Is Zara Petit Violet a dupe of Byredo Bal d'Afrique?

Bal d'Afrique Body Spray

Byredo by Jérôme Epinette Original

Petit Violet EDT

Zara by Jo Malone Inspired
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Bal d'Afrique Body Spray bottle Bal d'Afrique Body Spray
Body Spray Concentration EDT
U Gender F
2009 Year 2026
££ Price Tier ££
Petit Violet Eau de Toilette bottle Petit Violet EDT
Our Verdict

Bal d'Afrique and Petit Violet share a powdery floral base but land in different worlds. Bal d'Afrique is a complex, well-built scent blending bright citrus with a refined, leathery dry-down, an elegant signature for anyone who wants depth and nuance. Petit Violet is more of a focused, quirky take on citrus and florals, leaning into a clean, musky profile. Bal d'Afrique feels like a well-tailored vintage garment; Petit Violet reads as a modern, experimental spin on a classic floral theme. If you want a polished, multi-dimensional scent that moves easily from day to night, go with Bal d'Afrique. If you'd rather have a punchy, budget-friendly citrus-floral that stays linear and bright, Petit Violet is your best bet.

ScentArt

View Liquid → Bal d'Afrique Body Spray
View Liquid → Petit Violet EDT

Which Should You Buy?

Choose Bal d'Afrique if...
  • You want a sophisticated and complex signature scent.
  • You appreciate the addition of leather and marigold notes.
  • You value long-lasting quality and artistic depth.
  • You seek a versatile fragrance for professional settings.
Choose Petit Violet if...
  • You prefer a punchy and straightforward citrus profile.
  • You want a modern, affordable take on powdery florals.
  • You enjoy clean, musky scents without leathery undertones.
  • You are looking for a casual, lighthearted everyday fragrance.
Our Verdict - Bal d'Afrique Body Spray
A luminous, woody-floral that balances soft sweetness and vibrant freshness with a distinctive powdery-violet edge. Effortlessly chic, versatile, and quietly unique-a signature for the creative and cosmopolitan.
Favourite
Our Verdict - Petit Violet EDT
A divisive Jo Malone creation for Zara, this one's either a quirky lemon sherbet dream or a bit of a disappointment. Expect a fresh, clean, and unique take on florals with a surprisingly musky base, but don't expect leather.
Favourite

Scent Profile

How they compare
Bal d'Afrique Body Spray A Petit Violet EDT B
Where they part company by gap size

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Bal d'Afrique Body Spray
Petit Violet EDT

Notes

Shared Notes
Violet 51% vs 100%
Only in Bal d'Afrique
Cyclamen 48%
Only in Bal d'Afrique
Vetiver 57% Cedar 43%
Only in Petit Violet
Leather 100%

Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.

Performance

Bal d'Afrique Petit Violet
Long (6-10h)
Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Moderate
Projection
Moderate
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Season and Occasion Fit

Bal d'Afrique

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn
Also Works:
Summer

Bal d'Afrique shines in spring and fall, when its blend of bright citrus, delicate florals, and earthy woods feels both uplifting and substantial. Its freshness can work in summer, but the vetiver and woody base are less suited for cold winter air.

Occasions

Best For:
Office Date Casual
Also Works:
Formal

Its moderate projection and distinctive, clean profile make it excellent for the office, casual, and date settings-memorable but not overpowering. Less suited for sport or the most formal black-tie events, where something either airier or weightier would work better.

Petit Violet

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer

A warm-weather pick - at its best in summer and spring.

Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date Sport

Its fresh, clean, and herbal character makes it perfect for casual wear and daily use. While some find it long-lasting with good projection, its overall profile is too light and unconventional for formal events, and just about right for a relaxed date.

Similarity Breakdown

Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.

Overall scent match
5%
Key Similarities

Shares 1 of its 3 notes, including Violet

Key Differences

Adds leather and lemon verbena, drops african marigold and bergamot

Where to buy

Bal d'Afrique Body Spray
Petit Violet EDT
also worth checking

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