Paloma Picasso

It’s amazing how our noses work differently. One might find a certain perfume too much and the other may say it’s pretty tame, well, this perfume was quite the same experience. It’s not as scary or animalic as most people claim it to be, and please, no, it’s not filthy at all. But again reformulations are such a hot topic bc I do have the newer version, which could be the reason why I had a positive experience instead of getting repulsed by this baddie. Not the biggest fan of the initial spray because it’s as if you entered dracula’s dusty 300+ year old castle with 2536 old books, and ur catching whiffs of ur thrifted unwashed leather bag that was once owned by a chain-smoking bad bch. I’m so glad the initial spray doesn’t last for an hour like JPG Classique which stays very citrusy for the whole ahh 2 hour before you get to enjoy the non-gourmand powdery vanilla. If they performed the same, I would’ve trashed this bc who wants to smell like gunpowder for 2 hours... 4 minutes in and this starts to smell like syrupy, jammy, honeyed, deep, dark red florals. This is the part where you encounter a vampire’s jar of roses in the castle that stayed fresh for centuries and for who knows what reason. After a few hours when the perfume is about to wear off, my skin is left with this cool, green, bitter, and minty-ish aroma that I love 🫶🏻 In this saturated fruity sexy, gourmand, ozonic-aquatic freshies, and light florals? People are gonna think this is hella niche when in fact perfumes just got too mass-appealing and kinda uninteresting. But ngl it does speak very niche, if not SHOUTS niche. I agree, this perfume is gothic and really vampy. It reminds me of platform boots, black corset, red velvet purses that look like upholstered couches, silver cybersigilism crosses, and a black lip liner + dark red lip combo. This is VERY Vivienne Westwood x Agent Provocateur coded. Nana Osaki would literally wear this. Nancy Downs Bathes in this perfume. Janis Ian would spray this all across the room when u smell like a bb prosti. Riverdale Cheryl Blossom would overspray this. The Love Witch uses this as a non-magic way to charm someone. Misa might not wear this but this is how her style and whole aesthetic smells like. No, you’re not gonna smell like manure, you’re not gonna smell like BO, and please you’re not gonna smell like hot garbage. This is pure red + black vampy sexiness in a bottle. If I had to imagine how Dior Poison would smell like, this would be it but that’s hella sweeter but babes y’all know what i mean. The bottle of Dior Poison looks like it should smell like Paloma Picasso. They’d definitely be best friends tho. It’s heavily floral, heavily woody, heavily leathery, heavily smoky, heavily powdery. It smells like the color dark red + dark violet. It’s SOOO SEXY. Not too “old-school” smelling if ur nose is experienced but untrained noses would defo hate this but please I’m not the one missing out, so that’s not my loss. I don’t have the right image to wear this but my olfactory palate tells me otherwise bc my nose craves these scents. I wanna set boundaries and not standards. I want people to look at my babyface and innocent presence before they’re met with an unexpected sexbomb sillage as they walk past me. I’d love to see their mixed reactions, whether it may be positive or negative, that surprise is enough to leave an impression that lasts. And that satisfies me. Wear this with a suit and tie, they’ll respect you. Wear this with casual clothes, they’ll think u have dark secrets. I’ll choose the latter (but I’m rlly just a cutesy babe with a perfume hobby, if not obsession lmao) If you’re cosplaying Nana Osaki or any goth girl + witchy babe icons out there I INSIST YOU WEAR THIS. I REPEAT. I INSIST YOU WEAR THIS. + whoever said they layer this with their sweet green mugler aura? Ur the reason why this was an instant purchase 😭 aura is my signature and I SEE THE VISION. THIS AND AURA??? ILLEGALLY GOOD.

(Review of a vintage EdP and a vintage EdT, both Parfums Paloma Picasso era pre-1990) This perfume is lewd. It’s got the bit-lip, swagger and gait of a night worker in leather wearing some enormous rose perfume. You do get to see some different sides of this singular, seedy personality in these two different concentrations though, but regardless of which one you spray on your person be ready for some raised eyebrows. In the EdT, immediately a rich honey note and a cloudy fecal civet note are playing upwards and not wanting to wait their turn, mixing and mingling with massive crystalline aldehydes, bitter and sour bergamot, and a cold pale green hyacinth. Rose and coriander quickly begin blooming with the tenacity of bonfire smoke. This rose is no wallflower; it is not jammy, sweet, demur, or prim and regal, it is vivid siren red with a sharp green edge. Part of this has to do with a geranium note very convincingly and specifically accenting the rose with a bitter, oily green and slightly lemony quality. The coriander is cooly woody and keeping the lights low. It takes a little time but the other florals eventually make their presence known in unison, but mostly behind the rose and coriander. The geranium departs before the florals even begin to lose staying power, giving more room to play for the jasmine. In the EdP, the honey and civet are not present in the opening but those enormous aldehydes, the bergamot, hyacinth, rose, and coriander are still present and accounted for but simply - and maybe obviously - more saturated and with greater detail. However, the heart is more rose forward in the EdP, and the tuberose and ylang-ylang are playing bigger roles. I definitely pull the tropical and creamy banana lean of ylang-ylang, and tuberose is its usual diva-self here, heady and energetic. With some time the honey begins to peak out from the base and augment some of the florals in the heart to give a distinct mimosa impression, but then it shifts backwards to the preceding notes. Neat trick. The dry down of the EdT is a classic stinky chypre done flawlessly. Mossy, civety, earthy from patchouli, and only slightly vanillic and resinous from the benzoin. The EdP does eventually approach nearly the same base as the EdT but it certainly leans more amber, focusing on honey, civet, woods, and benzoin with a noticeably smaller dose of oakmoss and patchouli - still a chypre, but more weight placed on some amberic notes. The leather intonations are subtle, like trying to smell the night worker’s leather jacket over their massive rose perfume; both concentrations are more civet-animalics and resins forwards, and only touches of materials vaguely like styrax or castoreum that could truly evoke leather. The EdT certainly arrives at its base faster than the EdP, as to be expected, but the EdP keeps its base surprisingly well hidden for a long time. It is reasonable to think of this either way, but it is very remarkable how long the EdP holds onto the floral heart or, versus, how fast the EdT dispenses it. What a marvelous piece of work Paloma Picasso is. If it weren’t for the obscenely bold character, you could almost call it elegant. There is a seamlessness and perfectly-judged blend to the composition that creates an exquisite and elegant texture... that you will notice from ten feet away, that is. For whatever elegance the composition has to its structure, that bold rose and those rumbling animalics plus a diffusiveness able to be detected by satellites can, at times, distract from the intricacies and luxuriousness. Wear this with confidence, because, if you don’t, it will be one of those perfumes that wears you.

