Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet Man Eau de Toilette
Launched in 2001, Ultraviolet Man opens fresh with mint and amber, moves into peppery vetiver, then closes on oakmoss and vanilla — an early-2000s classic with a distinct fresh-sweet character.
Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet Man Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance from 2001, created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud as the male companion to the original Ultraviolet. It combines a cool, minty opening with a warmer amber and vanilla finish.
What does Ultraviolet Man smell like?
The fragrance opens with fresh mint alongside amber, giving an unusual sweet-cool contrast right from the first spray. The heart brings in vetiver, pepper and other spicy notes for a more grounded, slightly green character, before the base settles into oakmoss and vanilla. The result is fresh and aromatic up top with a sweeter, mossier finish underneath, giving it a distinct early-2000s signature.
- Top notes: Mint, amber
- Heart notes: Vetiver, pepper, spicy notes
- Base notes: Oakmoss, vanilla
Performance and when to wear it
Ultraviolet Man is typically moderate on skin, with the fresh top notes fading faster than the vanilla-oakmoss base. It suits daytime wear in warmer weather thanks to the minty opening, while the sweeter drydown means it can also work into the evening. It's a versatile option for spring and summer.
Who is it for?
This is a good choice for men who like fresh, slightly unusual fragrances rather than standard citrus or woody options. The mint-amber combination has a nostalgic, early-2000s feel that still reads as distinctive today, especially for anyone drawn to Paco Rabanne's futuristic design language of that period rather than more conventional, safe fresh scents.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ultraviolet Man long-lasting?+
Ultraviolet Man is typically moderate on skin. The fresh mint opening fades within the first hour or two, while the vanilla and oakmoss base lingers for longer as a soft, warm skin scent that carries through the afternoon.
Is Ultraviolet Man for men or women?+
Yes, this is the men's version of Ultraviolet, with a fresh mint-amber opening and a vetiver, oakmoss and vanilla base. Paco Rabanne released a separate, different Ultraviolet for women with its own distinct composition.
What does Ultraviolet Man smell similar to?+
There's no single widely agreed match for Ultraviolet Man. Its mint-amber opening is fairly distinctive among early-2000s men's fragrances, so it's best evaluated on its own rather than as a clone of another well-known scent.
At a glance
Ultraviolet Man by Paco Rabanne — Oriental – Oriental Woody. Launched 2001. Created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. Price in South Africa: R1560. Best for: date night, black tie evening, power meeting, autumn.
- Scent profile
- Oriental – Oriental Woody
- Launched
- 2001
- Perfumer
- Jacques Cavallier Belletrud
- Price in South Africa
- R1560
- Gender
- Masculine
- Best for
- Date Night, Black Tie Evening, Power Meeting, Autumn
Main Accords
Community Opinions
Wear It When
Date Night
“Candlelight, slow conversation, and a scent trail that draws them closer.”
Black Tie Evening
“When the invitation says formal — this is what you reach for.”
Power Meeting
“Quiet confidence in a bottle. Let the work speak — the fragrance just underlines it.”
Drag the knobs to explore
This Scent Is For
Warm & enveloping — leaves an unforgettable impression.
Scent Mood
Peak season: ❄️ Winter (100%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
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Layer It With
Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Ultraviolet Man. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.
Adds an uplifting citrus accessory to anything richer — works whenever a scent feels too heavy for the weather.
Layering Tip
Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.
How to Layer Ultraviolet Man
Combine Ultraviolet Man with these partners to create something new. Spray the heavier scent first, let it settle, then add the accent on top. These are note-based suggestions — a great starting point to experiment with.
Layer Ultraviolet Man with
Afnan Turathi BlueHow: 1 spray Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet Man on the chest, 1 spray Afnan Turathi Blue on top
Result: the amber-woody-spicy base amplifies the peppery amber core of Ultraviolet Man
Layer Ultraviolet Man with
Mancera Black PrestigiumHow: 2 sprays Paco Rabanne Ultraviolet Man first, 1 spray Mancera Black Prestigium on top
Result: leather, oud and amber give this eau de toilette a darker, longer-lasting evening trail
AI Review Summary
Synthesised from fragrance data
Ultraviolet Man is one of those early-2000s releases that still turns heads for the right reasons — the opening mint and amber combo is genuinely unusual, delivering a cool-sweet contrast you don't often find in masculine fragrances. As it dries down, vetiver and pepper add some earthy backbone before oakmoss and vanilla take over with a softer, slightly retro finish. It's the kind of scent that rewards patience, since the base is arguably more interesting than the opening. Reach for it on a warm Highveld spring day when you want something fresher than a woody oriental but more characterful than a standard aquatic. Men who tend to find mainstream fresh fragrances a bit safe and predictable will likely appreciate what Paco Rabanne was doing here.
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