Rumba Cristobal Balenciaga for women

This is big 'ol fragrance from the 80's! Big, brassy, bold, in yer face! Even the bottle and packaging screams BIG 80's ... !!!!! First spraying amazing, big 80's, middle tones, big 80's but then comes the drydown and that is so gentle it's amazing too! Honeyed plum notes, the spices and vanilla just come together so beautifully!

This is BIG and it shouts loud to start with. But so do a lot of the newer perfumes on the market - I can name Elie Saab for one - it is just that the newer compositions have, what we have come to regard as a more modern scent! But what is perfume - it is an art of composing a symphony to be worn rather than listened to; or it is a loving caress of our olfactory senses (no, not an assault on them as some of the more modern fragrance makers seem to think) it is like a beautiful piece of chocolate - to be savoured rather than gorged on! Rumba is all of these and more and I think the name could now be changed to Zumba rather than the more gentle Rumba; as it is far more complex, exotic and energetic.....!!!!

You will definitely not be overlooked when you wear this and I can see it being worn perfectly with some of Balenciaga's more exotic haute couture gowns!

NB: This review is for the Balenciaga version and not the Lapidus one!

Rumba? I LOVE it!!!

OMG!!!! this smells awfullllll....I love balenciaga perfumes especially Cristobal but this is really old smelling like my great great grandma's perfume definitely not my type of smell all the ingredients fruits/vanilla/musk/ doesnt come out in this. I even waited for the drydown to take effect nope! nada!!! had to wash this off my wrist and still could smell it on there glad I only purchased a small 1 oz bottle. I would glady give this away :-(

This has been one of my favorites for years, but i can't wear it unless I'm going to be outside or moving around for a bit, cause it's overpowering until it settles!
Rich and strong and delicious.
There is a lady who gets on my train who wears it too, if i stand near her i get wafts of it. It cheers me up when that happens, smelling it on other people is so very nice.

Rumba is sexy and religous at the same time. Smells like burning candles. A bit too sweet, but worth the effort.It is too much really, but it is an experience. Really fantastic, although I know that not everyone likes this perfume and that does not really surprise me. I think only a person who is really into fragrance will appreciate this one. As for the resemblance to parfum de peau, the dry down is really very similar, but the opening and heart, although sharing similarities, are different, Rumba is much sweeter, PdP is smokier and drier, and although I do like Rumba, Parfum de peau is, in my opinion, even the current reformulation, the best perfume on Earth (this review is for the Ted Lapidus version)

takeasniff - I also don't understand why people say "This would only be suited for going to the theatre or opera or dinner or a grand evening."
About any perfume. They wear something that stinks or make them feel uncomfortable for those occasions?
Now Rumba - if the name "Poison" was not already taken, it would have been perfect name for you: the top and partially the middle notes are more than unpleasant - sour, bitter, irony, smoky, sweet pell-mell. Rotting plums in sunlight dripping from zinc-coated sheetmetal.
The middle notes start to bring up warmer vanilla, but very shy vanilla.
I smell the strange sour-bitter fruits till the end, but it gets nicer. It is oriental/chypre/gourmand to me. Not for everyone of course, and it's not that heavy on me, and I hit my forearm with 3 solid spritzes!:)
tested version: EDT from Balenciaga, not Ted Lapidus.

Balenciaga version - how many different perfumes can you fit in one bottle and still have a structure? I am certain this hits the limit. Fruity, woody, leathery, flowery. 14 hours after applying and wearing to the office (poor colleagues!)it is wafting around me in a fuzzy haze. I can still smell fruit, flowers and chypre notes. This is in the 80's powerhouse style, huge, rich, mega-sillage and lasts forever. Apply sparingly!

Oh Rumba! What should I do with you?

If I could get rid of your horrible top notes and of half of your overpowering middle notes, you would be the love of my life.

You simply have the best, I mean THE BEST drydown of all time! Resinous, dry, musky, bewitching. Nothing I have ever smelled can compete.

It's such a shame, that I have to go through such a long phase (the top and middle stays for hours!) of not appreciated smells (e.g., I don't like plum or tuberose, here I get them both together, thanks), until I finally reach nirvana.

