Tentations

I just have to write again in admiration of this fragrance. The tester who felt it smelled like Samsara is right, in that they are both oriental but, as beautiful as Samsara is, it is a poor echo of Tentations. My husband (bless him) managed to get his hands on a bottle of the pure parfum for my Christmas present last year. He paid so much for 7.5ml, I nearly had a heart attack but every time I put it on, the scent envelops me with such warmth I could almost cry with pleasure. It reminds me of days when I could walk, the reflection of late autumn sunlight on yet unfallen leaves, mixed shades of gold, like flames dancing in a burning fireplace. It is the comfort of coming home to find a loved one waiting with a warm blanket to wrap around you, keeping you safe, secure, loved. And in the evening, it is the flickering candlelight and the crackle of the fire as you watch a rom-com, snuggled together and the lights around the room catch and glow in a glass of brandy as you swirl it in your hand. It is all those things, the crackle, the lights, the glow, the scents, the feeling of a swirling embrace, the safety and the warmth. Almost every day I think about writing to Paloma Picasso and begging her to please re-release this. No changes, it is never too sweet, nor to spicy, it is exactly as it should be. I don't know how she managed to catch perfection in a bottle but she did. Clearly, genius runs in the family. Edited to add: The nose behind this also created the Elizabeth Taylor, Rubies and Diamonds. The two fragrances are not quite dupes but they are definitely siblings. Tentations is smokier with it's incense and carnations, the apricot is more boozy, like those little jars of fruit in alcohol that you can buy at Christmas. The Elizabeth Taylor is fresher, spring to Tentations winter.

This is an extremely beautiful and unusual fragrance. It definitely has Oriental characteristics, but to me seems to be more of a Chypre. It is a very sharp scent smoky, balmy, sweet and incredibly lovely. Tentations reminds me of another scent from long ago, but I can't name which one. It definitely isn't White Diamonds, nor any that other reviewers have mentioned here. My small bottle is EDP, age unknown. This is one of those fragrances that plays hide and seek with you. You'll sniff your arm and think that it's gone. Then all of a sudden a gorgeous whiff of fragrance will surround you, again an again. I love fragrances that have this quality. Each surprising burst of scent is like a little gift to brighten your day. The dry down on this is very soft and pleasant. Longevity is good,9+ hours. Except for the bursts of fragrance, I find the sillage to be moderate. This is a discontinued fragrance, not available in large quantities. There are a number a bottles available on Ebay, but they are not cheap. I like this fragrance enough to be on the lookout for a good buy on another bottle!

Oh how I wish they made perfumes more like this. What wonderful goddess of a perfume and anything but boring!. Very oriental but more spicy than fruity. I smell sugary cinnamon and cloves with little hints of fruit and flowers. The spice is what makes this fragrance pop. Very nicely done and while it's strong its not overpowering. For all of you that like Opium by YSL but it's a little to much for you then I urge you to try this one. It's more wearable and not sharp and bitter but warm, rich and delicious. If I had to compare it's sweetness then I would say it's like a spice cake. After it settles, a bit more of the flowers come out and the spiciness settles down for a bit. The base reminds me a little to Gio by Giorgio Armani which is also one of my very favorites. Why did they have to discontinue this? This perfume is worthy of being up there with the classics along Shalimar, Poison and Opium to name a few. It's one of the most seductive and sexy fragrances in my collection.

This is a really beautiful fragrance and so similar in scent to the other fragrances (arpege and tresor) it was stored with, I had to check the official notes to the perfumes. Sure enough, they all share openings of bergamot and peach mixed with other florals (and now that I think about it, it's obviously missing Arpege's neroli and aldehydes and tresor's dark and syrupy rose.) Tentation's opening is made unique by the vodka note which is a bit sharp not not overpowering. The opening fades quickly into the middle notes: lots of florals, (tea roses, carnations, jasmine - a big bouquet of summer flowers) combined with pleasing and unexpected spice notes of clove and cinnamon. The base is dark, warm and resinous - a little sticky. There's a bit of a honey/vanilla scent - which is strange because it's not listed as a note. Must be the Tonka bean. This is a mature evening scent. Beautiful, although I don't think it would be among my usual choices.

