XS Eau De Toilette Spray by Paco Rabanne - 100 ml

Very strong lavender spiced soapy powdery bomb. I have the 2018 version and I'm amazed how strong it is. It is super loud for the first 30 minutes to a hour. It's a perfect upscale office scent. It just gives off the vibe of a well put together and groomed professional. Smells way more expensive than it is. An amazing office scent that is different from the most popular fragrances like ADG that will make you stand out. 8.5/10

you sent me the new version (2018) and you put in the photo the previous version (1994). It's not right for you to cheat like that. You put the image offering that version (1994) and send the other one... for that reason I made the purchase. I am not happy.

The bottle has been updated to look the same as the Pure XS bottles, except with a lighter grey liquid, and silver letters and cap. I’m a fan of the much underrated Pure XS, so I thought I would try the original. The scent itself is a bit plain (no doubt reformulated since it’s release), and Pure XS has little to no similarities. Some people like simple, clean fragrances though, like this one. It’s fresh with a light spiciness, but it simply smells like a good quality aftershave, rather than a good cologne. Hot weather fragrance that lasts for about 2-3 hours, but basically a skin scent after 1 hour. Unless it’s your thing, it’s not worth the full price, especially when Paco Rabanne offers a much better selection of fragrances.

This is really similar to Ralph Lauren Polo green. A typical barbershop scent. The opening is much more soapy and the opening is quite metallic. The opening is just dreadful but the dry down you get this beautiful dark green style depth to it. The atomizer is quite nice on this as well. It's not the easiest fragrance to wear, average longevity and projection, if you can get this for 20$ in a drug store for 50ml and are a fan of polo but want something to wear for those times where it's not a special occasion this is for you. This is for the older generation 40 or 50+

A but perfumey at first but grew on me

I got this by mistake and decided to try it out anyway. At first I really didn't like the fragrance; it was too sweet, too "perfumey" for me. I was not happy about my decision to keep it... then I noticed that as I wore it, the fragrance adapted on my skin (as the alcohol evaporated) and I really started to like it. Now when I wear it, I love it from the start. Took some time but I changed 100% - that has never happened with me and a fragrance. My only gripe is that it only lasts a couple hours. I wish it lasted longer... but it was this combination of ingredients that gave Pure XS the scent I like, and I can deal with the relatively short lifespan. BTW, I originally ordered XS (without the "Pure"), which is one of my favorite colognes... this isn't too far off from ... MoreI got this by mistake and decided to try it out anyway. At first I really didn't like the fragrance; it was too sweet, too "perfumey" for me. I was not happy about my decision to keep it... then I noticed that as I wore it, the fragrance adapted on my skin (as the alcohol evaporated) and I really started to like it. Now when I wear it, I love it from the start. Took some time but I changed 100% - that has never happened with me and a fragrance. My only gripe is that it only lasts a couple hours. I wish it lasted longer... but it was this combination of ingredients that gave Pure XS the scent I like, and I can deal with the relatively short lifespan. BTW, I originally ordered XS (without the "Pure"), which is one of my favorite colognes... this isn't too far off from that, it has some of the same notes. Sometimes with "Pure XS" I get reminded of an orange dreamsicle, sometimes it's nothing like that. If you like XS, you will probably like Pure XS because they're not that different. Just my opinion, I'm glad to share it but don't sue me if you disagree... ;)

Close, BUT...

It arrived 2 days BEFORE the stated day. I haven't opened the Paco Rabanne XS yet. But I just ran out of the older one (same tester) and it LOOKS like the same. I'm a little perplexed as to WHY these last 2 XS are NOT the same as the original XS (see pic in ad). Even the color is different; original is yellowish (as pictured) and these last 2 are violet. The scent is different too, with a little powdery smell that dissipates soon (FORTUNATELY). I hate it when they change the bottle, packaging and THEN, the scent. Yet keep the same name. That's tantamount to FALSE ADVERTISING. Isn't it? Anyway, it was affordable and CLOSE to what I needed. WISH it was exactly the same as the original though.

Good product but photo is inaccurate

UPDATE 24 July 2019: Photos have been updated but notes are still incorrect, can see the correct notes in my review below Received and opened today and to my surprise it is a different bottle from the photo. The one in the photo is the original (1994) bottle. The product I received is the 2018 redesign and the fragrance also has different notes to those listed on MightyApe. XS 2018 notes (from fragrantica.com) Top notes: bergamot, lemon, wild mint Heart: juniper berries, coriander, geranium Base: sandalwood, rosemary, oak moss Surprisingly it smells almost identical to the original formulation though which is a good thing. So great product but the product page on MightyApe needs to be updated to reflect the redesigned bottle and formulation.

New old scent

It used to be one of my favourite scents during the 90-s, and I am very happy that it has returned in a new packaging and probably with a slightly different formulation which is also very good. I even don't know which of the formulations: old or new I like more. It's a signature scent at Paco Rabanne and a must have for every collector.

Rare product, bargain price, lovely smell.

The product is hard to get as it has been discontinued. It is obviously still very popular. The fragrance seems to last and doesnt require a heavy application. It is difficult to describe but each individual has a different sense of smell anyway. The price was fantastic, especially considering that the box was sealed and new. People have been selling used bottles some only a quarter full! This was an absolute bargain.

Strange Feelings about this one

Blind buy and after a couple test sprays in air, I was ready to gift this to my worst enemy. The opening smelled like strong fabric softener sheets to me (to the point of nausea) and after that, I didn't care where the mid and dry down went. Days later I thought I would give it one more try, this time on skin - and I am glad I did. Six sprays, I held my breath for about 30 seconds and then gave it a smell. The strong dryer sheet scent had mostly faded and transformed into a fresh, clean, just out of the shower, kind of fragrance. I can't put it any better than that. The dry down remains clean and becomes subtle. The projection lasts 2-3 hours and stays close to skin 6 hours. I've read reviews and its fragrantica profile but I can't find any of the spice or wood ... MoreBlind buy and after a couple test sprays in air, I was ready to gift this to my worst enemy. The opening smelled like strong fabric softener sheets to me (to the point of nausea) and after that, I didn't care where the mid and dry down went. Days later I thought I would give it one more try, this time on skin - and I am glad I did. Six sprays, I held my breath for about 30 seconds and then gave it a smell. The strong dryer sheet scent had mostly faded and transformed into a fresh, clean, just out of the shower, kind of fragrance. I can't put it any better than that. The dry down remains clean and becomes subtle. The projection lasts 2-3 hours and stays close to skin 6 hours. I've read reviews and its fragrantica profile but I can't find any of the spice or wood notes it claims to have. On me, it's just clean, fresh, and transparent. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, especially those who stick with 2-3 fragrances at a time. IMO this is for the collector whos is looking to satisfy every scent profile. This is interesting to have... and who wouldn't want to smell like they just got out of the shower all day?