My first exposure to 1 Million (the best Paco Rabanne cologne) was back in college. Preparing for a night at the student bar, I glanced a solid gold brick, pride of place on my friend’s dorm windowsill.
If this fragrance is anything less than gorgeous, I thought, then this might be the most obnoxious bit of marketing I’ve ever seen.
“What’s this?” I asked.
A sudden seriousness shrouded his face.
“Trust me,” he said. “This stuff works”.
1 Million’s sweet, bright energy is perfect for younger gents looking to make an impression at parties – girls seem to love it. The tart cranberry opening is exciting, with a touch of warming, cozy cinnamon resting on a more masculine woodsy base. A killer trio
After that night, I decided to dive a little deeper, and discovered the flanker – 1 Million Lucky – received similar attention. This time the sweetness is a little more dessert-ish, like caramel popcorn and honey nuts. Entirely edible.
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Young Romeo
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Most Popular
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Winter Pick
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4.7
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5.0
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4.5
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$170.00 ($50.00 / Fl Oz)
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$71.44 ($21.01 / Fl Oz)
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- A bright and lively fragrance for gents looking to make an impression. Caramel popcorn vibes.
- Takes gourmand "good enough to eat" scent to another level.
- Exuberant and vibrant fragrance for youthful revelry.
- Girls seem to absolutely love 1 Million - it's a thing.
- Lasts 10 hours, which is top tier.
- The sweetness is toned back for a deeper scent that cuts through the night.
- Like dark chocolate filled with strawberry liquor.
As I “grew up” (yes, still a work in progress…), the XS range has become my new go-to. They’re a little subtler for an intimate encounter than the aforementioned club-bangers.
Black XS, for example, has a boozier quality that feels more mature. I like wearing this one on dates in winter, when you want something seductive with enough power to cut through the cold and make an impression.
In this guide, I’m going to be retracing my steps to show you the best Paco Rabanne colognes I’ve found over the years.
We’ll cover where and when to best deploy each, based on:
- Note profile (what does it smell like)
- Longevity (how long does it last)
- Projection (how subtle/strong is it)
- Value for money
- Occasion (season, time of day, setting)
So let’s find the right Paco Rabbane fragrance for you.
Best Paco Rabanne Perfume for Him
1 Million – Most Popular Paco Rabanne Cologne
1 Million Lucky – Best Paco Rabanne Cologne for Seduction
Black XS – Best Paco Rabanne Cologne for Winter
Pure XS – Most Energizing Paco Rabanne Cologne
Pour Homme – Best Paco Rabanne Cologne for Classic Masculinity
Phantom – The Wildcard Paco Rabanne Cologne
And the Invictus Range…
Invictus Classic – Clean and Fresh
Invictus Victory – Woody and Intense
Invictus Legend – Sweet and Salty
What is the Best Paco Rabanne Cologne?
1 Million – Most Popular Paco Rabanne Cologne
1 Million is a beautiful blend of citrus and spice, perfect for a lively and youthful gent full of bustling energy.
Exuberant and vibrant fragrance for youthful revelry.
Girls seem to absolutely love 1 Million - it's a thing.
Lasts 8 - 10 hours, which will get you through the whole day.
| Occasion: Bold, youthful energy | Longevity: 10 Hours |
| Age Group: 18 – 30 | Projection: Strong |
| Season: Spring/Fall/Winter | Value for Money: 5/5 |
It’s club-banger energy to the max. This is a fragrance that smells expensive, but is not stuffy or posh at all. One million is all about youth and revelry, perfect for the well-kept Gent in his early twenties looking to make an impression.
The opening is a bright and juicy blast of citrus, full of fresh blood orange, and grapefruit.
Once the citrus fades, One Million is all about the cinnamon. It’s bold, warm, and spicy- like a freshly baked cinnamon pie in the holidays.
It’s a delicious and comforting scent for cold weather– but if you hate cinnamon, you will 100% hate this. Think spiced Christmas cookies. It’s spiced, but sweet and hour and enough to appeal to girls and collect compliments.
In the base, there are some amber and woodsy accords to give One Million some much-needed stiffness and masculinity.