Tentations opens with a cocktail of crème de pêche, rose water, orange blossom water, and Absolut Peppar vodka. It's distinct and addictive to my nose, and it stirs up more spices as it progresses—clove and cinnamon, the sensation of candied fruit peel and baked apple, and it soon brings to mind the aroma of sticky Christmas pudding. I also sense distant gardenias, milky and supple. Later, into the dry down, it feels more like a rose-tinted myrrh and olibanum incense, seeming to have an almost "flickering" effect to my nose. It is a sweet smoke, alluring and nuanced. I agree with another review that Tentations plays hide and seek, at first you feel that it has dissipated, but then a marvelous whiff seems to materialize out of nowhere, and this goes back and forth. It's both sexy and cozy—I approve!

I recently bought what appears to be a genuine bottle and box off Ebay but am not sure about the liquid itself inside.. It is incredibly strong cloves, like Chanel Coco. I actually love cloves aand quite like it but it does not smell like either of my minis of this scent, which are far less peppery upfront, smoother and warmer. But then I have no idea where this was kept for all this time. The cellophane on the box was intact but not actually sealed :/ Still, I primarily bought this for the bottle, which I love. I paid £50 at least I haven't lost £200 which is what I see other bottles listed for.

I wish I could kick my own butt for not buying this exceptional beauty when I first saw it online about 15 years ago at much less than what I could get it for today. I have smelled very few perfumes that are this stunning. The combination of peach and spice always gets my attention, and add in that lovely incense and myrrh, seemingly softened but also enhanced by the florals, and they had me. I finally broke down and bought this in miniature size and while I don't use many of my minis, this one I plan on wearing and will likely end up buying it again, in any form I can find it.

I think everyone has written pretty good comprehensive reviews/impressions of this beauty. When I first tested it I found it rather weak but experience has taught me to test at least 3 times before making my mind up. Ive tried it again in quite warm, humid conditions and it has really come alive. I definitely get the booze but its not too much. Its all spicey, cinnamon, fruity deliciousness. There is not much pepperiness but then again its probably merged in with the spices. Im so sad that it has such poor longevity.

Although I like to vary my fragrance a lot, I ALWAYS come back to Tentations. It's like coming home on a cold winter's day, the scent of Christmas and all things comforting and warm. When I see the number of tasteless, sickly fragrances which glut the market today, I could almost weep that a product so elegant and refined has been discontinued. This perfume should be venerated, like Chanel no 5, Poison or Opium, something every perfume shop should ALWAYS have in stock, and every woman should have, at least, tried!

This is absolutely ageless and beautiful , I can't believe it , I got a 30ml bottle as a present from a very generous woman , I can only say wow , people , here's elegance , here's style , here's a real perfume that once noticed won't be forgotten too soon ! I'm very sad that i found out it's pretty hard to get and the price is ... But , this is worth it , I'll hunt this for as long as I'm gonna use perfume , very beautiful !!!!!

I got a 4ml mini bottle of Paloma Picasso Tentations in the mail today and I find it very similar to Samsara by guerlain, only softer. So if you have samsara, trust me you are not missing out on this one. I have 2 bottles of Samsara. One edp and edt. After testing them. They same very much like Paloma Picasso Tentations. Like I said Tentations is softer.

This forgotten little gem is just the way I like 'em - balsamic, spicy, incense-y and ever so slightly boozy. It is quite similar to Chanel's Coco and Guerlain's Samsara, yet even more daring. This is the scent of a wild night out at a Mediterranean resort, after you have danced the night away and you're still riding high on serotonin. Soooo sexy!

This is a very warm, spicy, resinous fragrance on me, which is heavy on the peach, carnation, cinnamon and myrrh. It is also extremely potent. (Note to self: one spritz is more than enough!) Sillage is incredible, and there is no need to press your wrist to your nose to smell it. I wish they never discontinued it!!!

Something about Tentations reminds me of the original Paloma Picasso (Mon Parfum.) It's not the same, not a Chypre. But something links them, and it's wonderful. Definitely nighttime, whereas I find Mon Parfum more daytime. If I ever come across a big bottle for the right price, she's mine! Gorgeous and unique.

Speecy-spicy, boozy, and rrrrrich! The balsamic, incense-tinged rose, peach compote, and cigarette smoke summon vintage echos of Nahema. I don't think the two smell alike, but rather it smells like threads of Nahema are woven into the fabric of Tentations. I love it!

