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hamzinruslan – :
I perceive Balmain as a funky reading of the quintessential chypre theme. It’s green, mossy and dry with a fruity texture that is enjoyably edgy. It smells retro, but in a cool way.
I wore it to the office the other day and felt good every time Balmain whiffs made their way to my waiting nose. It has a (chypre titans) Chanel/Guerlain quality, and while it’s not Mitsouko or Pour Monsieur, it does play their game quite well.
And the fact that the bottle it resides in is a beauty and sits so fittingly to my (vintage) Monsieur Balmain makes me a happy guy since i love paying attention to the details in life.
****(*)
valera294 – :
It is difficult to realize that this is actually a ‘modern’ perfume – it’s so good! Obviously I find little to admire in current offerings.
I still own too many perfumes to remember the scent of each – which means that I must retest, re-evaluate, and retain or recycle. Balmain de Balmain is today’s first retest . . . there must have been a good reason that I kept it in the first place, so is that reason still apparent?
YES! I am so thankful that I don’t have skin that goes cat piss with this gorgeous creation!! Years ago I stuck it in with my other green chypes where it disappeared behind the powerhouse chypres from Carven, etc. that I wear in spring.
It is winter outside and perhaps this is what my discovery (not rediscovery since that implies actually knowing the scent the first time around) required to shine.
For the time being this one stays in the collection – a blessing since several of my old chypre loves didn’t. My only caveat is likely lack of longevity . . . extremely few EdT’s last more than an hour or two on my skin.
дыня1997 – :
Gorgeous cool, green chypre that reminds me of Caron’s Troisième Homme. Could easily be worn by a man, as it’s not very floral. Smooth, not sharp, and very long lasting. Thank heavens, I don’t get the blackcurrant note, as I hate this in fragrance. I only have a mini and would definitely consider a FB.
Andry – :
Very pleasant old fashion chypre. I smell little leathery notes on top, very lasting and classy perfume. I have a bottle like shown on the pic, not sure what year production, but not old one. Very recommended for mature audience)))
beregov1949 – :
I smell zero urine. 😉
garet76 – :
Gosh, I’ve come across this note many times in 70’s & 80’s frags, that turns into ‘eau de cat urine’ on my skin. It’s likely the Blackcurrant / Cassis leaf. It’s unfortunate, since this looked very promising for Galbanum (which I love).
Thank you @Loubella, for pointing out the ‘pissy’ note. Should have heeded your warning.
ivaner – :
Stumbled across a NIB 3.3oz sealed EDT today at my local perfume shop. $40 out the door!!! I have been wanting this one for a long time. It is fore sure a Chypre, but like other reviewers, yes, this is a dryer chypre. As I have found with “most” chypres, one need to allow the scent to evolve on your skin, before making the final judgement. The first spritz….I thought..” Oh,No !!”
Then about 10-15 minutes in….I was mesmerized….thankfully. It is a “classic” type smell, like a few we all have tested in our fragrance journeys…yes…but it is still compelling. I get a good dose of “green”, back-lit by florals….with the oakmoss and vetiver vibe weaving in and out. It s NOT a sillage monster, or projecting monster, it lingers around you just enough to remind you of it’s greatness.
Unisex??? Yes..for sure,IMHO…( I am a guy,btw )
Another mystery about this is….I have seen the 2 color variations regarding the cap, label, and front of the box. Mine….Navy blue. I have seen another version where cap,label, and box have black…????
Wonder (if at all) which is the older version, which is the newer version. I would guess that the Navy blue is older….??? Anyone who knows…please advise.
BTW….I LOVE the scent !!!!! Lastly, I do not get the comparison to Cerruti 1881 for men…at all…..just saying.
Xeroxoptuv – :
I read the reviews about this fragrance, and i got this feeling that this has to be one of the more ‘confusing fagrances’, so of course I had to blind bought it. And the result: Now, I’m confused too. I mean what is that juice? It’s certainly a unisex fragrance and I do smell oakmoss and green notes. But overall, I think its’ a very aromatic scent, fresh and warm at the same time. I’m still confused about it, and love it for that. makes me think, question and challenge my nostrils, so thumbs up for Balmain de Balmain!
nfyzret – :
I forgot I even had this until I went to the back of my perfume drawer looking for lighter scents to wear for the summer. To start with, I love my Balmain’s, they produce memorable quality fragrances. As for Balmain de Balmain, this starts with a blast of galbanum that has a peppery tartness. It dries down to a moist vetiver with iris, but the vetiver ends up dominating at the end. If you like chypres then you will appreciate this one, and that includes women since this is unisex. Two thumbs up for Balmain de Balmain!