This is a classic fragrance that has become pretty ubiquitous with young men looking to impress women. It works 90% of the time, but I actually avoid wearing it on dates because too many people associate it with their exes.
I think a lot of the bad rep comes from young ‘uns who obnoxiously overspray, so keep that in mind. The projection is already powerful; you don’t need to bathe yourself in this stuff.
Longevity is similarly heft at a solid days use of 10+ hours. 1 Million will carry you through a busy day and well into the evening entertainment.
For a top-tier energizer with the power to match, Paco Rabanne 1 million hits the jackpot.
| Top Notes: | Grapefruit, Mint and Blood Mandarin |
| Middle Notes: | Cinnamon, Spicy Notes and Rose |
| Base Notes: | Patchouli, Woodsy Notes, Leather and Amber |
1 Million Lucky – Best Paco Rabanne Cologne for Seduction
The clue is in the name: Lucky is a crowd-pleaser for young lothario’s at the club with one thing on their mind.
| Occasion: Club-night Seduction | Longevity: 8 – 9 Hours |
| Age Group: 18 – 27 | Projection: Strong |
| Season: Year-Round | Value for Money: 4/5 |
This playful cologne takes the concept of gourmand to the next level. It’s a sweet and nutty blend that smells just like fresh caramel popcorn.
Lucky represents youthful hedonism, not measure or balance. It’s yet to be held down by politeness and convention, and the same ought to be true of the wearer.
It’s a sweet cub fragrance that plenty of Gents in their twenties would enjoy- but it doesn’t scream maturity.
It’s got the same 1 Million DNA, but with a tilt toward ”boyfriend material” rather than ”future husband”.
It starts with fresh and sweet plum before revealing an edible hazelnut center. It’s a little like Nutella- delicious and very sweet, appealing to everyone.
After a couple of hours, the nuttiness makes way for syrupy honey and amber dry-down that reminds me of YSL’s L’Homme Intense.
P.S If you’re a fan of citrus/sweet blends, do yourself a favor and layer Lucky With Tommy Bahama Saint Barts. The refreshingly creamy coconut and lime make for a winning spring/summer combo.
| Top Notes: | Plum, Grapefruit and Bergamot |
| Middle Notes: | Hazlenut, Honey, Cedar, Jasmine and Orange Blossom |
| Base Notes: | Amber, Patchouli, Oakmoss and Vetiver |
Black XS – Best Paco Rabanne Cologne for Winter
Like most Paco Rabanne fragrances, Black XS is sweet but not nearly as much as One Million or Lucky.
| Occasion: Winter date night | Longevity: 8 – 9 Hours |
| Age Group: 22 – 35 | Projection: Moderate/Strong |
| Season: Winter | Value for Money: 5/5 |
Despite it not being the most inventive fragrance of all time, Black XS is a hit with the ladies. Girls seem to adore it, and it’s one of the most complimented fragrances in my collection. Even my male friends ask me what I’m wearing when we’re out, and if they can borrow a spray.
It smells a little like dark chocolate filled with strawberry liquor. This is a rich and fruity fragrance that offers gothic, deep seduction. It smells good enough to eat, truly.
It’s a party banger, that’s for sure. It’s a youthful cologne that is probably best for Gents up until their mid 30’s. This is a relaxed and carefree fragrance and is probably best for someone with the attitude to match.
Worth noting if you’re an older gent; this is not a cologne to go with the pipe and slippers.
Black Xs performs best (and becomes 10 times more appealing in colder weather). It reminds me of a sweeter version of Burberry London, one of my favorite winter fragrances for frosty city escapades.
It’s got enough power to cut through the cold and last all day, too. Particularly if you spray a little into your overcoat, you’ll get 9 hours of longevity, no problems.
| Top Notes: | Sage and Lemon |
| Middle Notes: | Praline, Cardamom and Cinnamon |
| Base Notes: | Rosewood, Amber and Patchouli |
Pure XS – Most Energizing Paco Rabanne Cologne
If Pure XS doesn’t get you energized, I’m not sure what will.
| Occasion: Revitalising zesty energy | Longevity: 7 – 8 Hours |
| Age Group: | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Year-round | Value for Money: 4.5/5 |
The opening is an explosion of ginger and citrus. This unique, playful blend is perfect for casual wear, and the ginger heat makes it viable citrus wear for the cooler months.
