Ultra Violet

Ultra Violet, inspired by Rabanne Ultraviolet for women (1999)

Ultraviolet opens with a jolt of pepper and pimento, sweetened by apricot and almond. Violet and osmanthus, a flower with an apricot and leather nuance, then shape a powdery heart, with rose and jasmine in support. The finish is vanilla, amber, patchouli and cedar, sweet and dense. Many wearers describe a slightly metallic, synthetic sheen that matches its metallic purple bottle.

About the original

Paco Rabanne launched Ultraviolet for women in 1999, and Ultraviolet Man followed in 2001. The women's version is attributed to perfumer Jacques Cavallier. Its spicy violet and metallic purple bottle set it apart, and flankers such as Liquid Metal and Summer Pop followed. Rabanne still sells the women's eau de parfum, which it describes with fresh chilli, osmanthus and vanilla flower; fuller published note lists vary between sources.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Polarising is the honest word: people tend either to love its strange, synthetic shimmer or to find it harsh. It is strong and sweet-spicy, made for days when you want to be noticed. Quiet, natural-smelling florals it is not.

Related scents

• Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet Man
• Paco Rabanne Black XS

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Pepper, Pimento, Apricot, Coriander, Almond, Rosewood

Heart notes: Violet, Osmanthus, Rose, Jasmine

Base notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Amber, Cedar

Pepper, pimento and coriander open it, sweetened by apricot and almond.

Violet and osmanthus make a powdery floral heart with rose and jasmine.

Vanilla, amber, patchouli and cedar finish it, sweet and dense.

Is this the women's or the men's Ultraviolet?

This page covers the 1999 women's Ultraviolet. Ultraviolet Man arrived in 2001 with its own composition, and it has a page here too.

Is Rabanne Ultraviolet for women still sold?

Yes. Rabanne still sells Ultraviolet Woman eau de parfum on its French, British and German sites.

Does Ultraviolet smell of violets?

Violet is central to the heart, but pepper, almond and vanilla make it spicier and sweeter than a classic violet scent.

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 Ultra Violet 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.