Maybe I should leave my bottle in broad sunlight to cut of the head? Somewhere I've read, that even that doesn't work with that fruit and flower monster.

More than once I whished me back in the 80s, where overpowering top and middles notes seemed to be a normal part of life - maybe in that time I could have pulled yours off and I would have smelled your lovely base regularly?

I bought a 1 oz bottle at the dawn of my perfume collecting stage and to this day I keep coming back to this beauty. Rumba is an amazing rich and complex fragrance, very sultry and sexy. Not to mention the great sillage, longevity, and a very affordable price. Very similar to Capucci in character.
I guess it's not any more in demand with the younger generation, so it's priced accordingly, which is a great plus for real perfumistas.
A timeless Classic.
I know my next bottle of Rumba will be the largest size possible.

I literally just purchased this fragrance! I read the reviews here and ran to this exotic fragrance outlet that sells all the classics. I was able to get the original Balenciaga Rumba instead of the Ted Lapidus version. This fragrance caught me off-guard when it was first sprayed on - deep, dark woodsy and classic -and I needed time to decide. It developed over the space of 15 mins on my pulse point and it was amazing - it morphed into a stunner! The lady in the store, that told me up-front that she hated it, smelled my arm and stared at me in shock! Please, please try it and let it develop into the beauty that it is before you decide. Flawless!

maravillosa fragancia...muy poderosa,de larga permanencia,densa y hermosa. Recibo muchos eligios cuado me la pongo y a mi esposo le encanta,la primera vez que la olio no quitaba su nariz de mi cuello iba y venia del sillon a mi cuello...lo hizo tres veces :) Tiene una sensualidad unica.

Wow! This arrived in the post (another blind ebay purchase) and I was really disappointed when I sprayed it onto my wrists. The woodiness was overwhelming, it was only that it was mentioned so far down the list that I hoped it would be more subtle. However, five minutes later a beautiful warm sweetness drifted to my nose and I idly wondered where the smell was coming from, maybe I'd just caught a whiff of something I'd worn days ago that I'd spilled a drop of on my sofa. As the minutes wore on, the sweetness got stronger and seemed to be alive. I automatically sniffed at my wrist - it's without doubt the Rumba settling in for the day. The woods have faded and are still there, but in a subtle way. When I sniff my wrists, I smell predominantly woods with a hint of overriding sweetness. When I smell the sillage, I smell the sweetness with the merest hint of woods. This really is a Jekyll and Hyde of perfumes.

This perfume is deep and has a huge character - I doubt I can get away with wearing it, especially in this warm weather - but I really don't care, she is someone I'd love to associate with if she came to life. There's nothing superficial about her and I wish I could have smelled the original Balenciaga version. (ETA, the version I have actually is the original Balenciaga version.) It's a very clever perfume and I've never smelled anything like this before. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.

Balenciaga is a beautiful arrid fragrance that seems to cut through any moisture in air. Shut your eyes and breath in deeply, your in the Sahara. Immense sillage and longevity, a brave strong fragrance for a confident women. Now a warning 'Ted Lapidus' has RUINED IT. It is highly diluted pointless immitation. Very sad another Queen bites the dust....

I really can't stand how people say "This would only be suited for going to the theatre or opera or dinner or a grand evening." It depends who you are and what you look like how you carry yourself. I wear this whenever I feel like it. I wear it to work and to the shops and out for dinner or with friends. I put a dab on both sides of my neck. I have had several compliments I think because I don't put too much on and I always try to leave the house well put together. I never lool scruffy so maybe I can pull it off. It does have a strong smoke odour that comes and goes but I have never put people off with it. Just use a little bit and please ladies, if you feel like wearing it, then wear it stop only wearing perfumes for a certain occassion. You only live once!

This is for the Balenciaga version.
I received this in a swap with the lovley Tzouzou and am not disappointed! It starts with a herbal/bitter blast of Marigold and Basil then the fruits immediately come to the fore with the animalic note of honey. I actually thought that this must have civet in it as it has that bodily, unwashed feeling! The drydown is similar to Bal a Versailles with all bitterness gone. My husband doesn't like it and it really is an 80's period piece, but I like it and will wear it in private and in the Autumn with pleasure!

