Fragrances inspired by Carbone de Balmain Eau de Toilette
The original
Carbone de Balmain
Balmain Beauty
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedWhat they share
Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Ivy, Musk, Pepper
The main difference
Without fig
What they share
Shares 4 of its 10 notes, including Musk, Vetiver, Violet Leaf
The main difference
Adds amber and ginger, drops benzoin and elemi
What they share
Shares 5 of its 9 notes, including Vetiver, Musk, Pepper
The main difference
Adds benzoin and elemi, drops amber and angelica
What they share
Shares 2 of its 12 notes, including Elemi, Vetiver
The main difference
Adds ambergris and ambrette, drops benzoin and fig
What they share
Shares 2 of its 11 notes, including Musk, Violet Leaf
The main difference
Adds ambergris and canadian fir balsam, drops benzoin and elemi
What they share
Shares 4 of its 13 notes, including Musk, Pepper, Violet Leaf
The main difference
Adds ambroxan and aquatic, drops benzoin and elemi
What they share
Shares 4 of its 9 notes, including Musk, Vetiver, Pepper
The main difference
Adds benzoin and elemi, drops amber and bergamot
What they share
Shares 4 of its 12 notes, including Musk, Pepper, Violet Leaf
The main difference
Adds ambroxan and aquatic, drops benzoin and elemi
Scent profile
How we judge a match
We score each pairing on the two fragrance profiles: shared accords, overlapping notes, longevity and projection, and the occasions each suits. A good inspired-by scent captures the original's character rather than copying it molecule for molecule.
The full method, and what to look for in a dupe. Prices are UK retail and change often. Check before buying.
Inspired-by fragrances. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced by Balmain Beauty. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.