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dleshki – :
Rumba Passion to the rescue. I respect the original Rumba but it was just too overpowering for me to ever pull off. This is all about honeyed florals, and oddly I get a Dr. Pepper vibe during the opening. Will need to properly test this in cold weather as it’s too much for summer. One thing is certain, this is a solid performer, with a polite nod to the original, making Passion easier to wear.
assuttOweda – :
The opening was very similar to Shams al Emarat Khususi by Ard Al Zaafaran, the mild incensed patchouli rose. I must have overdosed on such scent recently that my nose just could not accept it anymore. I was planning to toss it out but magic happened. After 45 minutes, the opening scent had completely gone as it turned into a very soft yet uplifting fruity floral scent, surprisingly softer in comparison to the original rumba which I sprayed on my other arm. I fell in love at this stage, No doubt they are both beautiful but I don’t think they have any similarities. I’m definitely keeping this bottle.
vovik7676 – :
Holy crap, the biggest sleeper scent. This is cheap and worth hundreds. It smells like tuberose in the top. There’s tons of orange blossom, honey and then a smokey note from the patch. This is NOTHING like Balenciaga Rumba. I don’t know what people are sniffing. I have bottles of vintage Rumba. That is a spicy floriental.
lev.black – :
Powerhouse! If you are somewhat middle aged and miss those intoxicating heady mysterious fragrances of the late 70s to mid80s then this is for you. I mean pre-reformulation Poison, Samsara, LouLou and the likes. It’s bold, loud and sexy, make sure it matches your personality or this fragrance might wear you.
vo-van – :
3.3 bottle reviewed
Passion opens up with a dirty honeyed patchouli vibe. The honey runs animalic, almost giving off a decayed, garbagy tone like Montana Parfum de Peau which could indicate a sour rose at play counterpoint to the orangeblossom and honey. Its a great valued patchouli rose, super heavy so daywear would be difficult. Huge bang for your buck. Evening only, mature in nature. I dont get the fruits many here suggest..just an overload of honey, patch and rose. Once the heart opens its nice.
gorum – :
I bought this fragrance based on all the positive reviews here and the notes listed. mmmmmmhhhh….I just couldn’t..it did not work for me at all. I tried it for 2 days but nothing changed. Such a pity coz I really really like the bottle too.
Mexvj564elipseskism – :
i think this one’s much better than the original one
because patchouli is much more adorable than leather
and this patchouli has the dirt woody vibes
I just LOVE it
ECLAT – :
VERY FEMININE! It`s a bona fide vintage scent that fills up you up to the brim with joy for life!I can`t imagine being down when wearing this perfume. It is indeed very `red` as mentioned before me, sweet, but not fruity.
I get a lot of honey and patchouli in the beginning, later vanilla and rose also, the other flowers appear later on and stay aloof. It kind of reminds me of a cheapie called Podium, which was my mum`s cheaper version of Opium/Poison in the 80s,the two scents are nearly identical!
The downside for me: I must wait at least half an hour after applying though – I`m not a true patchouli-fan or at least not up for it in any amount – cos it IS quite strong, makes the scent initially a bit `off` for me.
Makes a total statement and great value!
sergey1982 – :
MY OH MY! This perfumes name is spot on! My husband is all over me when
I wear this perfume! Since it is his favorite on me, it is also one of mine. I am simply
delighted with it.
Wish I would have found out about this gorgeous passionate beauty years ago!
Оblivion – :
Id forgotten exactly how much I love this gorgeous, powerful fragrance until I gave it away.
The lady I gave it to got a headache (probably because this is so darn strong) so she gave it back to me. Thanks for that. x
It was like a ‘come to momma’ reunion, “Welcome back my bombastic beauty I’ve missed you”.
A super sweet floral honey that delivers quite a bang for your buck!
Acerweleabace – :
Very lovely, I agree with all the feedback below.
Just like to add something, that this is so very alike to the perfume Avon has, called Premiere Luxe.
Very alike, so if you have that, no need to buy Rumba!
Evgeni177 – :
Yummy! I want to eat my own arm wearing this!
I am a joint custodian of the original Balenciaga Rumba with my Mum (not sure she’s aware of this shared ownership 🙂 ) I love love love the original, it’s so passionate, warm and sexy, enveloping you in a heady cloud of deliciousness. I’ve never tried the Ted Lapidus version of Rumba but decided to try this based on my love of Rumba and on the amazing reviews on here.
It’s stunning. The notes are well blended with the florals beautifully toned and mellowed with the honey. Yes it is similar to Rumba but less full throttle – it’s lighter, more floral, a cleaner smell but still fruity delicious, good enough to eat. I can’t say which is my favourite as I love them both.