Paloma reminds me of one of my favorite poems. From T. S. Eliot's Rhapsody on a Windy Night: "The reminiscence comes Of sunless dry geraniums And dust in crevices, Smells of chestnuts in the streets, And female smells in shuttered rooms, And cigarettes in corridors And cocktail smells in bars." These are female smells, alright: of big sparkling dresses, and of the bodies that lie coiffed and coiled underneath. I don't believe in gendering fragrances, but there is something essentially carnally feminine in this one that was composed with womanhood in mind. But first: is there a way to fast forward through the first 1-2 hours of this fragrance? The first hour is ruled entirely by soapy, aldehydic florals. The heart of the floral accord is a classy rose, with a strong rose of carnation and coriander lending a peculiar herbal spiciness. Personally, I'm not a fan of that carnation-coriander spice accord, or of florals generally, particularly such neat, clean, soapy ones. At this opening stage, it has similarities to department store floral perfumes, and I catch myself thinking about gifting this to my soapy-floral-loving mother. It is overwhelmingly floral, rose-y, and clean. It is too spicy, in a way that vaguely assaults the nose with its scrubbing cleanliness. It has a screeching edge that is just too loud, and a boring soapy body. But then... after the first hour, I start to grasp hints of something under the florals that shows me why exactly people call this fragrance skanky. And, as they say, Friday I'm in love — or, rather, ninety minutes in, I am rolling around in a delicious animalic stench like some sort of ecstatic lobotomized dog. Finally, I understand the meaning of all those little rodents in note pyramids that I've shied away from for so long. This is undeniably the sexiest fragrance I've ever smelled. It literally smells like sex. It's rather indecent. I get a touch of oakmoss, maybe a hint of sharp vetiver and warm sandalwood, and animals, animals, musky, musky animals. Getting here from that previous clean, soapy, spicy floral is like night and day, and it's an incredible trick. I feel like I've secretly been wearing a glow-in-the-dark gown on an evening date, shocking everyone only once the sun goes down. I dislike the first hour of Paloma. I can respect that she likes loud, spicy soapy aldehydic florals, but I simply do not. However, I'm going to have to break this out a few more times to see whether that opening grows on me at all, because the transformation is incredible and the drydown is divine. And, of course, I'm so tempted to see how others react to her. Revisiting the opening: it's funny how we can find new things to love once we're rooting for something. I love the way this is crisp and green in its opening. The florals have animalic nuances and a heart that's honey-sweet. The sharp loudness of the herbaceous spice is growing on me, and the flowers, while a touch soapy, are comforting. I'm excited to keep exploring this one.

why is noone talking about how absolutely horrifying this fragrance is?! like it's downright scary. now before anyone goes off on me with two fists and a foot in the air, let me explain what i mean. i'm going to start off by saying, this is gorgeous plain and simple. but my god, is it dark. i consider this the kind of fragrance that would surround you if you were about to drive off of a bridge in a 92' camaro while listening to nick caves & the bad seeds just because *you can*. it's a gorgeous composition of dark oily patchouli, spices, herbs, and about anything else that they can slam in your face. sharp, sadistic, sensual, anything i haven't listed? i quite frequently read reviews on here about how uplifting the fragrance is, and it reminds them of relatives and yadayadayada. now that isn't out of any form of disrespect, but the fragrance is so heady and in your face that i cannot for the life of me see how it can be uplifting. the aromatherapy aspect of the fragrance is relaxing for about 30 seconds before it whips you around into a head on battle with a angry mutated beaver that wants its precious castoreum back. if anything, this is what you throw on to feel like a hollywood villain. it's the kind of fragrance that would yell at YOU for not wearing it correctly, god damn it! composition review: starts off with a blast of angelica, coriander, carnation, and the *tiniest* bit of citrus in there just to throw you off. the citrus is tainted though, it smells downright dirty. when it starts to morph, it becomes slightly sweet in an almost honey-like way. i cannot for the life of me distinguish where this sweetness could be coming from, it might be from the ylang-ylang? perhaps the mimosa? maybe the base notes creeping in early? honestly couldn't tell ya. now that we are at the final stages of the mid, and heading towards the base, the sweetness amps up. this is most likely on behalf of the sandalwood, amber, and honey sweet castoreum. slightly melancholic at this point. now though, don't get me wrong. this isn't like an animalic dior addict or anything, it's still sociopathic. at this point, it's got a gasoline type musk. it's so unconventionally sexy. kinda in the way that you fancy that bad boy high schooler who had his license revoked for driving 120 in a 30mph zone. to end this off, this is an all-star juice. this is a masterpiece by paloma picasso. quite fascinating how she turned chanel #5, a universal symbol of class and wealth, into a oily, gothic, femme-fatale of a fragrance. i would love to have a conversation with a little ol' granny who wears this and listen to her stories all night long. her past HAS to be book worthy.

