Amazing Bal d'Afrique clone with better longevity than the original! I picked this one up as a blind buy out of curiosity, as I love discovering high-quality dupes, and Echelon Soleil blew me away.
Right from the first spray, you get a juicy, fresh burst of blackcurrant, bergamot, and lemon, which quickly settles into a lovely floral heart of white flowers, jasmine, and violet. The dry-down brings out that signature woody and aromatic base. Profile-wise, it hits the spirit of Byredo's Bal d'Afrique at about 90%—the opening is slightly fruitier thanks to the blackcurrant, but once it settles, the scent trail is almost indistinguishable.
What impressed me the most, though, is the performance. The original Byredo usually fades on my skin after about 4 hours, but Echelon Soleil easily lasts 7 hours on skin and stays on clothes until the next day. The projection is spot on—it creates a remarkably pleasant, clean, and sophisticated scent bubble around you without being overwhelming.
At this price point, it's a total no-brainer for spring and summer days. If you enjoy that vibe of luxury soap, sunshine, and creamy cleanliness, don't hesitate. Definitely not my last bottle!
