Black XS L'Excès for Him Rabanne 2012

Yesterday tested it as a 1-2 punch with the original Black XS and I am extremely positively surprised. A reinforced, darker version that hits the zeitgeist as accurately as one can. Even Black XS was well received by the youth, L’exces is even closer to the spirit of the times.

Very comparable to Bang Bang, One Million, The One, Joop Homme Wild, or Only the Brave (Tattoo), not just in terms of audience. Much is said about these ultra-modern sweet candies, often mocked and dragged through the dirt. I like to smell sweet, even as a man. Not every day, but anyone who says these perfumes stink has probably miscalibrated their olfactory bulb. Okay, it's all a matter of taste, but sweet is not the same as bad, many confuse that here. And old is not the same as masculine either. But that can be debated.

I like these young wild ones and L’exces is a prime example. Very similar to Black XS, just a bit stronger, more mystical, better. Black XS was sweet and a bit weak, L’exces is very sweet and doesn’t shy away from it. Here, berries are also in the foreground, but the slight smokiness makes one think more of the forest than of strawberries. And of course of cocktails, disco, and far more refinement and sexiness than with the regular Black XS. It’s simply a darker berry mix, maybe some cherries pop up…very delicious, especially if you enjoy desserts! But even if you, like me, prefer hearty dishes, this scent is not to be underestimated and is moving onto the wish list, also because it is very affordable.

The bottle is a smaller evolution compared to the scent itself, with a small flashy skull pendant and a slightly different color scheme. The longevity is significantly longer at 8-9 hours than Black XS, good investment and tinkering has been done here. The sillage is also a whole class stronger, almost playing in the Champions League and should not be underestimated.

Overall, an even greater recommendation than Black XS and especially more than XS… unjustly in the shadow of the gold bar. Fortunately, however, not as much in the shadow as the also recommendable Ultraviolet!