Rating: 🥰😳😮 Do I like it: Yes Who it is: me Smells I get: cyphre, civet Meyer's Briggs type: whatever I am I have a vintage 5ml of this perfume, and once this one runs out, I am prepared to hunt for a vintage again, though the scent is still in production - simply because the beautiful oakmoss accord in the drydown is hard to find nowadays. I will give you an unusual review, Paloma, as you are one of the rare perfumes I fell in love with - with you on, I simply smell like myself, but with perfume. There is no strange entity on my body invading my olfactory senses with strange, foreign constructions - it's just me, and therefore, I find you very difficult to describe. Since I tend to test my perfumes with my surroundings, I am to report expectedly mixed reviews - however, noone outright hates it, and few love it. It's sort of unremarkable, especially considering that the typical feminine perfume of today is a sugar bomb (which, as a fan of gourmands, I love, but this is really a different story). On my skin, oakmoss scents develop beautifully, and I personally tend to agree with civet and castoreum notes, though I think that's mainly because I never overspray my perfumes. These notes, along with the florals and characteristic evolution of a traditional cypher, have an almost orgasmic and utmostly positive effect on my psyche. I wear this when I want to feel like me, and when I want to have a good day. I know it'll be allright tonight, whatever happens. It's the ultimate "f*** it" perfume, without any pretense. It's freedom to do what you want, even when the public doesn't seem to particularly care for it. It's a beautiful creation, and I hope to come back here once my nose develops fully, to give a proper report, but for now I'll have to settle for a soliloquium of praise.

Paloma Picasso EDP (Current Formula) I don’t know where to begin. 🤭 Well, I’ll start by sharing my olfactory experience with this new Paloma, and I say “new” because it differs notably from the original vintage formula from 1984.Here, I perceive less richness both in materials and in olfactory structure, especially in the animalic base. Paloma opens slightly green, citrusy, and floral (hyacinth, bergamot, and lemon). As is common in current reformulations, castoreum, civet, and oakmoss are absent; in their place, I detect a synthetic “civet” that briefly amplifies the floral bouquet in the opening. However, its intensity quickly diminishes and fades, giving way to a markedly powdery phase with a slightly ’80s air. At this point, a soft suede accord emerges, accompanied by a very faint honeyed sweetness. The base, dominated by synthetic/analog oakmoss and white musks, returns to that powdery character, though now with a slightly soapy nuance. On my skin, the drydown reveals a cleaner, more musky veil. And that’s it. It’s not bad, it’s a pretty fragrance that maintains the retro-Chypre structure, though with a cleaner approach, less animalic, and an overall more polished and linear feel. The vintage version, on the other hand, offers more complexity, more intensity, more expressive architecture. Its olfactory signature is unmistakable, evoking the luxury and boldness of the 1980s. The modern version of Paloma is accessible, less challenging, and in that process, it loses part of the “sensory journey” the original formula offers me. Still, a valid reinterpretation for the current era, but without the edge that once defined it.

Mmmm boy. This is my first animalic chypre, and I love it. Imagine a bitter leather chypre like Bandit, but subtract the over-the-top leather, leaving just the comparatively subtler notes: dark-green, intelligent oakmoss and patchouli, and the dark-brown animalic swagger of civet and castoreum. It’s a mature woman’s perfume; it smells of agency and ambition and sex on your own terms. Like Aromatics Elixir (another favorite of mine), it has that “70’s-women’s lib” vibe, despite Paloma Picasso actually being composed in the 80s; the patchouli-and-oakmoss feels both earthy and intensely serious, but there’s also a surprising amount of “air” in the perfume (from aldehydes and a well-hidden, abstract centifolia rose) making it feel elegant and dignified and not just a chunk of heavy stank. This is pantsuit-and-chunky-jewelry perfume, so to speak. Compared to Aromatics Elixir, Paloma Picasso is not as herbal, of course; no chamomile, less overt plant-bitterness, and more animalics. I think this makes Paloma Picasso a bit warmer and more “humanized”, though both have that earthy-good aspect of “your lover’s skin but better.” An hour or so in, I start to get this lovely “second movement” dominated by hyacinth, which is a sweet, yearning, full-bodied, spring-flower nectar, totally surprising in this dark earthy context, but somehow it works. In the drydown it gets sweeter and sweeter, a honeyed floral aura that still retains its dark shadowed depths. Paloma Picasso has a tough-girl opening and a pure, tender heart.

Paloma Picasso - The ultimate power-woman scent. Sensual, magnetic, domineering and unapologetic. This is the Femme Fatale fragrance of them all. Dark, rich and mysterious. I disagree with those who claim that this is a unisex EDP. No. You can go do your Tom Ford-thing and oh, so many other unisex-scents ( and I am generally an avid supporter of unisex and non-binary options in fragrances.) -- But this crown jewel; She is for women. She is for the independent, ambitious, powerful woman that owns every room she walks into. Paloma Picasso is the EDP that men can hope to claim, but he who wears it will be nothing more than a man servant, desperately trying to imitate the majestic Madame that dominates the room. He can emulate Her but he can never be Her. With this scent She's reclaiming what is - and has always been - Hers. Paloma Picasso is for high heels, stockings, red lips, red nails and fiery eyes. Don't mess with the Queen who wears Paloma Picasso. She has earned her right to wear Her - and yes, some will be put off by how strong She is, but She's worked too damn hard, too damn long to care about the opinions of subordinates. She has been subjugated to destructive patriarchy too damn long to allow any man to steal the spotlight that is Hers and Hers truly. It is Her time to reign. And She has indeed earned it. Blood, sweat and tears. This goes for the real Paloma Picasso as well as for any - and every - woman who wears Her signature masterpiece of a fragrance. The world is (y)ours.

Paloma takes me right back to my late teens in the 80s. Madonna, Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper. Dayglo, lace, fingerless gloves, multiple belts worn loosely around the waist and hair that was teased to the max. Paloma is everything a good floral chypre should be. Considering the fact that it has two animalic musks, the musk isn't dominant. Rather it's a well blended composition where it can be difficult to distinguish different notes. The coriander and geranium sometimes peak around the patchouli for a quick hello and I swear the lemon gets absorbed into the other notes and colors each one. I only got back into fragrances about a year ago and was thrilled to see that Paloma is still available. We used to get it at the drug store with scents like Anais, Anais and Revlon fragrances. It was a favorite then and it still is. While a bit sweeter and less intense than other chypres like Aromatics Elixir and Charlie Blue, this will come across as green, earthy and musky to most people under 40. It's a sophisticated fragrance by today's standards but was a daily-wear gem in the 80s. Gourmand and sweet fruity lovers should definitely test before you buy. I find chypres to be infinitely feminine but more adventurous people who identify as masculine/male could pull this off. 10 out of 10 for me, moderate sillage and longevity. I don't wear my fragrances for others so I'm not aware of how it projects. That depends on your spraying habits more than anything I suppose.

