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For today’s cologne comparison, I’m going to do two more from the Paco Rabanne 1 Million line of scents: Prive vs. Lucky. Which of these flanker fragrances smells best? Which has the better performance and versatility? Ultimately, which is the better purchase when looking for a 1 Million cologne?
Tale of the Tape: Lucky vs. Prive
1 Million Lucky
Notes include: hazelnut, cedar, green plum, patchouli, grapefruit, amber, and more
Click here to try: 1 Million Lucky by Paco Rabanne Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml
Read my original review: 1 Million Lucky
1 Million Prive
Notes include: tonka bean, apple, cinnamon, myrrh, mandarin orange, tobacco
Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Prive Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce
Read my original review: 1 Million Prive Cologne Review
Opening
1 Million Prive opens darker with a more emergent cinnamon note that blends with a crisp and sweet apple note. It’s warm and slightly spicy but still retains an overall sweet profile. Prive has a lot of similar elements with the original 1 Million and Armani Code Profumo, which is another great fragrance.
There is another layer to Prive with mandarin, tonka bean, and tobacco which adds depth and smoothness.
1 Million Lucky is closer to the original than is Prive. It has the same candy-like sweetness except you substitute in a plum note. It’s not exactly the same but this plum sits on top of wood and is soaked in amber.
Then, add a unique nutty profile with the addition of hazelnut. It’s got a great cedar note, which puts it above how the original 1 Million opens.
Between these two, I think Prive has the better opening. I like it’s dark cinnamon quality. Although, I don’t think it to be a massive advantage over Lucky.
Edge: Prive
Projection
The sillage between these two scents is close and neither beats the original. However, 1 Million Prive, just does a better job overall in terms of how potent of a cologne it is. Lucky can seem pretty intense, in the start, but its mostly due to the tart plum note blending with the sweetness.
Prive is actually stronger and projects itself better than Lucky. It’s just kind of an illusion of power at first for Lucky.
Edge: Prive
Longevity
On my skin, I usually get 6-8 hours from Lucky. Closer to six hours on average. 1 Million Prive gives me 9-10 and takes this category fairly easily. Lucky is the worst performing of all of the 1 Million fragrances, in terms of how long it lasts. Every other one has hit at least 9 hours for me.
Edge: Prive
Versatility
Both of these colognes have good versatility, as you can wear them both casually or during a night out. I will say that Prive is probably the ‘sexier’ of the two scents.
Prive is also more mature and better for older guys. Both of these do have a youthful vibe, Lucky does feel more like a teenage or college age scent.
While neither scent is built for hot weather, Lucky does hold up better in higher temperatures than does Prive. High heat, both will fall apart but Lucky hangs in longer.
Edge: Lucky (slightly)
Overall Scent
I’ve enjoyed wearing Lucky over the past week or so. I think it’s a nice addition from Paco Rabanne, but it doesn’t take things to a higher level. 1 Million Prive is still my favorite from that line of fragrances.
Lucky has a nice aroma, sweet, woody, warm, with nutty elements floating to the top. It’s a solid casual wear, but nothing that will really set one apart while wearing it. It has a tart and sweet opening, which I enjoy, but may turn some folks away. Plus, it is geared toward younger guys.
Prive is awesome. I like it better than the original 1 Million and it’s a fantastic cold weather scent. Yeah, it doesn’t have that year round versatility, but it’s a great cologne. It has a more mature and masculine vibe while retaining a warm sweetness that shares the spirit of the original.
Update: Prive has been discontinued and it’s already really difficult to find a bottle at a reasonable price. So, you’ll have to go with Lucky or one of the other 1 Million fragrances. Personally, if I had to buy one, it’d be the original. The Parfum is decent, but didn’t wow me.
Winner: Prive
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides.