Bal d’Afrique by Byredo

I absolutely loved the citrus notes in this; I used to hate anything citrusy. It opens with sparkling citrus but has powdery notes that set it apart. Smells clean effortlessly, as if it’s saying ‘I smell fresh and cheerful without trying’. At one point, I was transported back to the Adam Sandler film Blended: I pictured that luxurious African hotel, fresh air and adventure. It starts bright but dries down to be addictive and slightly sexy (without being dirty), very cosy. Forget the ‘old man’ vibe suggested by the word luxurious: it’s youthful and super unisex.

Smells nice, it’s a very charming sweet scent, but for me it’s too strong and feminine; I wouldn’t wear it. Perhaps it’s worth trying more, but not at this price.

I love it: the citrus and aromatic opening is wonderful and addictive. The first few minutes are energising and as it dries down, the floral notes emerge with a musky touch that gives a sense of cleanliness. It’s pleasant, light and has personality. The pity is that on my skin it lasts little, projects little and no more than 1-2 hours; up close it reaches 4-5 hours and a bit more on clothes. What a shame given how beautiful it is. I see it as ideal for everyday wear and warm months; it’s discreet and pleasant, totally unisex. By the way, the Absolu version that came out recently was a disappointment for me; I expected something identical with more longevity but it’s different. There’s one at Massimo Dutti that reminds me a bit of Bal d’Afrique, the White Tulip & Barley; it’s not a dupe but shares some things. Despite its performance, I’ll keep coming back because it’s gorgeous.

A comforting perfume that smells like clean, moisturised skin with a creamy, buttery texture. It’s fairly linear, with moderate longevity and modest projection; those little light puffs that reach you when you move. I absolutely love it and it’s a scent or vibe that has become basic in my wardrobe. Its moment of shine is in spring-summer.

Cute and pretty perfume. So far I know Sundazed and Bal d’Afrique by Byredo well, and they are two wonders. The first is a clean, youthful and versatile neroli, and the second is delicate but very special and comforting. Bal d’Afrique is a vetiver perfume with violets, cyclamen and incense among other notes. It’s very wearable, like a soft silk blouse. It can perfectly be a signature scent.

One of my favourites for summer, but I wear it all year round because it’s versatile. It’s light yet has body. Fresh, but in a particular way; I detect nothing citrusy. To me, it smells of cream, milky, with clean woods and musk, slightly sweet like rice pudding with a touch of vetiver and a young, shy flower. If this makes sense, hahaha, because the official notes don’t match, but this is how I perceive it. It’s informal without losing elegance, youthful without sacrificing savoir-faire. Hard to explain, but if you’ve smelled it, easy to understand. It evokes everything except Africa; my Western mind expects something else, but here it’s surprising. When I tried it at a John Lewis, I was blown away. It requires reapplication: if I put it on at 7 am for work, by 12 pm there’s nothing left, not even close to the skin. Its trail is intimate; you don’t fill the room. That’s why I wanted it for years without daring to buy it, but the scent was so lovely that I finally gave in. Age: any. Unisex 100%. Perfect in any weather, shines more in heat. Scent: 9.5/10. Longevity: 6/10. Duration: 4-5 h. Projection: 5/10. Versatility: 8/10. Price: $$$ (2.4€/ml). Final Score: 7/10.

Clean vetiver, aromatic, citrusy, with a floral, fruity and above all musky part. As a whole, it’s a clean scent, subtly sweet and very creamy. It’s luxurious; it seems simple at first glance but is complex in its entirety. It’s daytime, luminous and suitable all year round, although ideal for spring and summer. Although I think it’s more popular among women, I see it as totally unisex. On my skin it lasts about 6 hours: projection and trail are wide at the start but drop quickly until they’re close to the skin in little time. The scent is super beautiful, but in my opinion it’s not worth the cost due to its performance. I’ll settle for something like White Tulip & Barley by Massimo Dutti; they’re not identical and I admit Bal d’Afrique has more nuances, but it’s a similar alternative for those who don’t want to pay so much. Try it, perhaps on your skin you’ll have more luck and be fortunate.

