Paco Rabanne
Paco Rabanne Ultrared Eau de Toilette
Paco Rabanne Ultrared Eau de Toilette opens with tangy blood orange, then settles into creamy praline and a vanilla-patchouli base — a warm, gourmand scent for men who like sweetness without sugar.
Paco Rabanne Ultrared Eau de Toilette is a citrus gourmand for men, built around a burst of blood orange that softens into a sweet, woody base. Launched in 2008, it sits alongside the brand's better-known Ultraviolet line as a punchier, warmer take on the house's aromatic style.
What does Ultrared smell like?
The opening is bright and juicy, with blood orange doing most of the work before the fragrance moves into its sweeter middle. Praline and tonka bean add a nutty, dessert-like warmth, while a base of vanilla and patchouli brings depth and a slightly earthy finish. It reads as confident and easy to wear rather than sharp or clinical, and the citrus keeps the gourmand side from tipping into pure sugar.
- Top notes: Blood orange
- Heart notes: Praline, tonka bean
- Base notes: Vanilla, patchouli
Performance and when to wear it
Ultrared is typically moderate to long-lasting on skin, with the gourmand base giving it decent staying power through an evening. It suits autumn and winter best, when the sweeter, warmer character comes into its own, though a couple of sprays also work on cooler evenings in summer. It's an easy option for dinners, dates or any occasion calling for something a little sweeter than a standard citrus fragrance.
Who is it for?
This is a good pick for men who enjoy gourmand fragrances but want them kept in check by citrus rather than tipping into pure sugar. It works well as an affordable, easy-to-wear option for anyone building a small rotation, and sits comfortably alongside other Paco Rabanne releases from the same period.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paco Rabanne Ultrared long-lasting?+
Ultrared is typically moderate to long-lasting on skin, thanks to its sweet praline, tonka and vanilla-patchouli base. Expect noticeable projection for the first few hours before it settles into a soft, warm skin scent that carries into the evening.
Is Ultrared for men or women?+
Ultrared is marketed as a men's fragrance. Its blood orange, praline and patchouli combination leans warm and gourmand, which reads as classically masculine, though anyone who enjoys the notes can wear it comfortably.
What does Ultrared smell similar to?+
There's no widely agreed dupe or clone for Ultrared. It shares a loose citrus-gourmand family with other Paco Rabanne releases from the same era, but it's best judged on its own blood orange and praline character.
At a glance
Ultrared by Paco Rabanne — Fresh – Citrus Gourmand. Launched 2008. Price in South Africa: R1599. Best for: morning commute, weekend brunch, date night, spring.
- Scent profile
- Fresh – Citrus Gourmand
- Launched
- 2008
- Price in South Africa
- R1599
- Gender
- Masculine
- Best for
- Morning Commute, Weekend Brunch, Date Night, Spring
Main Accords
Fragrance Pyramid
How this scent unfolds on your skin
Community Opinions
Wear It When
Morning Commute
“A spritz before you leave — fresh enough to wake you up, polished enough for the boardroom.”
Weekend Brunch
“Sun-dappled café tables, iced lattes, and effortless charm.”
Date Night
“Candlelight, slow conversation, and a scent trail that draws them closer.”
Drag the knobs to explore
This Scent Is For
Crisp & invigorating — thrives in warmer months.
Scent Mood
Peak season: ☀️ Summer (70%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
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Layer It With
Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Ultrared. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.
The winter weight for summer signatures.
Adds chestnut-vanilla warmth and smoke to lighter scents — converts a daytime signature into something evening-ready in cold 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 Ultrared
Combine Ultrared 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 Ultrared with
Mancera Tonka ColaHow: 1 spray Paco Rabanne Ultrared on the chest, 1 spray Mancera Tonka Cola on top
Result: tonka and cola stack onto the praline-tonka base for a fuller, sweeter gourmand
Layer Ultrared with
Lattafa Brioche VanilleHow: 2 sprays Paco Rabanne Ultrared first, 1 spray Lattafa Brioche Vanille on top
Result: the bakery-vanilla note complements the praline heart for a warmer, more dessert-like finish
AI Review Summary
Synthesised from fragrance data
Ultrared opens with a genuinely juicy blood orange that keeps things feeling fresh before the praline and tonka bean pull it into warmer, more dessert-like territory — it's a gourmand that doesn't take itself too seriously. The vanilla and patchouli base add just enough earthiness to stop it reading as a straight-up sweet treat, giving it a bit of character and decent staying power through the evening. It's an easy, confident wear rather than a challenging one, which is either a selling point or a limitation depending on what you're after. Reach for it on cooler autumn and winter evenings — dinners, dates, or anything where you want to smell approachable and a little indulgent without going full dessert counter.
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