XS (2018)

I bought this fragrance only because it was $40 than the other siblings (Pure etc) but don't let this shock you, this fragrance is pretty nice I only bought it because I wanted to get the Armaf CDNIM but it stopped being on sale once I got there, I always wanted a Paco Rabanne scent so instead of the One Million, invictus, pure xs etc I just wanted something cheap so I can wear it everyday. First of all, the bottle is obnoxius, not ugly or anything, but it's obnoxiously unique, it honestly feels like you're holding some sort of huge diamond block, the build quality on the cap creaks a bit (not that it matters) But I love the nozzle, it's huge and has a large spray area, once you hold one you can tell a huge difference. The performance on my skin lasts for around 5-6 hours, and it smells like bergamot and hints of mint, definitely a good spring, summer, daytime scent and I'm sure you will get a lot of compliments, my overall rating is 7.5/10

This scent is for a man with confidence. It gives a mature with a few classy vibes. It doesn't mean outdated, but it does mean this scent is not for any kids and teenager under 22 years old. Works best for 30+ in ages. It suits for formal occasions and dating with formal dresses or settings. It would be best for dating a younger woman since it gives mature vibes. It works well in summer but better to best in spring. It could perform well in the winter cold as well, but you won't notice a few missing notes during that season. You will get excellent in longevity for around 8-12 hours with 3-5 sprays. The sillage is quite heavy for the first 2 hours then moderate in the next 3 hours before coming into skin scent for the rest of the day. Safe blind buy?? If you are 30 or over and looking for a mature scent, then it is a safe buy. Otherwise, I would recommend giving a test before making a purchase.

One of my best blind buys have been PR XS. It was on Sephora for 50% discount for a long time and I almost bought it 2-3 times before eventually pulling the trigger and getting a 50ml and it has been the most awesome blind buys for me ever. I was on a quest to have fragrances from A-Z and after I sold off my XY, I wanted a fragrance starting with X to fill the spot! (Yeah that's how I used to buy fragrances). And once I got this, can't have enough of it. I keep it right next to my desk and spray it multiple times a week. If I am sitting and feeling bored, I just spray a couple of sprays of this and it immediately fills the room with fresh minty and oakmossy scent. I recently got to try Himalaya and this one is almost 99% identical. Cant praise this one enough.

Never tried the original or Creed's Himalaya, but upon spraying this one, I immediately liked it. Smooth, clean and masculine. I don't get anything harsh or bitter like in Eternity for Men. Wearable year-round, but I'll probably use it mostly in warm weather. In fact, this is ideal for the hot, muggy weather in my corner of the world. If you want something pleasant that doesn't play in the ultra-sweet sandbox like so many modern scents, this is a great pick up that doesn't cost much. Doesn't seem to have strong performance, so spray a few extra.

IF YOU ARE HERE BECAUSE YOU HEARD THIS IS A CHEAPER VERSION OF CREED HIMALAYA...THIS IS MY HONEST OPINION... Yes it smells almost identical to Himalaya...but that takes at least 15 minutes to happen...after that...they are identical. like someone said below...creed SHINES in the first 15 minutes...its very smooth ... XS is very sharp...so dont smell up close until after it starts to dry down...once you get there...you are good to go...so if you want CREED HIM but dont wana spend the money...get this instead and you wont have any regrets.

Classy scent. To me not dated but mature, big difference. I don't find this sweet, it's green and fresh. Grassy and woody. No sweetness like in the modern ambroxans and candy-like tonka smells. Hasn’t anyone noticed that the drydown is very similar to Bvlgari PH Extreme? I find there is a distinct tea note in the base. After trying the original again, it's clear that they differ a lot. The original is much more macho. Paco Rabanne if you are reading this: Release a intense version of this for the people who liked the masculine original.

Yeah. That's a fresh, masculine, long lasting cologne only for us. I m impressed. No ambroxan at all (and that's real good). I get the impression of something close to Calvin Klein Eternity. Also similar to the Restart deodorant by Old Spice (don't worry, it's real good and by far the best from the Old Spice series), as a guy below mentioned that. Fresh mint, aromatic, woody. And in my opinion, ladies appreciate fresh colognes on us. Longevity closed to perfection. Just a little bit overpriced. We can buy it from discounters.

