Balmya de Balmain

Balmya is great but particular. I like the "hard to put my finger on it" quality about a scent and this one has it. It opens up with sweet powdery flowers and fruit (violets, jasmine, lime) but despite its sweetness, the general appeal is clean and sunny. There is vanilla and iris in the middle that makes it lovely and I'd say innocent. It works very well in hot and humid weather because it stays fresh and close to skin for hours, not changing but staying lovely. It smells like a body lotion made in the 90's in the best possible way. I bought it in 2006 in Venice, from a small boutique that doesn't exist anymore. OK, now I miss it. Off I go to buy another bottle :)

I completely agree with COLOREDGIRLSHUFFLE's review below; this has me addicted or indifferent depending on the day. The coffee note is unique, but sort of sits on top without blending in. Other times I can barely smell it. Balmya strangely reminds me of Tresor In Love. I think it probably suits Spring/Fall weather best. Overall, a "like." P.S. For a perfume pushing a quarter-century old, the juice has held up remarkably well. I smell no weird self-tanner, celery, or ammonia from turned notes. (my bottle is a tester with no original cap.)

I adore this scent, it is so delicate and beautiful on me, light but with character, fresh, warm , young, calming without overpowering sweetness!

This is a perfume oil, rather than an eau de parfum

Aww this is my favorite but l got a rotten batch.

I've had a mini of this for a while and thought I would test this fragrance a few times before giving it a review... as it really is so unusual. This is not a particularly sensual pefume in my opinion. It seems to border on being masculine. It is very complex to me with distinct notes that seem to shift and almost tease. Starts with a definitive vintage feel, dry angelica with a potent, bitter herbal edge. When it opens, I almost think I am not going to like it, but it starts to change so rapidly that I am not sure. It is during the drydown that the complexity of this fragrance really begins to show. The bitterness leaves and becomes sweet, the astrigent herbal elements become creamier and a more full bodied note begins to take shape. For me here, the bergamot, pepper and sweeter fruity notes become apparent. It eventually becomes dry and woody. It drys down within around 45 minutes for me and I detect a very distinctive turkish coffee, dare I say TEA (not in the notes) and sandlewood. Very reminiscent of Yardleys sandlewood, which I believe is no longer available. Definately unisex to me. Lovers of Sandlewood and coffee will definately enjoy this as long as they are not expecting something too sweet. This would be perfect to layer over those supersweet scents that you wish to tone down and bring some earthiness to.

After picking up Ivoire, I decided to give Balmya a try. It's a fascinating little weirdo. I swing wildly between loving it and being indifferent. I am not sure if its the pink pepper, but once the alcohol smell wears off, the initial whiff makes me think I am going to experience a 70's green chypre (bear with me), but then it immediately banks left, and I get a vanilla coffee with jasmine sweetener. Usually, I have difficulty deciphering jasmine from other white florals, but this mix of vanilla and coffee pushes the jasmine front and center for me. But(!) I don't hate it; again I swing wildly between indifference and adoration. But then the dry down with iris and cashmere wood is so particular when it makes its appearance. This scent is warm and yummy. Balmya is such an exciting indescribable scent. I can see it worn in late summer and early fall in Aspen or Telluride; wearing Ralph Laurens purple label western-inspired denim and chambray collection in a luxurious log cabin with moose heads decorating the walls and breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains. (yes I daydream in marketing schemes :D)

Balmya, for gifting which I thank Renee, is a charming, french-elegant but contradictional fragrance, - the notes of coffee, capuccino and floral ones is a definitely unusual touch and was very interesting to explore how they manage to stay together and create what it is. First that I smell is ringing in air angelica, herbal and musky-sweet and quite lingering. Normally with angelica I would expect vetiver or patchouli but no...as after slight spicy crispy green feel you swim into rich coffee with milk phase. Its so unusual that I prefer not to analyze it too much while I Am wearing it, so my brain will not lock himself up) Balmya is like the pearl shell with its multi colored structure, like a prism effect (according décor of its box) constantly shining by one or another side – crispy-flowery one – creamy-coffeeish/iris/powdery another one, not to forget exotic fruity feel with cashmere wood, plus every 5 minutes you might smell any of those phases out of order, I guess for some people it might seem annoying, but once you get what it wants to say – you just cant help, but love it for its uniqueness.