I'm rating the modern EDP version purchased from Macy's, but I'm also interested in getting my hands on the original vintage formula to do a comparison. I got this one because Pablo Picasso is one of my favorite artists and I think it's neat that his daughter went into making perfume, and because of the unique look of the bottle. In spite of the yonic look of the bottle, I definitely can see this as a unisex scent. I found myself wanting to see what it smells like on my partner right away. I think I like it on him even better, though I love it on myself too. Opens with a powerful, mossy coriander and bright carnation. It's incredibly strong, the sillage is room filling for sure, it's not a superdoser imo. Half a spray would even be noticeable I feel. Dries down into a very woodsy, animalic, almost leathery scent. On my skin, the sandalwood, oakmoss, coriander, and civetta stand out the most. Possibly the castoreum as well, though I'm not sure because I've never experienced that scent in another fragrance. I'm wondering if that's the note I'm perceiving as leathery. Because of the sheer number of notes, unfortunately the citrus notes are lost to my nose, but it works, if they were sharper it would have too much going on. Definitely an evening scent in my opinion, gives off a very sexy vibe. Would be ideal to wear on a date to a bar. Longevity is incredible, I swear I slept in it and can still smell it 16 hours on.

I couldn’t stand this when I first tried it as it was like nothing else I’d ever smelt. It smelt like gasoline and cow manure to me at first but I think that was my uneducated nose! I’ve since grown to love chypres, Agent Provocateur and Eau du Soir being my favourites, and I now really appreciate this one. I was a bit scared of the animalistic element of this as I worry people nowadays would perceive that as dirty however I wear Coco and No 5 edt regularly and nobody has ever commented badly about those. I was always fascinated by the vintage bottle of this back when I was a child in the late 80s-early 90s. It was often sold in those little gift sets you could buy on planes, with tiny bottles of Lou Lou and Anais Anais. To me it’s quite bracing and herbal. The rose in it is beautiful. I’ve never smelled a vintage bottle, and would probably rather not as you end up chasing them on eBay and falling gamut to bottles that have turned, etc. It’s so distinctive, I do love it. Don’t know if I’d have the guts to wear it in public or at work for fear of offending others as it seems to be a real marmite perfume. I personally don’t see the similarities with Knowing, on me that smells more like expensive talcum powder, I think because of the lack of animalistic notes. Can be picked up for a song in the UK, I would recommend any fragrance lover gives it a try, even if only for a point of reference.

In 1989 at 21 I finished my physics degree and moved to London to train as a chartered accountant. Early on I was sent to Stringfellows nightclub to do their monthly management accounts. The image I cultivated was business-like with tailored suits, heels and a briefcase, dark hair coiled in a bun and red lipstick, so when I got paid for the 1st time I went in search of a suitable fragrance. In a Manchester department store I was spritzed with this, instantly fell in love and bought my 1st bottle. It was everything I wanted to be: elegant, powerful and deeply sexy. It reminded me of the scent of the handbags of beautiful women. Since then I have never been without the EDP, and had a few EDTs too, as well as the body spray. Whenever I want to boost my mood and add a little more swing to my hips I turn to PP, and it's one of my ultimate date fragrances, along with Agent Provocateur/Maitresse/L'Agent. This isn't a fragrance for girly girls at all, it would swamp them and create an impession to which they couldn't do justice. As someone who later became a physics teacher in 5" heels and still sporting red lipstick, it continued to leave a trail of female dominance in a traditionally male world. It would be an insult to wear it with casual clothes, this baby is all about boobs, butt and being ballsy - think Jane Russell in gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I'll be wearing it forever.

Smells like horse. I grew up with horses, and this perfume smells exactly like them. It really doesn't smell like any of the listed notes to me, but instead conjures up the exact smell of being around horses - the coumarin-esque hay and straw underpinned by a strong urinous note, the leather of the tack room, the glycerine saddle soap, and of course, the smell of beautiful beast itself. There's even something slightly savory/alliaceous in there which reminds me of the garlic salt lick we used to give the ponies. The effect of all this pulled together is absolutely incredible and brings back such strong memories of many summers of mucking out and messing about on ponies. It's just gorgeous! If you like smelling like a cake, look elsewhere - this is not sweet, it's not cute, it's not girly, and it's not 'nice'. It's a wild stallion full of raw animal power and magnetism, and it takes a bold, assertive woman to get this and pull it off. And on this kind of woman, it's strikingly beautiful. This would also be attractive on the right kind of man, but I do think it's better on women. I have a mini vintage EDP which is incredible. I also have a later version, which has a stronger and more noticeably synthetic laundry musk at the base. The vintage is superb, but the reformulation is still very much worth owning. Still going for good reason - a masterpiece!

Paloma Picasso, Vintage (Formula original, 1984) EdP 75ml For years I longed to add this emblematic piece to my collection! This perfume stands as one of the most solid examples of the chypre style of the 1980s. From the opening, Paloma Picasso reveals a complex structure with a distinctly marked, three-dimensional evolution. The first impression is of green and rosy nuances intertwined with citrus, spicy, and slightly aldehydic accords. The heart is composed of opulent, enveloping, and narcotic flowers. Among the roses and jasmine, carnation and hyacinth assert themselves with their spicy and green character, adding body and texture. At the same time, an unmistakable creamy softness from the ylang-ylang rounds out and smooths the edges. Meanwhile, its earthy base is built on woody notes and oakmoss. Its dark and persistent character is intensified by a leather accord, enriched with castoreum and civet, which lends great depth and an enveloping sensuality to the composition. It is an intense perfume, with great diffusion and substantivity. On my skin, just a few drops are enough. Its olfactory profile commands presence and conveys authority. In my opinion, it is not a versatile or discreet perfume, but it is a clear statement of style and sophistication! Without a doubt, it reflects the glamour of 1980s elegance at its finest!!

