Invictus Victory Elixir Rabanne 2023

Phew, where and how do I start?

I certainly don’t want to step on the toes of anyone who might like the scent or the brand... but I don’t think I’ll find much good to say about this fragrance. Admittedly, Paco Rabanne isn’t really my brand, although I have owned a Black XS for a long time, which I quite liked wearing about 13 years ago when I was in my mid-20s. My taste has changed a bit since then. The Black XS isn’t that great for my nose anymore. I’ve developed a greater interest in perfume and have been leaning more towards niche fragrances. Still, I like to give everything a second chance and look at the brands more objectively. Sometimes you don’t even know why you have an aversion to a brand while you seem to idolize another...? ^^
Tastes differ - that’s just how it is.

I’ll be straightforward; my threshold for scents and odors is relatively high and tolerant. I never get headaches, nausea, or any other discomfort related to smells, nor do I feel very disturbed. Although my nose is quite sensitive. Only filter cigarettes are really awful.. :S Cigars or hand-rolled ones are almost pleasant, even though I don’t smoke.. anyway..
I also have very perfume-friendly skin; perfume often lasts longer, projects very well, and usually smells more intense and sometimes even a bit better than on others. I’ve often had direct comparisons in my surroundings. Well, I’m digressing...

"Paco Rabanne - Invictus Victory Elixir"

The fragrance pyramid here, I have no idea if it’s accurate? According to the manufacturer, we have:

TOP NOTES
Fresh, aromatic lavender
Green cardamom
Black pepper

HEART NOTES
Mysterious incense
Opulent patchouli

BASE NOTES
Vanilla pod
Creamy tonka bean

When I took a sample from a perfume store three days ago, I sprayed it on my wrist shortly after. But that stupid sample packaging was also annoying. It’s one of those cardboard things where you have to pull up a tab and then press down in the middle. Then the thing sprays the scent out somewhat finely atomized. On the other side, it somehow leaked and the liquid ran over some of my fingertips... nicely under the fingernail.
Well, we went shopping for a few small things and went out to eat. In the restaurant, I tried to wash off the scent because I felt too overwhelmed by it, due to its very good projection. Since I was only enduring the scent, it had to come off. This is so far the first fragrance I had to wash off because it annoyed me and I simply couldn’t/wouldn’t tolerate the smell anymore. Of course, I only managed to remove it to a limited extent. H/S really does make an impression. By the time I got home, several hours had passed. At home and with more calm, I could still smell it relatively strongly. Good thing I still had to shower; only then did it completely disappear :c

So, Friday evening, with nothing to do, there was still that leftover sample in its oh-so-charming cardboard box.

I go again as described above, with good conditions and receptive skin for my second chance. Right & left, wrist and pulse at the joint. Different day, different time, different circumstances. I applied the scent just for myself and sat down at the PC.
It still annoys me, or let’s say - it annoys me again. Right from the first moment. Immediately I think, eew, what do you want from me, Invictus Victory Elixir? And what the $§!%&$!§% are you anyway?
The notes read perfectly for my taste. Nothing I dislike.
Moreover, I love vanilla (who doesn’t? :P), and I’m also a big fan of patchouli. Even pure and deep dark heavy patchouli doesn’t bother me. I don’t shy away from other patchouli that might smell musty or moldy to others. I even have a large bag of dried patchouli for incense that smells wonderful just sitting around. Even when sealed ;)
In any case, I’m presented with a scent that has nothing to do with patchouli at all. I hardly smell any of what Paco Rabanne is offering me.
To me, it smells like sweet pineapple hand cream, where that fruity touch comes off as completely synthetic. This is then mixed with sweet-spicy coconut milk. In the coconut milk swims one of the most artificial and disgusting, slightly spiced vanilla pods I’ve ever smelled.

The scent remains just as it is, hardly changing; after about 2 hours, it still smells just as annoyingly the same as when applied. It even feels a bit sticky and greasy on the skin. Of course, there are always residues, but it doesn’t have to be like this with this fragrance.

Men’s fragrance? It’s not masculine at all, not even unisex. If anything, it’s for a woman, at least for the first few hours. After about 5 hours, a few notes fade away and the artificial vanilla becomes stronger. I still haven’t found any patchouli. :[]
I also find the advertising text questionable.
Manufacturer quotes:
"Invictus, the incarnation of a man in all his power." - Huh..?!
"The fragrance for absolute winners. The ultimate expression of victory. Never stop winning!" - Then I must be a loser, because this scent can’t win a flower pot with me.
The bottle is also very unconventional. Just a plain trophy even if I like the color... typical for Paco Rabanne, the bottles were never my thing.

I cannot recommend this fragrance from Paco Rabanne. But that’s just my opinion. Somehow, the completely synthetic components don’t fit together. That’s at least how I feel. I don’t know. I’m really at a loss here.
!!! It definitely needs to be tested !!!
If you like it, great, have fun with it - I mean that sincerely. But I’ve never been so annoyed and disappointed by a fragrance before, I don’t know why, but it certainly won’t get a third chance from me, especially since the sample (thankfully) is already empty.
I’m going to wash this stuff off now, probably have to scrub it off. But why did I apply it so generously? :)

Cheers
Vince