Black Xs

Black Xs, inspired by Rabanne Black XS for men (2005)

Black XS opens with Calabrian lemon and kalamanzi, a tart Asian citrus, plus a green bite from sage. The heart is sweeter: praline and cinnamon, with black cardamom and tolu balsam (a resin with a vanilla-like, balsamic smell). Rather than turning powdery, the amber in the base stays dark and woody, held up by patchouli and rosewood. Many wearers also notice a fruity facet, often likened to strawberry or pineapple.

About the original

Paco Rabanne released Black XS in 2005 as a men's eau de toilette. Olivier Cresp is usually credited as perfumer. The house relaunched it in 2018 with new packaging, and many wearers report that the newer version feels lighter and more citrus-led than the first. Rabanne currently lists it as an online exclusive on its French and UK sites. Black XS for Her is a separate women's fragrance.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Rabanne (formerly Paco Rabanne) stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

It suits men who want something sweet and spiced but darker than a straightforward gourmand. The praline is clearly there, so anyone sensitive to sugary notes should bear that in mind. Its woody amber base gives it more grit than most sweet scents.

Related scents

• Paco Rabanne Black XS
• Paco Rabanne Black XS L'Aphrodisiaque
• Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Top notes: Calabrian Lemon, Kalamanzi, Tagetes, Sage

Heart notes: Praline, Cinnamon, Tolu Balsam, Black Cardamom

Base notes: Patchouli, Black Amber, Rosewood, Ebony

Lemon and kalamanzi make a brisk opening, with sage and tagetes (a marigold with a green, fruity smell) adding an herbal note.

Praline and cinnamon form the heart, deepened by black cardamom and balsamic tolu.

The base is black amber with patchouli, rosewood and ebony, dark and woody rather than powdery.

Is this the men's or the women's Black XS?

The men's Black XS from 2005. Black XS for Her is a different fragrance, which we also make.

Is the 2018 Black XS the same as the 2005 original?

Rabanne relaunched it in 2018 with new packaging and a very similar note list. Rabanne has not described it as a new formula, but many wearers say the newer version is lighter and more citrus-forward.

Does Black XS smell fruity?

No fruit is listed officially, but many wearers notice a fruity, almost strawberry or pineapple-like facet over the praline.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Paco Rabanne and Black XS are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Paco Rabanne in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.