Ploma Picasso era un profumo ricco,profondo ed elaborato oggi inimitabile. Il suo bouquet comprendeva centinaia di elementi naturali di fiori,radici,resine,balsami,muschi,tabacco,odori animali veri,capaci di riempire una stanza con uno spruzzo sulla pelle ma senza intossicare con banalità come i profumi di oggi. Poteva essere usato da uomini e da donne piene di carattere, non era un profumo per bambini o per donnette vestite di rosa shocking con le ciabatte di peluche. Questo era ed è un profumo selvaggio come le terre spagnole,soleggiato,passionale e caldo, ma non per questo duro o soffocante. Molto raffinato,leggermente pungente e balsamico,conferisce un'aura di potere,le note di castoreum zibetto e muschio animale servono a dare al profumo una sorta di "magia nera", un qualcosa che intimidisce ma rende docili e sessuali. Naturalmente i profumi che usano zibetti e costoreum e muschi sintetici non hanno alcun effetto sulla psiche. Qui erano ancora naturali e in dosi massicce. Le edizioni esemplari sono quelle degli anni 80. La boccetta degli anni 80 splash che ho ancora, con una goccia messa con il tappo sulla pelle,riempie la stanza di profumo. Non c'era bisogno di inondarsi come fanno oggi spruzzandolo cento volte sul collo,sui capelli,sul vestito,etc etc...

I was at Macy's a while back and noticed a tester of Paloma Picasso on the perfume counter. I was shocked and delighted they still carried it AND that there was a tester on the counter. I sprayed my wrists and someone stopped me later and asked if I was wearing Drakkar Noir. I don't think they smell alike, but I wasn't surprised by the question, as they are both 80's powerhouses. Of course, Paloma is for the ladies...Now, I ain't a lady, but I love wearing it anyway, so I picked up a bottle. This is a slap to the face (or a whip to the ass) upon first spray. This is so sharp and musky, but the florals are definitely there. In fact, they smell pretty. It softens in the drydown, but it never loses its sharp edge. This makes me think of Grace Jones in the Demolition Man video. Like her in that video, this is a perfect gender-bender. I'm sure when this was released, it smelled very much 'of its time', but right now, it almost smells futuristic or ahead of its time. I think this little ol' bottle of Paloma is both a throwback to the old days and a possible foretelling of what could be next on the horizon (if we are lucky). This is still beautiful...aged like a fine wine.

I have inherited both EDT and EDP versions (mid 00’s formulation) and would have probably brushed it off only a year ago as outdated and old school. However after having gone through hundreds of scents during the past few months and having learnt some history of perfume my tastes seem to have evolved and now I consider this to be the most beautiful and potent green-floral chypre of all I’ve tried by this day. Very classy, very feminine, very French, very confident, insane projection and longevity. Apart from being from the same family I don’t see many similarities with Knowing listed in Reminds Me though. Now I own, like and wear it as well and I’d say it’s much less nuanced and refined, more unisex and cologny. Paloma rather reminds me of Silences by Jacomo (at least the way I remember it from my childhood - unfortunately I don’t have it at hand to compare). All in all I consider this to be an incredible fragrance which was an instant love for me quickly going to my Favourites shelf. Husband’s (knows-nothing-about-perfume intellectual introvert, favours Terre & Vetiver Tonka by Hermes) verdict: beautiful, elegant, very present, yet not intrusive.

I wore this a little in the 80's and it was the same bomb it is today. The formulation of course is probably different but the basics of the formula are still there. It probably lasted longer but what can we do with regulations and reformulations that also consider the price of the product which in turn effects the longevity and sillage. Onto the scent itself, gorgeous, sexy vixen, elegant and poised. It only lasts strong for about 30 minutes and then tames. Longevity for me is about 3-4 hours. I work in an office and for my office attire it just goes. I'll put a bit less so not to annoy anyone near me but I'm in Heaven because it gives confidence just like it was meant to I believe. It's sophisticated but demanding like a well dressed ceo or partner of a firm who likes to get kinky behind the scenes lol. I'm not a weirdo by any means but I do like to feel polished clean and confident and that's what it does for me. In this day it's also unique, if it was created now it would definitely be made by a niche house, very off beat, even cerebral. I love this and I'm so glad it's in my collection. If you love chypres you have to give this a shot.

Updated opinion: I absolutely love this. I can't stop smelling myself and the shirt I'm wearing. It took me a little while, but I finally got there. And I would not feel one bit self-conscious about wearing this in public. (I'm a guy.) Very good longevity, too. LOVE IT. Original Review: I like it. I've had this perfume for about six weeks, and used about half of the 100 ml bottle. Why did I use so much of it? Because I was trying to figure out whether I really like this or not. I wanted to love this perfume. It took me awhile to get to where I truly like it. Before that, I had very mixed feelings about Paloma Picasso as a fragrance. Sometimes I would get something that seemed to be like an old fashioned floral aspect. This seemed too soft, so I'd spray a little bit more. Sometimes quite a bit more. Then it would smell unpleasantly sharp. But I freely admit to over spraying. Finally, I think I'm really getting this fragrance. And to me, the strongest component is green. I must add that sometimes - but not always - musk and animalic notes in general are absolutely lost on me. Meaning, with some fragrances, I am anosmic to such notes.

1984 Vintage Chypre-Floral of OAKMOSS-CARNATION-CORIANDER with Civet & Castoreum. There's a lot going on here, but overall this is an animalic vintage chypre, with a lovely floral carnation and spicy coriander. It has beast mode performance, and overall it's a lot. But wear this with your Catwoman costume, and turn on 'Orange is the New Black'. Ima go now and drink milk from a bowl, file my nails, and open a can of tuna. Michelle Pfeiffer & Halle Berry would be proud... For what it is, 10/10. Update 02/12/25: Sprayed this on today, as it's a frigid -30 C (-22 F) outside today, and I've been rotating through some powerhouse vintage chypres. In this kind of weather, even indoors is cool - currently 19 C (67 F) - and these babies really cut through the crisp air even with one spray. They also really shine in the coldest weather for my tastes, and Paloma is no exception. A bit more woods are coming forward than I've noticed previously, but it's still all about oakmoss, sweat & flowers in a grown up way that is not for children. Love it.