This is one big ole perfume. Dark fruits, woods, spices and honey. There is also the queer feeling of dry heat that you experience in a sauna. Oh! and candle wax, not scented candles, but big white church beeswax candles. This is a winter solstice perfume, everything outside is cold and dark, but inside you are warm, glowing and looking forward to Christmas. This review is for the original Balenciaga version.

I had the first version of this, when it was originally produced and what a powerhouse of a fragrance. All the many notes seem to come out at different times, I don't know whether non fragrance fans would really appreciate this one at close quarters, but it is a study in itself.

yet another mouthwatering fragrance!

i have the Ted Lapidus version (edt).

what could I say that not has been said?

this one has quite a character, in a good way to me though. it is fruity, powdery, smokey so thick i feel i could bite it.

Makes me wonder what the Balenciaga version was like - modernity usually means nowadays that they "water up" the big bold perfumes.

This is one of those I am sure will use up a bottle.

Tempestuous, but light-hearted. As with any perfume by Balenciaga, it possesses a lot of depth and nuance.

Surprisingly, I really enjoy the scent and keep sniffing my wrist wearing it. But I'm not so sure that people around me will either understand or share my feelings about it, as it is is pretty strong. I think I will just keep my love to myself for now.

Although I can see some similarities with Oscar and Boucheron....those other two are more refined and well-behaved, also intense but not in your face, like Rumba.

But I really wish they made more fragrances of such superb quality. Rumba wouldn't come off no matter how long you wear it until you take a shower. It is the longest lasting fragrance in my collection, for sure.

Oh, man, this should be applied with caution indeed. good thing I got 1 oz, and not the biggest bottle available like i usually do.
I only tested Rumba on my hand, but it reminded of Boucheron EDP on my skin, which i wear with confidence. So i might get away with this one too.
But today i am wearing Le Chic by Molyneux.....my unbelievable, magnificent discovery!

Bal a Versailles meets Niki de Saint Phalle. Within minutes of trying this scent, that was the idea that came to mind. Warm, fruity-floral, a bit of a chypre to my nose, with the depth and strenght and lasting power of the glamorous scents of the 80s. It is strangely appealing; I find myself sniffing my wrist over and over again, getting lost in the notes and enjoying the overall experience.

SIMPLY GRAND! It seems to be my new found love, a bit more chypre than oriental woody for me, with splendid smoky leather accords. I don't get that much plum as the notes suggest, or it is a different rendition of plum, definitely more smoky and less sweet than in Rochas Femme and Dior Poison, but the overall composition is so well blended and sophisticated that I am almost crazy about Rumba! It lasts and lasts, producing an exceptional dry and luxurious aroma delicately projecting from the skin, hair and clothes. And the bottle is so lovely and ergonomic. Rumba is a very universal opulent perfume, I consider this to be a perfect office scent provided that you use it really sparingly then it won't be intrusive, yet still distinct and will let you feel focused on your day, boosting your confidence and wellbeing. It is kind of sensual, too, so a great evening perfume! My bottle is still Balenciaga's, so I hope Ted Lapidus has not spoiled it.
IMO, if you like Miss Balmain, Rochas Femme and Jolie Madame, you might like it too. I also think that men could give it a try, as it is not extremely feminine in its appeal, but still rather smoky sweet.
Rumba is definitely a keeper, my 'must have' and a winner in terms of value for money.
EDIT: I bought also Rumba by Ted Lapidus - and noticed the color of the juice is pale in comparison to the robust Balenciaga's. I have not tried it yet, but I have a gut feeling it is not gonna be the same.