Trebrapab – :
Wow, I’ve never been so confused about a perfume.
It starts in a roaring Chypre manner (beautiful), then settles into the most achingly beautiful fragrance: smooth, comforting. Full disclosure: it actually makes me salivate while I am in this completely primal bubble of ecstasy. I’m serious.
But then… Then it turns into this masculine eau de toilette. It is soft and wonderful and yummy — as in I want to nibble your skin with kisses and bites…. It smells like a man I want to get close and personal with. As in very close and personal.
So, obviously I like it. A lot. But not as my own personal scent. This is the scent of a lover.
RobertHawk – :
I received a 4ml EDT of this from ebay this morning. Couldn’t wait to try and opened the bottle in the office and sploshed a little too much on my wrist! Whoaa! Not to keen on the top notes,I think its the blackcurrant buds that I find a bit off putting. I love Galbanum and aldehyde chypre fragrances but these are overpowered by the slightly “pissy” cassis note (I hadn’t expected this to be so strong as no one else has really commented on it).
It took quite a while for things to warm up and start developing, then I couldn’t stop sniffing my wrist. The unpleasant blackcurrant note faded and it turned into a very different scent after a few hours, much gentler, never sweet but softly green with a wash of flower notes in the background rounding it all out. Its lasted all day on me, its now 11pm so has been on for over 12 hours and its still there as a lovely skin scent. I think its a classic and quite sophisticated, I don’t find it at all masculine.
doktor2807 – :
Balmain de Balmain may be rather sharp at the opening, but even those first notes are already intruiging. And after the first notes have dissolved, it is in fact a very agreable scent. One that keeps you company all day long.
I think it can measure Eau du Soir from Sisley and Wrappings from Clinique (although these are very different scents, they are equivalent earthy, green and prominent). Today I ordered a big bottle, because I fear this will be unavailable soon. Balmain de Balmain is already difficult to obtain. I think it can indeed be unisex and I am curious how it smells on different persons, as I have never smelled it on anybody else yet. Certainly worth trying if you like green, earthy, a bit masculine fragrances. It is quite unique.
vee216Diobtetty – :
With the exception of Thierry Mugler Angel, in my opinion there were two main trends of the 90s in terms of perfume: spicy and aquatic. Balmain de Balmain resolutely lands in the former category, and it is a pillar of a specimen at that.
A modern, dry, elegant chypre in the classic French manner but built with the contemporary woman in mind. A nod to the 70s in the top and base layers: at the start, the galbanum almost imperceptively recalls green perfumes like Silences by Jacomo. In the base, patchouli and oakmoss remind me of hippy chypres. but it’s in the peppery heart that BB reveals it’s 90s spicy character as well: the perfume of a resolute, working woman who doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
A perfume to wear when you want to be feminist, independent, and remember that YOU are in charge. Staying power, well over 24 hours. Fabulous.
228aye – :
Dark, dry, green and bold, rather masculine and properly made, classic, maybe even old school heavy chypre. I feel like I live in 70’s wearing this, in fact it makes me feel like I belong to a late 70’s new wave/punk/goth band, oh the imageries! Even it’s made in ’98! Only suits particular tastes and you probably be the only one around wearing this.
I can truly feel galbanum, iris and vetiver, the notes I adore, in it, surrounded by dark green mosses.
МишенькаА – :
Quite masculine. Initial citrus burst, than some floral/aldehydes notes, on a woody creamy base. Its dry down reminded me a lot Insensé Givenchy. I have the feeling that these guys are brothers.
Reciverboy – :
I loved this perfume from start to end.
Instant adoration for me, but I simply can’t get enough of Balmain perfumes.
Thanks once again to the gorgeous Diamonds!
This opens with a dry, crisp lemon blast which comes from the bergamot and the bitterness of the galbarnum .