Smelled this one anew tonight. Definitely amazing and sophisticated. In density and sophistication, it reminds me of what Liz Moore is doing over at Papillon Artisan Perfumes: dazzling you with a surfeit of intense, highly natural essences for an intoxicating effect. PP also kind of reminds me of an intense version of Clinique AROMATICS ELIXIR. Like AE on steroids. The aromatic, patchouly-heavy nearly unisex chypre. I also notice that PP includes that soaring upper note of green lime, much as the 1974 version of Givenchy GENTLEMAN has. That green lime note used to spell "sophisticated suaveness" in the 1970's and early-80's. It was almost used as a cosmetic note: ie., when you smelled that lime in the 70's, you knew you were wearing a fine fragrance. I don't see it used in this fashion today... perhaps it's a little passé. I'm not reading PP as being extremely animalic, only because I am partial to the *really* animalic perfumes out there: SL MKK, Marlou Ambilux, Akro NIGHT, Brent Leonesio No. 8, Kiehl's Original Musk, etc.

Do yourself a favor and hunt for a vintage version. I have both a new and old batch and the new one sincerely smells like hairspray? I thought people were being drama queens when they said this but it’s genuinely true. I could tel I liked the vibe it was going for but that stinging chemical glow around it kept hitting me I had to see for myself what was I missing. So I ordered one they aren’t that expensive. Under $100 bottles are out there. And the real deal OG stuff is so pillowy and plush and smooth. It’s less aggressive yet still offers an air of confidence to your stride that I was looking for. I’m a guy but not masc 4 masc so I can pull off scents like these well I’d say. And my skin loves emphasizing musks and mosses. I was still iffy about it bc it can probably be interpreted grandmaish bc far less grandmaish perfumes get labeled that by people I know, but as it say on my skin o just kept wanting to smell it. The new version repulsed me tbh I wanted to like it bad but I just couldn’t do it! Avoid it at all cost

No doubt that the initial smell of this perfume will send you into an instant state of drunkenness and send a visual of a woman who is sure of herself and takes no bs. Strong but not shocking, the landing on my skin smelled like someone pissed on my hand as if to mark me as their territory. As it settles, the musk scent floats on what i would think is a reaction to my skin's Ph, which is why it almost smells like a mixture of sweat and hair, and what i would imagine as hormonal hair follicles blending with what seems like a metallic smell brewed long enough with some dried flowers and citrus wooden husks to hide the scent of that woman you'd love to hate, yet her presence almost instantly demands your attention. Transitioning to sweet during the cold and intimately animalic as the temperature rises, Paloma Picasso is definitely an experience enough to tickle the imagination, like a woman who's ripe and ready but only for someone who has the same if not greater intensity and passion.

I may be a little biased with my review since this was one of my mother’s favorite perfumes. She always wore Paloma Picasso on special occasions, and let me tell you, I thought she was the best smelling woman in the room. <3 For an 80s Chypre I think this is pretty unique. Gosh, I’m having a hard time describing her. It’s just so so sexy. She’s definitely BOLD. I’d say bolder than most perfumes of yester-year and that’s saying something. Although she’s bold, she maintains a degree of elegance. I’d also say she was very chic for her time; a modern fragrance with a classic twist. But edging more modern; this isn’t something Princess Diana would wear. This is what a modern business woman in the 80s-90s wore. She’s strong, tenacious. I always associated this perfume with my mother’s personality and values. I need to get a full bottle for myself. I recently tried the EDT and thought it lacked the magic of the EDP. I need this in the black EDP bottle since that’s what my mother had.

Pandemia day log number 427. Another day of working at home (sigh!). I cannot stand looking at the computer anylonger. Today I tried a little gardening ... and also a little woodwork. The sun is setting. I just can't stand watching TV anymore (double sigh!). Today it was a very sunny day, or should I say, another sunny very peaceful day. I better stay in the garden and enjoy the full moon and some good music. What is that smell? My heart beats at a fast pace ... My hands are shaking ... What is that smell? Did she do it again? My transformation begins. I just started... ''Bombobobombobombobombobobobombobob fadaengadengdengdaengadengdengfadingadongding''!!! Yes, she must have done it ... Yes, she did it! Yes, she is using Paloma Picasso again. I just can't resist. It is an irresistible perfume, very seductive and very sexy. My best perfume decision ever. I bought it for my wife and it is a seduction magnet for her. Music: The Marcels - "Blue Moon"

This fragrance smells like power dressing, and it's not just because of the bottle (which I don't usually comment on in review but this just looks so hot on a shelf) The woman with enough power to control this marriage of spicy coriander, a very vintage floral quality and a seemingly immortal musk note, is a woman to be reckoned with. It's sisters with the likes of No. 5 and White Diamonds. A very old school type of sex appeal, compared to fragrances we think of as erotic now (think Narcotic V). When someone says "she smells expensive" it's this forever. Not a safe blind buy. Not for everyone and very, very animalic/musky. If you want something like this but toned down, I'd say Nishane's Nanshe has some DNA in common with this lady. Incredible sillage and longevity. Great value (a niche experience with standard designer prices?? Please!) Something to experience.

I’d laugh at some saying this is a sour and okay-ish chypre. Really? If this is mediocre, then what are the transcendent ones? But this one is glory, unlike the uptight French daughters of the category, I find rose chypres to be sexually charged and evocative of desire. As with all under the same bracket, it has that narcotic garni with soapiness, verdancy and slight spice. It would recall Diva and Knowing, sometimes the dog-eared pages of Gucci III. However, this smells tobacco-ey after sometime. Fantastic? Yes of course. To echo what others stated, if this and the other chypres were rebranded into a more well known name and collection, then these would be hailed as masterpieces. If you like the sugar spun and pink smells of the now, then please refrain from comparing those to Paloma. Strawberry candy isn’t under the same category as aged cheese and wine.