This smells horrible when I first spray it, chemical and sour but after 5 minutes it settles down. Its quite a powdery scent and strong. No florals on me at all so I find it a little strange that so many are listed. On my skin it goes straight to a very musky smell.It doesn't seem to change after that. I like it but given the other reviews I wonder if the formulation changed when it was taken over by Ted Lapidus which is the version of Rumba that I have

never was a fan of this one from the 80's. too strong and cloying. i didnt find it bold and innovative i just found it annoying and obnoxious. something in this always smells like coconut to me. i think for some reason patchouli comes across coconutty to me sometimes. i don't know why that is, but it has happened with other perfumes also.

Very fruity , strong , oriental and womanly. Definitely a "night" perfume , don't wear this at the office !
I like this scent, but wouldn't wear it , as said scorpiosheep , this is for the mature, sexy ,very sure of herself woman , that i'm not , he he he.

Galya, ma c`e` un`altra versione di Rumba?! La mia e` quella della foto ma non sapevo che e` di Ted Lapidus.

Bello!
Tutti lo sentono e tutti l'adorano,quanti complimenti ricevo indossandolo!HO LA GRANDE FORTUNA DI AVERLO.
Lo chiamerei la fragranza piu' dolce e cagliente nel mondo dei profumi.Ho la versione di Ted LLapidus.

Had it in my youth and left it behind somehow. smelt it again yesterday . gave it a try-Oh my!!!! Got to get a bottle !! Yes fabulous ,love the rich opulent drydown. one of the best!

A knock-out - bold, brazen, very strong. Don't wear this unless you're making a very bold statement - here I am, I'm sexy, I'm in the mood, I'm passionate,
I'm going to have you for lunch.
I can't see rum or bourbon listed but there is definitely a note of something there likely to give you a hangover. Thank goodness I can't detect any nauseating florals.
This is just so rich, opulent, spicy. On anyone under 35 it's wasted. Had to laugh at someone's cut-off point of "age 50" - even 57 year olds can be sexy occasionally you know?

Difficult love at the begining, so complicated fragrance but it`s forever! Lasting long. Masterpiece!

I just ordered this online :) Can't wait till it arrives...

You win some; you lose some. "Balenciaga" RUMBA, a recent blind buy, does not work with my skin chemistry, it seems. I am wondering, actually, whether this might be a reformulation, as the words 'TED LAPIDUS' appear quite prominently on the bottle, rather than Balenciaga. Who is Ted Lapidus, anyway? When I purchased this bottle, it was billed as from the house of the illustrious creator of LE DIX!

This Ted Lapidus RUMBA lists as notes:

basil, bergamot, rose
jasmine, orange blossom, plum
amber, patchouli, sandalwood

I'm guessing that this is not an abridged list but the actual notes of the composition, meaning that this is a drastic reformulation indeed, given that rose does not even number among the many, many notes listed in the original line up!

On my skin, Ted Lapidus RUMBA has a sourish, stale flower smell initially and then dries down to something closely resembling the scent of clothing worn by a woman wearing floral perfume after having spent several hours in a cigarette-smoke-filled bar. I actually feel dirty wearing this RUMBA and am now pining for a bath. Désolée!

Yes you did Yamba1 and I agree. I love it and am willing to throw caution to the wind. Its staying power is wonderful. This one is not a wimp for sure.

Anyone who finds Rumba appealing must try Montana Parfum de Peau. Very similar but even bigger!
I agree with Celina- why don't contemporary perfume makers at least give us an option of some big exciting perfumes? We've all become so mindful of not offending anyone- some days you just need to throw caution to the wind and apply liberally and damn the conseqences!! OOH, did I say that??

Fruity-floral –spicy. Grandiose fragrance with lots of tones and colors. It starts heady, sweet and fruity with plum, peaches and raspberries. Soon heavy floras come in: orchids, tuberose, gardenia, indolic jasmine. And honey!
Big style fragrance matching 80’s fashion: big volumes.

I would say the plums are continuously present from the first tone to the late dry down. Long lasting fragrance with a rich oriental base: sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vanilla, tonka bean, styrax, and amber. Also, I can feel a distinct pungent smell, unusual: marigolds. I am not very excited about it (it could be considered a good replacement for civet). Old style oakmoss, in complete splendor. And lovely thick leather rounding all the other tones.
This type of construction is not made anymore. So rich and multidimensional, tones, colors, details and subtleties. Very well done. It was a pleasure to study this composition. Great for training my nose.


