Eau de parfum

Byredo Bal d'Afrique

Gender image: Unisex
Gender:
Unisex
Segment image
Segment:
Lux perfumes
Fragrance information:

Identity and Inspiration of Bal d'Afrique

Byredo Bal d'Afrique is a perfume water released in 2009, which immediately won the hearts of fragrance connoisseurs worldwide.

This unisex fragrance from Byredo is an ode to African culture and the travels of the brand's founder, Ben Gorham, inspired by the vibrant colors, music, and energy of the continent.

The name translates to "African Ball," reflecting the festive and joyful atmosphere of the composition, making it an ideal companion for those seeking something exotic and memorable.

Bal d'Afrique belongs to the Oriental and Woody families, emphasizing its warm and sensual character with woody accents.

Since its release, this fragrance has become iconic in Byredo's portfolio, symbolizing the brand's boldness and creative approach to perfumery.

Positioning and How to Wear Bal d'Afrique

As a unisex fragrance, Bal d'Afrique is suitable for both men and women, offering flexibility and individuality in wearing.

Its perfume water concentration ensures longevity and intensity, ideal for all-day wear.

The scent trail is rated as medium, meaning it is noticeable but not overwhelming, leaving an elegant trace in the air.

For optimal application, it is recommended to use 1 to 2 sprays on the skin and 1 to 2 sprays on clothing, allowing all facets of the composition to unfold without overloading.

This fragrance is perfect for warm seasons, evening outings, or everyday use, adding a touch of exoticism and confidence to any situation.

If you liked Bal d'Afrique, you might also be interested in similar fragrances, such as Lacoste Lacoste Pour Femme, Cacharel Noa, and Zadig & Voltaire This Is Her!, which offer their unique interpretations of floral and woody chords.

Creators and Legacy of Bal d'Afrique

The creation of Bal d'Afrique involved talented perfumers Ben Gorham and Jérôme Epinette, whose collaborative effort led to the birth of this captivating composition.

Ben Gorham, the founder of Byredo, brought his vision of African inspiration, while Jérôme Epinette, known for his mastery in creating complex fragrances, ensured technical perfection.

Their collaboration reflects Byredo's philosophy—to unite art and emotion in every bottle.

Bal d'Afrique has strengthened Byredo's reputation as a brand that boldly experiments with cultural themes and creates fragrances that tell stories.

This release continues to inspire new enthusiasts and remains relevant in the world of perfumery, demonstrating how personal memories can transform into universal sensory experiences.

For more information about Byredo and Bal d'Afrique, visit the official brand website: http://www.byredo.com.

More than 90% of users recommend this fragrance!
4.3
(133)
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Key fragrance characteristics

Perfume information

Description of the composition

Note Pyramid of Bal d'Afrique

The note pyramid of Bal d'Afrique begins with a bright top note chord, where bergamot, lemon and buchu (agathosma) create a fresh and citrusy start, complemented by the floral notes of marigold, neroli and orange blossom.

At the heart of the composition, delicate floral chords of cyclamen, jasmine and violet unfold, adding depth and sensuality.

The base of the fragrance is built on warm and earthy notes of amber, cedar, vetiver and musk, which provide longevity and complete the composition with a cozy woody-amber trail.

Perfumers

Gender Unisex
Brand Byredo
Segment Niche perfumery
Country Sweden
Website http://www.byredo.com
Year of production 2009
Status Produced
Concentration Eau de parfum
License holder Manzanita Capital

