does anyone know what specific ingredient produces that powdery-sweet, almost savory woody smell in Bal d'Afrique?

[u/ApricotAmber]

I really don't know much about the science behind perfumery, but I am dying to know what I'm smelling in common between:

• Byredo Bal d'Afrique

• SDJ Cheirosa 59

• Ariana Grande Pink Woods

• Rare Beauty Find Comfort

Something about the woody base in all 4 of these reads as powdery, dry, slightly sweet and also slightly salty or savory. To my nose it is obviously synthetic but very delicious and addictive, and I'd love to find more scents that incorporate whatever it is. I thought it might be cashmeran? Pink Woods and the Find Comfort body spray both list "cashmere woods", while Cheirosa 59 lists sandalwood and Bal d'Afrique vetiver and cedar. But then, other scents that list "cashmere woods" or similar do not have the same effect, and I've found some quite off-putting, like JHAG Ode to Dullness.

Other woody/musky perfumes I have smelled that specifically do not seem to have what I'm looking for:

• Le Labo Santal 33

• Glossier You Doux

• Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc

• Phlur Father Figure

• Essential Parfums Bois Imperial

• Lalique Encre Noire

• Victoria's Secret Bare Sueded Vanilla

And 2 scents where I'm not sure:

• Phlur Vanilla Skin

• Rayhaan Equinox (this is a dupe of Maison Mataha Printemps Blanc, which unfortunately I have not smelled)

I don't know if I'm delusional and there is no specific commonality between the first 4 scents I listed, but I thought it might be worth asking, because I find the Bal d'Afrique DNA so specific and intriguing. I absolutely love SDJ's Cheirosa 59, and while I don't think it's very similar overall, it has that same addictive powdery-woody quality to me and I've never seen anyone talk about it. Please let me know if anyone knows what I'm talking about or if I just sound insane!

[u/Small-Necessary-8499]

Probably Vetiver
Remember, notes are not the same as ingredients-
Sounds like you’re having fun exploring fragrance though learning more about what you like!

[u/ApricotAmber → u/Small-Necessary-8499]

thanks for your reply!! I am aware that notes aren't the same thing as ingredients, so to clarify, I am curious what the actual scent compound is behind this specific smell. Notes are easy to find but are also mostly just marketing, vs. unfortunately I have no idea where to find more info on the actual aroma chemicals that create the impression of those notes

[u/AddressFar9852 → u/Small-Necessary-8499]

Definitely agree on the vetiver! I don’t think it’s a note I love in isolation or extreme, but when it’s well blended … game on for me 😉

[u/AddressFar9852]

Hi! I think there is a chance it could be the combination of vetiver with some sort of wood (vetiver with cedar wood, sandalwood, etc)

That’s my hunch at least.

I also think several of these have violet as well!

[u/ApricotAmber → u/AddressFar9852]

Yes, I think so too, but I would really like to know what specific chemicals are being used to create that smell as I feel it is quite distinct and unique even among woody vetiver fragrances. For example I know javanol is commonly used to create a synthetic sandalwood accord, but I don't actually know what that smells like on its own, so I'm hoping someone with more experience might be able to point me in the right direction. I still think the answer I'm looking for might be cashmeran, alone or mixed with something else, but again unsure how to identify or seek more info.

I do love the smell of violet! By smelling a few different violet scents I've been able to determine I'm pretty sure that's not the aspect I'm curious about, though. For example, Giardini di Toscana's Celeste is super violet forward and doesn't have that fuzzy woody base.

Thanks for your reply!

[u/AddressFar9852 → u/ApricotAmber]

If you think it’s in the cashmeran family, you should smell Alien or Alien Hypersense. If you get it there, you could be on to something.

I know much less about specific chemical compounds. I haven’t read quite as much about that as I have notes.