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Black XS Potion Femme Rabanne 2014

7.4 / 10 37 Ratings

A limited perfume by Rabanne for women, released in 2014. The scent is fruity-sweet. The longevity is above-average. It was last marketed by Puig.
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Main accords

Fruity

Sweet

Floral

Oriental

Woody

Fragrance Notes

Baccara rose

Black sandalwood

Christmas rose

Grapefruit

Perfumers

Olivier Cresp, Emilie Bevierre-Coppermann

Ratings

Scent

7.437 Ratings

Longevity

8.226 Ratings

Sillage

7.725 Ratings

Bottle

7.141 Ratings

Submitted by Michael · last update on 02/10/2024.

Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

L'Agent Eau de Parfum

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Blossom Love Eau de Parfum

Boss Intense Eau de Parfum

Reviews

7 in-depth fragrance descriptions

04/19/2014

9Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

DarkMatter
24 Reviews

DarkMatter

Helpful Review 6

Dark and Soapy

I would never have put those two adjectives together before smelling Black XS Potion Pour Elle. But this is a perfume that is most definitely both dark and soapy. Now, I like both types, especially dark, deep mysterious fragrances. Initially upon application the Bacarra or "black" rose is most evident, with a slight sharp hint of grapefruit. I needn't have worried that the grapefruit might "lighten" this perfume into a summery category. The grapefruit is very slight and only seems to prevent this from becoming too sweet or floral. Black XS Potion is beautifully blended, this is what I originally imaged the L'Excès should have been: Dark, sensuous, the scent of a femme fatale. But I found the original and L'Excès both to be too sickly sweet to be truly "dark".

However, THIS is what I have been waiting for from Paco Rabanne. It is as if they realised that there was something that they missed from the "Black XS" and have concocted the perfect "potion" in POTION! I am a huge fan of the gorgeous black sandalwood from which the soapy note emanates. It is a refreshing change to discover a dark perfume that doesn't rely on berries or patchouli. I honestly cannot fault this. If one loves dark perfumes, black roses, soapy notes and has a gothic penchant, then adoration will soon follow. Beware, this is STRONG! Not much is required, it will go a long, long way. I am now going to stock up on lots of back-up bottles as this is a limited edition (as all great perfumes seems to be these days!)

Black XS Potion Pour Elle is a pagan goddess dressed in layers of black gossamer with alabaster skin, red lips and big mahogany eyes. Her dark silken hair whips around her like a cloak carrying the fragrance of her many magickal potions on the breeze.

07/10/2014

9Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Karinoula
82 Reviews

Karinoula

Helpful Review 3

Aromatic gothic perfume

Extraordinary winter perfume with depth and wonder. Less sweet from the other Black XS edt/edp in the same vibe of Boss intense edp. Long lasting and aromatic. The bottle is lovely black and heavy and there is some kind of gothic style about it. Best for winter and fall and it will be highly appreciated to those who wear and love Boudoir/John Galliano edp/Deep red/Boss intense edp. I am very happy adding this to my collection. "rich perfume".

11/17/2014

6.5Scent 10Longevity 10Sillage

Gold
726 Reviews

Gold

1

A smouldering potion

The original Black XS was too sweet and too fruity for me, but "Black XS Potion" is quite different! It's more aromatic and it smells surprisingly good. Neither pretty nor romantic, "Potion" gives the impression of a wilful, tempestuous beauty. "Black XS Potion" is loaded with dark flowers, spices and sandalwood, but I can't smell one aspect predominating, as if all the ingredients had been thrown into a cauldron until a rich and warm scent emerged. I think it could develop some seductive powers - but you'll either be drawn into its magic or you'll dislike it completely. This fabulous new Paco Rabanne scent could be described as a floriental with a touch of woody "masculinity". You'll certainly make your presence felt wearing it.

08/02/2017

8.5Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

Kleopatra
229 Reviews

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Kleopatra

Top Review 23

Mysterious Dark Rose for Rose Haters

“Smell this!” - That’s probably one of the most common requests I make to my beloved while holding my wrist under his nose. But still better than GMBH (Go, Do, Bring, Get). And then I can always have a good laugh because he asks every time, slightly unsure: “Do I know this one?” I suspect he doesn’t ask because he vaguely remembers the scent, but because he fears that I might be sneaking a fragrance on him that he has previously rated positively or negatively and doesn’t remember his judgment anymore. And depending on what he says now, I can triumphantly say: “Ha! You said you liked it/great/stupid (depending on the case) back then!” Thin ice. Poor guy. He doesn’t even need to ask. I never tell him whether he knows the scent or not! ;)

With this one, he certainly said - after the obligatory question, which I, as always, did not answer, (and indeed EVERY TIME :) “It’s very present and very beautiful!” See, it works! (Just to prevent misunderstandings: My beloved is very patient with my hobby!) I didn’t need to buy Black XS Potion blindly either, because a very dear perfumer allowed me to test it extensively beforehand. Thanks again for that! I’ve been dealing with the Black Xs, although I don’t like the original version that much. And recently, I was looking for a scent in the forum that still goes in this direction, something dark, sweet, and berry-like, and I received many great suggestions. This scent also came to my attention, even though I’m not really into rose fragrances (I only like to look at roses), there’s no patchouli and no berries in it, but I still like it very much.