If you love Cinnamon this is the right perfume for you mixed with gardenia Yummy Perfect for your Signifigant other who want's to suggle on a cold Christmas Eve By the fireside Very warm and sweet it will melt your heart.

Yummy peppery, boozy, ripe peach and cinnamon with carnation, rose and a trail of myrrh and incense. A fabulous reminder of the decadent perfumes from the 80's and 90's. Big smiles and lots of swooning for Tentation.

I didn't know this perfume was discontinued and I wonder why. My mother used to wear it and I find it exquisite. I think it is a very sensual perfume, fantastic for evening wear.

Could anyone tell me if this is still in production? I remember my mom used to wear this and loved it. It's a very sensual, classy perfume, but it is very hard to find.

The very best fragrance of my life!

BRING IT BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!

This is a very sharp fragrance! When i sprayed it today i was afraid i might suffocate because of all the spices bouqet in it! I literally wanted to cry so sharp it was. I can clearly detect a lot of pepper,carnation and cinnamon all dissolved in vodka! This is the opening. It is soooo overwhelming that i had to open a window to be able to breathe. then after 20 minutes it becomes more under control and not that loud though those notes from the beginning, especially carnation with pepper are dominanting but flower notes are added. It becomes more pleasant and reminds me in some way of the Fendi ́s "Asja", though Asja is more sweet than sharp and while i thought that Asja was one of the sharpest and spiciest fragrances i own by far, now i know that this one is even more sharper and spicier and on behalf that Asja seems to be even very pleasant. This is a strictly winter time fragrance and i just can ́t imagine how someone would want to wear this in warmer season. But still, while here where i live is still a lot of snow and cold at the moment i think i would only use it sparingly during Christmas time. Very complex fragrance with good staying power but i guess it is not what i ́d like to smell like. I put it next to my "Asja" and will wait until better times....

Dal primo soffio si sente che è un profumo della Grojsman; il suo tocco si sente in ogni sua creazione ( sono tutti uguali, solita base all'80% e qualche piccola variazione aggiunta). Molto simile a Paris, a Sun moon stars, però ha una piccantezza molto vivace che me lo fa preferire. Chiodi di garofano a volontà,incenso e mirra in grande stile. Partenza come Sun moon e stars, poi chiodi di garofano e incenso, poi compare Paris e poi ti ritrovi Tresor. Si sente una magica atmosfera natalizia, odore di incenso e spezie piccanti,non è molesto come i sinteticoni moderni e sicuramente verrebbe etichettato come "da vecchia signora" o "troppo vintage". Dipende dal livello di maturità emotiva. Questo strano bouquet sembra aver dato tutto ma quando pensi che sia finito appare un altra nota imprevista e riparte una nuova fragranza. Dura molte ore sfoggiando elementi diversi. Dopo 8 ore è ancora li e emerge un cumino su sfondo denso e scuro. Tentations ha anche un suo aspetto morbido e caldo nel cuore e nella base, quindi lo sviluppo risulta diverso su ciascuno.

I used to wear Tentations when it came out, I was 20. I went to the shop after reading a brief description (it said it contained wine and I thought that was unusual, which was a good thing for me) on a magazine... and I didn't smell wine but cinnamon, pepper, cloves... very warm, friendly, it is great for winter... I LOVED IT SO MUCH! Even though I didn't like the name, I certainly couldn't resist to it! Beautiful unique perfume with a real personality, like Paloma Picasso. I love both. I wish it came back!

on me, this starts with a lot of benzoin, some spices, carnation and a hint of peach. it is so reminiscent of something i've tried but i can't place it. awhile later i get sandalwood and something woody that verges on being slightly nutty. besides carnation, the floral notes are subtle, though i think i can get the orchid. the peach gets stronger over time. i think this is a lovely, warming, cozy and pretty perfume. it smells 90s yes, but in the best way.

This is too sweet for me. I prefer 02 L`Air du Desert Marocain (Tauer) or Chantecaille Kalimantan. This reminds me of White Shoulders... but I have not smelled that since i was a teenager... but that is what it reminds me of. I get no spices or cinnamon or incense or pepper...where are the middle and base notes? The flowers are too overwhelming. Bummer, cuz the notes shown look devine! Oh well! If you are a white flower lover you will like this.