It then settles into a heavenly heart of flowers, which then dries down to a sweet woodsy mossy patchouli.
This perfume runs along the same lines as Diorella and Cristalle Chanel and even has a shade or two of Chanel 19.
Balmain de Balmain is a sharp, cool, green, bone dry fragrance, which is utterly ravishing, stunningly classy, beautifully crafted, has great longevity and good silage.
A classic masterpiece!
busigin83 – :
When I sprayed it first time,I was horrified by the men-cheap-aftershave-effect on my skin!
And smelled lemons,lots of lemons (not existing in composition) and something unidentified old-dusty-rotten-harsh-awful !
After some time,I decided to give a second chance-now I have smelled lots of chypre/woody/green aromas and I think my nose isn’t that negative.Well,I liked it easily.
Yes is a difficult in a way perfume,but dry and fresh and I like it for that masculine effect almost all woody/chypre/green fragrances have on my skin.
This summer in the very hot days I will spray it carefully and walk with confidence.
kharitovich – :
Balmain de Balmain is categorically a chypre, chronologically out of time. No, it doesn’t really smell like a classic fragrance, but it doesn’t smell modern (or contemporary, if you consider its release year of 1998).
Something must be said of the top notes. It opens with a cocktail of aldehydes, green notes, and an overdose of natural blackcurrant bud absolute, with all its off notes quite unembellished. It smells like Kir, a very French apéritif that is a bit of blackcurrant liqueur topped off with white wine, traditionally a white from Burgundy. The greenness comes out full-force, enveloping everything in a sort of calm, dry green freshness. If black pepper is present, it is only to give it a bit of extra funk.
The heart is a big, ugly rose against the background of this galbanum-cassis accord that is charming in Chamade but a bit… off here. The rose is rubbery, fusty, monolithic, and heavy. A piercing, nasty iris and some synthetic jasmine hint towards the calamitous Cabotine, though it’s not nearly that bad. Up to this point, I really like this perfume. Then there is the drydown…
The blackcurrant-galbanum accord remains throughout the entire composition. As the floral notes begin to fade, the thick, heavy patchouli and galbanum-laden oakmoss base a la Polo Green begins to show up. It is chypre in the style of masculine fragrances of the 1980s; overdosing everything dry and manly to hide the similarities between it and feminine classics like Miss Dior and Aromatics Elixir.
Despite smelling fairly natural at first, it is relentlessly cloying. It’s something like an office-friendly version of Magie Noire, sans the florals, animalics, and that hot pepper note.
VetalFedorenko – :
You cannot go wrong with quality. This is one of the loveliest perfumes in my ever-expanding collection. I was blessed to work and live on the Mediterranean in the late 80’s to mid 90’s. For some reason, this conjures up hilltowns of Provence up above Cannes and Nice…sun and bright blue water below…
Balmain, again I thank you.
aptemka.89 – :
Have you ever gone poking around in your wardrobe looking for something “different” and found something wonderful that you’d forgotten you had? This what happened to me this morning.
Cold weather reignited my love of spices, leathers and gourmand sweets and I’ve been indulging myself lavishly over the last few weeks. But this morning’s sudden drop in temps to below zero coupled with bright, blinding sunshine on a few inches accumulation of fine, dry snow and suddenly I found my nose positively itching for something clear, fresh, biting and green but not sour. What to do?
Enter Balmain de Balmain. I’ve had a bottle & a back-up seemingly forever and was gifted another bottle recently but had ignored it in favor of my thicker/richer cold weather favorites. Mistake! BdB is simply perfect today – a hint of springtime’s sparkling clarity on a very cold day.
Balmain de Balmain is a friendly chypre with a comfortable warmth that’s absent in most other chypres I own & have sniffed. I’ll compare this fragrance to a party, one hosted by the very down-to-earth and amiable Mr. Patchouli, who really knows the art of inviting guests who complement one another. There’s just enough powdery sweetness from lovely Miss Rose and charming Miss Violet to temper the bite of Mr. Galbanum, Mr. Oakmoss and Mr. Vetiver, who can be rather cold and formal gentlemen when not in mixed company. Miss Jasmine and Miss Iris are wallflowers – we’re glad they were invited but they’re not really adding much to the conversation. But this is one grand and lively party! The main players move about and keep the conversation stimulating and going for hours and hours.