Love XS! Bought Himalaya first and wanted a cheaper fragrance I could daily, as I prefer to use my Creed fragrances for special events. Remarkably similar for the first couple of hours. Longevity is not great for either, but as XS tails off you start to pick up on the synthetic notes as PR will ofc have used cheaper ingredients, where Creed using quality ingredients has no synthetic notes throughout. Totally worth it at discounters if you can get it!!

Very similar to the original XS, I would say so similar that it almost feels it just got a little modernized but the same at the core. Smoother, more likable, not as cloying. The performance suffered as a result but I prefer it more subtle... Very similar to Creed Himalaya and Platinum Egoiste, perhaps not as nuanced but for the price difference this is a really very good alternative to those more expensive fragrances.

Owned and used the fantastic original until its reformulation (poor, watered down, disappointing), then fetched and conserved a precious big bottle of the original. And now, blast from the past, an almost identical twin - tried them side by side: on my left wrist the original formula and on the right this awesome encore. Just a lighter drydown and an overall sensation of greater conciseness but top marks all the way!

It gives me two vibes. The first one is the green herbal aspect. The second one is marseille soap with chamomile extract, for example if you smell Greek Karavaki soap with chamomile extract is extremely similar. By the way if you have curiosity for this fragrance, go to a supermarket and just spray to you wrist some Old Spice RESTART body spray, because the dry down is exactly the same!

I decided to buy this, bottle is amazing! Big, heavy, and feels like I got 8 oz of juice in there! Sprayed this on one wrist, OG vintage on the other. Overall, the DNA is the same, but this reformulation is toned down a bit. For a while the OG was my signature scent. Still love it, but it is almost overpowering. I think the new version is a great compromise. Great, great, great!

I haven't tried Himalaya and I can only speak on this creation. For me it is near perfection. Fresh, clean, a bit citrusy, great value and it is very good option for warmer weather. In the realm of Bvlgari Rain Essence and Calvin Klein CK One Essence (the new one). Not a clone, just in that direction without tea note. Very underrated in my opinion.

One of my favorite scents to wear to the office. Crisp and herbal vibe. Have tested it side by side to Himalaya. They are very close and it serves the same purpose. Only reason to get Himalaya is if money doesn't matter and you collect Creed. Love this fragrance and it is a great value for what you are getting.

One of the best summer/fresh barbershop fragrance! Very addictive, balanced, clean, easy to wear, could be easily a signature scent!☀️ Fun fact is that I like better the new 2018 reformulation with no Zippo cap. Is less synthetic, no metalic notes, more fresh and energetic.

I think you have to see it like this: PDM Percival is a clone of Platinum Egoiste and Creed Hymalaya a clone of XS. They are all in the same 90’s family and smell really fresh and masculine. If you want the best performance, pick Percival. If you want to go cheap, get XS.

I do think this smells pretty close to Platinum Egoiste, especially in the dry down. The opening is much less sharp and piercing, which I like. Performance is actually pretty good for me, and the price is fantastic. Very versatile and signature scent worthy.

Got a decant of this. Really beautiful fragrance. Shocked. Smells very similar to PDM Galloway as well. More mature. Nice easy wear. Fresh and clean. Very enjoyable. Peace 2 u fragmaniacs .

MY OH MY is this fragrance great. This smells so high quality, it really is on par with himilaya. It has great performance, very masculine and at the price point, you just cant beat it.

The 2018 new XS has less lasting power & to my nose it's diffrent from the original XS! What's the need of those reformulations? To alter a great scent!!???? Enough is enough!

Awesome scent. Smells great mixed of Green, woods and it is so masculine. All things are Okay but no longevity no sillage

This is really nice and yes it does remind me of himalaya. Green and musky, but light and overall inoffensive. I dig it.

It smells like blooming iceberg. Absolutely wonderful!

2018 formulation on my left arm, original formulation (tall bottle with yellow juice) on my right. I'm not usually one to waffle over batch codes and reformulations and whatnot, but I got samples of both versions of XS for cheap, and I've been on a '90s fragrance kick lately so I figured why not? In short, victor rd's comparison of the two is spot-on. Vintage fragrances tend to get a lot more love on here their re-released offspring, but XS is an example of a classic fragrance not only surviving several reformulations, but benefiting from them! The original XS is dense and brash, and while it's far from what I'd consider to be a complex fragrance, there's something going on in the base that I don't detect in the most modern formulation. This is not a surprise for a fragrance that has been around for 30 years. The 2018 XS, meanwhile, is fresher and airier, and a tad more inviting in the opening. I find it to just be more wearable than the original formulation because it comes across as brighter and less "aftershave-y." Performance differences are negligible IMO. The original is slightly stronger and lasts slightly longer but to me it doesn't really matter because the 2018 formulation is fresher to the point where I wouldn't mind reapplying. As countless reviewers have mentioned, XS is an invigorating, refreshing fragrance, only made more so in the modern formulation. In short, Paco Rabanne did a great job with the re-release of this fragrance, and while the original can still be found for reasonable prices, there will come a time when "vintage" "original batch" etc. bottles start getting price gouged, and in this case I don't think they will be worth it. XS still smells great in this day and age no matter which bottle you get it in.

