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Ultraviolet by Rabanne

Women 1999

Brand
Rabanne

Description

Ultraviolet by Rabanne is an oriental floral fragrance for women. Launched in 1999, the nose behind this composition is Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. The top notes reveal pepper, orange pepper, allspice, bergamot, coriander, fresh almonds, and Brazilian rosewood; the heart unfolds violet, Japanese osmanthus, rose, and jasmine; while the base notes close the pyramid with vanilla, patchouli, amber, and cedar.

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Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 31%
  • Spring 24%
  • Summer 15%
  • Autumn 30%
  • Day 53%
  • Night 47%

Key notes

Community

5,828 votes

  • Positive 78%
  • Negative 18%
  • Neutral 4.1%
positive reviews 5.8 k community votes
LongevityLong-lasting SillageModerate Best momentDay CharacterFeminine

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 owned it

14,471 votes

Season

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Leading answer Winter

4,525 votes

Time of day

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Leading answer Day

2,843 votes

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

Fragrance profile

About Ultraviolet

Main accord violet Year 1999 Gender Women Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud

Ultraviolet by Rabanne is an oriental floral fragrance for women. Launched in 1999, the nose behind this composition is Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. The top notes reveal pepper, orange pepper, allspice, bergamot, coriander, fresh almonds, and Brazilian rosewood; the heart unfolds violet, Japanese osmanthus, rose, and jasmine; while the base notes close the pyramid with vanilla, patchouli, amber, and cedar.

Spices Green, herbal and fougère Woods and mosses Flowers White flowers Musk, amber and animalic

How it wears

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Longevity

Leading answer Long-lasting

1,829 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Moderate

2,054 votes

Character

Leading answer Traditionally feminine

854 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Fair price

733 votes

Community reviews

40 reviews

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  1. It’s been my signature scent since birth. I even tried to betray it, just like I did with Edén by Cacharel, but Ultraviolet crushed everything and erased all prior memories. Like bubbles of fine champagne rising to the nose: sparkling, playful, it catches you and lets you go on a sweet, feminine, and bold journey—spicy, talc-like yet vibrant, very warm at the base. Like a playful fairy wrapping around you. I said I was trying to escape to run some adventures… and I always come back, defeated and hopelessly in love. Oh my!

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  2. I love it; I used it constantly right when it launched. The distinct violet and that modern skin sensation captivated me. I adore its dry-down: strong at first, but within minutes it becomes beautiful. I went crazy when I found it discontinued; I got it yesterday, and as soon as I tested it, it transported me back to 2006/8 when I was wearing it so much. People always praised it. Lasts about 4 hours now in summer, maybe more in winter.

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  3. kota_khaleesi

    My signature for years, even though I own many, I always reach for this. I met it through a college friend in 2004. I finally dared to try it in 2008; at first, the opening didn’t appeal to me, but in the store, it hit me hard. Then the dry-down was different, gorgeous on my skin: strong violet, feminine, cheerful, neither sweet nor vintage like Insolence by Guerlain, but sexy with personality. I love the scent on clothes and the vanilla blend. It lasts hours on skin and fabric, leaving a sexy and original trail. There’s no dupe or similar. It’s versatile for day or night, any season. I prefer it in autumn/winter, but I always return to it. I love it.

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  4. Nice perfume, literally smelled like slightly talc-covered violets. What a shame it’s discontinued.

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  5. Ojitos De Olores

    Ideal for a woman on a Friday evening or night: just off work, showered, apply it, spend the night on the couch under a blanket, alone or with company. A perfume that embraces; if you love violet hugs, this is yours. Very sexy, and you can feel how it evolves with the skin’s heat. I love it 😀

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  6. I don’t understand why they list it for autumn/winter; it’s very soft, fresh, slightly talc-like with a spicy touch, but on my skin, it’s not warm at all. I was disappointed when I received it a year ago; I expected more, and the aging process hasn’t improved it. I’ll use it for sports or as an EDT in spring. In summer I wear little perfume, and it would never be my choice at night. I don’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t recommend it; I expected more. Edit: I tried it in summer, nice opening but very short longevity. A pity, it just doesn’t match my skin.

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  7. I was expecting a soft, talc-like scent, but in the end, it just seems spicy; let’s not even talk about the longevity.

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  8. Ultraviolet marked my youth at the start of the new millennium. Its marked violet, as the name suggests, is ideal for lovers of the note. It’s not powdery or ethereal violet; here, it blends with pepper, making it bold and scandalous. It’s an EDP that suits girls with a dramatic style. Nothing romantic, but rather a young, daring, and independent woman. It reflects a futuristic aroma with a metallic hint from the bell pepper (I notice it quite a bit). It’s not my style because it borders on vulgar, but I keep it for the memories it evokes.

