4 Colognes Similar to Invictus (2023) – Do You Need Them?
Invictus clones.
Known for their hefty sweetness and playful energy.
This review will describe four colognes similar to Invictus. I will detail their smell, performance, and anything else you need to know. I can’t promise all are 1:1 replicas, but many draw inspiration.
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Table of Contents
#4 – Mont Blanc Legend Spirit
The prominent citrus duo of grapefruit and bergamot lead the opening. Cardamom spice and an aquatic background follow closely behind. The citruses are bright and dominate at first. But there is still a lot of spicy, warm cardamom.
After about 10 minutes, cardamom will blow the citruses away. For the rest of the wear, it makes the scent exceptionally dry.
The scent settles down at this point and comes into its deeper and warmer notes. Mainly pink pepper and cardamom, but the woods and musk from the base appear.
After a while, Legend Spirit comes into its base. The two most prominent notes are aromatic oak moss and cardamom. Aquatic musk lingers in the background. The rest of the wear is predominantly this trio. However, I sometimes catch fleeting wafts of lavender and fresh spice.
Legend Spirit lasts seven hours on the skin with moderate projection. In the first hours, it pushes out a couple of feet, but as it dries down, the scent recedes. This is spring and summer wear for all occasions.
#3 – Armaf Hunter Intense
The opening has bright bergamot with subtle pink pepper. The initial opening is similar, but as it develops, there are additions of sweet florals that give the fragrance a degree of sweetness for the rest of the wear.
People often say it smells like Dior Sauvage mixed with Paco Rabanne Invictus as it dries. I do understand where this idea is coming from. The base of Hunter Intense has the same heavy ambroxan note with woody accents, but there is the addition of an aquatic accord. This is what you’ll get for the rest of the wear.
The performance is eight hours on the skin with okay projection. The first three to four hours, it pushes out well. After this period, it recedes and becomes a skin scent for the rest of the wear.
The versatility is nearly as good as Dior Sauvage. It can be worn in all seasons and occasions. You’ll have to apply heavier in the winter, as it does struggle.
#2 – Valentino Uomo Born in Roma
The opening is most similar to Invictus. Uomo Born in Roma has a hefty dose of sugary sweetness. Instead of citrus notes, you’ll smell a very prominent mineral accord and violet leaf. This combination smells exceptionally ozonic, fresh, and aromatic without becoming too aquatic.
In the background is light ginger spice and herbal sage spice. They don’t amount to much but help break up the scent. As the scent develops, significant saltiness comes through. The scent tree has a salt note, but much of this comes from the dominant mineral accord.
Invictus uses ambergris and sea notes to mimic the same depth with saltiness.
The dry down has a lot less sugary sweetness. The scent trends in a soapier and fresher direction with woody additions. The rest of the wear is fresh violet leaf, the mineral accord, woody vetiver, and various general wood notes.
The longevity ranges from seven to eight hours with above-average to moderate projection. The first two hours, it pushes past an arm’s length. After this period, it is a mild ambiance for the rest of the wear. This is wearable for all occasions, but more casual and office wear as it is slightly youthful and playful.
#1 – Rasasi Hawas for Him
Two things are going on in the opening. First, the initial spray is led by a bright apple note, having a sweet crispness. The second thing is a duo of citruses. They are supportive but more prominent than background notes. They add a sparkling freshness to the opening.
All of the above is undertoned by cinnamon spice. It’s well-blended and never overpowering.
In the mid, there is almost a complete transition. The fruits and citruses fade. While non-salty aquatic notes wash over the heart. Instead of cinnamon in the mid, it is replaced with cardamom. Again, never taking away from the scent.
Finally, the base is led by an amber and musk duo. The musk is similar to that of Creeds. The amber comes from underneath and pushes water to the “surface.” The amber coats your skin, and a musk/aquatic combination sits atop.
I routinely get eight to nine hours on my skin with moderate projection. It pushes off the skin three feet in the first three hours before receding. This is exclusively warm-weather wear for all occasions.
Final Words
These are all great alternatives to Paco Rabanne Invictus. Yet, many of them are great fragrances on their own. No matter if you’re buying as a clone or the fragrance for itself, these are all great choices.
After you try a cologne similar to Invictus, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.