The temperature has plummeted, and the Pierre Balmain lovefest continues with a fragrance perfect for the cool breezy evening at the end of this hot sunny day: BALMYA. BALMYA edp is a well-constructed coffee fragrance with just the lightest hint of sweetness. While coffee is definitely the focal note to my nose, BALMYA is decidedly *not* a Demeter-like facsimile of a latte spilled down one's blouse (a la Comptoir Sud Pacifique VANILLE MOKHA, to name a name). The coffee here is black and slightly bitter but supported by the floral, herbal and woody notes in a most enticing way. I do not detect the passionfruit, and the vanilla is not readily identifiable as such--this is not a vanilla-focused frag. In terms of quality, I'd rank BALMYA right up there with BELLE EN RYKIEL and TRUSSARDI INSIDE, though I hasten to add that each buttresses the dominant coffee note in its own distinctive way. Coffee lovers rejoice: all three of these excellent and amazingly affordable fragrances can be part of a perfumista's wardrobe without redundancy--or insolvency. (-: Recommended!

A note of angelica offers an initial burst, quite remarkable, makes me think of Frederic Malle's Angéliques Sous La Pluie, which soon segues into a tart accord of violet leaves. At this point I started to wonder how Balmya could be an oriental floral, but as the composition develops, the savory greenness grows dim, revealing a base of warm creamy woods. I was afraid of the coffee note being too overwhelming like it does in the L'Or de Torrente (I adore coffee but in a mug with a generous spray of whipped cream and a hint of cinnamon rather than on my skin), but it was a baseless fear. Out and away is the cappucino what adds some warmth to the scent in the drydown. While Balmya isn't an earthquakingly beauty, it offers an elegantly composed fragrance.

What a successful blind buy! At first spray, I didn't think it was anything special... at first it reminded me of Live by J.LO, maybe it was the initial passionfruit fruitiness. But as it settles it gets better and better. It also reminds me a little of Lise Watier's Neige.... not sure what notes give it that effect, though. I love when the vanilla and coffee notes starts kicking in... very warm and inviting, not too sweet or gourmand - and lasts 8 and more on my skin. UPDATE: I am so addicted - it is all I've been wearing the past couple of days, the woody-vanillic-cozy latte smell is so delicious. And somehow, it's still "fresh" enough with the fruit/green top notes to be appropriate for summer wear (and believe me, it's hoooooot right now.)

The guest review below is mine. I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Balmaya. Had, because my bottle is now empty. Today I sprayed the very last drops (very generously) and went about my day . As I was sitting with some friends having coffee this yummie scent wafted up my nose - some nice chocolate note mingled with a light coconut (reminded me of The Body Shop Coconut); suddenly I realised that the scent was Balmya. It was all very yummie and light, and perfect for a nice summer day. I was looking forward to empty this bottle because I really struggled to love this scent but after today I am actually considering ordering a new bottle. I just have to be a bit more generous when applying it in the future.

I would characterize this as a sweet fruity-floral scent, although it’s hard to identify any specific fruits or flowers. It’s more like a generic tutti-frutti candy scent with a creamy vanilla base. I think the “coffee” scent is more cream than coffee, a single half-shot grandissimo latte flavored with cirtusy fruit syrup. As it dries down I smell some slightly powdery iris notes, too. Sillage is extremely strong, even from a tiny dab. The scent is more or less linear, gradually disappearing over the course of 6-8 hours. It’s not my style, but it’s not bad if you like artificial fruit flavor and creamy notes.

Balmain never seems like they're trying to be on trend, and that makes their scents a little quirky and special. Balmya is no exception! The coffee is black and a bit burnt (comparable to By in that way). It's not there to add any sweetness instead giving an earthy and warm undercurrent to the greenish, slightly creamy floral component. Big fan. Surprised to see the wood note is so far down the list for the rest of you. I definitely get a good helping of woodiness mingling with the rest of it.