Again, the trademark Paco Rabanne sweetness opens up in the heart with a vanilla-cola accord that leans a little towards sweet licorice. It’s a bit of a candy store, sugar-rush excitement, but in an alluring way rather than juvenile.
Still, it’s not a deep and earthy beacon of alpha-masculinity, so I’d probably recommend it to someone in their twenties. This is not for the grandpa in the armchair, put it that way. It would probably finish him off.
XS sticks around for 7-8 hours, with good projection for the first few while still moderate enough to be cuddle friendly. It’s probably a little too out there for the office, but to liven up a date night or bar crawl, it’s 10/10.
| Top Notes: | Thyme, Ginger, Bergamot, Grapefruit and Green Notes |
| Middle Notes: | Liquor, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Apple and Leather |
| Base Notes: | Sugar, Cedar, Woodsy Notes, Patchouli and Cashmere |
Pour Homme – Best Paco Rabanne Cologne for Classic Masculinity
This classic from the 70s is one of the oldest in my collection- and masculine enough to make you grow some chest hair.
| Occasion: Retro confidence and authority | Longevity: 7 Hours |
| Age Group: 35 – 55 | Projection: Strong |
| Season: Year-round | Value for Money: 4/5 |
Pour Homme is an expression of simple, classic masculinity. It makes you think of a respectable, kind, and wise father. This is for the capable and stable leader in the boardroom, not the plucky upstart.
If you’re looking for a youthful and energetic fragrance to bounce around the club with, look elsewhere.
The opening of Pour Homme has a green herbal quality that resembles Polo Green. It’s got a bit of sharpness but only lasts for a few minutes before clean and soapy lavender takes charge. It’s a refined and sophisticated blend that combines strength and calm beautifully.
In the base there’s oakmoss and a little musk, providing some nice depth in the absence of any prominent woods. There’s a touch of honey sweetness, too, to round out some of the earthiness from the natural notes.
Pour Homme’s projection is hefty, even in the winter months. It dominates even in the winter months and can cut through the cold air with ease.
With that in mind, use sparingly in the office unless you plan on choking out your co-workers. I find just 1-2 sprays work best for me.
| Top Notes: | Sage, Rosewood and Rosemary |
| Middle Notes: | Lavender and Tonka Bean |
| Base Notes: | Oakmoss, Musk, Honey and Amber |
Phantom – The Wildcard Paco Rabanne Cologne
The future is here, and it looks like a robot.
| Occasion: Fragrance from the Future | Longevity: 7 Hours |
| Age Group: 22 – 40 | Projection: Moderate/Strong |
| Season: Fall/Winter | Value for Money: 4/5 |
Phantom is a world first from Paco Rabanne, using artificial technology to create a fragrance powered by neuroscience.
Their “augmented creativity” process considered over 45 million data points to come up with the perfect notes to make you feel sexier, confident, and more alert.
It combines a classic lavender note with a sharp dash of greenery. It’s a very wearable, young, and somewhat grassy cologne with a touch of citrus sweetness.
Sweet, creamy vanilla is also pretty prominent, paired with a light touch of patchouli. The patchouli isn’t the hippy, overly earthy variety- it just adds sweetness.
If you’re not a fan of lavender, steer clear. But otherwise, this sweet, fresh cologne is lovely for springtime in particular.
This attention-getter lasts from dawn to sunset and projects very well- particularly in the morning.
Phantom wins the award for the coolest bottle. The robot design is one-of-a-kind- you can scan the head with your phone to unlock exclusive content.
And if that wasn’t enough- it’s refillable. That’s great for the environment, and your robo-companion, too.
| Top Notes: | Lemon and Lavender |
| Middle Notes: | Apple, Patchouli and Earthy Notes |
| Base Notes: | Vanilla and Vetiver |
The Invictus Range
Outside of One Million and XS, Invictus is the most popular Paco Rabanne Range.
