Scentonym Analysis
Our objective metric for performance per dollar.
Conclusion
El Cielo Pour Homme is a competent clone, particularly if you miss the Invictus Aqua 2016 freshness. However, that slight synthetic tinge and the heavier, smoky base prevent it from being a perfect match. It's perfect for someone who wants a similar experience on a budget, or for casual wear when you don’t want to risk your expensive bottle. This will scratch that itch .
Scent Breakdown
El Cielo opens with a blast of grapefruit and a noticeable marine accord, aiming for that Invictus Aqua vibe. It's close, I'd say about 88% similar to the 2016 release. The mandarin is dialed back, allowing a sharper, slightly more synthetic edge to dominate the initial spray. The heart attempts to replicate the salty-floral mix of bay leaf and violet, but lacks the original's nuanced sparkle. The base is where it truly deviates. The Ambergris is a bit too heavy-handed, and the Guaiac Wood lends a smoky, almost tire-like, facet that wasn't present in the original. It’s not unpleasant, just different.
Wear time & Sillage
On my skin, El Cielo projects moderately for the first hour, creating a decent scent bubble. Then, it pulls back, settling closer to the skin for the next 4-5 hours. Overall longevity is about 6-7 hours. It’s respectable, but not a beast mode performer.
Performance Audit
Based on average wear time
Sillage & radius
Relative to market avg
Why we track this:
Price Arbitrage: Significant savings compared to the original Paco Rabanne pricing.
Community Verified: Cross-referenced against 372 enthusiast votes for accuracy.