Top 5 Colognes Similar To Black XS: [Closest Dupes in 2024]

Whenever you hear the name Paco Rabanne, what are the first fragrances that come to your mind? 1 Million? Or perhaps, Invictus?

Well, there is another excellent cologne by the brand that I feel is rather underrated, and it is Black XS for men.

Contrary to its name, it’s not a dark or mysterious cologne, but it’s more candy-like and attention-grabbing. However, it is not always the easiest scent to get your hands on.

So, if you are someone who likes Black XS and wants something close-smelling to it, then you are in luck. In this article, I have outlined the closest smelling scents to this Paco Rabanne aroma.

Keep reading to find out which one you should get.

What Does Black XS by Paco Rabanne Smell Like?

Released in 2005, Black XS is a sweet, woody, aromatic cologne for men by Paco Rabanne. It was created by some of the famous perfumers, Olivier Cresp, Rosendo Mateu, and Christian Dussoulier.

Its name gives you a sense that it is going to be a heavy, dark cologne. However, that is not the case, the overall aroma is rather bright and sweet.

When you first spray it, you are greeted by a sharp scent of citrus notes accompanied by a blend of spicy and sweet notes. The incorporation of praline and cinnamon gives you a heady sweetness, while the cardamom brings spiciness to the aroma.

As the scent progresses, the sweetness is fully retained. However, you can sense the notes changing, and gradually the warmer, woodier notes come into play.

This woody dry down gives the cologne a sensual touch.

Also, you can check out: Dupes Similar to Paco Rabanne Invictus

I have included the notes present in this playful fragrance below so that you can better understand the layers of this cologne.

Top Notes: Lemon and Sage

Middle Notes: Praline, Cinnamon, Tolu Balsam, and Black Cardamom

Base Notes: Brazilian Rosewood, Patchouli, and Black Amber

In terms of projection, Black XS gets off to a good start.

However, the sillage isn’t consistent throughout the wear of the fragrance because it does start to lose some of its strength over time.

The longevity of this Paco Rabanne is also not bad, it lasts anywhere from 6 to 7 hours, beyond which it performs more like a close-to-skin scent.

Nonetheless, this fruity, strawberry-like goodness is an absolute treat for those who prefer a sweet scent. It has good performance and is a banger for the cooler seasons.

So, it is definitely a cologne for men who like a good sweet-smelling cologne. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but those who like this scent profile, really dig Black XS.

What Colognes Are Similar To Black XS by Paco Rabanne?

Now that you know all about Black XS, what are some colognes that smell close to it while having a decent performance as well?

Well, there are many sweet, spicy, and woody blends in the market, but not all of them are up to the mark.

So, I tried, tested, and shortlisted the best scents that could live up to the Paco Rabanne cologne.

So, here is my list of the best alternatives to Paco Rabanne Black XS:

Black XS (2018) by Paco Rabanne

The first cologne on the list of the closest smelling cologne to Black XS is the Black XS 2018 version by Paco Rabanne.

This namesake scent is a newer rendition of the original and it was reformulated by Olivier Cresp and Rosendo Mateu.

If you take a look at their notes, you will realize that there is a significant amount of overlap and the 2018 Black XS is basically the original with a few added ingredients.

While the original was very strawberry-like, this one makes me smell more like pineapple or pina colada. There is a synthetic feel to this cologne that I do not personally prefer, but it is very reminiscent of the original XS.

The original had a more pronounced praline and was sweeter, denser-smelling, and had less citrus. This variant smells fruity instead of praline and is more citrus-forward.

The performance hasn’t changed much either as it lasts around 6 hours and has moderate sillage.

When to Wear

Although this Black XS smells a lot like the original, I feel like it’s a newer, fresher version for the spring and summer. It still has a lot more usability in fall and winter because of the super sweet smell. It is a great option for nighttime events, both formal and semi-formal.

Why Should You Buy

Man Gold by Zara

The next cologne on the list is by the infamous brand known for producing affordable knockoffs of popular designer brands. The cologne is Man Gold by Zara.

Released in 2017, Man Gold is an excellent dupe of Black XS. You will see in the notes breakdown that the accords of the Paco Rabanne have been incorporated into this scent very clearly to mimic the overall aroma.

