Black XS for Her
“Black XS for Her by Rabanne is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women”
The Quick Read
Respected, if divisive — a warm spicy, cacao composition with a vanilla undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear, leaning feminine.
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Black XS for Her by Rabanne was launched in 2007 and quickly became a cult classic among those who embraced its dark, gothic edge. Created by perfumers Emilie Coppermann and Mark Buxton, the fragrance opens with cranberry and pink pepper, before giving way to a heart of cacao, rose, and black violet. The base notes of vanilla, patchouli, and massoia wood create a warm, spicy finish that lingers long after the initial spritz.
Black XS for Her stands out against the era's polite fruity-florals with its bold and dark character, making it the signature scent for the 'rock'n'roll princess' subculture of the late-2000s and early-2010s. However, its 2018 reformulation remains a point of contention among longtime fans of the original.
Composition & Character
Notes Pyramid
Top
Opening
Heart
The Soul
Base
Foundation
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
How It Wears
Application Tips
One spray is enough to capture its essence — the cranberry and pink pepper top notes are bright but fleeting. The rich base notes take about an hour to fully bloom, so give it time before reapplying. Best for nighttime wear when you want a scent that whispers rather than shouts.
Émilie Coppermann
Founding perfumer · 82 fragrances
Designer Rabanne
More from Rabanne
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The hushed glow of a dimly lit concert venue, where dark florals and spicy notes blend into the night.
Fig. 01 — Black XS for Her, Rabanne
Where to buy.
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