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Carbone de Balmain Eau de Parfum bottle Carbone de Balmain EDT
EDT Concentration EDP
M Gender M
2010 Year -
££ Price Tier ££
Coal French Eau de Parfum bottle Coal French EDP

ScentArt

View Liquid → Carbone de Balmain EDT
View Liquid → Coal French EDP

Which Should You Buy?

Our Verdict - Carbone de Balmain EDT
This one's a divisive ghost of a perfume. You're either going to get a sophisticated, smoky resin masterpiece, or a very expensive pencil-shaving accord. Proceed with caution and don't blind-buy, even if it's discontinued.
Statement
Our Verdict - Coal French EDP
Perfume Parlour's affordable interpretation of Pierre Balmain - Carbone de Balmain. Built around Elemi, Bourbon Pepper, Ivy, it offers the character of the original at a budget price - a wallet-friendly alternative for fans of Pierre Balmain - Carbone de Balmain.
Acquired

Scent Profile

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Carbone de Balmain EDT
Coal French EDP

Notes

Shared Notes
Elemi 33% vs 100%
Only in Carbone de Balmain
Pepper 33% Ivy 33%
Shared Notes
Violet Leaf 33% vs 27%
Only in Carbone de Balmain
Incense 33% Fig 33%
Only in Coal French
Pepper 39% Ivy 33%
Shared Notes
Musk 33% vs 22%
Vetiver 33% vs 21%
Benzoin 33% vs 29%
Only in Coal French
Incense 26%

Accords

Carbone de Balmain Coal French
100%
Amber
89%
Aromatic
80%
Balsamic
71%
Woody
70%
64%
Smoky
64%
Fruity
57%
Ozonic
56%
Green
Sweet
50%
100%
89%
80%
Woody shared
71%
70%
64%
64%
57%
56%
50%

Performance

Carbone de Balmain Coal French
Moderate (4-6h)
Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Moderate
Projection
Moderate
Moderate
Intensity
Strong

Season and Occasion Fit

Carbone de Balmain

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Spring

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

Its blend of incense, pepper, and woody notes makes it more suited for evenings and cooler weather. While some find it discreet enough for office wear, its unique and occasionally bold character leans towards date nights and formal events, with strong sillage reports making it less ideal for close quarters.

Coal French

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter

The warm spicy character is happiest in autumn and winter - cooler air gives the warmth room to bloom; the dupe's lighter build means it can struggle to project in the opposite season.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Office Casual

Its warm spicy, powdery signature leans toward evening and daily wear - approachable enough for formal use without overwhelming a room.

Similarity Breakdown

How alike these two fragrances smell, scored from their full scent profiles.

Overall scent match
88%
Key Similarities

Both share Musk, Vetiver, Violet Leaf notes

Key Differences

Subtle differences in overall composition

Where to buy

Carbone de Balmain EDT
Coal French EDP
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