I don’t remember noticing Balmain de Balmain’s warmth or sweetness when I’ve worn it in warm & hot weather – those temps seemed to bring out more of a green chill and I found it refreshing. But I’m telling you, cold temps bring out an almost cozy sensation that’s hitting all the right buttons today.
Here’s to rediscovering the neglected beauties in our wardrobes!
fokyslava – :
My love of galbanum overroad my fear of oakmoss, so here I am reviewing this perfume. I have decided that oakmoss is not so scary; it became a sweet woodiness on my skin that was genuinely lovely. I will say, this opinion formed after the first 30 min; initially, this was pretty aweful (astringent, aldehydic, sour-bitter). After that, the sweetness comes out–a sweetness of spring rain on the grass and soft earth, not a food-sweet. Vetiver can do a rootbeer sweetness in some scents, but here I think it’s just part of that woody sweetness that I get. I smell no floral notes, but sense the green coolness of the galbanum fairly strongly. I think I’m still too much of a newbie to chypres to describe this scent adequately. It’s one to breathe in gently, not to drag into your nose with sharp sniffs. Sillage is at least modest, longevity 4ish hours.
Butesha – :
EDT – Don’t really get ‘chypre’ from this: there’s a certain density that’s missing. This has a more citrus cologne vibe. Wears for me like a woody green almost fougere but with black pepper instead of lavender. The vetiver goes a bit dank as it fades. Bought several backups tho – it’s an elegant alternative to floral, especially in summer.
msv709 – :
Very beautiful dry chypre. Not linear at the least,a complicated, and perfectly orchestrated symphony of notes.
I get a visual in my mind of the mediterranean countryside during a dry spell in summer, down to what’s left of the dry meadow flowers. On me there is a very soft projection.
I am very sad that this gentle beauty is detectable for but a half hour on my skin. I would love to find something just like this that lasts!!
Муси пуси – :
The shorter, the better: Nothing Special.
Except the classic bottle design.
dimafin – :
Sadly, I like it, but it doesn’t like me and just does a runner, disappears, evaporates, etc. Adding to previous reviews I suggest a decant sample of this before you buy. Even at the pricepoint there’s still a number of dollars that could go towards something else if this didn’t work out. Not bottle worthy in this day and age.
PomaPox – :
This one is a true stunner. Much has been made of the “masculine” touch to this one but I assure you it is woman all the way. I tried it on my husband and it turned floral on him. On me, it feels very womanly in a no nonsense way. The pepper is delicious and the other elements blend in such a wonderful way. From what I understand Balmain for women has been discontinued.
Happy Perfuming! ♥
greekorn – :
Chypre in it’s purest form.
I’ve been searching for a truly dry snooty chypre for a while, this is it. It pays no head to safe popularity and projects green with zero sweetness, a polar opposite to my equally beloved fiery oriental spice bombs. Maybe that’s why it didn’t last very long before discontinuation? It’s extremely niche..
It opens with a soapy galbanum blast which lasts quite a while, underneath a warmer herbal vetiver seeps through and softens the feeling. I smell no blackcurrant whatsoever, just a very clear green mossy vetiver purity. It’s what companies like Miller Harris and Diptyque would do if they dared.
Oddly it reminds me of a black coloured soap that used to be in hotels on Spanish holidays as a kid, does anybody know what that was? It was always wrapped in bullfighter printed paper, delicious stuff.
So who is the scent for? Daring women and any man – it’s really quite masculine all the way through. I see Mitsouko lovers and aficionados of historic Diors giving it a blast. I also imagine very rich, very successful octogenarian ex vogue editors wearing it – the type that despite being covered in wrinkles, wear a harsh cut bob, deep red lipstick and a YSL smoking suit. The ones that look stunning in a terrifying way.
bossxxx – :
Balmain de Balmain is not so much a forgotten masterpiece as a triumph never known to the crowd at all.
In Parfum form, this brave latter day chypre, immediately errects an expansive architecture of oakmoss, vetiver, blackcurrant leaf and black pepper.
