Balahe

Daniel Moliere, who is also responsible for Eau de Givenchy, Fleur D'Interdit, Givenchy Insense, CSP Eau de Naphe, LaRoche's Clandestine, and Jacomo's Paradox is the mastermind behind Balahe. It has withstood the test of time as it is a softer presentation than the note pyramid suggests. At the time it was not a iconic powerhouse of the day like Poison or Opium which reveled in an overdose of their identifying notes, but a niche like quality that was so well blended with its complexity, it never became vulgar or too much. Balahe was the quiet man-slayer wrapped up in a feminine powdery, vanillic, opulent floral. The clary sage, coriander, anaise, civet purr and aldehydes open Balahe, it comes off foreign as a good oriental reminds you of far away places never seen but dreamed of in the night. The plums, pineapple and fruits sweeten Balahe counterbalanced by the mandarin and bergamot citrus. The magic happens when the heart opens up and the flood of orchids, tuberose and rose are supported by a soft richness of ylang, orris and iris to keep this extravagant, plush and soft upon the fruits receding in the background. Balahe finishes in a powdery vanillic sandalwood, sweet opopponax and animalic warm civet, yet the civet doesnt growl...it purrs seductively.Its best with the cooler temperatures but can perform well in the warmer days of spring. A gem of luxury housed in a black mysterious bottle and red silk Japanese cord holds the stopper intact. Masterful composition and blending by Moliere. Its beautiful. I keep lucking out and getting the huge 6.8oz bottles for next to nothing..Universe is telling me something about this fragrance....Balahe+Opium Parfum is magic.

Now that i have also a huge bottle of EDT version in original formulation and "newer"version i can compare both pure parfum and EDT versions. To me they smell a bit different: EDT is more sharp,but parfum is more softer. But i like them both. Really. Very much. EDT review in original formulation 100ml bottle: At first it is sharp and very much like Ungaro ́s "Desnuda" to me but much more spicier and it might even scare you off. While Desnuda is more sharp and sopay in the opening Balahe is much softer and creamier and powdery. But then it settles down and fruit notes come through with a powder note. It is so pleasantly spicy that i can ́t stop enjoying it and the more you wait it indeed gets better. Just give it a chance to settle down and you will love it even more! I am loving it all the way: top-middle-drydown. The lasting power is very-very good. Try this at colder time of the year and you will feel yourself very outstanding from the rest of the crowd. Truly remarkable and very unique scent. My precious!(indeed) :) I can ́t really tell the difference between original formula nad re-release, i have both of them in different sizes (2x100ml and 50ml), to my nose they smell both amazing and the same. Maybe the later formula is not as much intense as the first one, but still this is a powerful fragrance with great projection. My collection of Balahe bottles is growing and it makes me feel soooo good. It is definitly in my top favorites of all time!! Never want to run out of it.

I love this perfume. It's exotic and sexy and exotic -- the perfect perfume trifecta. I don't want to smell like a pound cake or cookies or tutti-fruiti. I want to smell like a confident woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. I spent my career wearing expensive suits, silk blouses, high heels and uniforms -- a weird and interesting combination. I want my perfume to be just as unique. I get powdery benzoin, a little sandalwood, distant ylang ylang, and civet. On me, it's a flash through the upper notes and straight to the base notes. Fortunately, the base notes are long-lasting, even on my older, perfume eating skin. I've already got two bottles for back up but I'm going to get a few more to have on hand so I'm never without it. This one is a definite keeper.

Balahe reminds me of both Poison and LouLou. All three feature fleshy, green-ish tuberose and plum. I think where I'm getting the LouLou vibe from is the powdery aspect (orris, iris) of Balahe and the anise. I've always been intrigued by the over the top bottle and ad campaigns, but it hasn't been until recently that I've been able to sample Balahe and I was a bit wary of some of the notes so I didn't want to blind buy. I'm happy to say that I rather like this scent. However, since I own Lou Lou and Balahe seems to be a bit more rare, I don't think I'll be buying it any time soon. No sense in snatching it away from someone else who needs it more than I do.

Balahe used to be the One for five years of my life. I was wearing it, my best friends were wearing it, it was like a seductive protective bulb, or better to say PLUM in civet. Ha! Totally unique it will always stay in my memory since all my favourites now cost a fortune and you just can't chase them all. Being definitely sexy and intriguing it manages to stay very soft and gentle. Opoponax, anise and sage create such unusual spiciness that you would hardly meet in other oriental fragrances, - it has that charming woman's fruity smokiness ..I made myself completely nostalgic now...

