Paco Rabanne Phantom & Phantom Parfum Reviews – Everything You Need to Know
The Phantom fragrances.
Significantly sweet and interesting colognes.
First, I’ll describe the original Phantom in detail, then Phantom Parfum, and let you know which is better. Let’s get started.
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Table of Contents
What Does Paco Rabanne Phantom Smell Like?
Bright lemon zest and juicy apple notes lead the opening. The overarching emphasis is sweet and semi-tropical. Vanilla lingers in the background with sweet, creamy faucets that tie everything together. Within a few minutes, lavender comes through like a tidal wave. It is aromatic and supports the fruits early in the wear.
Into the mid, lemon and apple dissipate. It leaves room for an earthier and drier lavender-based aroma. The earthiness comes from a patchouli addition that brings smoky incense and herbal spices.
The dry down is significantly less sweet. More herbal spices and dry woods take their place. Vetiver and patchouli have gotten earthier and woodier. However, the overarching emphasis remains on the lavender and vanilla duo for the rest of the wear.
Paco Rabanne Phantom notes:
TOP NOTES
- Lavender
- Lemon Zest
- Amalfi Lemon
MID NOTES
- Lavender
- Earthy Notes
- Smoke
- Apple
- Patchouli
BASE NOTES
- Vanilla
- Lavender
- Vetiver
Performance
Phantom lasts six to seven hours on the skin with moderate projection in the opening. It pushes out two to three feet. As the base develops, the projection recedes, becoming a skin scent for the rest of the wear. The sillage is decent. The depth of the fragrance is great at sticking in the air while you move around. This performance is with five sprays.
This is all-season and occasion wear. I recommend applying fewer sprays in the summer’s heat as the fragrance’s sweetness gets intense.
The mass appeal and likability are average to below average. Many people dislike the intensity of the sweetness in the opening. It’s also nothing special in terms of quality or blend of notes. Lastly, the uniqueness is slightly above average. The significant earthiness sets it apart.
What Does Paco Rabanne Phantom Parfum Smell Like?
The first spray is no doubt tart. My nose puckers for the first ten seconds. Bitter Rhubarb is the most prevalent. A variety of citruses linger in the background. The odd part? It’s not that fresh.
At first, I thought this would be a simple, bright opening, but… once the tartness settles, I can tell there’s a second layer.
Lavender coated in cardamom follows closely behind the top notes. The lavender is the most prominent and has a powdery tinge. It never becomes too floral. It is very clean and heads in a more barbershop cologne direction. Is this a barbershop cologne? No! Only lavender has the vibe.
Give the scent a few minutes, and a dark vanilla accord will wash over the backbone. It pushes most of the Rhubarb and citrus out. It carries a sweet, almost candied accent. Yet, it is never sugary or overpowering.
The darkness isn’t prominent, but I believe it is Tolu Balsam. It’s the only note in the scent tree that would donate the same warm, resinous nature.
After this, the scent doesn’t change much. Wafts of patchouli sneak their way in. Yet, they sit in the background for the entire wear. They amplify the darkness and bring tinges of wood. The rest of the wear is aromatic vanilla with woody and sweet accents.
Paco Rabanne Phantom Parfum notes:
TOP NOTES
- Cardamom
- Rhubarb
- Bergamot
- Lemon
MID NOTES
- Lavender
- Patchouli
- Geranium
- Cedarwood
BASE NOTES
- Vanilla
- Vetiver
- Tolu Balsam
Performance
The longevity is in the six to seven hours range with light but intense projection. It pushes out to an arm’s length in the first two hours. After this period, it recedes to a light ambiance, about one foot.
Phantom Parfum doesn’t project far but is intense in your personal bubble. Thus, you’ll want to spray lighter. I used two sprays to get the performance described. I don’t see a situation where you’d ever need more than three sprays.
The sillage is better. The more you move, the better Phantom Parfum smells and projects. It will leave a multiple-foot scent trail as you walk by. This is all due to its dense nature that can hang in the air.
This is only fall and winter wear. As for occasions, it is more of a casual wear and great for intimate situations. I can’t emphasize enough how alluring this becomes once it develops into the mid and dry down.
Speaking of mass appeal and likability, is it likable? Yes! This fragrance has me smelling myself often, as I can’t get enough of the scent. This will only be off-putting if applied too heavily in close-quarter settings. This is the same for all fragrances, but easier to do here.
Lastly, the uniqueness is average to below average. It is more likable than the original but shares a lot of its scent development. Without considering the original, there’s nothing too groundbreaking about aromatic vanilla.
FAQs
Who Should Wear Paco Rabanne Phantom Parfum?
There’s nothing mature about the original Phantom. Yet, the Parfum version smells more mature because of its darkness. It still sits in the same 16 – 30 age range but is more mature than the original.
What is the Most Similar Fragrance to Phantom Parfum?
The original Phantom is the most similar. They share the same development. The opening is not as fresh in the Parfum version. As the scent develops, it is darker and richer.
Outside of the line, Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory and Jean-Paul Gaultier Scandal Pour Homme have the same idea. They don’t have the same scent development but have the same sweetness and playful nature.
Should I Own Phantom or Phantom Parfum?
Phantom Parfum. Yes, it is that much better.
The original has a pleasant citrus and vanilla duo. Many other fragrances do this combination well and thus the original is expensive for the fragrance received. Phantom Parfum has a purpose. It is a much more alluring fragrance for intimate situations or going out.
What about those of you who already have the original Phantom? Is it redundant to own them both? Yes, they are similar fragrances. The Parfum version offers a better and darker take on the DNA. If you love the original, the Parfum is a must-have for you. If the original was only okay or you didn’t like it, this won’t be worth it.
Final Words
If you try Paco Rabanne Phantom or the Parfum version, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.