The unwavering sweetness is present from the start as you get a citrus-filled, fruity opening.

The praline and cinnamon are also very much present, creating a sugariness almost identical to Black XS.

The presence of the cardamom brings in a much-needed spiciness to bring a balance to the scent, along with the patchouli that is responsible for a warm undertone.

This cologne is very affordable and the performance is almost on par with that of the original Black XS. So, if you want something similar to it, Man Gold is one of the best candidates.

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When to Wear

Man Gold is best suited for the cooler seasons, like fall and winter. It is also great for nighttime occasions, such as dates and parties. I wouldn’t suggest going for this in summer, but you can make a lot of use of this cologne in all other seasons, even during the daytime.

Why Should You Buy

Only The Brave Tattoo by Diesel

Only The Brave Tattoo by Diesel is the next scent that I found to smell the closest to Paco Rabanne Black XS. Released in 2012, this one is a close dupe of Black XS with some added notes that give it a unique twist.

To begin with, The citrus opening is replicated well and accompanied by an added sweetness of apples. It has a deliciously warm, sweet, and spicy overall aroma.

The core notes of pepper and sage bring a blend of spicy tones to the cologne and the addition of tobacco gives it a boost of masculinity that many guys love.

The base of the cologne is very warm and cozy. The woodsy notes, benzoin, and patchouli make it very appealing and sensual at the end.

Even though it is not super expensive, it has an expensive feel to it. Frankly, I like it much more than Black XS. While its projection is average, it lasts around the same time as Black XS, staying strong for about 6 hours or so.

When to Wear

Only The Brave Tattoo is a great cologne for wearing to a night out. You can wear it to a date or a fancy party. It is also best for fall and winter, it might feel a bit overwhelming in the hotter months.

Why Should You Buy

Oud Immortel by Byredo

The next scent on my list is Oud Immortel by Byredo which was launched in 2010. This one is a unisex fragrance that has close characteristics to Black XS with some marked differences.

Right at the beginning, you get the citruses (but much more toned down) along with some spiciness. Before long, the woody and smoky aroma overpower the initial sweetness.

Oud Immortel has a much smokier, more suede aroma to it. So, if you want something close to Black XS, but much darker, smokier, and sexier, then this is the one for you.

The overall woody, spicy aroma is very elegant and likable – it gives you a sense of presence and makes others aware of you as well.

I would say that it’s a more mature version of the Paco Rabanne cologne.

Even though this one is more on the expensive side, the mind-blowing longevity and excellent sillage sort of make it worth it. I highly recommend you try this out if the price isn’t an issue for you.

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When to Wear

This fresh, modern, and woody rendition of Black XS is ideal for fall and winter. You can use this in almost any setting given that the weather isn’t too hot. It is quite versatile and you can make use of it in any season, especially for formal events.

Why Should You Buy

Italiano Nero by Armaf

The last scent on this list is Italiano Nero by Armaf. Armaf is known to produce affordable alternatives to expensive scents that still smell and perform well, and this one is no exception.

Italiano Nero is a more affordable dupe of Black XS that copies the scent really well. The bright opening filled with fruity citruses is there in the scent.

The spiciness is not as well developed, as it’s almost missing, but the overall aroma is still quite close. The warmer bases give a similar woody feel to the scent.

The projection of Nero is very impressive and the longevity is also good, especially given the price.

All in all, it’s an excellent alternative to Black XS at a cheaper price with a similar sweet scent and woody dry down. The cherry on top for me is the surprisingly good performance.

When to Wear

Italiano Nero is wonderful for winter, fall and spring. You can wear it to any occasion, whether it’s formal or casual. The affordable price range also makes it a great choice for regular wear.

Why Should You Buy

Wrapping Up

Black XS is a great scent, particularly for people who enjoy sweet colognes.

However, since it has been discontinued, the exact bottle of 2005 is quite tricky to find – but if you like that aroma, then you will definitely like the ones mentioned in this article.

The colognes covered in this article are all alternatives of Paco Rabanne Black XS – some are sweeter, some spicier, some smokier, but they all have a similar characteristic

So, if you want the signature sweetness of the fruity Black XS, then make sure you try out these fragrances and let me know which one is the best out of the five for you!