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  9. My favorite: smells soft and citrusy, with delicate violets and a pleasant trail. I like that it feels citrusy without being overwhelming. I can’t quite explain it, but it smells exquisite.

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  10. Astriddenisse

    A work of art: opening is a clean, fresh, and spicy breath. The violet is felt all the time, and on clothes, it leaves a vanilla trail. 10/10!

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  11. BrisadeAbril

    Ultraviolet is my first love and I’m still obsessed with it—this perfume has no rival! I’ve been wearing it for 20 years and it’s still my favorite out of thousands. I try new fragrances, but none match its impact or originality. I adore it and can’t imagine life without it 😍

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  12. This damn scent is absolutely to blame for me having ‘an issue’ with fragrances. I went to Sephora looking for a signature smell—something uniquely mine. Back then, I knew nothing about perfumes (my only references were the blackberry one from Mercadona and a Victoria’s Secret scent). Every sample on the shelves seemed boring, saying nothing to me… until I spotted that alien-looking violet sphere. I still remember the feeling: chills and an intoxicating, one-of-a-kind smell I’d never encountered before and couldn’t describe (perfumes had never interested me like this). I screamed inside: ‘I NEED THIS,’ ‘it’s what I’ve always dreamed of without even knowing.’ Now I know that distinct scent is violet. It has a unique, slightly sweet vibe that I think comes from the bell pepper note (so cool). It lasts forever, and my current problem is that it’s super powdery. But right now, I love it with just ONE spray. I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite considering everything I’ve smelled this past year, but it definitely holds a special place in my heart 🌆👾⚗️💜. A wild, original beast, very mystical and mysterious. Its flaw is that brutal powdery dry-down. I see it for cold or mild evenings, not for every occasion.

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  13. I really like it; it’s one I keep coming back to and repurchasing. It’s perfect for special occasions, especially in winter and fall, and I love wearing it during the day. It’s incredibly long-lasting with that distinctive, unmistakable aroma. The best violet.

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  14. I absolutely love it. To me, it’s a sublime, elegant, beautiful, and distant fragrance. It smells expensive, sophisticated, and full of personality—it’s not your usual scent. Whenever I wear it, everyone tells me they love it. Even my ex, who usually hated perfumes, never said anything when I wore it; he just reacted well to my skin. It brings me immense nostalgia since I used it as a teenager. Although it’s quite formal for someone young, I always had a serious and distant vibe, so it complemented me perfectly. It really depends on your personality to pull it off; it’s not for everyone and doesn’t suit just anyone. I still use it today, especially since it’s discontinued, and I take extra care of my bottle in case I can’t find it again. I can’t tell you how much it hurts to read that some people don’t like it. With my eyes closed, I’d trade any other fragrance I own for this. For me, it’s the QUEEN of fragrances. If you wear this sublime scent and it suits you, you’re guaranteed to be memorable. And if you happen to meet someone wearing the same fragrance, they’ll remember you—it doesn’t fade away that easily. I have people from my school days who recognized me because of this perfume, and whenever I wear it at reunions, I always get great comments <3

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  15. MissPennyLane

    Ultraviolet can’t be missing from my collection. I’m not sure if it’s been reformulated, but I perceive the same scent now that I did when I was 20. I used to bathe in this aroma every day; it was my signature scent and I had no idea why. At the time, I bought it because a friend wore it. When I tried it for the first time, I thought it wasn’t the real Ultraviolet—it was defective… it smelled SO different on my skin! It starts with a peppery note that almost irritates the nose, but quickly blends with the sweetness of almonds, violets (these violets are so special!), and a vanilla that’s a bit artificial but equally charming. Once it settles, it’s a gorgeous combination of sweet and spicy, purple and vanilla. In love. Spectacular performance; it projects for eight hours after application… if I don’t shower, I can still smell it the next morning.

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  16. Mariposa_nocturna30

    I just bought it blind and what a letdown. Based on the notes, I imagined it would be a powerhouse, but I have to press my nose against my wrist just to catch a whiff. We’re talking about an Eau de Parfum, but it performs like a body mist… I should clarify that a year has passed since I bought this, and wow, it’s a bomb now. It seems I should have left it forgotten in my closet to let it mature before using it again. It lasts 6 hours or more, but only 6 hours of strong projection. I’m hoping to use it for night outs and cold days. I’m thrilled. I think I’ll restock it before it runs out, but I’ll let it age for a few months to build up its potency.

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  17. Audrey2016

    It’s fascinating how a scent can age you or make you feel younger… Ultraviolet was a modern classic in its time, and today, smelling it has made me fall in love again. It’s fresh and sweet at the same time, different and full of style. The price is great, and honestly, I haven’t smelled it on almost anyone else… so it has everything to stay with me!! Super, super recommended!