Composition pyramid

Bergamot
Buchu
Lemon
Cyclamen
Jasmine
Violet
Ambergris
Cedar
Vetiver

Families

Fragrance characteristics

based on 98 opinions
Chords
Relevance
Dosage
Perception
Appearance quality
Similar
Persistence
The persistence of a fragrance is determined by how long it can be felt. It is a characteristic associated with ingredients that evaporate slowly. Persistence depends on the physical properties of the perfume ingredients—mainly their volatility and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
Persistence
High (5 to 12 hours)
4
Sillage
Imagine a light cloud of fragrance that, like an aeroplane trail, remains in the air after your appearance. This is the sillage - a subtle or vivid imprint left by the most diffuse element of a perfume composition. The sillage can be almost invisible when it is felt only by you and those around you. Or it can be so expressive that its presence is noticed even long after you have left.
Sillage
Medium
3
Complexity and depth
The complexity of a fragrance is the number and variety of notes that create a unique composition. A complex fragrance contains many different notes that reveal themselves on the skin. The depth of a fragrance is the richness and intensity of the fragrance. Fragrances with a deep composition include heavy and powerful notes that stay on the skin longer and affect others over long distances.
Complexity and depth
Medium and varied
2
Gender
This scale depicts gender focus and demonstrates how the brand positions the fragrance - as masculine, feminine or universal.
Male
18%
Unisex
64%
Female
17%
What kind of event
Date
19%
Wedding
4%
Sport
4%
Sleep
0%
For party
7%
For every day
26%
Sex
4%
For Holiday
7%
Theatre
11%
Office
19%
For what time of year / season
Winter
Winter
14%
Spring
Spring
22%
Summer
Summer
35%
Autumn
Autumn
30%
For what style / mood
Casual
30%
Gala
3%
Classic
13%
Avant-garde
7%
Romantic
10%
Sporty
37%
For what age
under 18
20%
18-25 years old
7%
26-35 years old
25%
36-45 years
20%
46+ years old
10%
Any
17%
On the skin
The optimum amount of atomisation on the skin is the balance at which the fragrance reveals itself in its entirety and sounds its best.
Spot
8%
Enter the cloud
18%
1-2 atomisations
42%
2-3 atomisations
18%
3-4 atomisations
8%
4-5 sprays
6%
Where is the best place to apply the fragrance?
The best places to apply a fragrance are the areas where it will reveal itself most fully and create the most vivid impression.
On the chest
9%
On the wrist
27%
On the knees
5%
On the back of the neck
14%
Behind the ears
14%
On the elbow
5%
On the abdomen
0%
On the back of the hand
0%
On clothes
18%
Не могу оценить
9%
On clothing
The optimum amount of atomisation of the fragrance on clothes, at which it reveals the best quality of the fragrance.
Spot
8%
Enter the cloud
18%
1-2 atomisations
42%
2-3 atomisations
18%
3-4 atomisations
8%
4-5 sprays
6%
Associations
Perfume associations are the emotions and images that pop into the imagination when you perceive its unique notes and accents
Freshness
42%
Exoticism
25%
Luxury
5%
Euphoria
3%
Passion
3%
Joy
16%
Calm
3%
Excitement
2%
Sadness
2%
Despair
0%
Effect
Fragrances can attract attention and evoke positive emotions, others can leave neutral, and others can cause negative associations and repel people.
Effect
Attracts attention
4
Intensity
The intensity of a fragrance is like its ‘volume’, the degree of intensity and strength with which it is felt around you or on the surface.
Intensity
Strong
3
Bottle
Bottle
High quality
4
Spray
Spray
High quality
4
Packaging quality
Perfume bottle packaging quality is about protection and aesthetic appeal, including strength, reliability, design and materials. High quality ensures the safety and security of the product, a good first impression and attractiveness
Packaging quality
High quality
4
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Reviews
Average rating
4.3
125 ratings
133 comments
5
54%
4
27%
3
14%
2
5%
1
1%
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Give a rating from 1 to 5.
5/5
5
I bought it because it reminded me of my youth! One spritz on the wrist — emotions change. The consultant asked: 'Are you feeling unwell?' And this is my 9th grade, disco, first backcombs and perfume 'Dialog'! I feel so good, it's bad! After 50 ml, I took a hundred. Delicious, gentle, diverse - I can't live without it!
5/5
5
What a cool fragrance! It's so bright and has great sillage, with woody-powdery notes. Right at work, everyone asks what this marvel is, and compliments pour in like from a horn of plenty! I first got a decant, and now I just dream of a full bottle. It puts me in such a great mood! )
3/5
3
Among all niche fragrances, Bal d’Afrique by Byredo stands out for its sophistication and lightness. Unlike heavy and intense scents like Baccarat Rouge or Black Afgano, it's not overloaded with any single component. It's not a faceless fragrance; it has its own individuality.

If it could be captured in a photo, it would be something bright and neat, with a slight shimmer and stylish design - an ideal candidate for Instagram. Ben Gorham knows how to create products that, despite their popularity, retain their uniqueness.