I have to rely on my memory, because I haven't smelt Tentations since the last 14 years. My mum had a bottle of it when I was a teen, and to me, it was one of the most sensuous fragrances I ever smelt to that day. I remember it being creamy and intoxicating. I would also adore the refillable bottle. That's on my wishlist since a long time. I truly wonder what a 28 years old me would feel about it right now if I had the chance to try it...

The vodka compliments everything but isn't too boozy. The spices add a warmth but isn't too strong. The peach sweetens it all but doesn't make it fruity! I love this

I love this but my bottle is sadly not very strong and has no longevity. It smells like sweet green herbs to me.

The Leaf by Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes

This fragrance has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews. So many I felt certain even I, with my overly fussy nose, was in for a good time. Alas, I was wrong. Following its fresh, peppery opening, Tentations dries down into a strange and spicy musk, weighted down with cloying florals, sickly sweet fruit and an overpowering aroma of cloves. I'm sorry to say this combination of notes just did not agree with me. Usually I would have taken longer to further dissect the notes, but this was one I felt the need to wash off fairly quickly.

wow!such a spicy ,warm and cozy scent.All i can smell are carnations,spices and cinnamon.very interesting smell.It is raining outside and I feel perfect wearing it.Although it is not my kind of smell i really like it,because it turns me back in time and brings me back sweet memories from my childhood.This is definatelly frag for the mature,stylish and self-confident woman

This is the "pepperiest" fragrance I know !! It was a present from my father to my mother years ago, and I still remember right now how my nose did sting when she was applying it. Would be a first choice for someone who likes peppery fragrances.

After reading rewievs got a chance to buy an original sample of 25 yo bottle. What a horrible, vintage, old lady smell! Im citrus, flower gourmand lover, so its smells way too mature, not modern at all.

Hello All, Regarding Tentations, I have seen lots of examples on EBAY. UNFORTUNATELY, they can still be pretty pricey. I did find one for 16 dollars and something, though with free shipping. Thing is you have to really keep searching. I use the 'watch' feature on the EBAY site and then snipe at the last minute. I got this one on a snipe. You watch it, then when there is only about a minute left ( 30 seconds is even better) put in the highest price you are willing to pay. I got a lot of perfumes that way. WITH THAT SAID, I would like to recommend THE COMMON SCENTS company who makes imitation oils of the scents. What I did was get the 'real' TENTATIONS, then I got the oil 'designer type' from The Common Scents. THEY SMELL EXACTLY the SAME. This is ALSO the case with JICKY by guerlain, L'aire du Temps, HYPNOSE, JOY and several others. I have a little of the REAL versions of each of these perfumes, so I was able to COMPARE real to fake. I'm known for having an acute sense of smell and I have to say, I could not tell the difference. Even on the JICKY. I ENDED UP WRITING THE COMPANY and mentioned some of the Hard to get HIGH END scents that are no longer in the mainstream. Apres L'Onde ( guerlain) Maja (Myrurgia) Nuit De Noel ( Caron) Sublime ( Jean Patau ) to name a few. I indicated that they might want to look into what is producing bidding battles on EBAY and then they could start getting their chemists to make the oils. They are on Ebay already for a few of your more common 'right now' Designer scents like , but also have some of the really nice older scents that we all love. I asked them about several, including perhaps including LEMPICKA MIDNIGHT, which I've had some major bid battles with on Ebay. They said that if people email them, and they get enough requests for these wonderful older scents, that they will start carrying some of them. They have 1/3 oz roll ons, as well as ONE OZ roll ons and some others. I'll post the comment about The Common Scents on some of the other reviews so that more people can get a hold of them. As far as I know they use the pure scent. It's wonderfully strong and stays true. As far as review on Tentations, Yes, I like it. I'm not sure where it fits in my harmonics of life, yet, but I wear it just for me to smell on a give day, so that's OK. In your browser, just type in PURE DESIGNER OILS, and similar key words and you should be able to find the oil company. I have had the same conversations with HAYWARD ENTERPRISES. they are good, but a little more expensive.