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  18. I used to steal this perfume from my mom to go to school. She had the full-size bottle and the travel size, and I loved smelling it and feeling her leave. Then things changed, and I only got used to the scents she gifted me or the ones she wore. Recently, I was sniffing around perfumes, spending time testing one after another, but nothing caught my attention. I saw this one and tried it just because it was on the counter, and it hit me with nostalgia. About 15 years later, a single sniff and I knew it was the perfume for me; I remembered it as if no time had passed since the last time I smelled it. A great fragrance; few perfumes have a first impression like this. When you read ‘violet’ on a label, you can’t imagine anything better than this scent. It’s wonderful.

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  19. Perfumesjuveniles

    I don’t own it, but I tried it the other day. The only thing I can say is that it’s a totally unconventional fragrance these days. If you love violets like I do, you’ll be blown away, and it’s quite potent. It’s a pity I didn’t live through that era of perfumery; back then, perfumes had much better performance and were far more distinct. This one is going to be a hit. The only thing I don’t like is the little bottle; it reminds me of DKNY.

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  20. MacarenaMaira131

    At 20, I smelled this in a friend’s room and got completely hypnotized. I memorized it and now I own a bottle; it feels like a dream coming true. At first, it stings and is intense, but then it blooms into something floral with tons of personality and presence.

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  21. I bought it blind and I’m still discovering it. On my skin, it’s powerful at first, then softens, and after four hours, it lingers on the skin for another couple of hours. It doesn’t smell weird or bold like people say; once it dries down, it’s just violet—a lovely, youthful, and versatile scent for any outfit. It reminds me of those purple cinnamon gum candies; it doesn’t smell outdated, and I’m sure I’ve smelled this on someone in the 90s. It’s very familiar.

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  22. I bought it at 20 during my techno-pop era, wearing silver clothes, chokers, and blue lips; now I can’t stand it. The violet is horrible, smelling cheap with synthetic pepper and cilantro. It has a touch of jasmine, some amber, and lots of cedar. It’s a unisex perfume from a specific era for a specific generation (the original 1999 one).

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  23. Anabel_Parfums

    If I could describe my adolescence with a scent, it would be Ultraviolet 💜. It’s the quintessential violet perfume, but with that spicy, bold, youthful, and vibrant twist. I’ve worn it since its launch (though less lately due to changing tastes). It will always be in my collection, not for use but for nostalgia: gang hangouts, first loves, and candy world adventures. Oh, youth, divine treasure 🥰

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  24. It’s hard to describe. The violets are very present 💜. It’s a well-executed and unusual fragrance. Maybe you don’t expect what you’ll find, but it surprises for the better: it’s not super sweet or super strong. It seems like a daily wear but of good quality. Maybe it doesn’t have much sillage, but the scent is so pleasant. Once someone told me it smelled like hair tonic; I never felt that. I’d love to find a dupe because in Argentina, it’s either excessively priced or dubious quality. Edit: It’s back on sale in Argentina and it’s finally in my hands 💜

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  25. Wow, I took my time testing it, and it’s great. I also tried Halloween, which seems like the innocent version of Ultraviolet. This one is the mature, no-nonsense version. The violet, though talcum-heavy, feels refreshing to me, like it’s sugared and damp with rain dew. I associate it with a shower and cleanliness—fresh, watery, soapy, and wet. That freshness and the kick of chili pepper welcome you with an almost rocker attitude (it reminds me of a cold black leather jacket, like your ex-motorcycle rider 🤣). Then there’s a creamy, warm side that calms down, vanilla, almond, and with the smoothness of a rose petal, plus a slight playful sting. Sometimes I feel I hate its concept; it seems more masculine and could easily be in a pink bottle. It’s special and eccentric due to its notes, but the scent isn’t weird; it’s super feminine with a cozy finish and lots of personality 💗

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  26. Violets over violets and talc. A bit oriental, but basically floral with violets in full bloom. There are many dupes; in Chile, there’s one called Sexy Night Clyo, slightly citrusy, but the base is Ultraviolet.

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  27. I like this fragrance; putting it on brings me joy. Although it launched over 20 years ago, it feels timeless and suitable for any occasion. I’ve read it’s intrusive, but I don’t feel that way. It’s different from today’s trends, but I find it interesting, balanced, and well-constructed. I like the notes, especially the violet, pepper, and chili. It has character and something unique to say. Honestly, I really like it.

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  28. LyciaEssencia

    I just picked up a bottle, and although the scent is the same as when I used it in high school, now I find it extremely strong until it gives me a headache. This didn’t happen when I wore it in my youth. What a shame because I loved it 🙁

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