Rumba by Ted Lapidus

I first encountered this masterpiece when I was about 7 years old at my father’s grandmother’s house. She was a matriarch from the get-go, the kind who leaves a mark, always wearing hats, heels, and great suits, the kind you’d be afraid of, haha. Her collection included Poison, Rumba, and others I can’t recall, but I loved those two. The first perfume I bought for myself was Rumba at 16 when I started college. Wow, so delicious! I’d put a cotton pad soaked in this elixir inside my bra, and my classmates would say, ‘You smell so good, I want to eat you,’ haha. Anyway, it’s a complex fragrance with many notes that lasts forever. It’s delicious for those who love strong emotions, rich, seasoned, spicy food… it’s not for everyone, seriously. I still buy it at almost 50, and yes, it has changed, but it remains a delight. If others don’t like it or find it too strong, well, I love smelling it on my skin and clothes. In short, a strong, potent, characterful, but DELICIOUS fragrance.

A vintage perfume, a classic from the 80s, with wonderful quality. It’s a floral scent in my taste, but that 80s floral, honeyed, earthy, yet without losing any freshness. It reminds me a lot of perfumes like Animale or Peau de Montana. What can I say? Great projection and longevity. I recommend it not for intense heat days, but for those cool afternoons accompanied by a good book and coffee.

I forgot to mention that Rumba smells very masculine; I wouldn’t imagine it on a woman’s skin these days, especially since gourmands are the main event on noses nowadays. Something curious is that the creaminess of Rumba smells like candle wax. I thought it was a joke because I read it in an English review on this site about Rumba, but it’s impressively true.

It’s a very, very, very strong perfume. It feels a bit spicy, not powdery at all. In my case, it causes stomach pain. It’s not for blind buying at all.

It’s a powerful scent, highlighting its floral, fruity, and woody notes, blended so skillfully that I can barely distinguish one note from another after applying it. It opens with an exuberant mix of honey, leather, and oakmoss, impossible to ignore, yet they wrap the whole composition. It is strictly forbidden for those who can’t handle strong scents or prefer soft or sweet perfumes, because despite the honey, fruits, and flowers, it is not sweet at all, not even a little bit. It’s impossible to go unnoticed when wearing it; EVERYONE will turn to see who is carrying such a “powerful, sugar-free creation” (I think in the last 10 years the whole 🌎 got used to almost childish fragrances full of candies and sweets…). Well, this economic treasure is not like that; it’s the best example of the 80s and 90s in its maximum expression: POWER, STRENGTH, ELEGANCE, CHARACTER, AND PERSONALITY. Personally, I love it because it reminds me of my childhood, as it was one of the perfumes my late grandmother used; this was her “errand” perfume, just like “English Lavender by Atkinson” was for parties 🥰🥰, so it really smells like my childhood, full of games and cartoons, with my oat milk and big piece of sugary biscuit.

It’s strong, full of personality, and very 90s. It has an impressive trail and fixation on both skin and clothes. It’s super affordable and smells like something unique that doesn’t repeat. It’s a must-have in my collection; as its name suggests, it invites you to go party!

Ideal for women with character. I only wear it at night in autumn and winter. Many people find it annoying because it’s so present and long-lasting. It’s a strong classic with a lot of personality.