Bal d’Afrique opens with a bright, slightly soapy accord of orange blossom and neroli, which smoothly transitions into richer chocolate-nut notes with smoky vetiver undertones. At this stage, the fragrance feels very lively and airy, yet quite composed. It's sweet, but it doesn't evoke dessert associations. Unfortunately, the fragrance's development stops there - the composition begins to lose its strength and becomes increasingly flat
5/5
5
The smell reminds me of sunflowers. A strange feeling, but that's exactly it. As if I just cut a head full of milk, and the yellow petals have almost fallen off. Warm and sunny, it creates an atmosphere. Overall, a very pleasant fragrance
3/5
3
This scent reminds me of Hermès' Vetiver Tonka. I've noticed it's similar to Only You by Novaya Zarya, many people also point that out. Mostly, I smell tonka beans there 🌟
5/5
5
I'll try to convey my impressions. I ordered a sample, and just three days later decided to get a full-sized bottle! Sometimes with perfumes, you just know right away that it's "the one" for you! For me, this fragrance is a combination of citrus and woody notes. It has a bright tartness, and floral accents with green undertones, and a bit of herbal bitterness, and even flower pollen, and dried lemon slices, and warm wood. This perfume is like the embodiment of spring - it's beautiful, warm, with rich fresh air, sun, and flowers. The only drawbacks are not-so-great longevity and the price. But it's really worth its money! A good mood, joy, and spring sunshine can't be bought for anything! 🌼
4/5
4
Tester bottles of Bal d’Afrique in large supermarkets are almost always empty. This clearly demonstrates how truly popular the fragrance is, not just the number of reviews from bloggers or comments on specialized websites. This Byredo bestseller, which ranks first in ratings, is dedicated to the atmosphere of 1920s Paris. It was a vibrant, abundant, and free time. Ancient Egypt and Africa were in vogue, and this was reflected not only in architecture but also in music, dance, and, of course, fashion. "African Ball" is a kind of tribute to that era with its noisy parties and bohemian lifestyle. But a fragrance rarely becomes popular solely because of its history. Despite its name, it's a rather fresh and subtle composition, intertwining floral, woody, and musky notes. It starts brightly and sparklingly with blackcurrant, marigold, and citruses, then transitions to a delicate heart of jasmine and orange blossom, creating depth and meaning. A transparent aquatic nuance, reminiscent of lily of the valley, adds freshness, and a light powdery note gives softness. But the fragrance cannot be called sweet. This sweetness is more floral-fruity than gourmand. The woody contrast is represented by vetiver and cedar. The vetiver here is not classic - it's devoid of smokiness and earthiness. It's more an illusion, conveying its green and milky-nutty facets. As a result, the fragrance doesn't seem frivolous; it has a proper, but not overloaded, depth. Jérôme Epinette filled the space with cold musk, which unites all elements and smooths out sharp edges. The popularity of Bal d’Afrique isn't just about its pleasant scent. It's fresh, sparkling, and, importantly, has a great sillage. The longevity isn't excessive: after five to seven hours, a light musky-woody remains
5/5
5
You can't call the fragrance capricious, but in a warm environment, it unfolds differently. It becomes fresher, with bright citrus notes and a light floral accent. But in the heat, it's already sweetish, fruity, yet the citrus note still remains in the foreground 🍊
5/5
5
My girlfriend's scent is just incredible! It evokes a whole range of emotions in me. It's hard to say if I like it or not, but I can definitely say it's memorable. Every time she walks by, it feels like something mysterious is in the air. It's not just a fragrance, it's a whole story that makes you think
4/5
4
You know, I'll be honest, this fragrance doesn't impress me at all 😅 I never understood what was so special about it. The scent is kind of unclear, like tea or lilac. For summer, I chose other perfumes, these are definitely not for me 🌸
4/5
4
The scent is just super! First you feel bright citruses, which then smoothly transition into a delicate violet. Marigolds add a bit of bitterness, and vetiver gives an interesting nutty-earthy nuance. A very stylish and noticeable perfume that's pleasant to wear. Getting to know it was a real pleasure! In a test with Al Rayhan Attar Collection, they turned out to be similar, but Attar, in my opinion, is more cheerful and joyful
5/5
5
The fragrance is truly luxurious and expensive, it doesn't lack elegance. The tobacco in the composition makes it versatile, it will suit both men and women perfectly. After all, everyone smokes! 😌
5/5
5
Oriental, rich, with spicy notes. This fragrance is memorable from the first sniff. It leaves a trace in memory, like an unforgettable journey through wild expanses. The spiciness of this perfume is as vivid as the impressions from adventures. Although it suits everyone, I think it unfolds best on men 🌟
5/5
5
Oh, how wonderful it is! The fragrance is simply creamy and so delicate, like a light cream. It's truly a pleasant surprise. It's well-rounded and attractive, and the longevity is just excellent! It's hard to distinguish individual notes, but that only adds to its mystery 😊
3/5
3
First, I decided to try Only You, which many said was similar to African Ball. But, honestly, I didn't like it. It seemed to have too many cheap notes in the composition, so I decided it was worth trying the original. When I finally tried African Ball, I realized that Only You is indeed very similar to it. Now I can't properly enjoy African Ball because I constantly recall Only You, which I didn't like. Such a sadness 😔

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