Black XS Potion initially starts off very fruity and sweet. This might scare some people away, but hold on! It doesn’t take long before the fruity notes recede, and a beautiful, deep dark velvety rose blooms, which even I like. The sweetness noticeably decreases now. The scent remains very dark, soft, velvety, and somehow mysterious, with a slightly woody-creamy undertone. The sillage is very pronounced, and the longevity is very good. “Very present,” indeed, and it stays that way for quite a while. A cautious dosage is absolutely advisable here. Definitely wearable in the evening, but also in moderation on cool to cold days.

Many might think that the Black XS fragrances are more for younger ladies and therefore don’t have them on their radar, but I find this version, for example, very grown-up! Like the “holiday version” L.A., this variant was also limited. That’s really a shame because sometimes the flankers are better than the original.

01/07/2015

10Scent 10Longevity 10Sillage

Profuma
213 Reviews

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Profuma

Very helpful Review 6

The Seal of the Rose

I was just browsing the fragrance bargains in the perfume department of a well-known department store when I turned into a somewhat hidden shelf, that strange feeling in my stomach telling me I wasn’t entirely going there voluntarily. You probably know that feeling. You’re out and about and suddenly feel the urge to go here or there, without being able to explain it properly and without having planned it at all beforehand. As if you were being pulled there. Bound by an invisible thread.
So. I do question such actions, but since they have often brought me one or another pleasant surprise, I let myself be guided and was curious about what awaited me this time.
I stood there a bit perplexed in front of these numerous, sometimes pretty or eye-catching, or occasionally simple versions of fragrances that were far from mainstream and classics. The corner was also very poorly lit, and I thought to myself that these couldn’t possibly be the best-selling perfumes waiting for curious noses.
Then I noticed the black Black xs line from Paco Rabanne. Luckily, it had the red seal on the bottle’s chest, otherwise, I wouldn’t have noticed it in the half-light.
All the way on the outside was the "Potion".
It seemed to be practically begging me to try it, as my disinterested facial expression revealed that I already knew the other versions and didn’t have them at home.
But I hadn’t encountered the "Potion" before. So I quickly sprayed some on a test strip just to be safe and let it develop. While I took a closer look at the other fragrant companions in the sinister corner, a bit of the scent wafted back to me from the strip again and again. And I liked it more and more.
With a fresh application on my wrist and sweater, I headed home to let it settle.
Just to remind you: rose scents are not really my thing. Outside in nature, I love roses. I can hardly walk past a bush without inhaling the fragrance. But bottled in flacons and especially in high concentrations, they give me headaches or make me feel nauseous.
However, the "Potion" develops the rose component in a very idiosyncratic and simply different way. Different, in a very beautiful and somewhat unique manner. I could hardly pull my nose away from the spot on my sweater where I had sprayed it.
As it had to be, the invitation to my four walls was decided.

At first, one perceives a slightly masculine note. Sandalwood is undeniably dominant. Powdery and simultaneously vibrant, it blends with the roses, while grapefruit lends them lightness.
I find the scent to be rather creamy-bitter, not floral-sweet. The fact that there are two different types of roses makes the entire fragrance experience a balancing act. You sway a bit to the right, a bit to the left, always seeking balance. With every step, it’s the same. It cannot be strictly pointed out to be here or there. And individual skin types will do their part to add further twists and turns to this scent. The final bouquet connects all components so skillfully and electrifyingly that you think you are just about to unveil the mystery, only to find yourself facing a new one again.
Yet it always remains unobtrusive and close to my skin. The longevity is enormous for me; reapplying is not necessary. And with only four different components, the scent could be suspected of being too simply constructed. But those who spray it will be amazed that for a special, mysterious, and simultaneously very attractive perfume, it actually doesn’t need anything more. It is just right as it is, and any additional note would rob it of its vibrancy and blossoming.
Paco Rabanne has placed a matte black high-gloss bottle in an implied heart shape, with a plastic blood-red seal in the center that hints at the mysterious and rich aura of the fragrance. The color scheme couldn’t be more fitting.
Due to its creamy-bitter character, I would certainly like to sniff it on a gentleman who is tired of the boring 0815 herb garden and spice rack scents.
This fragrance is so completely different from my others. And perhaps that’s exactly why it fits in so seamlessly.
I hope that many others will take a closer look at this seal of the rose and perhaps, like me, be enchanted by it.

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