Between these great steal vaults of scent creep slow swathes of green glass galbanum: filtering the sun’s light and lending a slight bitter hue to fleshy iris, feint rose and just visible jasmine.
It is a structure built to last.
The overall effect at once luxurious and imperiously restrained.
A youthful, mournful, beautiful dowager lamenting her dead and gone beloved.
The King is dead.
Long live the lost Queen.
elvira-m – :
The perfect breezy summer’s day in a bottle.
A fresh, citrusy, bright chypre – more green than floral. Liquid happy.
START-51 – :
We bought this for my mother around 10 years ago after lot of deliberation. This one edged out Dolce Vita (YSL). It has a very fresh smell, unlike the usual floral perfumes, that stays in your memory long after it has got over and you switched to another fragrance. Its one of our favorites.
anna199421 – :
What I love is about this is the dryness. It absolutely brings to my mind a bright, sunbleached field, where the moss and greenery are warm and crisp, the earth is dry, and nothing has seen rain in weeks. There is the suggestion of some faint blossom very far off in the distance.
I bought this in the winter and not surprisingly, could not detect very many of the floral notes. It was dry greens and moss all the way. But in the warmer weather, more of the top and middle notes emerge, albeit still very shyly, but they are there, almost as more of a suggestion. Any hint of citrus is of the more bitter kind, there really is no sweetness in this, which I love. This has a very classic feel to it.
Finbacknovel – :
UPDATE
*What* was I thinking when I wrote what I did below?!
This is wonderful! It’s complex and long-lasting. I *love* the ‘masculinity’ of it. And I love that it’s not as widely-known as my other favourites.
It is slowly but surely edging itself into signature position on my shelves.
SIGH …
——————————————————
Mmmm…
I’m wearing the parfum right now (arrived just today), and I’m still coming to terms with it.
Like Kittycat63, I don’t perceive the floral notes at all.
At first I get a galbanum sensation (which I love).
Then something … not sure what. My nose can sense it but I don’t have the terminology to describe it. Could it be a whiff of the controversial cumin?
And lastly, a definite smokiness. Very pleasant, though.
I agree, too, with the reviewers who feel this is a ‘masculine’ fragrance. I might end up giving it to my husband, as I quite like the fragrance but just don’t think it will become one of my regulars.
PS: It never ceases to fascinate me how the same fragrance can be so different on different people! Reminds me of a couple I know who, after they see a film at the cinema, discuss it and are pretty sure they’ve actually seen two different movies! They reckon that’s a good thing: they get two for the price of one!
sergius20 – :
Absolutely love it and will now have to go and buy myself a bigger bottle. The perfect perfume for a late autumn Canberra day – cool, crisp, and sunny. A very elegant scent which has lasted well on my skin and attracted a lot of very favourable comments.
gooog – :
This is very positive, elegant and beautiful. I first bought a 5 ml mini bottle and thought first that it was absolutely too green and sharp for me. Usually I`m not into chypres and at first I hated this too. After several times of using it I got hooked.
This is like a crisp autumn or spring day. The sun is shining and birds are singing. yes, it`s green, but I can feel the powdery iris note there on the background too.
Extremely feminine and rare. Truly a signature, because you won`t find anyone else using this.I often end up using this on special occasions.
Lasting power is marvellous, you just need a tiny spritz and it last all day.
maloyn1985 – :
It is interesting and elegant, but not for the average woman. I you are familiar to chypres and have a great collection of such fragrances, you can like this also. But if you are not, you may easily be dissapointed from a possible blind buy. Speaking personally, I was not dissapointed as chypres is one of my favourite group. I detect its masculine character, but I can pleasantly wear it. Iris and vetiver are very strong and rule the smell until the end. Patcouli and oakmoss are softer while rose, jasmine and bergamont are the weakest in the composition. I will try to combine/lay it under another fragrance (I don’t know which, for the time being…) to see what it happens. The other fragrance will be something more sweet, oriental or leathery, so as to make Balmain warmer.
svaten90 – :
It starts out dry & green with pungent black current note mix with strong galbanum. The vetiver only murmurs through the intense mixture of black current & galbanum.
