Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne
1.6k votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The grapefruit cuts through with immediate citric brightness, flanked by ozonic marine notes that smell conspicuously artificial—think petrichor rendered by chemistry rather than nature. The synthetic construction is unabashed, almost aggressive in its artificiality, creating an oddly metallic halo around the opening spray.
Bay leaf emerges with subtle herbaceous whispers whilst jasmine attempts delicate floral softening, but both notes feel ghostly, lacking saturation. The sweetness begins its insistent creep, though the overall composition remains remarkably thin, as though the fragrance is dissolving rather than settling.
What remains after four hours is barely a memory—faint woody notes from the oakmoss and gaiacwood suggest depth that never materialised earlier. The patchouli and ambergris create a skin-scent-adjacent finish, warm but utterly forgettable, evaporating completely by hour six.
Invictus arrives as a peculiar study in contradictions—a fragrance caught between aquatic freshness and synthetic sweetness, never quite resolving into coherence. The opening marriage of marine notes and grapefruit suggests something crisp and invigorating, but the execution feels manufactured, as though someone's bottled the *idea* of freshness rather than capturing its essence. There's a synthetic sheen that coats the top notes, lending an almost plastic quality that fragrance enthusiasts will immediately clock as budget-conscious composition.
What emerges is a unisex scent built for those who want the visual promise of fresh citrus and aquatics without the commitment to actually *wearing* something. The bay leaf adds a faint herbal nod—a suggestion of terrestrial grounding—whilst jasmine attempts to soften the edges, but both feel more like supporting actors who've forgotten their lines. They're there, technically present, but lacking conviction.
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3.6/5 (173)