Although I am a die-hard Balmain devotee, Balmya is not my favorite of the remarkable house. It is more a floral-woody composition than a true oriental floral, despite the notes; I detect mostly the jasmine heart and it is somewhat "pale" and short-lived compared to say, Jolie Madame or Ivoire. A pleasant and feminine scent, good for everyday use but as I noted not a lasting fragrance. I do not smell the coffee in Balmya - wish I could! I would give it 3 stars.

I had one bottle and finished it very rapidly as it was a perfect daily perfume for me... Unfortunate that it was not long-standing but I loved the scent... it had a relaxing and slightly dreamy effect on me. Still I did not feel myself like a silly blond the way I feel with powdery scents. I would buy it if it comes on my way again but would not remember to ask for it in the shops I enter to find a new jewel :)

I'm a little confused on how this got categorized as an oriental floral, but I'm not the expert. I smell lots of spices with creamy cappuccino, coffee, and iris. It's an interesting combination, very pleasing, easy to wear and sits nicely on my skin. This fragrance would be nice in hot weather when you don't want to smell flowers or fruit. The more I smell this the more I really like it.

A mish-mash of notes that has no particular season for me. Bitter for quite a while but once this phase ends, the top notes hang about and give off more of a fresh sensation. I get bits of cappuccino and iris in the dry down but it's all rather vague. Projection is light to moderate and I do not find it sweet. Good duration and improves later for those with patience.

Slightly oriental, capuccino aroma with some vanilla, but not outstanding,it begins gently and lasts few hours. Balmya could attract those who love Fidji,has that tenderness and freshness. I love Balmain, so delicate and French in comparison with some trendy scents, and so feminine!

no coffee ,no cappucino.On me its only violets and iris.Very long lasting(the edp version)At the beggining is angelica and something like cardamom.In the drydown it has big similarities with She Wood by DSquared

For me this scent is very similar to Cartier Delices. is interesting and very pretty. I only dont like it on my skin.I feel cherry and too much pink pepper. But this is very good stuff.

yes i finally have my EDP and it smells great, just like the edt but a tad stronger,lastingpower is great! can still smell it so it last more then 4 hours wich is very good loove it!

angelica, pink pepper, passionfruit, cashmere wood, sandalwood, violet leaf and bergamot; this is a fruity fragrance that gives it a tropical vibe

Lo-o-ve it! Smells, I'd say, very "noble", (not even sure that I can pull it off ;-))) ..non of coffee-cappuccino on me, thou...

Fruitaaaay. Just got a $20 blind bottle off eBay because fuck it. Blind rando buys are fun. Anyhoo! Coffee? Wha? No coffee here dude. It’s extremely similar to both 2000’s Patou releases: Enjoy & Sira Des Indes. Super dated late 90’s sharp kumquat/passion fruit on a jumble of musk. It’s fine but if you own either of those Patou scents you don’t need this.

I got it as a present and really wanted to like this one, without success though. I guess the scent is too modern, too vague, too "nice" and not distinct enough for me. As a fan of other Balmain fragrances (especially Miss Balmain) I got disappointed, but I got compliments when wearing it. So again, what others like does not mean you will like as well. Anyway, I gave nearly full 100ml EDT to my mom, for whom the scent is very pleasant and refreshing. Another example that age has nothing to do with what one likes in perfumes.

:-( ok finally got my hands on this after wanting it for so long. Sadly I don't get any coffee notes and that was what I was hoping to smell. Instead the first half smells like a super strong and heavy old lady perfume then the second half smells like the same dry down as 5th Avenue Style, oh well I am still very thankful I got to finally smell it and the bottle is cute too.

A bitter brew. A very green and peppery fragrance, with a very faint milky note in the background. For those who can wear green scents, and like their coffee black, or at the very least unsweetened.

Nice, light, not too sweet, but definitely a bright scent. It suits to accompany my good mood. The base has something in common with other fragrances of Balmain. And I really like it.

Not sure, maybe I got fake (blind-buy via internet), but smell is artificial, strong and gives headache every time i smell it. Didn't get any of listed notes, just dissapointment.

