Eau Paco Rabanne by Rabanne

To me, it’s a modern, lighter take on the original. It opens with citrus freshness and orange blossom, giving it a slightly fruity touch. Then, white pepper and vetiver add a pleasant spicy kick. It’s fascinating how this style bridges the gap with its older sibling, where rosemary and lavender set the rhythm. In the classic, that persistent, soapy note is obvious, but here the fragrance feels softer and saltier with floral nuances. Anyone who knows both will get what I mean. It’s well-constructed, a splendid and refined scent, perfectly carved. It feels like Olivier Cresp managed to capture the light and atmosphere of a hot summer afternoon and bottle it in a fresh, ice-cold glass. All in all, a perfect independent interpretation for when the temperatures rise.

Paco Rabanne Eau is super fresh packed with basil and a citrus effervescence that reminds me of a mojito. It’s quite similar to L’Eau d’Issey but with more woody notes and above all that lavender that makes it unique. It radiates calm and peace. Honestly I don’t understand why they discontinued it; it’s for a man with personality who loves the beach. The ingredients are extremely natural though it lasts about 6-7 hours with a nice trail. It’s still available at a good price and honestly it’s a great candidate for summer fragrance. Versatile sensual and without those ambroxan iso E or cloying notes that are so annoying.

When you see Olivier Cresp’s work you can tell he’s a nose who knows how to craft excellent fresh fragrances. To his credit are Dior Dune Eau Parfumée Versace Man Eau Fraîche Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for women and L’Eau Par Kenzo for both men and women. Paco Rabanne Pour Homme starts with a citrus burst where bergamot takes the lead over orange blossom and lemon. The other main player is lavender its only similarity to Paco Rabanne Pour Homme. The lavender lingers until the heart notes emerge where basil and vetiver stand out. For the dry down the vetiver blends with musk along with the listed woods and a hint of incense. It’s a green herbal fragrance. If you don’t like this genre stay away. Due to its herbal character one might think of Cartier Roadster or YSL Live Jazz though I maintain they don’t resemble Eau Pour Homme. Recommended for audiences over 25 it stands out for its uniqueness. There’s not much else like it on the market. Also I believe it’s been discontinued. It’s a fragrance with its own merits setting itself apart from the current Paco Rabanne trend where One Million and Black XS are the ones setting the pace.