Tonights great discovery! Amouage copied 80% of "Balahe" when making "The Library Collection Opus III" !! "Opus III" is an almost exact (but sweeter/more" rounded") copy of "Balahe" edt (by LEONARD), which is discontinued. But "Balahe" can still be found for a good price on the internet !! AND best of all = you can get "Balahe" for a *MUCH* better price. And the black Balahe-bottle, with a silk red string is such a beautiful piece of art itself!! Oh, good I saved me some money by already owning this scent in Balahe! :)

Mad sexy! A medicinal tuberose, cumin laden, ripe fruit, sweat, and leather, yet with a light touch. There is something both complex and effortless about this underrated masterpiece. I had not thought of it as related to Shalimar until my daughter noted the similarity, which might be the medicinal/resinous note. Think of Balahé as a more complex Habanita, with the heliotrope toned down. This is that rare oriental I can wear in warm weather. At the moment it is my go-to scent. Recommend highly.

It's exotic, seductive, and sexual. In the winter, it is quite distinctive, powdered, long-lasting, and opera house worthy. Powdery benzoin, a hint of sandalwood, distant ylang ylang, and civet come to mind. Balahe is sweetened by plums, pineapple, and fruits, which are tempered by mandarin and bergamot citrus. It performs best in lower temps but may even work well in warmer spring days. A premium treasure encased in a mysterious black bottle. Outstanding composition. Magical and seductive!

I find this floral oriental totally accessible which is fantastic, because I still think it's my favourite style of perfume but there just aren't that many I enjoy wearing. The aldehydes don't dominate and it never overpowers. Some spicy florals with the powder in the background. A great find amongst a collection of miniatures I purchased, with another on the way. Not giving this one away, sorry Mum and Aunty Kath! One to be happy about finally finding. (Reviewing a vintage miniature).

Following the purchase of my wedding fragrance - Gucci Bloom - couple of months ago, I realised that tuberose, the sweet, gentle, suave has been in my life all along. Without me knowing! Balahe was the first perfum I have ever purchased. Now I know why! Love at first smell, it tip-toed its way back to resurface, kind and soothing, when I tried Bloom. The memories it evoked! Wonderful perfum, they don't make them like this anymore. Well... possibly Fracas, but that's another story!

Bought a mini just out of curiosity. There is not much to say about this fragrance. Classy, heavy fragrance with musky undertones. A real treasure. To my opinion is suitable for 30+ women. Sadly that is nowhere to find and quite pricey. But this reminded me at fist sniff immediately of "Musk Aswad" of Al-Faransi (at least 90% similar) and "Musk Aswad" of Alwani. The quality of Al-Faransi's attar is incredible. Do not mourn after Balahe, just buy "Musk Aswad" (6ml 17€!).

Just got a bottle of pure perfume today! It was a blind buy I am totally loving this one!!! I thought it would be very sharp and dark fragrance but it is surprisingly fresh and light! I don ́t feel the plum, but i do feel orchid and pineapple! This has all the chances to become one of my most beloved fragrances now. Very yummy! At the drydown it reminds me a lot of Paloma Picasso ́s "Tentantions" spices.

My all time favourite perfume. Subtle, elegant, long lasting, sexy and unique. I remember when I first smelled it, I was very unsure of the top notes, but it settles into pure glory. Always hard to find where I live (Australia)its rarity adds to its preciousness.

I love this scent. To me it’s a mix of Cest LA Vie and Loulou, which are two fragrances that I love. It’s a soft powder and floral mixture with a tad bit of green on me. A very hard fragrance to find now.

It is strictly for grown up women! You young tutty-frutty lovers do not dare purchase it before trying! Very French, powdery, long lasting, opera house worthy in the winter.

I finally understand this perfume!! It is a thick buttery floral perfume, for those longing back to the roaring twenties!!! :-)

This perfume is like the superthick version Oscar! Gorgeous!!

من روائع الثمانينات مريح للنفس و يعشق من ابو رشة

I was so excited to find a bottle or the original formula - it sounds like my kind of fragrance, and it is good, and I can appreciate it's quality and complexity. Unfortunately there is some feature-not just a single note, but some quality in it that is just "not me". That sounds odd I know- it's "just not me". I don't know if you've ever felt this about a fragrance, as if it doesn't honestly reflect any aspect of my personality and I feel as if it is misleading to wear it. Not like putting on a fun costume or playing "dres-up" but just like it it dishonest. Maybe it does reflect something I'm not in touch with or more likely it reminds me of something or someone but I can't recall what or who. I don't care to just stash it away in my collection and never wear it as the cost of this boxed vintage item would be worth it to me only if I really enjoyed using it. Although I'm glad I had the chance to experience it, I'd rather not keep it. If anyone who would truly enjoy using this wants to swap something with me for this, please pm me!

This is a sophisticated Frenchie perfume I've had for decades. When you first put it on it is so strong with the aldehydes that is assaults the nose. What Madrona writes is not far off. When the aldehydes evaporate, it dries down to a nice spicy concoction with prominent civet, coriander, cumin and leather as the orchid, iris and orris root slowly develop. It needs about 2 hours to settle nicely into a compositions of spice with a whisper of sweet florals. It's a unique exotic spicy oriental for someone who wants a sophisticated womanly scent. I adore spicy orientals, but today prefer my spice with a healthy side of fresh florals.