Of course I was going to get around to eventually doing a review of 1 Million by Paco Rabanne and so I woke up this morning and said to myself, “Why not now?” After all, this scent is so very popular, especially among younger guys, that I think that’d I’d have to address it at some point.
What is there to be said about a best-selling cologne that comes in a bottle shaped like a gold ingot? Well, plenty is to be said because it is an interesting scent, in my opinion. Now, let us take a closer look at 1 Million and see what makes it such a draw.
What does 1 Million by Paco Rabanne Smell Like?
Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes
Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce
My Full Take on 1 Million
Here is how Paco Rabanne describes it: Fall in love with danger and grand gestures. Obey no one. Except your fantasies. The 1 million fragrance eau de toilette for men is a beautiful spicy leather scent for insolent gentlemen.
Let me start off by saying that, I enjoy this fragrance. I know that there are plenty of people who don’t because of various reasons, either perceived rightly or wrongly, but I find that it is a very good scent.
I think that many people’s problem with this fragrance stems from its sweet, candy-like opening and its sheer popularity.
Sometimes, things get hated on simply because it is popular, whatever. Anyways, the more valid criticism is it’s really sweet opening notes, which gets compared to bubble gum or fruity candy.
It is important to understand that this initial burst fades after 10-20 minutes before the fragrance starts to reveal itself fully. On my skin, I get more spice and warmth than some other folks, it seems. This is especially true with newer batches of 1 Million
The opening takes on the bubble gum sort of aroma because of a mix of leather, rose, and citrus (orange and grapefruit). This together with the other underlying notes, create a bold and very sweet scent from the start.
It’s just the way things all come together, at first, which produces that smell. However, once you get into the wear the notes become more distinct and identifiable.
That initial sweetness is surrounded by a warm and thick amber note. This is a major part of 1 Million’s boldness, in my view, because it creates a sort of enveloping cloud around the wearer.
The amber note actually reminds me a lot of later (though weaker) releases, such as Dylan Blue. There is also a hint of mint in there which adds a refreshing spice and tinge of coolness, to a very warm composition.
As time moves on, the cinnamon, spices, and amber notes start to come out fully to add some pep and masculinity to the blend and this is where 1 Million really starts to shine. The dry down is spicier and full of leather bouncing off of the cinnamon dominant part of this cologne’s life cycle.
Woody notes also sit at the base and help to solidify the fragrance as something other than the hyper sweet start it’s famous for. In the end, I get: cinnamon, rich leather, amber, rose, wood, and other assorted spices.
Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility
Projection wise, 1 Million has always been an absolute sillage king. It can fill a room and command attention for itself. I can’t speak for the most recently released bottles, as to if they have been reformulated or not, but it’s power has always been a major selling point.
Beyond that, is the longevity that has always garnered me 10+ of wear, and usually much further along than that 10 hour baseline. It’s an all nighter and into the next morning kind of fragrance (again, not sure if newer ones have been weakened).
Update: I’ve grabbed a newer batch in 2020 (and again in 2023) and it seems like 1 Million has lost a step. It hasn’t been terribly weakened, but it doesn’t have that same monstrous sillage and longevity. Probably 85% of what it was, which is still great.
I still get a very strong opening sillage, but that will quiet down much more quickly than it used to. Nowadays, it will last somewhere in the 8 hour range. Still not bad, but it doesn’t seem to touch those vintage bottle highs.
Seasonally, this Paco Rabanne is best for the colder parts of the year. In the heat, it can get really messy, really fast. Particularly, when it is humid out. This isn’t one for office wear, though, it’s not too heavy with one spray.
This is a nightlife cologne and one that is geared for young men from their teen years through their twenties. It has a playful and youthful vibe, not at all serious or demure.
So, it’s versatility in practice, isn’t all that great. It’s limited to colder or moderate temperatures, more casual situations, and a younger audience in general.
Overall Impressions of 1 Million
All in all, if you are looking for a fragrance that can be used when you go out partying and whatnot, then 1 Million is definitely worth a try.
However, understand that it is not necessarily the most versatile fragrance around lots of people used to wear it, but I really don’t smell it as much anymore. I cannot remember the last time that I came across it, when out on the town.
It’s loud, warm, sweet, and spicy. It’s still a very good scent and I can put it on from time to time and really enjoy wearing it. I do think that 1 Million Prive, has taken the crown, as the best from the Paco Rabanne line. However, this one is still a great grab.
I’ve been wearing this around in 2020, with a travel sprayer, and have really enjoyed coming back to this cologne. Is it my favorite? No, but it does have an appeal, that I’ve always appreciated.
It doesn’t have the same level of performance that it used to. That’s one drawback of the modern 1 Million experience. Though, I still like coming back to this scent every few years to relive the memories.
If you’re in the appropriate age range, check it out, as you might get to enjoy it as well.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
