Paloma Picasso perfume can best be described as elegant, dramatic and sexy. Definitely not a fragrance for wall flowers or someone looking to fly under the radar. It will appeal to a woman who is drawn to a feminine fragrance with masculine undertones or maybe is just plain tired of all of the uncomplicated, pretty floral scents out there and wants to change it up.
This lush, chypre fragrance was created in 1984 by perfumer Francis Bocris for internationally acclaimed designer Paloma Picasso. Paloma, the daughter of artist Pablo Picasso and Francoise gilot, was born into a world of artistic genius. Her creativity can be found in her jewelry designs for Tiffany and crystal creations for Villeroy & Boch as well as her namesake fragrance. Despite being a child of the 80s, era of the hideous giant shoulder pads, leg warmers and big hair, Paloma Picasso doesn’t smell dated. If anything, the scent reminds me of some of the newer niche perfumes that sell for triple the price.
Paloma says of the fragrance: “It is a fragrance for women, not girls. It is sophisticated, not naive or innocent.”
Paloma Picasso manages to strike a balance between its rich floral notes, lemony brightness and warm patchouli accords. It somehow suggests both strength and vulnerability. Included in this unique blend are notes of lemon, bergamot, ylang ylang, hycinth, jasmine, lily of the valley, clove, iris, mimosa, Bulgarian rose, sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, oakmoss and amber.
Paloma states: “As jewelry can please the eye and the hand, so fragrance can please the senses…revealing new sensory delights layer by layer. It is an intimate ornament that becomes part of your identity…a part of the mosaic of your life.”
This perfume has been popular for a while and so beware of knock-offs. Always buy from a reputable source.
Why does Paloma Picasso perfume does not last longer as it used to be? I feel cheated.
Hi Sue,
Paloma Picasso was created in 1984 so it has almost certainly been reformulated. Of course perfume reformulations aren’t broadcasted but it happens a lot in the perfume industry. Have you tried looking on eBay? I have a friend who says she found the original fragrance there and she was thrilled. Just be sure to check reviews before buying anything on eBay but you probably already know that.
Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you’re successful in locating the original.
Happy Holidays!
Erica
Thank you Erica for such details! I know about Pacifica but their aromas are too sweet for me or too fragrant… I don’t know. I will certainly look at other brands.
Thank you Erica for such an artistic description of this perfume. I can sense the touch of the Master! Although I don’t use perfume usually, I was wondering, do you know anything about natural perfumes? For example, brands that carry perfumes made of essential oils and other vegan and naturally-occurring ingredients? I would love to look at something that is natural and would tastefully combine the smell of jasmine and neroli? Or something that would remind the smell of freesia flowers? Thank you.
Hi Margarita,
It’s funny that you mention essential oils because I wrote a post about aromatherapy and essential oils just yesterday. There are a number of higher end all-natural perfumes on the market that don’t use any parabens, synthetics, fragrance oils, dyes or chemicals. Rich Hippie, a California-based perfume line is one and Tsi-La Natural Perfumery and Organics is another. Indah might also be one worth trying since they carry a solid perfume balm with jasmine and neroli. If you are looking for something less expensive, Pacifica is an excellent line which is much lower priced. A 10 ml rollerball of their fragrances costs between $14-$18. If you want to try a sniff before buying I know that Ulta carried it the last time I checked.
Good luck and please let me know if you find something you love.
Erica
Hey Erica
I was looking an anniversary gift for my wife and I was a bit frustrated to be honest ,This perfume could be what I was looking or since she love this kind of stuff and she was looking to change her current one for one more sophisticated .
I think she mentioned the other day that she would like a perfume which was made more for a woman than a girl and that she was tired about the ones with flower fragrance, I think I’ll give this one a go and I let you know if she likes it !
Ruben
Hi Ruben,
I don’t know your what your wife has been wearing currently, but this could be a nice change up from a typical floral. Perfume is always a great anniversary gift, one that will remind her of you all year long.
Thanks for stopping by and let me know how she likes it!
Erica