I have a bit of a story for this one. I decided to use up my entire sample of Estee Lauder Knowing before ever testing Paloma Picasso. It took me several years. The lesson: never trust the Fragrantica comparisons section. People are dumb and can't smell for shit (yes, myself included). So here's the skinny: Paloma Picasso smells like having sex in a swamp during the heat of midsummer after torrential rainfall, with '80s metallic roses on top. ...It's absolutely glorious, but if you wear too much of it, your coworkers might gag or give you funny looks. Mine certainly have. When I catch wafts of them, it's horrible shit that smells like tide laundry detergent and synthetic ambergris. Everything is relative, well and truly. I rate Paloma Picasso a soaring 10/10. God, if you're out there, please don't allow this perfume to be discontinued.

Review for the modern EDP: Staying the night in a hotel in Prague in the 1980s. Sharp shoulder pads. Sheer black sleeves. Black patent leather heels striking rainy pavement. Gothic, sleek, modernist, but still very human. Aloof and introverted, but not cold-hearted in feel. The scent itself is mossy green, gently spicy, with an undercurrent of oily leather jacket. This melds perfectly with my skin chemistry and enhances my persona and my aesthetic. Reminds me of my childhood. Signature scent material for me, and I think I need to get the biggest bottle possible. UPDATE: I cannot wear this perfume. It makes my eyes water and I can't stop sneezing. Also it gets very overpowering after 15 minutes, and I cannot wash it off. It's a shame because I love the smell and the vibe, but it wreaks havoc on my sinuses.

Oggi la versione vintage di questo profumo sarebbe indicata per uomo. A me è sempre piaciuta, fin dal 1988, era il profumo di mia mamma. L'aroma l'ho gia descritto tempo fa, piccante e ricchissimo bouquet di erbe, radici,resine,muschi naturali, tabacco,zibetto,fiori estivi intensi etc. Ancora oggi l'ho usato ed è stupendo. Quelli che disprezzano i profumi veri come questo, probabilmente sono stati sottoposti al lavaggio del cervello moderno che impone spazzatura sintetica di vaniglia e oudh che li senti al supermercato, per strada,tutti uguali e nauseabondi, e credono che quello sia il profumo da scia. I produttori di profumi di adesso potrebbero anche smettere, tanto gli unici odori che sento per strada sono La vie est belle e un oudh scadente a buon mercato che riempie le stanze ma di certo non seduce.

I had a small amount of the old vintage version, and it was amazing on my skin. A tough, confident and seductive vibe, a scent of a 40 year old gorgeous woman, in expensive designer clothes and piercing deep eyes, glowing with confidence. I wanted a bottle for so long, and after years I managed to get a brand new one. And all I got was a synthetic awful mess. I sadly put it aside, and forgot about it for about 4 years. I found it today and curiously sprayed it on my skin, and felt such a rush of joy and relief. The new turned into just like the old one perfectly, maybe even a bit better, it just needed some time to mature I guess. I adore it, I love scents that are hot and command respect at the same time. If you bought a new bottle and it disappointed you, give it time, because it's worth it, I swear.

I love this SO MUCH!! The kind of ultra-femininity that suits me. I am LOVING that coriander. The opening is soapy and floral but the undercurrent of animal musks and indolic florals stays present through the drydown, at least on my skin. Woodsy, very green. I definitely smell that Vetiver and Oakmoss. Yet the spicy waft of carnation pokes its head out here and there. While I would describe this as "fiercely feminine," I agree with other reviewers who say it's unisex. This isn't a sweet fragrance so men should try it if they enjoy green chypres. This is hard for me not to overspray! I want to smell the top notes over and over! The whole progression of this scent is simply addictive to me. Edit: there's a gasoline-like top note that makes me love this even more, what's wrong with me¿¡¡

I fell in love with this perfume as a high school senior in the late 1980s. It was my second "grown-up" perfume purchase, Lauren by Ralph Lauren having been my first. I wore this for a year or two before moving on to other things. A few months ago I was feeling nostalgic and ordered a small decant of this perfume to see if I would still love it as much as I did decades ago --- and I do. It might be just a touch weaker than I recall, but the heart and soul of it remains. Paloma is still a badass, and I still am not sure what I was thinking as a naive 17-year-old wearing this perfume like a grown-ass woman. lol Honestly, I'm still not sure I'm badass enough for this perfume, but I rock her some days anyway. Fake it till you make it? :)

Paloma is the standard by which I measure all spicy evening perfumes against. My go-to since I used to sneak a few sprays from my mom’s dresser before hitting the pool hall in the late 90s. It’s a spicy, woody, complex, dark and seductive fragrance journey. As much as I try, I haven’t been able to find a better spicy evening fragrance since. Definitely not for a spring/summer or daytime choice. It’s definitely not blind buy safe for everyone. Some find the moss or animatic notes to be overpowering, but they are well blended and don’t stick out to me. I even had to concede that i’m probably proudly in my “vieja cuchi” era (thanks Daniel R), but I don’t care. I’ll love it as long as I live.

I tried this during lockdown. I don't think I can write a proper review without seeing what effect it has on others when I wear it. This exudes self-knowledge, a defiant blend of trad chic by birthright and grunge. It would fit nicely with sex, cigarettes and staying up all night in a gallery space after an event. I don't find it 'old lady' at all, the florals are pressed, papery flowers to me, not grinning bouquets. And the castoreum is feminine virility, no added sugar. There's a bit of a naivety to it, but it's a European punk naivety. But it does smell a little like scratch-and-sniff Smelly Old History books from my childhood.

What a marvelous masterpiece. Musky classic chypre. It truly gives me lovely emotions with its erotic scent. If you like musky animalic scents and classic chypre fragrances, you going to love this. Performance is very good and the bottle is sensual, unique and chic. Most delicate emotions awake by smelling this beautiful fragrance. It’s literally perfection. And yes, it’s not expensive... Some words that come to my mind: erotic-sensual-sexual-fetish-vintage-peculiar-uncommon-delicate-chic-elegant (Beware, this is only my opinion and this fragrance is not for everyone) (My bottle is 2022 edp)

Wonderful complex and elegant fragrance. In my mind, this is what the most beautiful woman at the jazz club smells like. Truly classic but a little bit raunchy too. Some other great things about this fragrance is that it holds up really well in various temperatures and humidity levels. Additionally - you cannot beat the value for the quality you get with this perfume! I love her. Note - not a blind buy as this scent may be daring for some also buyers may want to consider what the perfume sillage is for their particular skin chemistry before trying to wear this to the office.

