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For Him · Woods
New Beginnings For Him
Inspired by Black XS by Paco Rabanne
Praline and cinnamon smouldering over ebony wood.
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Made in Johannesburg
Blended and bottled by us, from A-grade French oils.
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Free on orders over R750.
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The scent, layer by layer
Top notes
The first impression, in the opening minutes.
- Lemon
- Sage
- Marigold
Heart notes
The character that settles in after half an hour.
- Cinnamon
- Praline
Base notes
What lingers on skin hours later.
- Ebony Wood
- Black Amber
How it wears
- Longevity
- Lasts all day
- Projection
- Balanced
- autumn
- winter
- night
About New Beginnings For Him
New Beginnings For Him is a sweet-and-dark woody eau de parfum for men, inspired by Black XS by Paco Rabanne. It has one of the most striking arcs in our range: it begins sharp and green and ends up smelling like caramelised wood.
Lemon and sage open it, bright and herbal, with marigold adding a slightly bitter, green-floral lift. For the first ten minutes it could pass for a fresh fragrance, and then the temperature changes. Cinnamon rises first, dry and dusty rather than spicy-hot, and praline follows with a nutty, sugared warmth that is far more sophisticated than it sounds on paper.
The base is where the name earns itself. Ebony wood is dark, dense and slightly smoky, and black amber wraps around it with a resinous glow. The sweetness never disappears entirely, but it is always tethered to something shadowy, which is why this works on grown men rather than reading as a teenage body spray.
Wear it after four in the afternoon. It is a cold-weather fragrance, at home at dinners, gigs and nights that start late, and it holds beautifully on a leather jacket or a knit. Two sprays is usually enough; the praline expands as it warms. It also makes an excellent gift for someone who says they like sweet fragrances but is bored of vanilla.
If you love Black XS
If you love Black XS by Paco Rabanne, New Beginnings For Him sits in the same family. Both begin with a citrus and green herbal flash, both turn on a praline and cinnamon heart, and both close on dark woods and amber that keep the sweetness serious rather than playful.
Our version is a shade drier. The sage is more prominent in the opening and the praline is slightly less sugary, which makes the middle hours feel more grown up. The ebony wood in our base is smokier than the original's, giving a darker finish. Projection is moderate and longevity is good, typically seven hours or so. This is a fragrance inspired by that composition with a similar character, but it is our own creation rather than a reproduction of it.
Ivana Sofia is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the brands named on this page. All trademarks belong to their respective owners and are referenced solely to describe scent character. Ivana Sofia fragrances are original compositions inspired by these scents — they are not the original products.
When to wear it
Autumn and winter, from late afternoon into the night. It needs cool air to keep the praline from turning heavy, and it is at its best on knitwear and jackets that hold the amber for days. Two or three sprays below the collar. If you already know you like sweet, dark fragrances, the 100ml at R200 is the best value in the range.
Questions people ask
Does New Beginnings For Him smell like Black XS?
It shares the same praline and dark wood character that defines Black XS by Paco Rabanne. Ours is an original composition inspired by that fragrance rather than a reproduction, and it runs drier and smokier in the base.
Will this feel too young for someone in their forties?
Not at all. The ebony wood and amber give it enough weight to suit an older wearer. Applied lightly, it reads as a warm, expensive dark fragrance rather than a sweet one.
How does it perform in the heat?
Less well. Warmth amplifies the praline and it can become cloying above thirty degrees. Save it for cooler months, or use a single spray in summer evenings.
What does it layer well with?
It sits nicely over an unscented body lotion, which helps the amber last. Avoid citrus body sprays, which fight the cinnamon and make the opening muddy.
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