Black XS

Rabanne   Original
Dupe Pair
VS

Man Gold

Zara   Dupe
Black XS Eau de Parfum bottle Black XS
Edp Concentration Edt
U Gender U
2018 Year 2017
££ Price Tier £
Man Gold Eau de Toilette bottle Man Gold
Our Verdict

Black XS (2018) and Zara Man Gold both aim for a sweet, spicy, woody profile, but differ in execution and performance. Black XS offers a more complex blend with dark fruits and cacao, aiming for a unique, though sometimes fleeting, experience. Zara Man Gold, on the other hand, is a simpler and sweeter gourmand fragrance that is easy to like and easy on the wallet. The key difference lies in the depth and longevity - Black XS *attempts* greater complexity, while Zara goes for simple, fleeting sweetness. Ultimately, the choice depends on your budget and preference for depth versus immediate gratification.

ScentArt

A
Black XS
B
Man Gold
Full Screen Compare

Which Should You Buy?

Choose Black XS if...
  • You want a more complex and unique scent profile.
  • You appreciate the dark fruit and cacao notes.
  • You prefer a slightly more mature and nuanced sweetness.
  • You don't mind potential longevity issues.
  • You can afford a mid-tier fragrance.
Choose Man Gold if...
  • You want a budget-friendly alternative.
  • You prefer a straightforward, sweet gourmand.
  • You don't mind reapplying your fragrance.
  • You want something mass-appealing and easy to wear.
  • You prefer sweeter and less complex fragrance.
Our Verdict - Black XS
This perfume is a divisive one. While some find it to be a unique, sexy, and addictive blend of dark fruits and cacao, others are let down by its perceived weakness and lack of longevity compared to its predecessor. It's a love-it-or-hate-it affair, often depending on skin chemistry and expectations.
Favourite
Our Verdict - Man Gold
A solid, cost-effective alternative to Paco Rabanne Black XS, Zara Man Gold delivers a delicious gourmand experience. Just mind the performance; it's a bit of a fleeting pleasure that you'll want to reapply.
Statement

Scent Profile

Citrus Floral Fruity Green Sweet Warm Woody Earthy Animalic Fresh
Citrus 2% 30%
Floral 18% 0%
Fruity 17% 2%
Green 2% 3%
Sweet 35% 24%
Warm 15% 28%
Woody 15% 8%
Earthy 5% 16%
Animalic 0% 0%
Fresh 10% 23%

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Black XS EdP
Man Gold EdT

Notes

Accords

Black XS Man Gold
100%
Fruity
90%
Warm Spicy
100%
92%
Cacao
Citrus
91%
84%
Powdery
84%
Woody
51%
79%
Vanilla
77%
Sweet
77%
75%
Rose
Aromatic
66%
Patchouli
65%
Cinnamon
52%
Lactonic
49%
Nutty
44%
100%
Warm Spicy shared
90%
100%
92%
91%
84%
Woody shared
84%
51%
79%
Sweet shared
77%
77%
75%
66%
65%
52%
49%
44%

Performance

Black XS Man Gold
Moderate (4-6h)
Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Moderate
Projection
Moderate
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Season and Occasion Fit

Black XS

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in winter and autumn.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Casual
Also Works:
Formal

Its intimate sillage and seductive, dark profile mean it's ideal for dates and evening events where you want to make a statement without overpowering. However, its perceived weakness by some users makes it less suitable for formal settings requiring strong projection, and it's certainly not a sport fragrance.

Man Gold

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Occasions

Best For:
Date
Also Works:
Casual

Its sweet and warm spicy profile makes it more suitable for casual outings and dates, particularly in cooler weather. Due to its limited projection and longevity as noted by many, it's not ideal for formal events or the gym, and can be worn in the office if applied lightly.

Where to buy

Black XS
Man Gold
also worth checking

ScentVerdict earns a commission from purchases - this doesn't affect our verdicts.

Compare Another Pair

VS