Profumo meraviglioso, ricco, aromatico,veramente animale e selvatico. La formula originale è ricca,elegante e raffinato, su una donna le dona una classe e un'eleganza fuori dal comune, quasi una pantera, e su un uomo crea un alone elegante eppure selvatico e felino incredibile. Un profumo che rievoca veramente l'atmosfera spagnola ardente e passionale. Un capolavoro pieno di calore, ricchezza strutturale e raffinatezza del bouquet. Su un uomo sviluppa le note eleganti e non banali di erbe aromatiche e tabacco con un tocco di animale selvatico intrigante.

Created in 1984, and somehow it shows - in the best possible way. This is an iconic perfume. One of the greatest floral chypre in history. There’s something unapologetically sexual about Paloma Picasso. Not flirtatious. Not sweet. But raw, magnetic, and bold - with a kind of lived-in glamour. When I wear it, I feel sexy. Not pretty. Sexy. Like I’m walking through a film noir scene, leaving a trail of shadow and lipstick behind me. It’s dramatic. And I adore it. A perfume for anyone who’s learned to love themselves – and dares without permission.

Huge powerhouse floral-chypre-meets-peau-d’espagne. An inspired reflection of ms Picasso’s Franco-Spanish identity. Sexy, unapologetic, just a tad bohemian but equally suited for velvet and diamonds. I’m brought to mind of soap opera vixens and almodovar heroines in brick red lipstick. On my skin the major players are carnation, rose, civet, patchouli, castoreum, and vetiver, but each of the many listed notes is here to play a part, and most get a moment to shine throughout the all day wear time. The ads for this one truly capture the vibe.

definitely the strongest perfume I own, it will linger for literal days if I let it, and I'm obsessed with the interplay of the notes- i'll always catch something new about it when I'm smelling it. i'm pretty sure i have an older formulation because it was from my moms's collection (she said it was too strong for her). this perfume has an insane aura, beguiling, bold and primal. the animalic/powdery notes stand out to me the most and are so intoxicating. i'll reach for it sometimes when i go night prowling and want to command a presence.

I have a couple bottles of the vintage EDP. I absolutely adore this. I have some self confidence issues, but I get lifted to a higher ground whenever I wear this. It's so strong and bold. It lasts for hours and hours. Dirty dirty florals!!! Everything I love!! I haven't tried the reformulation though. I don't think I would want to, honestly. ANYBODY can wear this perfume. Age and gender does not matter, for ANY fragrance. If YOU like it, and if YOU want to wear it. Then I suggest you spray yourself until your heart is content!!

Just cracked open an early - mid nineties 100ml EDP (Cosmair / PP Parfums, no ingredient list but with green dot). Oh my... Very poweful floral, woody musk - pissy concoction. One squeeze on the trigger has filled the room completely for several hours! Very, very wearable for a dude - although you may find the floral blast a little 'in your face' if that's not your thang but it calms down eventually. I've a suspicion this will become very interesting indeed after a month or two of oxidation. Big thumbs up from The Mancster. 👍🏻

My mother wore this when I was young, so when I wanted to wear perfume, I would just spray some of hers. She passed away in 1992 when I was in high school, and in college, a boyfriend of mine bought me a bottle. When I would wear it out (in the mid 90s), older men would approach me to tell my how good I smelled...LOL. I still have that bottle, and will keep it forever. I think it just smells like yuppies partying in the 80s. But I still love it, and I think this is where I get my love of bold rose, amber, musky fragrances.

I am so in love with this scent. It is honeyed thorny roses, dark woods, a slight soapiness, and pure drama. If Tom Ford sold this under the name Gothic Rose, everyone would call it a masterpiece, but because of its price or familiar associations with grandmas, it doesn't get the respect it deserves. Every time I wear it, I get tons of compliments. The key is not to overspray; it is potent, a presence. I layer it with Moonlight Patchouli and it becomes the most enveloping cloak—you'll levitate.

I just love this masterpiece. I was a child in the 80s, and I remember my aunt wearing it, with her big jewellery, big red hair, colourful scarves. She would come and give me a big hug and this is how she smelled. Free, creative, independent, mysterious, fun, stylish. But I’m going to say something completely heretic. I think I prefer the new version. In fact I get allergic reactions from vintage perfumes. The new formulation is equally wonderful but cleaner. I love the dry down so much.

I went through bottles of this back in the 90's. If I was travelling I would always buy a bottle at the airport so this fragrance reminds me of many a holiday abroad. My sister wore this recently and all those holiday memories came flooding back. It is so intoxicating and sexy. I just had to order a bottle of this classy lady! I can't wait to get reacquainted with her, how did I forget about this fragrance for so many years. Delighted to be soon getting her back in my collection.

i am testing from a vintage vial-i get a lot of oakmoss and coriander followed by animalic notes and some carnation. at this point it smells like a typical chypre/oakmoss thing. however, about 30 minutes in the florals bloom, and this gets really gorgeous. i think i mostly get rose but also sense hyacinth and a touch of jasmine and mimosa. so pretty now, i am making that face where my eyes roll back in my head when i sniff my arm. beautiful!

I got lucky and blind bought a vintage bottle of this for 10 USD. Dirty musk and florals dominate this scent, but somehow remains mild, powdery and pleasant. It's marketed as a feminine fragrance but a gentleman could rock this. Paloma Picasso EDP is what you get if you take Chanel No. 5's aldehydic soapy florals and rebalance it so it takes YSL Kouros' approach of putting dirty animalics and clean notes together.

Not great at reviews but here I go. This seems to be polarizing for some but as soon as I smelled it I loved it. I never smelled the original so if the scent has changed I wouldn't know, but the bottle I just got smells amazing. I think its the animalistic part that really pulls me in. I am excited to see how this wears out in my everyday life as if it lasts it will be a staple.