This is a great bargain and now I’m willing to try the Ted Lapidus version of Rumba based on my love of this one. Happy girl here. Highly recommend this perfume.
bogus – :
Rumba Passion by Ted Lapidus opens as a big burst of patchouli and orange flower. I love the orange flower because it always smells like grapes to me and the patchouli in this fragrance has a semi-masculine vibe, it’s very fresh in a cologne-like way. After about 45 minutes I start to smell the rose and the honey. The patchouli starts to smell a little “dirty” with the way it mixes with the rose, but the rose has a deep richness to it that makes it smell ultra sexy and the honey adds just the right amount of golden sweetness. I don’t get any vanilla or jasmine and that’s fine with me. This is definitely one of my more mature smelling fragrances that has a sense of sophistication about it. It is almost seems whimsical, as if it was from a different era! This was a cheapy blind buy for me and I absolutely love it!
callipso – :
I love the original Rumba and I was curious what this flanker would be like. All I can say is that it is better, if possible. It is more floral and fruity and less incense in it. I got online a big 100ml bottle for only 14 pounds. That is a no brainer to me!
It has great silage and longevity. Very, very lovable perfume and you don’t get to smell it on every other woman around you.
Great job Ted Lapidus!
orlandoche – :
This is Rumba without the powery note. I love this fragrance. Rich and with presence. This is not a shy scent at all.
btusernamel14 – :
I bought this blindly as I have previously owned the original Rumba, which I like but something in the combination of the almost decayed rose notes and heavy handed carnation combo smells a bit musty and almost poutpourri air freshener like on me. I got my hands on the big 100ml tester bottle which actually lists it’s components on a sticker on the side of the bottle ‘Davana, Rose, Bergamot, Jasmine, Labdanum, Orange blossom, vanilla, patchouli and honey. I love all of the notes but not to sure about Davana other than it’s a type of flower. At first I definitely get the comparisons to Poison – it has a super screechy berries and honey note despite not containing any berry notes but it doesn’t have the medicinal herbal notes so don’t go buying this on the hopes of a cheaper Poison as the berry soon dies off and turns into a sweet powdery honey with incense and spices. The dry down is quite similar to Van Cleef but it is sweeter and more fruity. I would rather have the Van Cleef than this one. And this one I have to wear for about an hour before it settles down into a wearable scent. I would be a bit cautious of wearing this one around others until it has fully died down.
On first spray I found it fruity and almost overwhelmingly sweet and I was tempted to give this away as I was sort of repulsed by it, but I persisted and I gave it a chance as I am now enveloped in the smell of the original Rumba but a more modern version. It has an almost fizzy red fruit note that comes and goes which gives it a more modern feel and it is scrummy. I am quite surprised Plum isn’t listed on the bottle as I get a dark fruity note just like the jammy-spice that the original has. I keep getting whiffs of honey-patchouli rose and fine incense. Very deep and dark and it definitely does has shades of Poison (which I cannot wear) and keeps the original character of the original Rumba. Unfortunately it is a tad too fruity-honey (and I love honey) for me to wear and I feel a bit overwhelmed by this. I don’t think I will be keeping this one. But it is definitely a well done scent and it is super affordable.
sined43 – :
Blown my head off. This reimind’s me partly of original Poison, but waaaaaaay stronger and sweeter.
I still prefer Poison.
This lasts and lasts which is good but I would prefer something else to pull it back or down or tone the sweetness.
I am not going to get through my 100ml bottle ever.
I will have to share around.
Overall a great perfume and wish it were in shops for people to have a try.
Would like to try original Rumba as there is a leather note.
hoataNeaxia – :
This is a sweet honey drizzled floral backed up by vanilla and patchouli. It’s sweet, long lasting and something about the patchouli/rose/honey combo makes me go want to make growly noises and pounce on my husband when I’m wearing it.
This perfume is like a woman who wears very high heels and makes dirty jokes who is always nice to children and animals and really means it when she wishes you a happy birthday. It’s genuinely sweet… but kinda dirty in a good way.
WanderBoy – :
“Wow” What a real “BEAUTY” you turned out to be!!
As a owner off the “ORIGINAL RUMBA BY BALENCIAGA) yet to try the Ted Lapidus Rumba, which for me was always kinda hit & miss as I always found it rather strong,even though my husband always likes it on me (home from a nightout & when the bedroom lights are out & in the dark!!!) I was surprised when this arrived in the post last week!! After wearing this beauty for a full week now im very pleased to say that I really do love this fragrance indeed!! & My friends & family have all asked me,’Whats that beautiful perfume your wearing today’,even my Dad when I gave him a hug!! + Including my husband who bought it for me!! It’s deffo more easier to wear than the original Rumba by Balenciaga,smells really beautiful & classy,is really well balanced,& deffo draws compliments!! It also could be used by a guy,as it’s not overly sweet,& I must say that my husband can’t keep his hands off mine,& it really does smell fantastic on him also lol’lol!! It also really lasts,& stays beautiful has it wears on my skin/husbands skin,& we both can’t smelling each other when we have this on!! Ted Lapidus are sure on a winner with this one,if they don’t ever discontinue it in the future!! I also have just bought another bottle off “Rumba Passion” for my hubby!! I deffo rate this beauty at 10/10,& I think it has already become one off my all time favourits!!
serv4nik – :
What a GREAT perfume! I can detect the roses, patchouli and vanilla very clearly. Normally I don’t like fragrances with the scent of roses, but I love Rumba Passion! Whenever I wear this one, I can’t stop sniffing my arm… The opening is very loud, but after 5 minutes the dry down starts and the perfumes develops into an amazing warm scent.
