Fragrances inspired by Bal d'Afrique Body Spray
The original
Bal d'Afrique
Byredo
The two side by side
Our verdict
Editor reviewedOur verdict
Bal d'Afrique and African Art are near-identical takes on a woody-floral profile, but price is the key differentiator.
What they share
Every one of its 7 notes is in the original, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Near-identical note list, differs in proportion
Choose African Art when
You want a very affordable alternative.
What they share
Shares 7 of its 10 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and jasmine
What they share
Shares 5 of its 12 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and blackcurrant, drops african marigold and buchu
What they share
Shares 5 of its 12 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and blackcurrant, drops african marigold and buchu
What they share
Shares 5 of its 7 notes, including Bergamot, Violet, Vetiver
The main difference
Adds african marigold and buchu, drops amber and jasmine
What they share
Shares 4 of its 8 notes, including Vetiver, Bergamot, African Marigold
The main difference
Adds lemon and neroli, drops buchu and cedar
Our verdict
While both share a woody, aromatic base, Bal d'Afrique leans into a sophisticated, powdery violet, making it a refined signature scent.
What they share
Shares 5 of its 11 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and blackcurrant, drops african marigold and buchu
Choose Vibrant Vetiver Delight when
You love a strong, zesty, and sweet citrus scent.
What they share
Shares 5 of its 11 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and jasmine, drops african marigold and buchu
What they share
Shares 4 of its 8 notes, including Vetiver, Cedar, Bergamot
The main difference
Adds amber and lemon, drops african marigold and buchu
What they share
Shares 4 of its 7 notes, including Bergamot, Cedar, Vetiver
The main difference
Adds african marigold and buchu, drops blackcurrant and jasmine
What they share
Shares 3 of its 7 notes, including African Marigold, Bergamot, Vetiver
The main difference
Adds buchu and cedar, drops cardamom and geranium
Our verdict
Bal d'Afrique and Petit Violet share a powdery floral base but land in different worlds.
What they share
Shares 1 of its 3 notes, including Violet
The main difference
Adds leather and lemon verbena, drops african marigold and bergamot
Choose Petit Violet when
You prefer a punchy and straightforward citrus profile.
Our verdict
Bal d'Afrique by Byredo is a sophisticated, woody-floral fragrance that exudes a soft sweetness with a vibrant freshness and a distinctive powdery-violet edge.
What they share
Shares 1 of its 7 notes, including Violet
The main difference
Adds african marigold and bergamot, drops cotton candy and fruity notes
Choose Al Rayhan when
Open to discovering new scents.
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 Byredo. Match scores are our estimate of how alike two perfumes smell, calculated from their published notes, not a measurement. How we score similarity.