Review is based on the taller, slender bottle, silver zippo cap and clearish gray juice. I like it. Fresh, clean smelling, slightly spicy, a little citrusy, and barely minty, any day any event kind of masculine perfumery. Won't make your mother in law sneeze in the car, and the family in front of you at church will think there is a clean scent going around. One of my all time favorites and one I wear very frequently is Carolina Herrera for Men, which personally is superior to this in everyway, but this one is similar, just replace the warmer almost sweet clove/tobacco scent in the drydown in Herrera with a general aromatic, very slight citrus with almost minty soapy note. Like @non.operational said, this does have a delightful "sparkling metallic zing", but only for a little while. Not super barbershoppy or vintage smelling with this formulation. It’s a more modern “vintage”, fresh, touches of spice, mint, wood, and citrus.I do wish it had more radiance or some sort of sweetness in the drydown. Woody, soapy, almost bitter when dry and after an hour or two, and on my skin, at the very end almost of an oily garage, but not in a bad way? Not a beast. Not really a performer either. Maybe a bit less than average performance. Be sure to include a couple sprays on clothing. Atomizer is insanely good. A long spray with a ton of juice that isn't 3 feet wide. Good value, can be had for 25 bucks/100ml. Affordable blind buy for those who enjoy classic fresh aromatics, but it's not incredible, and honestly for $25 a Lataffa clone of something would have made me happier. It does smell like Creed Himalaya.

UPDATE: This is now a love. So bitter and metallic, like a snapped stem. Having smelled XS many years ago, I have recently been trying to restrain myself from blind-buying it, having re-sampled Himalaya and enjoyed that. I finally came across a tester of XS (new, chunky bottle): It's a nice, clean, professional "wallpaper"-like fragrance that would certainly give you a nice air of herbal cleanliness. However I don't think I need a full bottle; it's has less citrus and more herbal bitterness than I remember, and rather than the sparkling effect you can get with rosemary or juniper crushed in your hand, it feels slightly flat to me. No doubt it is a good smell. UPDATE: My lovely wife bought this for me as a surprise, so I have had a chance to test it fully - the version i have is the old bottle shape (slim, zippo lid) but the new, grey/blue juice colour. Searching the batch code has me confused, as this suggests 2023. [FWIW the sprayer is an absolute weapon!]. This version seems superior to the one I tested; it really does have that sparkling metallic zing I had hoped for. Also, beneath the bitter herbs & juniper, you can definitely detect some oakmoss - making this fragrance feel like a bridge between 80's macho greens like Paco Pour Homme, and the cleaner, sleeker scents of the 90's. It primarily bitter-herbal, but throughout the wear different layers are stripped away, and the scent subtly evolves and shows different facets (woody, metallic, creamy) including a slight bit of warm sandalwood in the dry-down. Overall this seems to work better when I spray it heavy.

I was looking for a fresh, springtime day scent that wasn't Terre De'Hermes or TF's Grey Vetiver so I got a sample Creed's Himalaya to try out. I really liked it and was ready to buy a full bottle until I read that Rabanne's XS was a close representation of it. I was curious so I blind bought this 2018 updated version of the original. I tired both Himalaya and XS side by side on skin and to be honest, they are extremely close to each other. In the air it's indistinguishable. It's green, woody, clean, and very masculine. The mint, bergamot and sandalwood really shine in this one. And surprisinly it last just as long, if not a little longer, than Himalaya. Scent, 8/10 Projection, about 2ft (for the first few hours. Then it becomes a skin scent) longevity, about 6hrs (decent for a freshie) Sillage, 2ft Is it revolutionary? No. Does it smell good? Yes. Will you get complements? Yes. Is it blind buy worthy? Absolutely. (I got it on eBay for $36US. Can't beat that for the quality you get out of this juice)