It was a blind buy, based on the reviews here. I am a patchouli lover, so I just HAD TO buy this one. It’s sweet and earthy, just the perfect combination.
It’s different -better!- than the mainstream perfumes where I live. I bought a 100ml bottle for about 24 euros, which I think is a good price.
fortust – :
Imagine if instead of being served with a meal, you only got a dish of pure hot spices and were expected to gobble it down as is. That’s what this feels like. This scent wouldn’t be bad (well, it would still be a bit New Age-ish for me, but bearable) if it were diluted in something a bit more palatable.
митинец – :
This smells very earthy on me, strong with patchouli and sweetened slightly with dark honey. Great sillage and longevity, very 80’s feel to it.
Santexzera – :
This was a blind buy due to all the great reviews. On the first spray in smelled similar to Pure Poison. Which I love… 30 min later it turned into a cheap sweet candy on my skin. It’s giving me headache and my beau asked me what was that horrible smell. I tried it twice and I don’t think I will be trying it out again. What a pity, as I thought I’ll love it. If any of you would like to swap, please let me know, I’ve got a 100ml bottle for grabs 🙂
mapha – :
Rumba Passion is for those who like the original Rumba but just do not have the guts to wear it because they think it is too strong. (I am one of them). But I like that damn thing.
Rumba Passion is milder than the original and surprisingly pleasant: I could not stop sniffing my wrist in search for those wonderful sweet and enticing notes.
It is relatively light and day-wearable. The daytime Rumba version.
denfil – :
Received a sample from a generous fragrantica friend 🙂
This is a classic scent with a modern twist.
On me this is a not too complicated mix of mostly earthy patchouli & white flowers. There is a certain sweetness to it due to the vanilla & honey, however the earthy patchouli lends a slightly bitter note on my skin, which I am not too fond of…
It’s not a bad scent at all. I fully understand the good reviews this receives and I am sure this will be beautiful on others.
It’s just not for me.
jbb1980 – :
If you love fruity scents that are soft but still strong and long lasting, this one is for you.
Rumba Passion seems to be truly a “red” fragrance : red fruits, red roses, very well blended with honey to deepen and soften the mix.
Perfect for every day, or for a fun night out. Great in all kinds of weather, too.
Rumba Passion would be perfect to wear with a bright red crushed velvet dress, sparkly high heels, and a big smile !
Excellent bargain price, too ! Try it ! Have FUN !
Imammagag – :
10. february 2013
I will join those ones who praise this fantastic fragrance! Good job made by Lapidus! Indeed a very true to the original “Rumba” but with a modern twist. Very wearable and great for cold winter and fall period. I am surprised that there is no plum listed this time, i am amazed that so many notes make such a fantastic choir. Very deep and sultry, fantastic projection and lasting power and great price. What else can we ask for? If you like or love original “Rumba”, then try this one also, you won´t be dissapointed. It has a very good patchouli base, the “old” rose with honey and a very much needed orange topping. YUMMY! I can´t believe that among all modern similar releases somone dares to release this beauty i such a harmonious composition. Very 80´s vibe indeed, but very much wearable nowdays. You sure will be outstanding out of the crowd and a good substitute for “Angel”.
BRAVO!
BRAVISSIMO!
P.S. I can´t help the feeling that it is like the modern “Poison”, i feel the same way when i wear this “Rumba”. Simply amazing!
cmy000Negeltzex – :
Wow! I think that really sums it up! I can’t write anything better than olga has done but I wholeheartedly agree this stuff is amazing and well under rated. Not such a bad thing being under rated as it can be obtained for a reasonable price per huge 100ml bottle. Guess what I am getting next?!
niksonv – :
“Big” sweet floral…. At first spray I thought, ahhhh, the 80’s. And Rumba seems fitting to the scent. The sweetness isn’t syrupy/sugary like the candied sweet gourmands of today. It’s a honey sweet that is really dominated by the flowers. Honestly, this is a refreshing change from some of the “modern day” frags. The longevity is nice since you can still detect the layers of the scent several hours later…. And have you noticed the price?! So far, I am very pleased with Ted Lapidus…
Elalgepheli – :
I love it, I love it !!! … As olga1780 said, I love Rumba by Balenciaga and also (a little less) by Ted Lapidus, but Rumba Passion is far better. Great sillage and longevity ! Strong, sweet … another new love ! Very good Ted Lapidus !!!
Bellinaruna – :
This is such a beauty! I am very surprised no one has reviewed it yet. I like the original Rumba, but Rumba Passion is so much better to my nose. It keeps the base of the original Rumba and maintains a classic style, but the top notes of red lipstick rose, honey and jasmine turn it into a sultry and indeed very passionate and delicious fragrance. After hours of huge projection and longevity, the dry down is identical to Rumba. Awesome stuff!