From the first time I heard it, I fell in love. On my skin it has developed brilliantly; it’s an addictive scent in the sense that it invites you to smell it constantly. Personally, it smells clean, a bit spicy and with a sweet touch. It’s hard to describe but it’s not complex. I loved it from the moment I smelled it in the decant and then on skin.

How many times have I read that they don’t feel Africa. Sirs and Madams, stop with the clichés. It’s difficult to get rid of the idea of associating Africa with potent ingredients (strong wood notes, spices, incense, etc.). With this fragrance relic, Byredo intends to break mental schemas. Because Africa is pure fantasy and in this product, Ben Gorham (creative director and founder) has wanted to evoke his tenderest memories about his father and represent the most shy, peaceful and cheerful character of the continent. 😍💛

What a perfume bomb, what beautiful and special, but what expensive… I knew it first in hand cream; it fascinated me. In cream it was very edible: smell of butter, popcorn, grilled croissant, mixed with a three-hour shower in a Four Seasons. In perfume, things change: it keeps that edible charm but is cleaner, sharper, with a rough edge, sometimes sugary, sometimes powdery. It changes according to the moment, has a classic touch, smells expensive and neutral with personality. It’s a calm scent but with a rebellious touch (a bit like Zadig?), powdery when it wants to, intriguing, based on cookies and lemon cake, muddy citrus… But I don’t feel Africa, it doesn’t evoke travel or distance; it’s a fragrance for a large salon with mouldings, a consultant’s salary in Salamanca and varnished wooden floors. To my taste, Byredo is beautiful but the price doesn’t play in its favour. I understand the exclusivity but I don’t think it’s worth it, as happens with Le Labo. I suppose they don’t want to mass-produce it, but in the end it doesn’t last as long and could have a better trail.

It’s a tranquil spring day, with soft sunlight and a blue sky. I was captivated from the first sniff (even though I’m not usually a fan of citrus or vetiver, today is total love). It opens herbal and citrusy, very potent. On my skin, the citrus stands out, but I notice a sweet-and-sour fruity touch that smells more like pineapple than blackcurrant. Over time, the vetiver takes over, making it more woody and blending well with the jasmine and orange blossom. It dries down creamy and clean. I adore it for holidays; I took it on a trip and used it all summer until I finished the bottle. It’s cheerful, sophisticated, clean, fresh, and versatile. Unisex, leaning feminine. Soft sillage and medium longevity (around 5 hours). I’ll be trying it again thanks to a friend, and I already know I want the original—I’m not settling for a dupe. Finally, a perfume I love for spring/summer (I’m usually more into potent, intense scents), but this has stolen my heart for the next collection. ❣️

Versatile and rich for any season. Simple but effective composition; it copies the formula of Vetiver Tonka by Hermès but with a more relaxed and youthful tone. It’s a citrusy, soapy vetiver. As it dries, the typical sour-fruity accord of Byredo appears, but more fun and playful. Clean and crisp scent. Longevity is low-to-moderate, a drawback given the price, though worth it during sales. It could be your signature. 100% unisex. For something more serious and masculine, Megeve by Eight and Bob is a good option.

Fresh, green, and incredibly wearable. The only downside is that it lasts about four hours for its enormous price. However, the scent intoxicates me, which is why it’s one of my favourites.

For lovers of vetiver. It’s earthy, humid, combined with citrus and flowers. The fragrance is weak for an EDP but gains strength with the heat. I wouldn’t recommend it for cold weather, but yes for warm, sunny days. It’s not seductive; it doesn’t try to be. It leaves a faint trail of cleanliness and kindness. It’s high quality, perfect for a couple to wear together. I don’t usually like vetiver; it gives me a sour touch, but here it’s well-crafted with orange blossom and jasmine, very soft. A friendly, charming perfume.

A gem. Creamy, slightly sweet, clean, where white flowers and musk prevail. It tends to be feminine but suits everyone. It projects a friendly feeling in whoever smells it and in the wearer, radiating well-being. Projection and longevity are moderate; it manages a good six hours. And the best part: the price. €30 for 100ml. I’m not crazy. I’m talking about White Tulip & Barley by Massimo Dutti. Exactly identical to Bal D’Afrique.