What else can I add about Balenciaga Rumba? I’ll be subjective: I found a small vintage Eau de Parfum bottle at an excellent price. Upon trying it, my goodness, my nose exploded in an ecstasy of scents and aromas. My nostrils collapsed quickly; I have Can’s nose, Sisi’s nose—I enjoy aromas but strong scents give me dizziness and nausea. I searched for a coffee blend to cleanse my nose from that penetrating smell that gave me goosebumps. After calming it down and waiting 30 minutes, I timidly tried to get closer and… same thing! It smelled overwhelming; I wanted to know its secrets but couldn’t achieve it. I waited an hour, recomposed my stomach, and tried again with enthusiasm: SAME THING! Was I hallucinating? I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t smoke, and I was totally conscious. Balenciaga Rumba is an atomic bomb. Do not buy it blind; it’s not for cowards. I don’t like it, but I applaud it standing up and take off my hat before such a creation. Bravo! I wish my favorites could reach half its trail and fixation; it’s impossible to cast a shadow on a 100-meter tree. Notes? All declared ones and more, almost impossible to distinguish due to the potency. Longevity? On my skin, 48 hours, even after showering three times while working out, a recognizable trace remained. Comparisons? I hate comparing, but it was so strong it reminded me of Mary Stuart, the one my grandma used. In terms of potency, Mary Stuart is a 3 and Rumba is a 100. I’m not exaggerating; it’s a wonder. For beginners: extreme caution, one puff on wrists and one on the neck, max on the chest, and apply it 2 or 3 hours before going out. I don’t recommend wearing it out without testing it first; if you want to saturate a place and monopolize attention, it’s worth it. Not suitable for work; they might kick you out. Enjoy that life is beautiful, and if it smells good, it’s prettier. P.S.: For @allan2780. The bottle is in excellent condition; I got it from Deffupar (an importer supplying over 70% of fragrances in Argentina). Everyone has their contacts, beyond stores and malls. My experience is totally personal; you don’t have to know someone who had the same experience as me, nor someone who had the same experience as me. We are the same but react differently due to our pH. For some, it’s a blessing; for others, a curse. I don’t deny my pH. I’m not attacking the perfume or the creator; it’s my personal opinion. I’ve loved them since childhood; I’m not a hater. I’ve read reviews and reiterate that this is my experience. Vintage, December 2020, I bought three: Wings by Giorgio Beverly Hills and Giorgio. They smell wonderfully, I don’t feel they are reformulated, but I don’t want to talk about them here. To my people and patients: don’t take my comments personally. Thanks for the suggestions; I didn’t know both smelled the same, I read the exact opposite. There is variety and tastes for everyone. This Rumba doesn’t agree with me right now, but it’s well kept in its pretty box. Who knows, maybe one day next winter, timidly, I’ll press a single spray and try it again. Thanks! Greetings and have a great year. Best, Paul.

It’s not for every day or every moment. It’s potent and wonderfully powdery, for a strong, empowered woman who marks her presence and leaves trends in second place (being vintage). I like it; it reminds me of a fragrance from my country that elegant ladies used to wear, Mary Stuart lotion.

I’ve had the Rumba EDT (by Ted Lapidus) for a while. I wanted to share my impressions because I’ve had a lot of nostalgia for 80s perfumes before the gruesome reformulations. I didn’t know the Balenciaga version, only this one, and my first reaction was awe at seeing its trail fill a room. It more than fulfills in longevity, projecting with quite intensity, perhaps for the first 6 hours. For my nose, I don’t perceive it as oriental; its floral-fruity quality predominates. I mainly sense the honey, plum, carnation, and patchouli. The scent is quite sharp, cheerful, and carefree, nothing mysterious. Given the vibes it transmits, it reminds me of something like Amarige. Personally, I think it’s a feminine fragrance for a woman with a cheerful and exuberant personality, who doesn’t mind drawing attention. I would recommend it for both day and night use. Greetings from Chile!

Ted Lapidus Rumba smells like the 80s, with leather, gardenia, jasmine, and musk. At first, it’s a bomb, but it fades quickly; it lasts about three hours. Before, it lasted longer, I guess they toned it down to eau de toilette because of complaints. It’s for women 25 and up, perfect for winter and night outings where you want to turn heads.

It’s too much, very intrusive. Just smelling the box made me want to cry from excitement, so sensual! But once I applied a drop, it was way too strong. It went right up my nose and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. If they soften it, I’ll buy it. I don’t doubt that if used properly without overdoing it, it smells divinely and is very captivating.

Rumba is love and hate. It was my grandmother’s perfume, who is no longer with us. When they reformulated it, it felt weak and watery. The original I knew was super strong, 80s-style, with lots of leather, carnation, almost masculine, with a heavy trail that later turned sweet. It was a scandalous, rock-and-roll party. Now it gives me nostalgia seeing it for its vintage vibe. Every time I see a bottle, I think of my grandmother.

It’s the most praised perfume I own and it’s not for men; it disguises gender quite well. I have Lapidus’ Altamir and they share notes, but the potency and longevity of this are incredible. If it’s strong, it lasts days on clothes without fading; its trail is extremely long. I’ve spent a lot on perfumes worth double or triple the price and this casts no shadow on them.

Without knowing Balenciaga’s Rumba, I stumbled upon Ted Lapidus’s in 2013 and decided to buy it blind. What can I say? It was a great surprise. These days, it’s rare to find a designer perfume that meets expectations. Rumba has an extraordinary trail in the first few hours, capable of filling a room, and a longevity that lasts hours with the same vitality. The scent is like sweet plum honey, deep and warm, with floral hints of carnation, calendula, and rose, plus leather, sandalwood, and amber. The honey and plum dominate, creating a sweet spring that reminds me of a walk through a plum orchard. For me, Rumba is joy, warmth, sweetness, and coquetry. Given its qualities, it should be worn in winter to break the gray. Plus, it has excellent price-to-quality ratio.