OK, I've been exploring the 'fake' tentations and the real one. I got a very tiny version of the EDP on line. In looking at the notes that are provided by this website, Tentations looks like my king of scent. I tend to gravitate to the clove, cinnamin, carnation, heliotrope, genre. Tentations has so many notes that I really like. HOWEVER upon trying it in BOTH versions, It's very strange, and I realize this might be my body chemistry. ...but, I can hardly smell it, and it dies down on my body almost immediately. BOTH VERSIONS. The 'fake' version was definitely very weak, and SADLy the 19.99 the 0.17 Oz version that I got that was supposed to be the EDP version, ...I could hardly smell anything!!! I wish I could smell what it looks like it should smell like by the notes, but I don't get anything of the scent that is is supposed to be. Maybe the versions I received are not pure or concentrated at all. Hmmm we'll see. Maybe I'll lookd for a different version. I'll let you all know either way.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!! Continuing my previous comments on TENTATIONS. I still have the 'real ' one, as well as the one made by chemists from a 'fake' company. I put the real one, heavily concentrated on the backs of my hands for easy access to the dry down. While it is still faint to me, I can now see what people like about it. I just wish I could smell it more/ stronger. There is a wonderfully syrupy licquer smell that is definitely attractive. I think actually it is a combination of the grape and vodka. Hmmmm I could very much get into THAT kind of scent. I think this might be one that I wear just for me to get smell fixes once in awhile... for ME. If I were able to find a designer reproduction place that would make it really strong, or if there was a place to get it as an EDT or EDP for about 3.4 oz at a reasonable price, I would be willing to wear it in such a way to share with others. Until such a day....

This is a perfume which is a true masterpiece. I would say the beautiful cinnamon, myrrth, rose, jasamine. This smell is incredible. Then the incense and frankinscence shines through. It lasts about 6 hours on clothes, but it reminds me of something regal. This fragrance is a little different to the mentioned perfumes on this blog. The reason being is that it has amazing depth. I am reminded of going to church or wedding there is some sort of purely aspect to this perfume. This perfume is extremely rare and hard to find, so if you find it cherish it. I does remind me a little of the original Fendi quality of spice, perhaps a little weaker and refined. So if you like a sweet floral blended with spice, and incense this is for you. It is a mature fragrance but rather distinctive. I understand why this fragrance is sensual because it has a haunting quality where you want to smell again and again and again.

Ugly comment below calling this an ‘old lady’ scent. Shouldn’t be allowed anymore. Well, us true fragrance lovers probably love it if it’s called ‘old lady’ because that usually means it smells like more than non descript florals with caramel and pink pepper. This is a succulent peach liqueur type fragrance. Total Sophia Grojsman DNA here. Her fragrances are siblings. Not twins but definitely related. This is like a mix of Diamonds and Rubies, Spellbound and Tresor. Gorgeous. I wish this style would come back today. Bring back the glamour and opulence!

I've tested it a few days.And every day I've found new colours.It opens with fresh bergamot,not sharp.Then juicy peache follows,especially clear when tested on skin.Note of pure vodka flashes like crystal tear.After about ten minutes heart notes appear.You can easily recognize orange blossom,carnation,later-rose.Short flashes of pepper,cinamon.All voices join to great harmony.The base of woods,myrrh sounds compatibly too. Rich,warm,long lasting,beautiful aroma. Rare and discontinued.

I'm in love with this fragrance. It's so intense and I always pair it with a vanilla scented perfume oil so it's even more delicious. When you first smell it, it really smells a lot like vodka and peach, and then you smell the sandalwood and incense (which is VERY noticable). A little bit of a side story – my grandma gave this perfume to me when I was little and I was always fascinated by it and now I can finally appreciate it. It's really an amazing fragrance in every view.

je suis en possession d'un flacon encore neuf sous blister de Tentations de Paloma Picasso, eau de parfum 50 ml. C'est un parfum que j'ai porté pendant des années, il est tout simplement merveilleux. J'ai gardé un flacon neuf en souvenir, mais maintenant je souhaite le vendre au plus offrant si quelqu'un est intéressé me le faire savoir. Bonne journée à tous et toutes.

I was too young to understand when I bought it for the first time. Now I understand but I have only an empty bottle ..ok, maybe some 2 ml inside but almost 20 years old. I will never give away this wonderful creation.

Woah. Extremely lactonic/peachy rose chypre. Very rosy, very peachy. Quite strong and it lasts a while. Not my thing but I can appreciate it.

Exciting, piquant, sensual, oriental perfume. That cure from it, since they now don't produce it. Why it that very, very please pass away?

This perfume is in the strong oriental category. I purchased a bottle in 1997, I was 14 years old. God, I miss the 90's!