Not my style, for sure. Too loud and too much. That brings one question to my mind: why last century fragrances were so long lasting and many of this century fragrances are so weak?

This fume is like rumba; if you know to dance it… it can be lots of fun.

7.4/10

Rumba is a fruity floral on me. I get a lot of sweet notes. Lots of honey and the plum come to my nose. It reminds me of the kind of fragrance a very gregarious, fun loving, woman would wear on a cruise whilst chatting it up with all the other vacationers. In other words. I find it a carefree scent. It doesnt suit me, however. I just get too much fruity notes. This perfume is a medley of many notes that form a coctail to my nose that becomes a bit undefinable. When it dries down its just terrible. Its as if the sweet notes have fermented and I get a sort urine smell. Good on the right woman I suppose.

Well Christine, it is a good friend alright, that stayes with you all day!! FANTASTIC perfume!

I just received this for my birthday and remember I used to wear it when it first came out. It's like meeting a dear friend once again!

BTW, ladies did you know the noses who made Rumba? They are Ron Winnegrad and Jean-Claude Ellena!

Rumba, my love! :-))
I will always love Rumba, reminds me of the careless times when I was a student!
I had Rumba in the early 90s when it was signed Balenciaga. I got a big bottle today and nothing has changed! Still the same rich and sexy scent that I remember. It is made by Ted Lapidus, but apart from this change, all stays the same, the perfume, the bottle, the box.
Wear it at night, on special occasions, or when you want to hypnotize your man :-)

I think that Rumba is more similar to Montana PdP then to Habanita (that one is much more powdery).

fantastic, so rich and strong, my mother used to smell this, it allways remind me of her

The rights to produce Rumba was sold to Ted Lapidus's brand.
Now, it's produced by TL.

See the website: www.ted-lapidus.com
^^

One feels as if they r following a trail of Musk and vanilla into the woods.Shortly u come upon a huge plum tree dripping with fruit.YOU look down and notice u r standing in a very congested flower garden that reaches uo to embrace u.Vines of jasmine,tuberose at ur feet,orchids growing here and there with their lovely throats reaching nout nto the stars!But wait,I look to the right,and there is a massive magnolia tree.White blooms with lil alien centers ,begging me to come and take in its beauty.I finally smell the scent of the trail again.its a very girly girl all vanilla and lace riding a horse on a magnifecent shining leather sandle.THe aroma leades me blindly on following this magical scent!

i thought i liked it on my skin....until a collegue described it as...'putrified ' on my skin.lol

at first sniff you get a powerful bergamot plum basil mix, it is strong and loud, then after 5 minutes it settles down to a honey-ier scent, like a flower honey sweet but a little sharp and i think plum is still here, the flowers are so many that none stands out, again the dry down has so many notes that it is almost impossible to distinguish them, sure i get a woody smell something like many woods mixed with vanilla, no sweetness or leather. i think rumba screams classic to me, a scent from another decade, something so familiar but so distant from me, it is too much i think, too much notes and the whole composition is too aggressive for me, i like more delicate perfumes. but i have the feeling i will love it one day, when i'll be able to pull it off. now i think i prefer cristobal to rumba.

Just bought it today (without testing,based on good reviews only). When I tried it first time I felt it was very sour, suffocating and overdone. I already packed it back into the box and put it away on a shelf..Then a few hours later I thought I was unfair and should give it a second chance. I was surprised because now it feels so much better! I have no clue why, but I started liking it..fruits, flowers and spices. I find it elegant and its staying power is very good, but I can't say that it is my favourite one.
Today (after a few days) I sprayed some on my forearm and I really like it now. I started feeling vanilla too.

Just now testing this one and initial "blast" on me is definitely the heart notes. Then I get the plum, much like Mauboussin if I put my nose right up to it. This one is very bold and for some reason reminds me of the 60's...like something my mother wore. I like it initially but not sure who's bolder..me or Rumba? That will be the defining factor on this one! If it's me, I'll keep it. Anxious to see how this one dries down as it has potential to be lovely/sexy.