Long after that iris & rose kick in to give a noble & feminine feeling.
banga1701 – :
This EdT starts out sharp and aldehydic, with citrus, galbanum, and lavender. It’s green-green-green, but a fresh herbal green, not a grassy green. In the background is a skunky sandalwood note and a vetiver base. The herbal greenness persists throughout the entire drydown, which is fairly linear.
It was a warm, sunny day when I wore this, and its cool geen character was perfect. I’m not big on green perfumes, but have to say that this is one is excellent. Sillage is just right and the scent lasts a full day, 8-12 hours on skin. If you’re looking for a non-sweet green perfume that doesn’t have any annoying leafy or grassy notes, you probably won’t find a better bargain than Balmain de Balmain.
3,8099E+11 – :
bergamot, oak moss and vetiver with some rosy notes at the dry down (currant buds are not my favorite at all but they are composed here very well). Very nice, impressive and not sharp as some chypres are. It is like a stronger and more confident version of RP “Futur” on my skin. Classy, french and wonderful but underrated fragrance. Superb longevity! 12 hours + on my skin.
desmond17b – :
I cant imagine how this one could pass for a unisex fragrance, it is thoroughly feminine. I get strong bergamot and rose, dont know about currant buds, havent smelled those. Overall, a very high quality fragrance. 9/10
Update: Now, after having this on my arm for about six hours, I can say that this smells as good as any Chanel, it is really incredible. The price is ridiculous, so I agree with sherapop that there is a major discrepancy in the cost/performance relation in the case of BdB. This smells way more than it costs.
Lisnoyserg – :
I agree it’s not unisex but deeply feminine. I love it, love it a lot. It’s chypre but green, flowery but not sweet with a strong personality. I would compare it to YSL Rive Gauche not for the composition but for the character. It’s perfect everyday and even more perfect in autumn. Lovely, elegant; a must indeed.
Капшуков – :
On my skin this is very feminine and smooth, no unisex at all. Fresh without sharpness. Love it!
ultramate – :
پس از اینکه 2 شیشه از این عطر را مصرف کردم تازه متوجه شدم این عطر یک عطر زنانه است. البته برای نخستین بار آقای فروشنده آنرا بعنوان یک عطر مردانه بمن معرفی کرد و بوی آن آنچنان مرا تحت تاثیر قرار دادکه بلافاصله آنرا خریدم. بر روی شیشه هیچگونه علامتی مبنی بر زنانه بودن این عطر وجود ندارد. یکروز به یک فروشگاه معتبر عطر رفتم و این عطر را سفارش دادم و در کمال تعجب فروشنده بمن گفت که این عطر زنانه می باشد. بنظر من کاملا میتوان از آن بعنوان یک عطر یونیسکس نام برد. یادم می آید پسرم را زمانیکه 5 ساله بود برای معالجه دندانهایش نزد یک خانم دندانپزشک میبردم. پس از دو سه باری که به مطب رفتیم آن خانم بمن گفت ببخشید میتوانم بپرسم از چه عطری استفاده میکنید؟ هر موقع که به مطب من می آئید بوی خوب آن مرا سرمست میکند البته خیلی برایم دشوار بود که این سوال را بپرسم ولی بالاخره امروز آنرا مطرح کردم. یک عطر معرکه که از 10 به آن نمره 10 میدهم
Grga – :
This could be worn my men easily. The drydown is pleasant and it knocks my socks off. makes me happy
sergeipopovich – :
Be cautious, if you are into rose scents,
this is not one of them!
Not a lot of flowers are added to the composition.
The apple and black currant leaf notes
should be indicated in the base note section.
After 5 hours of application they are still around.
воля сергей – :
Balmain De Balmain è un profumo raffinato
Lo descriverei sulla mia pelle come chypre verde poco persistente
Al75 – :
I love this! A true chypre. Everything blended so well as to make individual notes unrecognizable to me, the whole being definitely greater than the sum of the parts.
The opening is chypre-sharp and the floral is definitely green (I would call it a green chypre, myself) but after several minutes it softens a bit and gives way to a very subtly sweet floral on top of that chypre base.
To me it smells elegant and sophisticated.
Hurdtrjkiu – :
a good masculine too
evgeniya_p82 – :
My privat nose (I mean my cat) loves it, and as usual I trust her opinion!
easethole – :
I was clumsy on my left arm again and spilled all 1 ml sample in one moment, my left wrist was covered in Balmain de Balmain.
