Rabanne 2005 EDT

M ££ Statement

Black XS

by Olivier Cresp , Christian Dussoulier , Rosendo Mateu

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Rabanne Black XS is an Eau de Toilette launched in 2005, created by Olivier Cresp, Christian Dussoulier, and Rosendo Mateu. Black XS opens with Lemon and Sage, settles into a heart of Cardamom, Cinnamon, Tolu Balsam, and Praline, and dries down to a base of Patchouli, Rosewood, and Ambergris. Rabanne's Black XS carries a Statement verdict, a fresh-led wear.

A legendary noughties fragrance, Black XS is a sweet, dark, and playful scent that's loved by many for its unique 'strawberry milkshake' vibe. Ignore the whiners, this one's a classic - but be warned, performance issues with newer batches mean you should hunt down a vintage if you can.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Bold
  • Playful
  • Warm
  • Clean
  • Confident
$45.49 at FragranceNet 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) · plus sales tax Check price on → Check prices ↓
Black XS Eau de Toilette bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter
Also Works:
Summer

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

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Casual

Black XS is a sweet, bold fragrance that's best suited for casual wear, dates, and nights out. Its moderate to strong sillage and sweet accords might be a bit much for a formal office setting, but it's a solid choice for social occasions.

Ingredients and allergens

Alcohol Denat, Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Limonene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Citral, Cinnamal, Linalool, Coumarin, Geraniol.

From a shop in the United Kingdom. Boxes sold in other countries can differ.

Named in this list, in standard patch-test panels

Other allergens named in this list

Lists change between batches and markets, so check the box of the bottle you have. "Parfum" covers substances the label does not name, and we highlight only the allergens we could match. If you have a diagnosed allergy, look for the name your clinic gave you on your own packaging.

About

Black XS kicks off with a zesty lemon and aromatic sage, quickly diving into a heart of sweet praline, warm cinnamon and spicy cardamom, bolstered by balsamic tolu. The base deepens with earthy patchouli, ambergris, and rosewood, creating a sweet-woody-spicy scent that's both comforting and a bit rebellious.

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Two people, two scents: what sits well beside it when you each wear your own See what pairs well

Where to buy

Prices for the United States · · checked 18 October

Prices before sales tax, which the shop adds at checkout.

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.