Black XS
Black XS by Paco Rabanne is a masculine-leaning eau de toilette from 2005 in the designer price tier. It opens with lemon, black pepper and cardamom, moves into praline, damask rose and sage and dries down to tonka bean, patchouli and black tea. Expect around 7 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Lemon Clean, sour, instantly recognisable. Bright but burns off fast.
- Black Pepper Dry and prickly. Gives a fragrance grip and a bit of bite.
- Cardamom Cool, aromatic spice with a eucalyptus lift. Smells expensive.
Heart
- Praline Caramelised nuts. Sweet, toasty and very moreish.
- Damask Rose The rich, jammy, honeyed rose. Deep and slightly wine-like.
- Sage Dry, herbal and slightly bitter. Adds a grown-up, aromatic edge.
Dry-down
- Tonka Bean Almond, hay and vanilla in one. Warm and slightly nutty.
- Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
- Black Tea Dry, tannic and smoky. More astringent than green tea.
Smells like this
- Ralph Lauren Polo Black
- Liis Ethereal Wave
- Mugler Angel
- Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Absolu
- Chanel Paris-Paris
- Mugler Angel Elixir
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