The openining is somehow masculine, but I decided not to judge the scent on that. As I have understoond more and more Chypres get in my heart.
Balmain de Balmain soon after the masculine opening starts to change and show’s it’s more feminine side. The scent still has some masculine qualities, but it starts to get more and more fresh/spicy and green.
I must mention, that I did hope for more feminine scent, but, well ok. The flowers here are not visible. I do get some sparkly rose which is covered in citruses, but there is no sweetness of Jasmin or dryness of Iris. Weirdly at the heart phase I start to get some smoky, woodsy notes which in some strange fuss reminds me of coffee (?) or something of that kind. Warm, yet spicy and bittersweet.
I’m so not sure about this scent. Do I like it? Yes. Do I love it? Do i find it feminine enough? This all makes it very addictive and I’m stuck with my nose upon my wrist trying to decide what do I get from Balmain de Balmain.
I love the heart phase. That’s sure. It is little bit too masculine in my opinion. Ah, what to do. I love the smoky, bitersweet part very much.
I will leave this as it is. Too masculine for me, but with the heart phase to die for. Oh.
Better test before buy, but for masculine chypre lovers this could be a real gem.
Orange_Fox – :
I’m not the one for chypres…
I respect them, but I don’t wear them.
‘Me’ is not a chypre.
Like the other member, I knew nothing about Balmain before I tried it, I thought it was another classic chypre that I’ll try and leave behind, or put on the list ‘try in 10 years’.
Wrong!
The second it touched my skin, I knew it was different. I also had a association with sun – sun dapples. So positive and happy!
I don’t really get separate notes, I just know it’s a chypre, and it’s a different one. Lighter than most of the ones I’ve tried, a green variation on a classic and timeless accord…
I think it’s a right one for chypre beginners. It’s classy but not too difficult.
The only drawback is that it doesn’t last long … totally evaporated from my skin in 2 hours.
My man likes it! He didn’t care when I told him it’s targeted to women. I think it could easily be a unisex.
I’m wearing it today and I feel great! 15C degrees, cloudless sky, autumn sun warming my face – and a beautiful, light, green, herbal chypre.
Maybe it’s a beginng of a new romance…
Thank you for a sample, F.! 🙂
P.S. This is actually the 3rd chypre I really enjoy. The others are Aromatics Elixir and Eau de Campagne.
Update: I don’t lke Eau de Campagne anymore. Balmain is so much better! And the price …
EmTatyana – :
Balmain perfumes btw are masterpieces, starting from Vent Vert to Ambre Gris. Ivoire, Jolie Madame and Miss Balmain are obligatory perfumes for expert collectors like ourselfs here. Ambre Gris is sheer heaven, it hurts too much to actually use that one. This perfume, Balmain de Balmain, is a masterpiece too. So, in terms of quality, Balmain is a cannot go wrong.
Kekselomism – :
You are so right Kterhark! Price does not indicate quality or complexity of perfumes! I do see an indication of price and higher concentration of natural oils, but it is no guarantee for a complex creation. The nose behind the fragrance most of the time does give a good indication of the quality however. For example, The Elizabeth Taylor line is all or mostly all Grosjman and that you can smell totally!
Good luck!
Action
genrix1 – :
I knew nothing of this scent because it came by way of a swap. I assumed it was an old school classic, via the 1940’s or 50’s, and came with a $60-$80 price tag. Surprise surprise!
This has one of the best refreshing openings I’ve come across. It’s like walking around with your own cloud of sunshine that no one can rain upon. Bergamot and galbanum always put a smile on my face, but here you get a twinkle of the eye for free!
I even entertained thoughts of putting away my planned Chamade purchase and getting this instead. Then something bad happened… my umbrella of sunshine sprung a leak.
I’m learning a trick between higher quality and lower quality perfumes. With lower, and this is not indicated by price becuase I’ve seen it in $200 perfumes, vetiver wears like a sandstorm that blew in from across a rancid lake.
It’s a real parade stopper here, but for the first hour the parade is delightful!
MomaHedymossy – :
I love this stuff, it’s the best new Balmain among their chypres, since they have ruined Miss Balma