The scent of a 21st Century Fragrantican Sorceress! Carefully crafting her own spellbinding perfumes amidst endless vials of the sacred essences of velvety flowers and dark-skinned fruits, she works modern-day magic under the dancing flames of hot beeswax candles, and somewhere...one smoldering wick.

I love Rumba. One reviewer described as "golden, carmelized plum..." I wore it on one wrist and Aromatics Elixir on the other. It has fantastic sillage. It's not expensive. It's rich and woodsy, mossy chypre, but with the plummy caramel interwoven through it. Unlike most perfumes I am experimenting with, the drydown doesn't seem to really change it, so like most chypres, a love it or hate it affair. I love it, maybe even more than Aromatics Elixir.

Another great Balenciaga masterpiece!! What a genius feel for fragrance do those people of Balenciaga have!

This mystifying fragrance blends an interesting combination of contrasting notes which suprisingly go well together, without overdoing it.
I don't usually have a preferenc for 'classic' fragrances but this one is an exception, it's under rated and it deserves to be recognised again.
WHY CAN'T THEY MAKE FRAGRANCES AS DIVINE AS THIS ONE ANYMORE?????

Sultry indeed this Rumba, but I'm not feeling the red and black dress "thing" that the ads here at Fragrantica are suggesting. More like the dance, a rumba, by the pool in High Society as Sinatra sings "Mind If I Make Love to You" to Grace Kelly.

Rumba gives you the big rich debutante's bouquet, honey and fruits on the table and patchouli and leather in the night air. There is no incense listed in the notes, but Rumba has the feel of incense about it. I feared this one would turn loud and obnoxious on me but it warmed into a beautiful complex wonderful scent...and a very warm one.

Grace Kelly dives into the pool to cool off after her rumba with Sinatra. The Balenciaga scent would have suited her just fine.

This is really one of my favorite perfumes...yes, its really a strong fragrance but in my opinion its for those people who can dare to wear strong perfumes...its strong in a spicy and exotic way...very romantic and got lots of compliments every time i wear this...this perfume is more suitable to wear during night time...and the best thing is that it last a very very long time...would definitely get a new bottle. :-)

It was a big hit in the 90's. It was so famous in my country and everyone seems to wear at that time, that's why I lost my interest in buying it. The fragrance itself is rather original but not unique. I find a bit of similarity between this one and Talisman.

I'm not good at picking out specific 'notes' in perfumes. I use 3 criteria to judge a scent I initially like - can I still catch whiffs of scent hours after application? A scent can be very nice when you spray it on, but if it's gone in 3 hours, it's useless to me. - do total strangers compliment my perfume during the day? and does my husband say how nice I smell without being asked,"do you like this one?" Rumba passes muster on two out of three (no comments from total strangers yet, but I've only worn it a couple times so far).I'm afraid I disagree with Mals86,I don't find this elegant, and my husband detects a bit of skank (not a bad thing!) Not boring, I like it very much.

This is a nostalgic fragrance that brings back fond memories.
I've had dozens of miniature versions of Rumba in our display cabinet for years and I never knew how to appreciate the scent till now.

This fragrance perfectly blends an interesting combination of notes = fruit, oriental spices, vanilla, etc.. which brings out its unique and spontaneous attributes.

This fragrance deserves respect, so wear this to a special night on the town and you'll find yourself captivated.

i love strong perfumes...thats why i love this perfume...its intoxicating...a fragrance u can really call a perfume...though not all can wear this one..but i got lots of compliments when i wear this.

This perfume is just HORRIBLE! It’s too strong and overwhelming. When smelt for a long time can easily give u a big headache! I hate it!

When I first tried Rumba about a year ago, it turned me off immediately-too fruity, heady, spicy. How things change...Today (albeit, a very dry day) I tried it 3x, each time finding it more enchanting. True, it is identifiably an 80s scent. Each of the three distinct phases have incredible potency and sillage-someone at the post office came out of the back room to smell what was so delicious. All the clerks grabbed my arm; I thought they might devour it!

