Ted Lapidus 1989 EDT

F £ Acquired

Rumba

by Jean-Claude Ellena

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Ted Lapidus Rumba is an Eau de Toilette launched in 1989, created by Jean-Claude Ellena. Rumba opens with Mirabelle Plum, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, and Peach, settles into a heart of Marigold, Rose, Jasmine, and Tuberose, and dries down to a base of Musk, Leather, Cedar, and Sandalwood. Ted Lapidus's Rumba carries an Acquired verdict, a fruity-led wear.

Rumba isn't for the faint-hearted. It’s a full-on, unapologetic 80s powerhouse that polarises opinion. Love it for its bold, complex character or hate it for being 'too much' - either way, it leaves an indelible mark.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Bold
  • Mysterious
  • Sensual
  • Confident
  • Energetic
£15.48 at Notino 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Rumba Eau de Toilette bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Fall Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in winter and autumn.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal

Given its 'powerhouse' projection and 'monster' sillage, Rumba is definitely not for the office. It's best suited for formal evening events or dates, where its vintage, complex, and 'sexy' nature can truly shine without overpowering. It's too much for casual wear or sport.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Sandalwood Santalol from Sandalwood
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk
  • Vanillin from Vanilla

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Rumba unleashes a maximalist dance of ripe plums and peaches, drenched in honey, before a potent floral heart of tuberose, gardenia, and marigold takes centre stage. The intensity only deepens into a rich, earthy base of smoky leather and oakmoss, underscored by patchouli, ambergris, and a touch of vanilla, creating a deeply animalic and woody embrace.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Rumba Eau de Toilette - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Rumba Eau de Toilette - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 2 October

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.