Overwhelming sour herbal to me, no coffee and nothing that I would consider tropical in nature

Nose Note #466 I straight up dislike it. Tropical meets herbal, what an awkward combination. Coffee is underplayed, and thank goodness. More feminine, but not 100%. One of the most over the place perfumes I've smelled. One of the few that's almost vomit inducing. 1/10, tropical fever dream

This is such a strange scent with such a strange bunch of notes. Right off the bat I should say I get NO cappuccino, NO coffee bean, nothing of the sort. This opens a soapy citrus floral---it's all bergamot, angelica, and pink pepper. The opening is not harsh, per se, but it almost made me relegate this to the 'had' shelf pretty quickly. I don't like soapy as a general rule, and this one smelled like childhood bubble bath--clean sweet soap. BUT!! The drydown is the saving grace. I could not stop sniffing myself when it started to dry down. No soap at that point. The drydown is sweet and woody---cashmere and vanilla and a hint of the violet leaf poking out to say hi. It becomes warm and soft and lovely. Well worth waiting through the soapy opening to get to. If you like interesting, inexpensive, non-linear scents from a well-known classy house, go for this one. It's lovely!

I've owned it for a while, got in a swap. Since I try to keep all my perfumes in rotation, it does not come up often. I initially classified it as more of an autumn scent. It reminded me a bit of Vent Vert but in very subdued version with a bit of vanilla and smoke. Today I put it on and in the beginning it was just as before but during the day it developed in the Baiser Vole twin. All I smell is lily, which I love but with some vanilla whiffs. In that combination it will have to become summer-spring scent in my collection. Will have to give it another try in a few days and see what happens. Very interesting development:)

Not for me!!! As a huge fan of sweet, delicious fragrances ( I love smelling like a piece of pie, I admit) I had great expectations. Well...I don`t know, may be it`s the violet leaves note that gets me and puts me off. But there is a strong resemplance to a chest rub, some mint notes that show up every now and then, through Balmya`s head, heart and base....and it is a bit disturbing to me. I love coffee in perfumes, but without menthol, please! I know it`s not in the notes, but I feel it very clear, it must me something else - but anyway. Sloan`s chest rub!

Oh well, I had big hopes for this perfume, but... I was desperately trying to find a perfume with coffee notes in it, so when I saw coffee and cappuccino notes listed in Balmya I blind bought it. What a disapointment it was when I receaved and sampled it! It was woody, powdery and spicy. No coffee at all. I though maybe my nose can't detect any coffee notes in perfumes so I make my hasband and mom sniff it on my skin. They couldn't smell it either. I sprayed it my husband wrist - the same result... :(

This was a blind buy for me based on Fragrantica reviews, esp. since main accords should be powdery and I adore powdery fragrances. Well for me this is not even close to powdery. It definitely has that signature Balmain scent in it from start to the end. Very sharp on my skin. I was surprised to see some reviewers would use it in summer, since I think it's fall/winter scent. I get no coffee and cappuccino in it at all. It's a perfume for elegant 40+ ladies and I will pass it on to my mum.

It is definitely alone in its style, very French true, very unique, I find it attractive, on some days, on others not sure about a certain metallic note, some sourness. Overall though Balmain has created unique bold scents, Balmya is exotic in a way, it is a scent you smell once and cannot forget, as far as wearing it, I use it rarely, it isn't a casual easy to wear scent It fares better in summer I feel, too sour for cold weather. Distinctive creation, though not easy to enjoy.

Very strange perfume... It's not a blow of heart. I purchased it because I read lots of positive comments about it. I was sure I would like it : "sweet, feminine...". And I sold it back after a few days. Pink pepper and coffee are too present, it's too green, I can't smell creamy and sweet notes. At 1st it reminded me Delicious Night - DKNY, then this impression disappeared and coffee and pepper covered all the other notes. I think I do not dislike it but I can't like it.

very sweet but not sticky way,bergamot and violet gave it some heavy and strange notes,i think perfect for +35 for spring.i bought before smellin but i like it.

Purchased this on sale in 2008. I loved the notes...I could actually smell the cappucino in the base notes.