Strangely, I find that this perfume has one of the best uses of plum in a top note that I have ever experienced, while its younger sibling Talisman ('94) has one of the worst. The plum here is bouyant and sprightly-lifted by a good dose of aldehydes. Its richness appears only in the heart of symphonic intense florals. There is a clove/spice note beautifully intertwined with the floral heart. What makes this all so good (and what Talisman lacks) is the canvas upon which the composition is painted-a deep, animalic, high-quality base. Lots of civet and clove, sweetened by patchouli, and tempered by the lingering floral heart. The base reminds me a good deal of Paco Rabanne's la Nuit, but warmer and more accessible. I suggest comparisons to L'Arte by Gucci, Pour Une Femme by Caron, Desiderade by Aubusson (nice use of plum), Suspense by Lancetti, La Nuit, and Verscae Original for Women. A modern perfume which uses clove this well would be Kenzo Jungle le Elephant.

Not many women can dance the rumba these days. Not many women of today can wear Rumba either because I'm sure it wears them. It's like wearing a large hat in a crowded room. You're bound to knock one in the head with it.

Mals86 said it perfectly. This is a dense rich perfume for special occasions.

Rumba is like the Balenciaga gowns. Most people unfortunately cannot wear it. Please proceed over to another section of the mall.

ME RETRACTO DELO QUE DIJE, LAVERDAD ES UNA DELICIA EL SECRETO STA EN PONERSE POCO YA QUE AL PORNERSE DEMASIADO LA GENTE LE PUEDE MOLESTAR YA QUE ES UN PERFUME DE AUTORIDAD

Rumba simply is rich rounded lasting sexy perfume for special occasions, cocktail parties. It could also be weared in office for Bossy Woman. It is not 4 very young girls. Lady from 30 up to 50 could wear it. I love it on me it reminds me with the 80's dancing movies...It seems 2 me Tango dancing perfume more than Rumba

I like it :-)

Rich rich rich composition!

Rumba is huge, exotic, rich, complicated. It strikes me as being very much an 80's scent, with its powerful sillage and dense texture. I too find that the fruits which introduce the scent are jammy and sweet, without being sugary. The fruits (peach jam is what I get most of - a deliciously candied peach, not the lactonic Mitsouko variety) then lead into a heady mix of florals, with tuberose and carnation being foremost to my nose. This is where I find Rumba to be reminiscent of the old version of Chloe, but more complex. The lovely, opulent florals gradually give way to a richly layered, slightly animalic base, where musk and oakmoss seem to predominate and tonka maintains a sweet underpinning. It's sexy without raunch.

This is a Big Perfume - complex, loud, sweet - and should, in my opinion, probably be reserved for relatively formal occasions where one will only be in close proximity with a romantic companion. Rumba would be perfect for the opera, except for that big sillage, so if you must wear it to the theater, please dab sparingly - or spray in the air and walk through. It is beautiful and demanding - not for a run to the grocery store, but requires your best heels and most elegant dress. I say that not to disparage Rumba, but to point out that its rich, sensual tone deserves the proper setting.

This is my first time reviewing for Fragrantica so bear with me I am not good with flowery prose and to make this challenging I have chosen Rumba, of all things this is indeed a challenging perfume. This fragrance seems to have everything and is very difficult to pin down. I fell in love with this scent upon first wearing when it reminded me of incense and leather and yet now when I wear it the fruits seem to stand out more and more (this could be seasonal, I am going to pay more attention to how this behaves in different temperatures). I will also add that the fruit notes in this scent are not the pink fluffy watery fruits of today's perfumes but more rich preserved , that's right preserved like jam and boozy even , very rich. I must also add that this is a very powerful scent , typical for its time, so anyone who is sensitive who wants to try this should dab and not spray--it makes a big difference to the wearer. This is perhaps the "busiest" perfume I own in terms of notes, I have read some call it a comfort scent and others refer to how exotic it is , I believe it can be both and many other things.

My mom used to wear this when i was a teenager...i remember ..i used it ..i was just 13 years old? it is sweet..spicy..exotic...i think it gives me great memories .