1 Million vs Invictus by Paco Rabanne Cologne Comparison

In my latest installment of cologne comparisons, I want to once again compare something against 1 Million by Paco Rabanne. This time I want to pit it against one from its own design house, Invictus. In this post, I want to break down each scent and explain how I think each smells, performs, when they should be worn, and which scent is better overall between Invictus vs One Million. Note: I am updating this post 4 years or so, after the original, to add my latest experiences with more depth.

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Tale of the Tape: Invictus vs. 1 Million

1 Million 

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

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Invictus 

Notes include: grapefruit, sea notes, mandarin orange, bay leaf, jasmine

Read my review

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

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Opening

You’ll notice that these two fragrances have grapefruit and orange notes in common. In fact, the opening aromas of these scents have a very similar feel to one another.

They both tend to have that sort of grape candy/bubblegum smell at first before morphing into something else.

Invictus has a decidedly aquatic fragrance to it, while 1 Million has a more leathery smell, that comes through.

1 Million kicks off with its citrus notes, joining them together with leather, rose, and amber. Along with these, come a blend of fresh spice (mint/cinnamon), which will have some more influence later on.

Meanwhile, Invictus starts out with its citrus notes, as well. However, it pairs things up with aquatic notes, a strong bay leaf, and ambergris. It is sweet, somewhat salty aquatic, with a nice freshness.

I think 1 Million is the better starter, though. Invictus has grown on me as a fragrance, over the years. I just think that 1 Million is a bit more interesting, and I like its ingredients more so versus its competitor.

Edge: 1 Million

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Projection

Both 1 Million and Invictus have very good projection. These are strong scents and it has always made me laugh that an ‘Intense’ version of 1 Million exists. I think that, 1 Million has lost a step, in the newer bottles. Nonetheless, it has the stronger sillage.

Invictus starts out strong and then weakens quite a bit. 1 Million is an absolute beast throughout. I’d say that, Invictus is on the upper end of moderate, for most of its time on the skin. Great start and it keeps it going for a few hours.

Update: Newer bottles of 1 Million aren’t as strong, so, they may be about equal now.

Edge: Push

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Longevity

Again, Paco Rabanne definitely knows how to make performers. I get all day wear from 1 Million, like 10+ hours. Invictus is no slouch and delivers around 6-7 hours and sometimes more of wear before it’s gone.

Invictus is really consistent for me, delivering that 6-7 hour time frame, again and again. 1 Million and most of its flanker scents, have just had better staying power, than the offerings from the Invictus line.

Update: 1 Million has lost a step, but still has the edge here.

Edge: 1 Million

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Versatility

I like either one of these as a nighttime fragrance. I’m not really sold on them for office wear, it’d be acceptable if you only wore a spray. These both seem to be more youthful fragrances (20s and 30s) and Invictus feels like a ‘younger’ cologne than 1 Million does.

Invictus is a better summertime cologne than is 1 Million. However, I’ll still wear 1 Million at night during the summer and I feel it’s better in the winter and fall as well.

Ehhh, Invictus might have the slight edge, but it’s not a huge margin.

Edge: Invictus (slightly)

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Overall Scent

1 Million is a sweet scent. Invictus is even sweeter. While they do share similarities upon opening, these two colognes diverge after that. Invictus becomes more aquatic and takes on a really fresh and clean smell with a slight woodsy base.

1 Million is sweet and warm with a leathery/cinnamon blend that I really like. I do enjoy that bold citrus blend opening, but when it dries down and the amber surrounds the leather/rose/spice core, I really enjoy wearing 1 Million. Plus, it’s got a better performance.

Honestly, I like both of these scents but 1 Million just fits better for me. It might be the case for you, that you would prefer the sweet, citrusy, and aquatic flavor of Invictus and if that sounds like you…probably go with that.

For me, my favorites from the Invictus line are Intense and Legend, with the original coming in third.

Winner: 1 Million