They’re a symbol of victory and success, combining intensity and freshness in intrinsically masculine blends.
I thought they deserved their own review. So, check out this link to find out what all the fuss is about.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:
- Invictus Classic – Clean and fresh – Sugary caramel sweetness with a nutty, popcorn finish. My girlfriend loves Invictus Classic, btw.
A fresh, citrus-led cologne with marine energy and a caramel finish.
Lasts up to 8 hours, which is a great result for the price.
- Invictus Victory – Woody and intense – Stiff and mature whiskey combines with warm spices in the gruff, masculine blend.
A cheat code for confidence. Invictus Victory is perfect for dominating the day.
Great longevity at 8 - 9 hours.
Crowd-pleaser that will collect compliments all day.
- Invictus Legend – Sweet and salty – Borders on aquatic, with salty marine notes and amber.
You can read our full review in the link below:
Bonus- Paco Rabanne Fragrance Discovery Set
I love it when designers offer sample sets. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on with a variety of fragrances and find your signature scent before committing to a full-sized bottle.
Some of us can’t afford to go out and buy every fragrance, and I wish other high-end houses would follow suit.
I’m looking at you, Gucci.
Anyway, Paco Rabanne has lowered the barrier of entry significantly with their Fragrance Discovery Set.
You’ll get four 10ml travel vials of their most popular masculine fragrances for less than the cost of a night out. That’s a steal.
Available through pacorabanne.com
What You Should Know About the Best Paco Rabbane Men’s Colognes
What’s the Most Popular Paco Rabbane Cologne?
The most popular Paco Rabbane cologne is 1 Million, by a distance. It’s one of the most sold fragrances in the world.
In 2020, an estimated 1.32 million people used Paco Rabbane 1 Million in the UK alone – that’s almost 2% of the population!
1 Million was followed by Paco Rabbane Invictus in second with 721,000 users, and then Paco Rabbane XS with 319,000 UK users.
Which Paco Rabbane Fragrance Lasts Longest?
The lonest-lasting Paco Rabbane fragrance for men is 1 Million. It lasts for 10 hours, which is pretty much as long as you can find across all colognes apart from in exceptional circumstances.
1 Million Lucky and Black XS are no slouches either, both providing 8 – 9 hours of scent to carry you through a full work day and well into cocktails afterwards.
| Fragrance | Longevity |
|---|---|
| 1 Million | 10 Hours |
| 1 Million Lucky | 8 – 9 Hours |
| Black XS | 8 – 9 Hours |
| Pure XS | 7 – 8 Hours |
| Pour Homme | 7 Hours |
| Phantom | 7 Hours |
To be honest, no Paco Rabbane colognes really let me down in terms of longevity. As a brand, Paco Rabbane is consistent and reliable when it comes to producing colognes that will last a practical length of time.
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Young Romeo
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Most Popular
|
Winter Pick
|
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|
|
|
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4.7
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5.0
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4.5
|
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$170.00 ($50.00 / Fl Oz)
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$71.44 ($21.01 / Fl Oz)
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|
|
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- A bright and lively fragrance for gents looking to make an impression. Caramel popcorn vibes.
- Takes gourmand "good enough to eat" scent to another level.
- Exuberant and vibrant fragrance for youthful revelry.
- Girls seem to absolutely love 1 Million - it's a thing.
- Lasts 10 hours, which is top tier.
- The sweetness is toned back for a deeper scent that cuts through the night.
- Like dark chocolate filled with strawberry liquor.
FAQ- Paco Rabbane Cologne for Men
So, that was the Top Paco Rabbane Colognes
Paco Rabanne, as you’ll have noticed, has a wide and diverse range of scents.
There are plenty of popular colognes that I still didn’t get a chance to cover, but the ones I selected are going to give you the best introduction to the eccentric house.
If I were you, I’d start with one of the three core offerings, and work your way through the flankers from there. So, that’s either One Million, Black XS or the Original Invictus.
Once you’ve got a feel for your favorite range, you’ll be able to find a signature fragrance that feels a little more bespoke.
I’ve included links to the best prices I’ve been able to find for each cologne, so check them out and enjoy!
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
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