5 Best Byredo Scents (2023) You Need To Try All
Byredo.
A brand known for its unisex fragrances.
In this review, I’m going to describe the best-smelling Byredo scents. I’ll detail their smell and performance and anything important to know. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
#5 – Mixed Emotions
The opening is minty fresh. There’s a greenness to the fragrance coming from an evergreen type accord. The scent has “mate” listed as a note. I don’t have experience with this, but I assume this is where these accords come from.
The freshness comes from fruity black currant; this will be a major player for the rest of the wear. As the mid develops, there are hints of violet leaf and tea notes. They have the same general idea, somewhat aquatic, fresh, and aromatic. They solely break up the fruitiness of the scent.
The evergreen nature fades in the base. A light dose of violet, tea notes, and a decent dose of fruits remain. The last addition is a smoky and woody birch note.
The performance is iffy. It last five to six hours on the skin, but after the first hour, it is so subtle that it feels like it’s not even there. It’s as intimate a projector as a fragrance can get. This is all-season and all-occasion wear; feel free to overspray.
Mixed Emotions Performance
- Longevity: 5 – 6 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Intimate
- Versatility: All seasons and occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Mate, Black Currant, Violet Leaf, Tea Notes, and Birch
#4 – 1996 Inez & Vindoodh
The opening is an intense violet leaf note contrasted by warm and powdery iris notes. Neither of these notes is floral, just warm and powdery. It’s an extremely simple and well-blended opening.
As the mid develops, Iris is most prominent with a decent earthy touch from the patchouli in the base. It doesn’t donate a significant woodiness until later in the wear. Leather and spicy/sweet vanilla nuances linger in the background giving the fragrance depth.
The base is a hefty dose of warm amber, leather nuances, and violet. The Violet still has the pungent sharpness. Yet, it never becomes too much because of the deeper notes above. Creamy vanilla becomes stronger, bringing a harsh smoky accent. This is what you’ll get for the rest of the wear.
This lasts six to eight hours on the skin but only projects a foot or two for the first two hours. After this period, it is a skin scent. This is fall and winter wear for all occasions.
1996 Performance
- Longevity: 6 – 8 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Light
- Versatility: Fall and Winter for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Violet Leaf, Iris, Patchouli, Amber, Leather, and Vanilla
#3 – Mojave Ghost
Byredo Mojave Ghost is an amber floral fragrance. It opens with equal parts powder and florals. Byredo loves to describe it as light and graceful. Its minimalistic smell is a recurring theme. For the entire wear, it never screams for attention but always earns it.
As the scent develops, it stays consistent, particularly heavy on florals. Once the dry-down starts, it adds more depth. Warm and smooth woody accords dominate the base and add to the musky nuances. To the untrained nose, you’ll smell floral and uplifting.
It’s the perfect smell for fresh out of the shower and cuddling on the couch. Not a sexy beast, but always clean and comfortable.
This lasts seven hours on the skin with light projection. It pushes out a couple of feet for the first two to three hours. After this period, it recedes and becomes a skin scent. This can be worn in the spring, summer, and warm temperatures of the fall and all occasions.
Mojave Ghost Performance
- Longevity: 7 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Light
- Versatility: Spring, Summer, Early Fall for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Florals and Musk
#2 – Gypsy Water
The opening is natural, bright, and crisp, with equal parts lemon and juniper berries. This combination is both piney and fresh. After a few minutes, a jolt of black pepper and sweet vanilla comes through. The pepper grabs attention, while the sweet vanilla soothes the citruses.
Incense and wood make their way in early on. They bring a degree of earthy and smoky touches. It takes the fragrance in a darker direction as it dries down. The base is a combination of notes. Pine needles, amber, and sandalwood combine with creamy and incensed powdery warmth. The rest of the wear is this light woodiness.
This lasts four to five hours on the skin with light projection. The first hour it pushes out a foot or more. After this period, it is a skin scent. This is all-seasons and occasions wear. And don’t be afraid to overspray.
Gypsy Water Performance
- Longevity: 4 – 5 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Intimate
- Versatility: All seasons and occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Lemon, Juniper Berries, Black Pepper, Vanilla, Pine, Amber, and Sandalwood.
#1 – Bal d’Afrique
The opening is a combination of dry flowers and intense citric lemon. The flowers, more specifically marigolds, are the most interesting. They have a pleasant floral aroma but are contrasted by a bitter greenness.
Marigolds are the largest emphasis in the mid. They retain the floral warmth and greenness but with dusty-like additions. These additions smell earthy but not dirty, damp, or forest-like. Bergamot comes through and tempers the florals. It’s a great contrasting aromatic-ness.
The dry down has florals with ambery warmth and depth. In the background are musky accents and a prominent woody vetiver. This is what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear.
This lasts four hours on the skin with two hours of light projection. The more you move around, the better it smells. After this, it becomes a skin scent.
This is spring and summer wear. It can be worn in colder temperatures, but it doesn’t have enough depth to last, and thus you’ll be wasting sprays. As for occasions, it is all.
Bal d’Afrique Performance
- Longevity: 4 hours
- Projection and Sillage: Light
- Versatility: Spring and Summer for all occasions
- Most Prominent Notes: Lemon, Marigolds, Bergamot, Vetiver, and Musk
Final Words
Byredo fragrances are all high-quality, but a common problem is their lack of performance. I recommend trying a sample or decant to ensure you’re okay with the potentially poor performance for a high price.
After you try a Byredo scent, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.