What Is Maison Asrar Belgravia a Dupe Of?

Start with the blackcurrant

Belgravia and Bal d’Afrique Absolu both list bergamot, blackcurrant and lemon up front. That combination gives you two things to compare right away. See how much of the opening reads as tart peel, then check whether the fruit comes through as juicy or closer to the sharper smell of blackcurrant leaves. The Absolu is the relevant Byredo bottle here. Its praline is a useful marker when you are sorting through the different Bal d’Afrique editions.

Caramel and praline change the middle

Maison Asrar gives Belgravia a heart of caramel, freesia, lily of the valley and sandalwood. Byredo gives the Absolu praline, violet and musk. Both lists suggest sweetness alongside flowers, but the details give you different things to pick out. If you like the Byredo for the nutty character of praline, that’s the part we’d check against Belgravia’s caramel. The flowers matter too. Look for whether they keep the sweeter notes feeling light or fade behind them.

Follow it down to the woods

Vetiver and cedarwood give both scents a woody finish on paper. Belgravia adds moss and musk to its base, while Byredo lists black amber. A side-by-side sample makes it easier to see whether you miss that amber once the fruit settles. We’d try Belgravia first if you want the bright fruit and sweet woods in one bottle. If the praline and violet are why you already wear the Absolu, compare a sample on skin before committing to another full bottle. Check the edition on the retailer listing before you order.

Compare retailer listings for Maison Asrar Belgravia and Byredo Bal d’Afrique Absolu.