Just bought a 100ml bottle of Paco Rabanne XS at a bargain, primarily drawn to it for its rumored resemblance to Creed Himalaya. Upon initial comparison, the resemblances between XS and my 2016 bottle of Himalaya are strikingly close. In a side-by-side evaluation, subtle differentiations become discernible, yet it's an exercise in keen olfactory scrutiny. Himalaya, upon close inspection, unfolds with a more intricate and natural fragrance profile, where the individual notes smells perceptibly more vivid. XS, on the other hand, has a slightly soapier and cleaner character. As both fragrances dry down, Creed has that signature musk-ambergris DNA in the base that few (none?) other fragrances has been able to replicate. In practical terms, if someone were to pass by wearing XS, I'd be hard-pressed to distinguish it from Himalaya. The overarching scent profile and direction are practically indistinguishable, making XS an enticing and cost-effective alternative for fans of Creed's Himalaya.

This is a pretty nice aromatic that gives me a Himayala-La Nuit De L'Homme vibe. Very mild in projection. XS has to be oversprayed to get any longevity, with an overspray garnering 7+ hours. There is a caveat to overspraying, however: An unpleasant musk note becomes prominent. XS occupies the same space as YSL's La Nuit De L'Homme, but La Nuit is smoother albeit twice the price. When you compare the two side by side, like I did on my wrists, the quality difference between the two becomes evident--La Nuit being the clear victor. ETA: I tested XS and Himalaya at the same time on opposite wrists. The Himalaya was a little smoother, but both otherwise smell nearly identical with similarly poor longevity. There is really little reason to spend so much more on Himalaya.

I just wanted to add a quick note for those interested in this as a Himalaya dupe. Himalaya is a bit nicer as far as overall scent. The notes are more crisp and definitely cleaner....now with that said it’s very close!! If you’re not testing side by side and super familiar with it than XS is perfectly fine. They both have a smooth greenish scent with a creamy sandalwood base. I don’t think this smells close to Platinum Egoiste. Platinum and Fierce smell similar with that sharper edgy twang if that makes sense. Price being the deciding factor XS is a no brainer and a must have if you enjoy this type of fragrance. I get decent longevity and projection.

I know, this is the updated formulation. Overall easy to wear, fresh and clean. Very pleasant to wear. Memory of the 90ies. I would repeat the purchase. Nevertheless - Toned down in longevity and silage. I have the 90ies version in stronger memory. Performance: 6-8 hours Sillage: Ok at arms length For whom: Gentlemen >20 My background: I only write reviews about scents I have worn already (until the bottle is finished) or are in current use. I'm a Gentlemen - middle aged - predominantly in an executive office environment wearing suits and representing with many official gatherings

A classy, crisp, aromatic, signature scent that gives you and people smelling it the idea that you are very put together, goal-oriented, and a man who values cleanliness. The dry down is definetly green-leaning with a woody backbone, but the first 2-3 hours of projection smell like clean pristine air at the top of a huge mountain with a few herbs growing around you. I compared the scent to a sample of Himalaya from Creed and to sum it up, it is the financially sound decision to purchase XS. Full Video: https://youtu.be/B9y2J8aeQ4M

I took my buddy to the mall to test frags and he loved Creed Himalaya, and so I blind bought him XS for his birthday. We both agree that this frag does a fantastic job or mirroring the scent. For $30 I'm considering adding this to my collection. I love how fresh and invigorating this scent smells. I imagine myself on top of a cold mountain after the sun rises in the morning. Great pick and honestly one of the safest blind buys imo, I always say dont blind buy though. Smell - 8/10 Performance - 5/10 Price - 9/10 Overall - 7.8/10

Fresh spicy, woody, aromatic, with a hint of sweetness. It's mature and grown-up without coming across grandfatherly. While it doesn't blow my mind, it is a solid designer fragrance. Longevity is ok. I got 6 hours. If you want it to last all day, you'll have to spray on clothes or reapply to skin. Presentation is good, atomizer is very good. Price at discounters is a great value. I don't think this one is going to blow anyone away, but if you're looking for a fresh woody aromatic for cheap, you can't go wrong with XS.

This is light, sharp and refreshing. It's like a weaker, budget version of Gentle Fluidity Silver- both have Juniper and Coriander as starring notes, but this doesn't have the musky base. This doesn't have great projection and sillage. It has some longevity as a skin scent. It's not complex- just good as a way to freshen yourself up. Versatile- casual or formal- as it is clean and clear and not overwhelming nor offensive. Can be worn year-round. Nothing edgy but a good everyday.

