vintage copy. Switch and move on for now. My keyboard is glitching and my computer won’t let me type properly, damn it. Blessings.
One of my favorites, nostalgia in a bottle. I bought the version similar to the Zippo again. Pure nostalgia of my early uni years. I knew this version when I was 19-20, and it’s a compliment machine. Very youthful and informal. Sweet fragrance; since it’s an EDT, it projects quite a bit. Ideal for cool climates, night, parties, or dates. A scent that invites you to get closer. Use: Nighttime, informal. Informal dates. Fragrance: 4/5. Projection: 4/5. Longevity: 3.5/5. Very good, youthful, strictly informal and nighttime use, great performance in cool-cold seasons.
REVIEW OF THE OLD VERSION (2005-2017): 2 HOURS OF PROJECTION, 8 HOURS ON SKIN. SCENT: Sweet and spicy opening with a light citrus touch. As it dries down, the citrus disappears leaving praline, cinnamon, and cardamomo, with an ambered vanilla base and deep patchouli. USES: 100% for night, ideal for winter or fall. Perfect for parties, dates, or dinner. It’s heavy, not for heat or daily wear. For me, it’s not 100% youthful; it was popular almost 20 years ago, but usable from young adults to people in their 60s. It reminds me of late 2000s electronic parties: Converse, dragon jeans, lumberjack shirts, gel hair, and music at full volume. SYNTHESIS: If you love sweet and spicy perfumes, this is for you. The post-2018 version (new bottle) lost some qualities, but it didn’t age poorly and still fits current trends. For nostalgics, there’s no comparison: it remains a night classic.
Spectacular, one of my favorites. It opens with a sharp lemon and evolves into a sweet, intriguing, and delicious nocturnal sweetness. If you see one of the old batches, buy it without hesitation.
I got it back around 2008. I was used to fresh marine fragrances, wearing CK ONE a lot for uni, also nautical. But the salesperson at the perfumery told me to try this, saying it was novel and youthful. I tried it and loved it because it broke the mold. I started using it for the nights out that never stopped, and people always asked what I was wearing; I felt exclusive since almost no one in my circle wore it. A plus was the bottle, totally black in the shape of a Zippo lighter, I loved it. What a shame they changed the packaging; I’m thinking about buying it again but I hate the new one, plus I heard they reformulated it and it doesn’t feel like that wonderful mid-2000s classic anymore. In terms of performance, the 2000s version projected and lasted exceptionally. I’d use it again for the nostalgia.
Bought it in 2016 or 2017. Unfortunately, I got the 50ml version, which I keep and use for special occasions. Exquisite aroma, lasts between 8 and 12 hours, and right on the skin until the next day, on clothes for even longer. What a pity they discontinued it, which is why I’m letting it macerate like wine.
I remember it as very sweet, youthful, and novel for its time. I’m not sure if it was the mix of praline and patchouli, but there was an ingredient that made it incredibly rich and candy-like. I’d love to have it back just to remember those years, but currently it’s not my style, though it was definitely a precursor to what this designer was releasing.
It was the first perfume I ever bought; I’ve had three bottles and it’s a marvel, too bad it’s discontinued. I still have a bit of the third bottle and save it for special occasions; you can feel the passage of time as it doesn’t last or project like before, which was absolutely crazy.
Amazing perfume! I found it for $50-$60, cheaper than usual. If you get a chance, try it. It’s an EDT, so it projects more than it lasts, but it’s a beast, and if you can get it cheap, all the better. The original packaging is the best; the new Paco Rabanne version isn’t bad but doesn’t reach the 2005 version. It’s incredible for anyone over 15, citrusy and sweet but super masculine, a beast for the night. 100% recommended.
At 50 years old, until I was 30 I only wore what was gifted to me or what I saw others complimenting. This was the first one I bought without having smelled it on anyone; when I tested it in the store, I fell in love with that citrus opening and that rich praline. Until 2010-2011 it was my signature and got me tons of compliments. Now I see it as very youthful for my age, but it will always hold a special meaning, and I still smell it in solitude from time to time for the good memories.
Bought it as inspiration and it smells like soft pineapple, probably due to the lemon mixing with the sweetness. Reminds me of lemon or pineapple candies; it’s very light and makes me think of Bogoss or Qaed Al Fursan. If the original is like this, I’d go for something more potent and masculine like Hacivat or Hawas Black.