XS starts off very citrusy and fresh. Almost as basic of an opening as you can get but when you wait a few minutes that's when the good part comes in. The dry down is so nice and smooth in this. It's like a creamy vanilla that kicks in with that citrus opening. This smells opulent and nice but it's also very simple at the same time. I would say this is a subtle party scent. It's mildly electric and outgoing. I like this one! I give this a 8.9/10

Haven't smelled the original for years but recall that I enjoyed the fragrance when it first came out. I remembered when I bought it at Macy's and it came with a XS shirt. Blind bought this new edition online since now spring. I enjoyed the initial blast but it does not last too long on the skin. Maybe 1 to 2 hours. But it does last about 6 hours on clothes. No compliments yet but still under social distancing.

Creed Himalaya may have the magic but the price makes me want to reach for XS which is basically the same but at one tenth the price. TB Island Life actually does this profile as well but with a touch nutmeg and way more cedar. For a while I preferred that one but now I’m thinking XS is better and wins in the dry down. XS came before both of those and is still the winner. Works perfect for rainy days as well.

Given Himalaya originally ripped off XS (one of my favorites as a kid) I find it kind of fitting that the tables have turned and now people are comparing this to Himalaya instead. If you like Himalaya you can do worse than grab this version, very similar dry downs. The Creed has a fresher more natural opening but this is gone after 15 minutes and then they are very similar for what is maybe 1/5th the cost.

I got this on a massive discount and blind bought. I'm not at all disappointed, it performs very well for a citrus scent. The mint and lemon on the top is super fresh and versatile. Although I have to say it's not super unique, I have had compliments on this in the office as it's quite mass appealing, good office scent in my opinion, as it's not super loud or polarizing, also not very sweet.

Imagine Great Value Creed Himalaya. It's good, but glad I only paid $23 for this. Himalaya is my favorite creed, but XS gets lost in it's synthetic properties and that mountain fresh air smell that comes out in Himalaya seems to get repackaged into a car air freshener interpretation. Not bad, but it loses that true mountain fresh characteristic that brings Himalaya to life.

I own the yellow juice and got this yesterday and tested today, It is 95% similar, from the scent development perspective. Just that the note breakdown has been simplified for the re-formulation. Does this smell similar to the Creed Himalaya? Yes in all aspects after 15 mins. Creed Himalaya shines for 15 mins as creed. Recommend a buy, if you like XS 1994 or Creed Himalaya.

A very fresh opening and a very likable and enjoyable scent. I have quite a few PR fragrances and this one is ideal for warm and sunny day usage. It's not offensive in any way and a real plesant wear. I must say I do like Paco Rabanne XS and I give an 8 out of 10. A fresh and beautiful smelling fragrance and a must have in your collection❤️👍!!

I have bought it for 30€ since I love Himalaya and I wanted something close to it. The DNA is there but this is watered down version. I take this is due to the several reformulations and that's a shame! In any case it is a nice green and woody scent, to add to the collection especially for the nostalgic value.

Have 5ml samples of this and Himalaya.. this one performs much better and smells almost identical to my nose. I love Himalaya and considered getting a full bottle for a while, but i am very glad I did this test before buying. I've read that Himalaya is a shell of its former self from reformulations anyways.

I think it was inspired by Creed Himalaya? Regardless, it opens with a sharp metallic mint and lemon combo. The heart is a clean, herbaceous blend of juniper berries, coriander, and geranium. The base is woody, earthy, and mossy with background tobacco in late dry down. I like the old school vibe of it.

XS reminds me of Godolphin by parfums de marly or Tuscan leather by Tom Ford. i smell a very prominent leather accord, yet when i checked the notes there isn't leather or suede listed. it's a dusty green scent. it's not for me, but if you like leather you should definitely check it out.

Solid. Huge fan of Himalaya and this certainly captures the base DNA. Those who wear Himalaya may be slightly disappointed-- there does seem to be a sort of "x-factor" missing here, but punches way above its weight for the price. Drydown just feels a bit "drier" and a tad antiseptic.

is it better than the original XS? no, it's different. a bit more floral, almost feminine, while the OG leans be piney, resinous but still wereable. btw. this is not the alternative to creed himalaya. it simply can't be, because XS war released before creed. 7/10

Nice minty juniper smell, slightly sweet but very pleasant. Sadly doesn't last long (unless you spray it 10+ times), but i like the smell enough that I will sometimes spray it before I go to bed.